Balls across the nose of Jimmy Rollins. (Photo)
Newsday's Neil Best reported that WPHT 1210's radio analyst Larry Andersen said in regards to Jose Reyes' home run celebration yesterday, "Somebody ought to put one in his neck." WPHT is aptly called 'The BIG Talker'.
I guess Andersen would suggest the same for Phillies' Jimmy Rollins celebration Tuesday or Shane Victorino's stare and clap into the Mets dugout after scoring in the ninth? (And why was Rollins benched yet again today...late to the stadium.)
Funny how guys in a booth 200 feet away make aggressive statements towards 5'10" 190 lbs. players. This, also, coming from a guy who hit a grand total of 17 batters in his 17 MLB seasons. Imposing.
Do you want to bet me Andersen would not have suggested such actions against Darryl Strawberry or Ray Knight? No way he suggests balls to the face of either of those two.
Either way—it was unprofessional and inciting. An apology is not enough—he should be fined and suspended.
Maybe Eugene is still upset at his ESPN vote for one of the worst deadline trades ever or his Wikipedia entry:
"He is perhaps best known, in addition to his work with the Phillies broadcast team, as being the player who was involved in one of the most lopsided trades in sports history.
In 1990, he was traded to the Red Sox for minor league prospect Jeff Bagwell. While Andersen played only one season for the Sox, appearing in 15 games and recording four saves, Bagwell became a legend in Houston, hitting 449 home runs with over 1500 RBIs and a .297 average."
I guess he never had a chance to do this: http://magicmets.com/images/webimages/phillyphailure.jpg
And if he's making over 250k to do local baseball radio, he's able to afford a 100k fine.
Bob Mantz can be reached at gnxfan@hotmail.com
Briefly in the Top-10 Power Sports Poll..Vote 'Bob Mantz' and 'Jose Reyes' at http://www.businessweek.com/power100/poll.html
PS. Hmmmm, this article went live 6/26 at 11am. I estimated the booth at 200ft away and lowered Reyes' actual official listing of being 6 ft tall to 5' 10" for exaggerational (yeah, I know that's not a word) purposes.
This article seem very familiar? With the line, "Suck it up and do your job without trying to act tough by threatening a 5′10″ shortstop from 200 feet away."
Damn, I'm being QUOTED now. How Cool!
30 comments Last one added 11 months ago — Leave a Comment
David Halpren 11 months ago
Putting Larrt Andersen's job status aside for a second.........Are you nuts? You're trying to compare Jimmy Rollins and Shane Victorino's clapping in the 9th inning Tuesday to what Reyes did last night? The guy hits a homer in the 6th inning and runs around the bases with his finger in the air (signaling #1....not sure who is #1)....I mean what was that all about? Dude, show some class, first off it was the 6th inning, second, its not even a game in September, let alone October. Then of course he goes into the dugout and does his standard chicken dance, which is just flat out obnoxious. The guy is probably the most tasteless player in baseball. He hustles when he wants to, has a severe attitude problem and definitely cost the Mets the division last year. He's got a ton of talent and yet he's completely unlikeable outside the tainted glasses of Mets fans.
As for Larry, he's just calling it as he sees, that's his job as an analyst. He's a former pitcher and he's giving his perspective. he didn't say for someone to KILL Reyes, he said to throw at him, which is what happens when a player shows up a team.
Stop whining!
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bob mantz 11 months ago
A) He didn't say throw at him - he said put it in his neck.
B) Victorino directing his clap to the Mets bench? - yes I am.
and C) - if that were Ray Knight - I think Andersen would get a visit.
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Patrick Murray 11 months ago
In my opinion, theres nothing wrong with Reyes raising his hand to the air after hitting a home run to take the lead in an important game for the Mets after having a meltdown the night before. He waited until he got to the dugout to do any celebration, and he just likes to do his little secret handshakes with his teammates in the dugout. He did not direct anything toward the Phillies, he didnt even look at them. Reyes is the guy the Mets need to contribute the most.
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bob mantz 11 months ago
Patrick - you and Jimmy Rollins.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/06/sports/baseball/06reyes.html
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Tanya Mercado 11 months ago
What makes what Reyes did worse than when Rollins did it last year at Shea? There is no difference. Its the same thing. I have no problem with any player from any team doing it. These games were playoff like caliber games. Reyes had every right to do that. It wasn't classless. If that's the case, then so is Rollins. BTW, great article Bob.
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David Halpren 11 months ago
A) In case you're unaware, "put it in his neck" means throw at him....relax, stop trying to make comments people make into a federal issue....you probably helpded get Don Imus kicked of the air, didn't you? Not that I would ever listen to that hack, but my point is, its not easy to keep everyone one happy when your on the air.
B) Gee, you don't think that clap (how demeaning) was because of Reyes' dance earlier in the game when Delgado homered? Ans I see you've alreadt relented on Rollins. And you obviously agree Reyes is a punk, so I'm glad we're clear now.
C) Ray Knight? Maybe Nancy Lopez.
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bob mantz 11 months ago
-relax, stop trying to make comments people make into a federal issue-
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David Halpren 11 months ago
ahh, you backed down and agreed with my points, good man. You could have just come out and said it, but this was close enough.
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Mike Piazza 11 months ago
David - I would like to put one in your stupid neck
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David Halpren 11 months ago
aww, how cute, but I don't go that way. Sorry.....
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Eric Brenner 11 months ago
David...this is a classic Phillies fan response. I hear them every day. The Mets lost the division last year becuase they couldnt hold a lead in the late innings. I watched every game. Reyes isnt the whole team despite how much Phillies fans try to make him.
But honetly if that was Rollins running with his finger in the air I can guarantee whole heartedly that you would be defending Jimmy. After last year's disaster, we need some excitement from our players.
At least Reyes didnt curse off an entire city on national television. A quiet lack of taste, maybe. I've always liked Chase though because he kept his mouth shut. These Phillies like to make big splashes with their mouths..It goes both ways my friend.
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David Halpren 11 months ago
You had 2 good players last year, Wright and Reyes, everyone else was a role player. If you think otherwise, you're overevaluating your team. Basically the same reasons why you were picked to run away with the division this year and haven't.
You've read my stuff, I give fair opinions, so don't give me the typical "classic Phillies fan response" And no way would I defend Rollins if he did that. In fact I ripped Rollins last week and I'll rip him again today (for being late to the game yesterday), so don't pretend to know my reactions to my own team.
The fact is, you don't hit a homer and run around the bases with your finger up in the air. No one does that.....NO ONE. And you know it. Its called showing some class. Yes of course you can celebrate, be happy, clap...etc, but what he did crossed the line. There's a certain show of respect to your opponents and he just proved he's an immature punk with no class. Sorry if the truth hurts.
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Ian Thomas 11 months ago
wow, looks like Mets fans really are as moronic as they seem.
look, even if Reyes wasn't directing his antics at the Phillies (and he probably wasn't), he still needs to act like he's hit a big home run before. He just looked like an idiot, and he made his entire team look bad. None of the Phillies would be wagging his finger in the air while running around the bases. Not one. And does Jose reeeally need to engage in a customized, five-minute handshake celebration with everyone in the dugout?
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David Rodriguez 11 months ago
the team?
ian u know what really looks bad the phils in second place, looking up at the mets
and he can do handshakes all he wants it show that the team has some kinda connection to each other and like having pride( ozzie smith did freakn backflips on the field)
Jose reyes can do what ever he wants if its not directed towards the phils or anyother major league team. it just make the game more exciting
ps and your announcer said that those things because he was mad that his team (he's so passionate about) just giving up the tie and he was looking for someone to take it out on.
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Hutchinson Douglass 11 months ago
Implying that one should throw one at any player is just wrong. Never have I ever anything like that when the Mets were down and out last season, or any season. It's unpro-fuckin-fessional- if you're a former pitcher- even if you were pissed off about your pedestrian career and being considering the losing end of "the worst trade"- passionate about the team, whatever. I find it quite cowardly for anyone to put someone on the receiving end of an 80 - 90 mph hard ball anywhere on their, especially considering one wouldn't wish that on themselves.
That's just real shit. It's not a Mets fan vs. Phillies fan thing, because I, unlike Mr. Andersen, realize that I'm just a fan, and it's just a game- one that I'm not playing in because I (and he as well) am not qualified to play professionally.
And seriously, for these players, the game means a lot more than the spectators- meaning celebrations happen. Are we gonna stop teams from high fiving after the game? I don't think so- but that's as much of a 'celebration'. So kindly refrain with your peanut gallery commentary on Reyes and his demeanor during a game that has implications for October- I can guarantee you won't be there like any of these players.
Like it or not, you're still just a fan.
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bob mantz 11 months ago
"None of the Phillies would be wagging his finger in the air while running around the bases."
I think if they did Jose might grab his hand back. Jeeze.
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bob mantz 11 months ago
Nice take on this here: http://blog.silive.com/mets/2008/07/mets_win_brings_sour_grapes_fr.html
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bob mantz 11 months ago
I don't think he cares too much what outsiders think. Happy Guy http://weblogs.newsday.com/sports/watchdog/blog/reyes1.jpg
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Eric Brenner 11 months ago
Thanks Hutch,
It just boggles my mind how Reyes becomes the topic of conversation so much. There is a game to be played. So lets focus on that instead of arguing over stupid stuff like this. The fact is that the Mets are 9-4 versus the Phils this year. The Mets were a terrible team at the beginning of the year and now they are in first. Its just facts, not opinions. So lets get off of this and focus on the actual game. Us "moronic" Mets fans certainly have.
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Jon McLaughlin 11 months ago
As a Phillies fan I don't personally agree with what Anderson said, but I understand the emotion. I'm all for celebrating walk off home runs and gaming winning pitches, but I truely believe that it has become a bit much. Do I think that God helped Jimmy get the game winning double on Tuesday? Uh, No. So why does he? I understand that emotions run high from the fans to the players to the pressbox, unfortunately Anderson let the relief pitcher in him get out.
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JL53445 l 11 months ago
what the phillies announcers did was very unprofessional. but that's typical philly: classless and unprofessional. no need to get worked up on what was said by them since that is what you should expect from philadelphia. you'll never see mets announcers acting unprofessional like that.
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Eric Brenner 11 months ago
Jon,
you might have to watch what you are saying on the religious front. Praising the Lord for being given the opportunity to play professional baseball is not something to take so lightly, even if you are not a religious person. Its a matter of respect for something that another person believes in.
JL,
You will then agree with my article written yesterday.
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bilal haider 11 months ago
David,
You just said NO ONE hits a homer and runs around the bases with their finger in the air? Why are you not acknowledging the fact that Jimmy Rollins ran around the bases with his fist in the air when hit that 3 run homerun against Heilman? Or is it okay because it was the 8th inning and not the 6th inning? Reyes hit a tie breaking homerun in a huge series following one of the worst losses of the season! This whole thing is a joke!
At least Reyes consistently acts the same way regardless of who the opponent is. I've lived in philly the past few years and its very obvious that J Roll adds a little more to his celebrations when hes playing the Mets. Look at his antics in the bottom of the 9th in the field, smiling and acting like they were about to clinch the division, do you ever see mets fans complaining? This whole thing has been driven by the media and your just a puppet for falling for it.
So what is your opinion on players like Carlos Zambrano, K-Rod and other pitches who do emphatic fist pumps when making a big strikeout in the middle of May? And how come you don't care that David Wright crossed the play yesterday and let our a HUGE ROAR and fist pump? Is it because no one in the media brought it up?!
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David Halpren 11 months ago
Bilal,
I love your enthusiasm, but you are completely overstating about Rollins. When he hit that home run (last June), he put his fist out as he was half way to first. It was not up in the air and it certainly didn't stay up in the air as he rounded the bases, unlike Reyes.
Look this is stupid to try and pinpoint what is acceptable and what isn't, but its pretty what obvious what Reyes did was showing up the other team and that's a no-no. When you strikeout a batter a fist pump is ok in the 9th inning or getting out of a jam...etc. But you never see a pitcher strikeout a batter then run around the bases holding up their finger for everyone to see.
The fist pump is in the moment, the holding the finger up in the air for an extended time is just classless. Plain and Simple.
And what are you talking about when you say "This whole thing has been driven by the media and your just a puppet for falling for it. " Uhhhh, NO. I watched the game, I saw it happen and I immediately knew that people were going to go nuts over it. You want to defend your player, fine. defend him. I'll just remember that you're not an objective person and not bother reading your posts. The posts on are supposed to be informative and add value and yours are clearly biased because of your love for the Mets.
For the record, I hate the Yankees, but their fans are right about one thing---the Mets fans never are objectionable.
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bilal haider 11 months ago
PS: It's funny that your "homer" announcers care so much (although I give credit to McCarthy because he acknowledged that Jroll and Victorino do similar things) and the fans cares so much! If it's such a big deal why hasn't any Phillies pitcher done something about it? Because THEY DONT CARE! These "unwritten" baseball rules are so ancient now, look at how players in the NFL and NBA celebrate- things are different nowadays!
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bilal haider 11 months ago
Thank you for casting me as not being an objective person. Like you said to someone earlier, you have no idea what my opinions are in gereral so please dont place a label on me. In fact, I just recently posted on a Mets blog site defending Victorino to all my fellow mets fans.
"For the record, I hate the Yankees, but their fans are right about one thing---the Mets fans never are objectionable." Why do you insist on making gereralizations like this? Do you see me attacking all Philly fans? I have plenty of objective arguments with Philadelphia fans every day as I live in the city. What was so biased about my opinions? I have no problem with what Jimmy Rollins or Victorino do, I was just trying to prove a point of how overstated this is!
Since you are getting technical about "how long was Jimmys fist was in the air" he did round first base with his fist in the air and Jose put his finger down before he got to third! Can you please explain the guidelines for showing up the other team? Do you have to put your hand down before you reach first base?
If you never lived in New York you have no idea what Yankees fans are like, trust me, they would probably say this Mets Phillies series doesnt matter because its nothing compared to the AL East- but of course they are so objective.
My comments must have really gotten to you for you to label me and all mets fans.
You have yet to answer the question, how come none of the PHillies pitchers have a problem with this? IN FACT- I have a problem with how friendly Jose Reyes is with all the phillies players. You'll notice everytime a player reaches second Jose will start laughing and chatting with them- is he really trying to show them up?
Did you see what Ryan Braun did last night? What Jose did doesn't even come close to that!
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bilal haider 11 months ago
In respects to the media driven comment. In April when Jose was struggling and not doing handshakes with people, the national media said Jose isn't the same enthusiastic player he once was. Now that hes back to being himself everyone is calling a showboat. People have pointed the finger at him since the Mets collapse as if he is sole responsibile for anything that goes wrong with the Mets.
You said earlier "The mets have two great players and a bunch of role players." Well what do the Phillies have? They only finished one game ahead of the Mets last year and our one game back this season?
Or was that one of your "objective posts"
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JL53445 l 11 months ago
"For the record, I hate the Yankees, but their fans are right about one thing---the Mets fans never are objectionable."
Well David, neither are they, nor are the philly fans, especially you. but in all honesty, aren't all fans subjective to a certain extent? just get rid of your "holier than thou" attitude, thinking you're objective cuz honestly, you're not and it's sad to think that you are.
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JL53445 l 11 months ago
"For the record, I hate the Yankees, but their fans are right about one thing---the Mets fans never are objectionable."
oh wait, sorry, i misread David's quote. I thought he said Mets fans are never objective, but he actually said mets fans are never objectionable. why thank you for the compliment david, but i have to disagree with you there. we can get pretty nasty to non-mets fans/players.
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bob mantz 11 months ago
This article seem very familiar? http://www.bugsandcranks.com/new-york-mets/brad-bortone/larry-andersen-makes-history-broadcasts-entire-inning-while-speaking-from-his-ass/
With the line, "Suck it up and do your job without trying to act tough by threatening a 5′10″ shortstop from 200 feet away."
Damn, I'm being QUOTED now. How Cool!
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