You often get the feeling that players aren’t as passionate about the same things as Joe Fan is. But it turns out, the Mets (at least some of them) hate the Phillies as much as fans do.
Personally, I don’t hate the Phillies like I used to hate the Braves. My “hatred” is more jealousy – they’ve built their team the way I wish the Mets had. And I think the Halladay deal will blow up in their faces in a couple of years. But I digress.
Last week, the Mets hosted a couple of VIP cocktail receptions for season ticket holders at the Caesar’s Club. On Wednesday, Howie Rose hosted David Wright, Mike Pelfrey, Omir Santos, Ryota Igarashi and John Maine; on Thursday, Maine and Santos returned for a second round joined by Pedro Feliciano, Daniel Murphy and Howard Johnson, all gently interrogated by Ron Darling. I attended the Thursday evening session. On both nights, all the players took questions from the audience as well.
All the players seemed well media-trained and, despite some pointed questions about Carlos Beltran (Murphy: “Carlos always has the best interests of the team at heart”), the signing of Jason Bay and last season’s miseries, kept a cool Crash Davis-coached head on their shoulders – except when a fan asked all the members of the panel if they hated the Phillies as much as the fans did. Barely missing a beat, Daniel Murphy offered this bit of bulletin board material: “I really despise the Phillies,” to the enthusiastic applause of the crowd.
Other highlights: Omar Santos re-enacted his reaction to his favorite moment of the year – his ninth-inning homer off Jonathan Papelbon at Fenway Park:
John Maine admitted he had tried to do too much lat season and pronounced himself healthy and raring to go.
HoJo told Murphy he didn’t have to be so perfect all the time and told him to take a day off from swinging periodically. Murph agreed, noting that if he got 600 ABs during the season and made strong contact in 300 of those ABs, the results would make everyone happy.
But there’s no reason to synopsize the entire event. I recorded all 36 minutes of Thursday’s Q&A for your perusal, which are linked below in four parts:
While I was at CitiField, I snapped a couple of shots of the construction of the Mets Museum, to be located where the first base side gift shop used to be; more precisely, these are pictures of the deconstruction of the gift shop:
54 comments
wannybackstra
1/18/2010-3:47pm at 3:47 pm (UTC -4)
It’s funny that Omir Santos is being thrown into the media rotation when it seems the Mets are doing all they can to buy him a one-way bus ticket to Buffalo.
Perhaps this is an indication that the prevailing assumption here that Henry Blanco is a given as the Mets backup catcher is not accurate?
Did anyone ask the players if they hate Jerry Manuel as much as the fans do?
DNDJohan aka kistics
1/18/2010-4:58pm at 4:58 pm (UTC -4)
I got the same impression too regarding Santos. I don’t think Blanco is an automatic backup catcher. I wouldn’t be surprised if Santos is the backup next year.
GravediggerHebner
1/18/2010-3:52pm at 3:52 pm (UTC -4)
I’ve only watched part I so far but what I take from it is that Pedro Feliciano is a funny guy and that today’s season ticket holders still love them some ’86 Mets.
Kingman 26
1/18/2010-4:19pm at 4:19 pm (UTC -4)
Have not watched the video yet, and great job Mr Baby, but I just wonder—did Jose get up and dance on a few tables like a 6-year old when Murph said that and the crowd cheered–how PERFECT would that have been?
A January dugout dance to celebrate a so-so 2nd year player telling everyone how he despises the 2-time NL champ Phils?
Did anyone take a peek at the standings over the last three years? Did anyone remind Murph that maybe it is time for the Met players to SHUT UP? Nah, let’s keep talking and blabbing and dancing while the Phils collect pennants.
Seriously, what could be a better move! Let’s give the Phils–our superiors 3 horrible years in a row–bulletin board material in January!
stickguy
1/18/2010-4:37pm at 4:37 pm (UTC -4)
chill dude, he was giving the fans what they wanted, trying to pump up the base.
And BB material is right up there with grit and chemistry on the irrelevance scale (especially this time of the year).
ANd frankl.y, who cares what the record was? Are the mets supposed to roll over and whimper because the phils are so big and bad?
Kingman 26
1/18/2010-4:43pm at 4:43 pm (UTC -4)
I am perfectly chilled dude.
I am sick of the nonsense. I want to see good baseball, and Murph, at this incredibly established, impressive stage of his fabulous career, should say little about the Phils, and if he must, it should be quiet and respectful, as they have been besting us since before he even saw MLB.
Of course the Mets are not supposed to roll over and whimper, but should a thus far mediocre 2nd year player be announcing that he despises them?
I guess I think it is more funny than anything, some of these guys’ attitudes.
Do they even realize that they have not made the postseason in 4 years and the Phils have 2 pennants and a title in the last 2?
DNDJohan aka kistics
1/18/2010-5:00pm at 5:00 pm (UTC -4)
Boy… someone woke up on the wrong side of the bed this morning….
Kingman 26
1/18/2010-5:09pm at 5:09 pm (UTC -4)
LOL! Not at all!
It is just hilarious to me that Murphy would say that….it kind of epitomizes the organization to an extent, in terms of how they view themselves and how everyone else views them.
“Dan (Who?) Murphy Despises Phils. Howard, Rollins, Utley, Victorino, Ibanez, and 6 Other Phils Rushed to Hospital in Uncontrollable Fits of Laughter.”
That should be some Philly sports headline tomorrow.
Murph despises Phils.
Phils laugh at Mets.
Take four approaching?
GravediggerHebner
1/18/2010-5:59pm at 5:59 pm (UTC -4)
I can see this headline tomorrow:
“Howard, Rollins, Utley, Victorino, Ibanez and 6 other Phils’ respect for Murphy grows.”
Asked to respond, Rollins said “It’s nice to see that someone on that team has a pair. I mean, could Beltran’s weak-ass response to me a few years back have been more lame? At least this Murphy kicked it up a notch. Maybe with a few more guys like Murphy on their roster they might have the heart/grit/shinola to make a run at us.”
Kingman 26
1/18/2010-7:39pm at 7:39 pm (UTC -4)
Touche!
dirtysanchez
1/18/2010-4:22pm at 4:22 pm (UTC -4)
amazing content baby…thank you so much for bringing us in there with ya. Since you were there, was there anyone who was much bigger than they look on tv?
Kingman 26
1/18/2010-4:24pm at 4:24 pm (UTC -4)
Mr Baby! He apparently looks like a full-grown adult!
wannybackstra
1/18/2010-4:27pm at 4:27 pm (UTC -4)
Has Dirty channeled his inner Jack Horner?
Kingman 26
1/18/2010-4:30pm at 4:30 pm (UTC -4)
I snuck in at the end, and Floyd Gondoli was HUGE in person!
wannybackstra
1/18/2010-4:36pm at 4:36 pm (UTC -4)
I like simple pleasures, like butter in my @$$, lollipops in my mouth. That’s just me.
Kingman 26
1/18/2010-4:47pm at 4:47 pm (UTC -4)
This here’s the future. What Daniel Murphy says on videotape tells the truth.
wannybackstra
1/18/2010-5:34pm at 5:34 pm (UTC -4)
Good thing the Phils will only watch film.
GravediggerHebner
1/18/2010-5:06pm at 5:06 pm (UTC -4)
However one feels about Murphy answering a question asked by a season ticket holder at a reception for season ticket holders, it was a two-part question and I loved his response to the other part.
Q: Is it hard to hit HR at Citi Field?
A: I don’t think so, I led the team in HR.
mattsmith
1/18/2010-5:16pm at 5:16 pm (UTC -4)
I have no problem with what Murphy said. It’s good to see that type of fire out of both teams. You know J-Roll will respond sooner or later
Go Phils! Good to see Murphy not scared to say something!
wannybackstra
1/18/2010-5:35pm at 5:35 pm (UTC -4)
Great, a battle of words from two mediocre players!
GravediggerHebner
1/18/2010-5:54pm at 5:54 pm (UTC -4)
I view it more like NLEC’s resident Phillies blogger Matt Smith does: it’s refreshing to see that on a Met roster populated with media-shy, quiet, politically correct players, someone has some balls. Now back it up Murph!
Kingman 26
1/18/2010-7:49pm at 7:49 pm (UTC -4)
There is indeed a very, very fine line between being ballsy and being an obnoxious, mouthy joke.
Not sure which side of the line young Murph was on here today.
Making too much of this am I? Hate celebrations and confidence, do I? Hell no.
I just think our players need to do their talking and dancing BETWEEN the lines until they clinch their next postseason berth.
But I know I am in the minority here as someone who does in fact hope the Phils never win another game, but who also tremendously respects what they do when they actually play baseball.
Mr North Jersey
1/18/2010-5:55pm at 5:55 pm (UTC -4)
Talk about keeping things in perspective. You have a kid Murphy at a event for season ticket holders answering a question from a fan that he hates the Phillies. The nerve of him, how dare he say such things.
I only wish he would say that when he is on the field he hates everyone that is not wearing the blue & orange. That is the mentality I like in my team but sadly they usually shake hands after the player just hit a double off them and talk about whatever millionaires talk about that are part of a Union.
-Sigh
wannybackstra
1/18/2010-6:27pm at 6:27 pm (UTC -4)
Reading lips I once thought I saw Derek Jeter talking to David Ortiz at the second base bag about trying to get time and a half for extra innings.
Kingman 26
1/18/2010-7:43pm at 7:43 pm (UTC -4)
Yeah, Let’s Go Mets, let’s keep talking and frigin losing, that’s the current Met MO, isn’t it?
Yes it is!
Second year mediocre players should definitely lead the way in ticking off the 2-time league champls. Absolutely.
Who the hell needs to play in October when our guys talk so well from January to March.
Mr North Jersey
1/18/2010-7:46pm at 7:46 pm (UTC -4)
LOL King, I think you are making more of it then any Phillie player ever will.
Kingman 26
1/18/2010-7:51pm at 7:51 pm (UTC -4)
You are probably right!
I just feel embarassed as a fan that Murph said that, that’s all. Really silly stuff, in my opinion.
Murph, why do you despise the Phils? Because they have put us to shame the last three years and won a title and the last two NL pennants?
That’s weak and loser-ish to me, and very much reeks of sour grapes.
Mr North Jersey
1/18/2010-7:54pm at 7:54 pm (UTC -4)
Again do you really think he hates the Phils?
Keep in mind where it was said.
Kingman 26
1/18/2010-7:58pm at 7:58 pm (UTC -4)
OK, now I get it, and once again, you are making a really good point which I did not think of.
Maybe he WAS just playing to the fans…..
Mr North Jersey
1/18/2010-7:51pm at 7:51 pm (UTC -4)
if it wasn’t for baby no one would even of known other than those that were at the event. Maybe the media is saving it for some juicy back page once Spring Training begins. OH NO now we pissed off the big ole scary phillies.
Kingman 26
1/18/2010-7:55pm at 7:55 pm (UTC -4)
OK, I will bite for another round—it is not just the issue of angering the Phils–who have quite clearly shown how much better they are than us in every way the last three years, as we did in 2006, but it is the mentality.
Murph doesn’t think “Wow, I respect the Phils.” He thinks “Wow, I hate the Phils.”
Weak, Weak, Weak.
Mr North Jersey
1/18/2010-7:59pm at 7:59 pm (UTC -4)
King again I think if you are to believe he hates Ryan Howard or Utley or Roy Halladay that is fine be angry at that I will rather believe that it was said to give a fan what he wanted to hear or just simply taken out of context in any case it is nowhere near something that will get anymore than something to chat about on a blog.
Kingman 26
1/18/2010-8:03pm at 8:03 pm (UTC -4)
You are very possibly right, as I said above.
DNDJohan aka kistics
1/18/2010-8:25pm at 8:25 pm (UTC -4)
F the Phillies!
trs86
1/18/2010-8:38pm at 8:38 pm (UTC -4)
I actually refuse to comment on this discussion. I love you guys but IMO quite silly, as are many of my arguments as well. But coming back to read this as an innocent guy, I can’t believe on TRDM we are actually even having this discussion.
Mr North Jersey
1/18/2010-8:40pm at 8:40 pm (UTC -4)
You mean your not floored by Murphy’s remarks?
trs86
1/18/2010-8:47pm at 8:47 pm (UTC -4)
LOL, again this is The Real Dirty METS.
Kingman 26
1/18/2010-8:49pm at 8:49 pm (UTC -4)
If I had a dollar for every time I really regretted commenting recently, I would have a pretty large handful of money.
With some of the things you guys suggest and come up with, man, it’s too much to read some of this, especially after what went on on the field the last three years.
trs86
1/18/2010-8:51pm at 8:51 pm (UTC -4)
Kingman, all I have said is I can’t believe we are than concerned over if Daniel Murphy likes or dislikes the Phillies. For all I care
“I want to look him straight in the eye and I want to tell him what a cheap, lying, no-good, rotten, four-flushing, low-life, snake-licking, dirt-eating, inbred, overstuffed, ignorant, blood-sucking, dog-kissing, brainless, dickless, hopeless, heartless, fat-ass, bug-eyed, stiff-legged, spotty-lipped, worm-headed sack of monkey shit he is! Hallelujah! Holy shit! Where’s the Tylenol? “
Kingman 26
1/18/2010-8:56pm at 8:56 pm (UTC -4)
Yeah, and I bet if anyone has any last minute gift ideas for you, you’d like Jimmy Rollins right there tonight. You want him brought from his happy holiday slumber over there on Phillies Lane with all the other World Series ring owners and you want him brought right there, with a big Mets ribbon on his head.
Mr North Jersey
1/18/2010-8:57pm at 8:57 pm (UTC -4)
For the record I have no problem with Ryan Howard playing 1st for the Mets.
trs86
1/18/2010-9:03pm at 9:03 pm (UTC -4)
Yup, when the Phillies can no longer afford him and he is on the down side of his career I am sure that the future Mets GM will have no problem overpaying himm.
Mr North Jersey
1/18/2010-9:07pm at 9:07 pm (UTC -4)
Well he will be a free agent after next season that should give us enought time to figure out if Murphy or Davis are parts of the Mets future.
trs86
1/18/2010-9:14pm at 9:14 pm (UTC -4)
True, I would imagine they will have to let someone go. Lets hope they are not coming off a 5peat of NLE by then.
trs86
1/18/2010-9:02pm at 9:02 pm (UTC -4)
You know what I am thankful for? The fact that the above rant is NOT waiting in moderation.
But yeah Kingman, we know your soft spot for the Phillies. Easy I am just joking. I agree they need to prove it on the field. I also, however, have no problem with any Met hating their main rival.
metsfan4decades
1/18/2010-9:39pm at 9:39 pm (UTC -4)
‘NOT waiting in moderation’. LOL. Comment of the week.
Mr North Jersey
1/18/2010-8:55pm at 8:55 pm (UTC -4)
King you are definitely right some of the things that is suggested and come up with will make you say damn are you serious?
But it is not a personal thing just differences of opinions.
Hazmet
1/18/2010-9:19pm at 9:19 pm (UTC -4)
I’m not sure what disturbs me more:
a) the fact that the Met’s player’s are more media saavy then their front office. or,
b) the fact that John Maine feels good. OK great so I can count on him going 5 innings instead of 3.
I’m sure the Phil’s are just cheesequaking over the Met’s rotation of Johan and the 4 number 5′s.
trs86
1/18/2010-9:27pm at 9:27 pm (UTC -4)
Here’s the thing. Besides Pelfrey we don’t have any #5′s. Maine if he is healthy will be decent. If not then he’s a nothing. Not even a #5. Perez if healthy and focused is much more than a #5. If not then he is not even worth a crap in single A. Niese should not be starting for the Pirates in 2010.
So to me it’s Johan and who the hell knows? It COULD be great but those chances are not great.
DNDJohan aka kistics
1/18/2010-9:33pm at 9:33 pm (UTC -4)
well.. you have Pineiro….
trs86
1/18/2010-9:36pm at 9:36 pm (UTC -4)
Do we?
Hazmet
1/18/2010-9:46pm at 9:46 pm (UTC -4)
So true. Yet, the Beltran Knee brew-ha-ha will provide enough of a smoke screen for the Met’s FO to keep the focus off this putrid looking rotation. Well, tomorrow is Sheet’s Day so let’s see what he’s got. We can always add him to the “if healthy” list. Man I’m depressing myself here. Sorry ya’ll.
metsfan4decades
1/18/2010-9:37pm at 9:37 pm (UTC -4)
First, thank you Sir – Mrbaby – for bringing this to us fans who not only do not have season tickets and would never get the chance to enjoy something like this, but as in my case, doesn’t get to actually see many games at the ballpark…..
As for the Murphy comment controversy…..to be fair, I listened to this in it’s entirety first to get the perspective of what was said in what context. As a side note, I got a chuckle out of some of Maine’s comments. He’s got quite the sense of dry humor. Who would have thought?
To me, I get the impression, with Murphy’s age especially, that’s it’s all about baseball and nothing but baseball right now for this young man. He’s not about the almighty dollar – yet. He’s still trying to prove he belongs on a ML roster as a starter and I think he truly believes in his talents. I sincerely hopes that translates…
When asked about the Bay acquistion, his answer was something along the lines of a great signing for the Mets, someone who will undoubtedly help them get to or win (can’t remember which right now) the World Series. That’s just what I want to hear from every player. I want everyone of them aspiring to get to the WS. Murph’s aspiration is 95 wins? I certainly have no problem with that!
As far as the Philly comment, I think, given the audience, he answered in the spirit of what the fans who were there would like to hear. Does he really feel that way? I won’t pretend to know, but it wouldn’t surprise me. And I don’t have a problem with it. I don’t think he has any deep seated grudge/hate against any one Philly player. I think he looks at them as the team that has stuck it to the Mets the past few years and as a player with the kind of competitive streak he probably has, well…he probably really does hate the concept of the team as a whole. If I heard that correctly, Omir also said, ‘yes, I hate the Phillies too’. HoJo followed with the same sentiment. Ron then said something like ‘HoJo, you’re a Met fan. The Mets winning is first on your list and the Yankees losing is a close second’.
Just seems to me that some of our Mets, even though it’s a job for them as player, coach, whatever….have some of the same passion we fans do.
I don’t have a problem with that either. In fact, I hope quite a few more on this Mets team have that same attitude and do everything they can to use that ‘hatred’ to do all they can to knock ‘em off that pedestal of NL East division reigning champs this year. After all, the overall arrogance of that ’86 teams was one of their strengths that year.
It’s the chicken and the egg theory. It’s all about confidence. It’s all about winning. So which one comes first? The confidence which leads to the winning – or the winning which leads to more and more confidence? In ’86, Davey told that team in ST, you’re not just going to win, you’re going to dominate. They believed it because Davey believed it. They got off to a very strong April and never looked back.
It’s now 2010. I’m ready for a new year. Let’s Go Mets!
Mr North Jersey
1/18/2010-9:50pm at 9:50 pm (UTC -4)
Well if the Jets win the Super Bowl then 2010 will be our year. Just like it wasway back in 1969.