Mike Silva's New York Baseball Digest » Brooklyn Cyclones

Listen: Ralph Branca “A Moment in Time” @ 8pm

Sunday, October 23rd, 2011

I have the pleasure of Ralph Branca headlining the show tonight. Ralph recently published a book with David Ritz called “A Moment in Time: An American Story of Baseball, Heartbreak, and Grace.” Hear him talk about the “shot heard ’round the world” and how the Giants stole the 1951 pennant with an elaborate system to steal signs […]

Backman Not Joining Nationals

Tuesday, October 11th, 2011

I was just informed that the report about Wally Backman possibly joining the #Nats as a Major League coach is not true. #MLB #MetsTue Oct 11 18:24:55 via webWilliam Ladsonwashingnats Bill Ladson, Nationals beat reporter for MLB.com reports that Wally Backman will not be joining Davey Johnson’s staff. I would suspect this means that Backman […]

Are the Mets Forcing Scranton to Barnstorm Over ’06 Snub?

Friday, September 30th, 2011

The Yankees have announced their Triple-A affiliate will play its home games in six different locations in 2012: Rochester, Batavia, Syracuse, Lehigh Valley, Buffalo, and Pawtucket. This is due to renovation of PNC Field, which will take the entire 2012 season. The Mets not only rejected the Yankees request to play at Bears & Eagles Stadium in […]

Listen: Weekly Digest Tonight at 6pm

Sunday, June 26th, 2011

Tonight I am headlined by longtime sports writer Phil Pepe. Phil has been a friend to the show over the years, and he will discuss his latest book “1961*: The Inside Story of the Maris-Mantle Home Run Chase.” Pepe had a firsthand look at the ’61 Yanks and the historic home run race as he […]

Brooklyn Still a Pure Baseball Experience a Decade Later

Tuesday, June 21st, 2011

I was in attendance last night for the Brooklyn Cyclones/Aberdeen Ironbirds game at MCU Park in Coney Island. I decided to take in the game as a fan, electing to avoid the chaos an event such as “Angel Pagan Bobble Head Night” creates when you have tons of mainstream media in the building. Taking in […]

King Henry, HBP, Shrute’s Offspring Likes Yankees, Pretzels

Tuesday, June 21st, 2011

I love mascots at the ballpark. Mr. Met is cool, and even the Philly Phanatic has some of his funny moments. It’s really meant for the kids, who like silly characters that interact with them. If you go to any Minor League ballpark there are tons of fun mascots. There is even a bat dog […]

Morning Digest: First Ever Sports Talk Call Edition

Saturday, June 18th, 2011

Yesterday, Neil Best of Newsday educated us on the first every sports talk call, which was taken by the legendary Bill Mazer. The first-time caller, first-time listener would be a man in his 60s now, presumably still a fan with a phone. Perhaps he even weighed in this week on Jose Reyes‘ contract or Derek […]

Can Homegrown Mets Win Over Fans?

Monday, February 28th, 2011

There were reports this weekend of much weaker than expected Mets season ticket sales. I don’t think that should be a surprise after how last season ended, the lack of a big free agent catch, and the negativity surrounding the Madoff scandal. However, winning will change things very quickly. Remember, before Mike Piazza‘s arrival in […]

Time for Selig to Save the Mets

Saturday, February 5th, 2011

It was reported earlier in the week that Bud Selig force Fred and Jeff Wilpon to hire Sandy Alderson to turn around the stale baseball operations. In talking with people around baseball, for as good a man Omar Minaya was, he was vastly over his head in running a baseball team. The scary part is […]

“It’s the Best Pitched Game I Have Ever Seen”

Saturday, February 5th, 2011

New Brooklyn pitching coach Frank Viola joined me on this past Wednesday’s show. We talked about his pitching philosophy, time in Minnesota, and his trade to the Mets. One of the topics we also discussed was his matchup against Yale’s Ron Darling while at St. John’s. “To this day, that is the best pitched game […]

Listen: Frank Viola and Nelson Figueroa at 8pm

Wednesday, February 2nd, 2011

I have a couple of local New York hurlers joining me tonight as we kick off the first Wednesday show we will have during Spring Training. New Brooklyn Cyclones pitching coach Frank Viola will join me. Known as “Sweet Music” during his career we will remember his Cy Young days in Minnesota, the ’87 World […]

Listen: Weekly Digest Tonight at 9pm

Sunday, September 12th, 2010

Listen to another edition of the Weekly Digest tonight at 9pm We talk MILB playoffs, Andy Pettitte‘s rehab start, the Cyclones quest for a championship, Johan Santana‘s injury, and the Mets Walter Reed controversy. LISTEN TO NYBD 24/7/365 ON OUR FREE APP COURTESY OF NOTICE SOFTWARE

Watch: Last Night’s Cyclones Final Out

Friday, September 10th, 2010

Ceciliani Exemplifies Cyclones Baseball

Friday, September 10th, 2010

I am not suggesting that Darrell Ceciliani is at the same prospect talent level as Wilmer Flores, Jenrry Mejia, or Kirk Nieuwenhuis. However, you have to love the story that is being written in Brooklyn as they are just a couple of wins away from their second championship. This tenth anniversary season has seen former […]

Wally Ball Keeps Brooklyn Alive

Thursday, September 9th, 2010

It was a small, but passionate crowd in Brooklyn last night for the Cyclones must win Game 2 against Jamestown in the NYPL semifinals. It was one of the better games I have seen in Brooklyn in a long time. A seesaw battle that saw the fans express a range of emotion, including some frustration […]