SNY Can’t Break Up “The Core”
By Mike Silva ~ October 7th, 2009. Filed under: Sports Media Commentary.
The news yesterday that Keith Hernandez may have announced his last game at SNY came as a shock to me. I wasn’t surprised Keith was “loose lipped” about the negotiations on air, after all that is what makes him Keith Hernandez, but that SNY would allow Mex to even have the opportunity to publicize his discontent.
Raissman took the position that Hernandez is acting like a selfish jerk in the process. Although none of us know the particulars of the negotiations I take Hernandez position over anyone in the television industry every day of the week. If there is one thing I have learned the last three years is that television and radio is not filled with visionaries and geniuses. Quite the contrary, they think they are smarter than everyone, including their customers, and arrogance takes precedence. Why should Keith Hernandez back down when he holds all the cards?
SNY has some very talented individuals that work at the network. Their vision in new media, as I have mentioned before, should be commended. Their programming, well, that leaves much to be desired. I have been told that because SNY spends so much to produce the Mets pre, in game, and post game telecast there is little budget left for anything else. That is why you get Beer Money, Loudmouths, and an outsourced Mets Weekly as your prime shows. Each are cute, but would be received better if it were complementary programming versus its current role as the main event. This isn’t a knock on hosts, quite the contrary. Julie Alexandria, Alexi Panos, Adam Schein and Chris Carlin all are very talented. I just think the network lacks a higher level of sports discourse. Personally, their New York Baseball Today webisodes is some of the best programming on SNY.
Despite the lack of programming fans love SNY. Why? Gary, Keith, and Ron. Nothing is better than all three in the booth at the same time. There is a certain chemistry that words can’t describe because you have to experience it to understand what I mean. Is Hernandez replaceable? Sure, no one is indispensable, but if you put Al Leiter, David Cone, or even Bobby Ojeda in his place I believe the booth turns into something I would expect from YES, but without the kool aid. GKR is natural, unrehearsed, and about the most real thing I have seen on television in a long time. I personally wrote Gary Cohen an email in June telling him that, win or lose, watching the Mets is worthwhile because of “the booth”. I don’t think I am saying anything fans disagree with.
Maybe Keith is being petulant about money and vacation time. It wouldn’t surprise me. Honestly, with all the exploitation that goes on in media, shouldn’t someone turn the table and get paid? All I can say to SNY is this – pay the man. Work out a deal and continue the Mets legacy of superior in game broadcasts. If there is one thing the Mets have done well since 1962 it’s their selection of TV and radio announcers. Author Curt Smith came on my show in June to talk about his book on Vin Scully. When I asked him who can be mentioned in the same breath as the legendary Dodgers broadcaster he immediately mentioned GKR. Doesn’t that tell you something? The network is young and I can forgive the shoddy performance of non in game programming. I will not, and I know the fans agree, forgive them breaking GKR up after four short years. Suck it up and give the man what he wants- the fans want Gary, Keith, and Ron. Anything less is unacceptable.
October 7th, 2009 at 6:13 am
Speak for yourself. No offense, but I cannot abide Cohen. He is a readio announcer. like all the bad TV broadcasters of today, he NEVER shuts up. What is really needed is a little more silence and a lot more game. Not an endless flow of irrelevancy that comes from all of the TV booths on the air. I actually enjoyed a broadcast of a Twins game that MLB picked up last week. Sure the guy was a hick, but we did not hear him ALL the time. And honestly, I have no interest in, or respect for, the baseball “expertise” of a pompous nerd like Cohen. I really believe that broadcasting in general has never been worse than it is today. It is an assault on the senses. I kind of like Keith and Ron, although I think they have gone soft, but I find their personalities refreshing and different. Unlike many who follow the Mets, I think Cohen belongs back on radio, where his tendency toward overdescription is more palatable.
October 7th, 2009 at 7:44 am
GKR was probably the only reason to watch the games starting from August on (that and Thole). Don’t break up GKR.
October 7th, 2009 at 9:13 am
Raissman’s a tool who is only doing management’s bidding. Who could trust that Super Mario face?
October 7th, 2009 at 10:50 am
Gary Cohen is the weak link in the trio, and I feel that his “yes” man influence (or should I say YES man…freakin’ Michael Kay…) has neutered Keith and Ron. I liked Gary on the radio, because his nuts & bolts broadcasting ability was very well suited to a pictureless game. But his television schtick almost makes the Mets unwatchable on TV. I think they should correct this mistake by swapping Gary with Howie Rose. Howie was entertaining on TV and Gary was informative on the radio, if they were to be swapped the Mets would have the best broadcasting teams, on radio and television, in the business.
October 7th, 2009 at 11:50 am
How can you say Gary Cohen is bad? Gary Cohen is probably one of the best play-by-play men in the MLB (and I’m not saying this just because I’m a Mets fan)… GKR are great together, and I love Cohen’s calls like “It’s outta here!” Howie is also a great announcer… but right now, Gary Cohen has to be the top play-by-play guy out there… and I know a majority will agree with me.
October 7th, 2009 at 12:01 pm
GKR are the reason I started watching Mets games again three years ago, and as someone else said, lotta games they’ve been the only reason to keep watching. Give Hernandez a new deal, and keep them together.