Cohen, Darling Leading the Way For Mets
If you live in New York, or even if you don't, you probably have been exposed to the two cable sports networks dedicated to covering New York sports.
They both pride themselves in their baseball coverage. YES covers the Yankees, and SNY the Mets. After several seasons of feeling each other out, the two networks have been continually raising the stakes.
The Yankees have a bevy of booth personalities, anchored by the insufferable homer Michael Kay. The Mets have a simpler formula: broadcasting veteran Gary Cohen flanked by Met legends Ron Darling and Keith Hernandez, with an occasional cameo by the one and only Ralph Kiner.
Both broadcasts are top-notch. But in this media scholar's opinion, the Mets' broadcasts surpassed the Yankees' last year and the gap has been widening ever since.
The Yankees on YES
If you are not a Yankee fan, Kay is difficult to digest. He is one of those broadcasters who practices overkill, with a flair for the obvious. His home-run call ("see ya") is totally unbecoming of a professional, and can anger even the most peripheral viewer. After all, this is a guy who was once a columnist for the New York Post.
Despite Kay's presence, the broadcasts are still high-end sports entertainment. The team somehow believes that employing a stable of broadcasters and analysts is better than finding a formula that works. On any given night you may be subject to a trio that consists of Kay and two of the following: Ken Singleton, John Flaherty, Paul O'Neill, David Cone, Al Leiter, or if your really lucky, Bobby Murcer. Murcer, as many readers know, has been battling serious health issues and just recently resumed his role in the YES rotation.
The studio show is anchored by a number of hosts, but it's usually the polished Bob Lorenz. It is a well-produced informative show that provides the freshest and exclusive Yankee content around. After all, the Yankees own both entities—the network and the team.
The Mets on SNY
The Mets, unlike the Yankees, choose to clutter the pre and postgame shows with bodies rather that the booth. Those productions are hosted by Matt Yallof, who is joined by either Lee Mazzilli, Darryl Strawberry, or Harold Reynolds. On occasion, Ron Darling may sit in if he is not handling booth duty.
Darling's star has been rising in the broadcast sky. He has already won an Emmy for his work on SNY. He compliments Cohen's fluid style with intelligent and honest observations, and anecdotes lending to the broadcast's laid-back, unobtrusive approach. Add the knowledgeable, senior spokesman Keith Hernandez to the mix, and you have a winning combination.
Hernandez has been criticized by media pundits for his flat delivery and apprehensive demeanor. That was a hindrance in the infancy of this trio, but lately when SNY employs the three-man booth, Cohen and Darling have learned to play off Hernandez.
They have learned how to extract information out of Hernandez that he has not able to provide himself. He has also become the butt of jokes, and Keith has resigned himself to the role of third wheel.
The Verdict
SNY, because they are the Mets, and they have a looser, more fluid production. YES, with Kay and a slew of company men, provide a more contrived broadcast. For my money, they are both worth watching, but it's SNY that really brings it.
Comments (9) Add a comment »
from 7 days ago
The Mets jealousy is just astounding. Darling isnt a homer? Scooter wasnt? Is Sterling any good on the radio? I dont like kay either, but Leiter is good, Cone is good too...both ex Mets as well. Not too mention Justice at times, O'Neil, Singleton, and yes, Mrucer. Lets not forget we had Jim Kaat for years too! The YES Dynasty rules, and is the primary reason for our league leading salary. Check out their website at YESNETWORK.com. Doesn SNY even have one? Sterling use to be the TV guy, until the Yanks figured out that fans would watch either way, and put the better play by play announcer on the radio...and he dominates there now. While he is continously called out for his "Home runs calls", he calls one great game...put side the jealousy Mets Fans. We dont hate you at all, why the hate on us? Is it the money, or the WSCs?? Cuz it can not be "who has the better Network, undoubtedly that belongs to Yes. No, I dont like Kay either, but again, fans will listen anyhow because of the NETWORKING RIGHTS. Steinbrenner is one smart bean, ESPN pays him to show his games now...as does channel 3 on Fri....now that is good. Broadcast Rights belong to the Yankees. Do the Mets have the same, I am unsure. But doubt it. maybe we could compare hot tubs next.
from 7 days ago
This isn't about hating...its a fair assessment of two products
from 7 days ago
Do the Mets own their Network? Then it is not really an equal assessment, one is done by a third party, the other employs its' own "homers" directly, as it does Mike and The Mad Dooof, and Sterling too. Fair enough. Good artisitc style.
from 7 days ago
Patrick, thanks for the feedback,,,,now on to your question
SNY is a joint venture owned by the NY Mets, Time Warner and Comcast....I do not know the percentage breakdown.
YES is owned by Yankee Global Enterprises LLC (the Yankees' parent company) and Goldman Sachs. See below..
"When YES launched, Goldman Sachs owned a minority share of the network. In late 2003, the Yankees and Nets decided to part ways, with the Nets being sold to a group led by real-estate developer Bruce Ratner. In 2004, YankeeNets was renamed Yankee Global Enterprises LLC, which owns the Yankees and YES as separate companies. Therefore, the Yankees technically do not own YES. The Yankees, however, receive a rights fee from YES that is somewhat higher than MSG previously paid. In 2007, the portion of the network owned by Goldman Sachs was put up for sale for estate taxes reasons; the Yankees will reportedly keep their stake in the network."
from 7 days ago
Hey John please submit your story once so i don't have to scroll through the same story 5 times, if your having troubles contact bleacherreport.com's support center and i'm sure they can help you.
from 7 days ago
My apologies....even though it was BR that had the problem....I added an extra photo causing the message to dupe several times...they are aware of the problem
from 7 days ago
By the way John switch from YES to SNY and you will notice right away the clear quality difference on the stations... SNY has what it seems 80's camera's and YES has HD cameras.. and i would know since i work in television myself... the mets simply don't care what crap video they shell out to their fans... thats besides the point... O'Neil is the best commentator out there in my opinion.. tells the raw truth as it is with no bullsh&t in between
from 7 days ago
Jack
You are correct about the picture quality of SNY in comparison to YES. As of this April, though, SNY has begun delivering all original programming in 1080i HD. Last season only the home games were in HD.
Paul O'Neill is doing a fine job, I agree. I have no issue with the Yankee analysts, as I have stated. It is the play-by-play and the uneven rotation of those analysts that I find dissatisfying
from 5 days ago
LOL @ Patrick with the tried and true "We have more WS then you!" defense whenever something Yankee is compared to ANYTHING and is found lacking.
What a tool.
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