So a few people wrote in about a moment from last night's Dodgers-Cubs game and I wanted to explore it a little bit today. Manny Ramirez had just hit a solo shot to centerfield off of Carlos Zambrano, and when going through the highlights, Ron Darling noticed a little smile that Manny flashed right before the pitch. Forget for a second the awesomeness of smiling at a pitcher and then hitting a homerun, but rather listen to Darling's comments immediately following the grin....

"A little smile by Manny, like he knows what's coming. Sometimes guys just make a mockery of the game. Don't they Tony?"- Ron Darling

Now at the time, I thought that he was saying that in a positive way (that Manny was just too good), but a few people wrote in saying that they were furious and the use of the word was negative. The statement is so ambiguous, that I can definitely see their point. I've currently got an email into TBS, but I wanted to get your thoughts while we wait for a response. I still think it was positive but Darling definitely should have used a different word.

The way that networks, newspapers and radio stations are covering Brett Favre is almost more interesting than him playing for the Jets this season. There had been rumors that the Jets were being extremely selective about who Favre interviewed with and now NY Daily News has a shaft by shaft account of the situation....

While their reaction is reminiscent of the Secret Service swooping in to protect the President, it should come as no surprise. When Favre arrived at Jets camp, a rule was immediately set: He would give no one-on-one interviews.

Last week, the Jets' stated policy concerning Favre was altered. The "policy" now seemed to be highly selective and exercised at the Jets' discretion.

On Monday, Favre did a one-on-one telephone interview with ESPN-1050's Michael Kay. ESPN-1050 is the radio home of the Jets (WABC-AM airs Jets games, too). ESPN-1050 promoted the interview as Favre's first "exclusive" one-on-one since joining the Jets. The next day Favre went on WFAN with Mike (Napoleon Solo) Francesa.

While Favre likely did not get paid for the ESPN-1050 interview, this was definitely a form of checkbook chatter. ESPN-1050 got the spot because of its partnership with the Jets. Unfortunately, the interview was a snoozefest with Favre basically repeating much of what he had said since arriving at the Jets Hofstra bunker.

Yes, Jets scribes were shafted here, but the organization had a good excuse. This was just business. The Jets were taking care of a partner. The real kick in the butt came Tuesday when Francesa planted his fanny inside a tent at Hofstra.

WFAN is the radio home of the NFL champion Giants, but there sat Favre yakking live one-on-one with Francesa (seen also on YES). Even Eric Mangini hung around, playing the role of Favre's wingman.

Gang Green operatives breaking their own rule for business purposes is one thing, but allowing Francesa to access Favre gave those covering the team every right to be ticked and also feel like rented mules. Before you say "Who cares," realize this: The beat writers are an essential link between fans and a team. When an organization deprives them of one-on-one access, they are depriving you of original information, too.

Very Interesting. I can completely understand giving ESPN 1050 the first interview following the trade, but the WFAN is baffling. Raissman, who wrote the piece, even goes on to say that the Jets have also yet to grant its local TV partner, SNY, and sitdown with Favre. How would you feel if you were SNY and a Giants radio station in WFAN got an interview before you did? I'd be pretty upset.

Also, Newsday's Neil Best has a collection of quotes from various announcers in regards to Favre coverage this year. It's a really good look into their thinking, so check it out. Here's a small sample....

"We should be paying part of his salary."- Jim Nantz

"I'm hoping it's more play action. I hope he's holding the ball more, dropping deeper. I want to see him throw it down the field more because everyone says 'gunslinger, great arm,' but Green Bay led the league in short passes."- Phil Simms

"He's certainly given a shot in the arm to this city. It's been great. It seems like it's all we talk about on the radio."- Boomer Esiason

"As far as adapting to terminology and plays, if there's anybody in the league who can do it, it's him, because of the experience he's had. Football is football. You read coverages. Coverages don't change much. It's just the approach to the offense."- Dan Marino

"It's like being dropped in the middle of Japan, trying to speak that language and you have to figure it out for yourself ... You might see some ugly picks early in the year. You might see early throws that look like he doesn't know what he's doing. It's because he doesn't."- Rich Gannon

It's a shame that Gannon probably won't to get to call any Favre game this year (#1 and 2 teams will get all of them) because he seems to be the only analyst being realistic. Good for him. CBS will be banking on him early in the season, so it will be interesting to see how Nantz, Simms, etc. cover him. I'm not rooting for Favre to have a bad season, but rather hoping that CBS doesn't sugarcoat things if he does.

Brett Favre, Jets run quarterback sneak on media (NY Daily News)
CBS hoping to bank on Jets' Brett Favre bonanza (Newsday)

It was pretty crazy with SNY and the Mets last week as Willie Randolph took on the announcers, but this takes it to the next level. Keith Hernandez got on former teammate Gary Carter for openly pursuing the head coaching job and he had some words for Carter on-air yesterday. Via Newsday....

"I have great respect for Gary as a player," said Hernandez, now a TV analyst. "He's a Hall of Famer. When Johnny Bench left the game, he was the premier catcher in the National League.

"But that being said, and I've kept quiet for such a long time, but for the people out there listening, just go in the dictionary and look up 'unconscious' and you'll find a picture of Gary Carter.

"I know that's strong, but it just happens too many times and it's just, you're walking around unconscious."

Play-by-play man Gary Cohen also lambasted Carter for his comments and all of this going on while the Mets are just 3 and 7 in their last ten. I think it's about time for everyone to try and stop distracting the team and just call the games, but it's entertaining none the less.

Keith Hernandez rips ex-mate Gary Carter on air (Newsday)
Willie Randolph Vs. SNY (Awful Announcing)

There's a battle going on in New York and Willie Randolph and various SNY personalities are in the middle of it. The whole thing began when Randolph decided to respond to criticism by hinting that announcers on SNY were racist because of their treatment of black coaches in New York. SNY's personalities shot back today, and here's a collection of quotes during the war of words....

"I don't know how to put my finger on it," Randolph told the Record's Ian O'Connor. "But I think there's something there. Herman Edwards did pretty well here and he won a couple of playoff [games], and they were pretty hard on Herm. Isiah [Thomas] didn't do a great job, but they beat up Isiah pretty good. ... I don't know if people are used to a certain figurehead. There's something weird about it. They're the artists, I'm the canvas."- Willie Randolph

"Why is Willie wasting any time watching us, for one, and two, I just think it's wrong. I think his comments are wrong. I think some of the best things we do are watching not only Willie, but also his staff, go about their business educating these young men on how to play the game."- Ron Darling

"In my 17 years of major league baseball and 10-plus years of being up here in the booth, I've just never heard of a manager make those kinds of comments before, and I'm really quite surprised that Willie made those comments."- Keith Hernandez

"It's stopping you from doing what you're supposed to be doing: getting ready for the game. Part of the problem we have now is that the manager has chosen to make comments about things that you would think that for him should be water under the bridge. Who cares what anyone says? You care about wins."- Ron Darling

People involved in Sports are so sensitive aren't they? The crazy thing about this whole mess is that SNY is the Mets own channel, so the organization can't be happy with anyone involved it this right now. Expect this to be swept under the rug shortly, but if the Mets fall in the standings (seriously...they're 1.5 games out of first) look for it to resurface.

Mets' Randolph in hot water over latest comments (Newsday)
SNY announcers react to Willie's comments (Newsday)

Not that doing internet pieces for MLB isn't a job, but come on....that's not exactly the pantheon of Sports jobs. Well according to Neil Best's Watchdog, our loveable/huggable friend Harold Reynolds is now gainfully employed by SNY....

Harold Reynolds, formerly of the Alaska Goldpanners, Seattle Mariners and ESPN, and currently of MLB.com, has joined SNY as a part-time studio analyst, the network will announce this morning.

Reynolds will make his debut Friday night on the pre- and post-game shows for Mets-Braves, the first of about 20 appearances this season.

Lee Mazzilli, the network's lead studio analyst, works about 85 games. Darryl Strawberry, who was hired earlier this month, will handle 15-20.

Actually come to think of it, being an analyst for SNY isn't really the pantheon of Sports jobs either. I guess it's a good a place as any to start over though, but I'm telling you that someone should/will take a chance on him for the playoffs (*AHEM*tbs*COUGH*).

Harold Reynolds Joins SNY (Watchdog)

Neil Best of Newsday has been all over this for the past few weeks, but it's finally official. Stephen A. Smith has a new one-year deal with the "Leader" and his radio show ending is part of the deal. Here are his thoughts via Newsday...

Stephen A. Smith has lost his television show, his newspaper column and his radio show in the past 15 months. But on Friday, he did not sound like a man sweating career setbacks.

"I am relieved, because it will be a lot less crazy," he said by phone from Bristol, Conn. "But I'm still going to have multiple jobs."

By that he meant contributing in multiple ways at ESPN, including its Web site. But his announcement that Thursday's show would be his last signaled that his focus mostly will be TV, where he is best known as an NBA analyst.

"I have learned to love doing radio, but I don't love it as much as I love TV," he said. "I had to jump at the opportunity. It was their call to pick one or the other. Knowing me, I would have picked both."

Well at least you're rid of him on the radio NYC right? The bad news??? You'll have to deal with another head case (or druggie rather) on SNY in the coming months. None other than Daryl Strawberry will be an in-studio analyst for Met games. Via Newsday again...

Strawberry works for the Mets and will appear on SNY. "Can you imagine me on television commenting about the game? Of course. They asked me if I was going to criticize players. Of course not. I’m a former player.

And you wonder why I always get up in arms when networks hire coaches and players to be analysts. At least Straw is honest about it.

Darryl Strawberry's best memory of Shea Stadium (Newsday)
Stephen A. is 'relieved' (Newsday)

I pray that this catches on around the major leagues. SNY took callers during the eighth inning of last night's Mets win, but analyst (I'm) Keith Hernandez is not happy with the decision at all....

The possibilites are now limitless. Jose Reyes dawdles coming out of the box in the first inning? Dial up Gary Cohen and rip the Mets shortsop. Willie Randolph makes a suspect late-game pitching change? Call Ron Darling and whine to him. Carlos Delgado looks like a stiff trying to get around on an inside pitch? Phone Keith Hernandez and ask him how it feels getting "old" in the batter's box.

"You want to do this in a 5-4 game with the bases loaded and a 3-2 count on some hitter? Do you want to do it then?" an incredulous Hernandez asked Thursday. "That would get in the way (of the game). You don't want to do anything to interfere with a game that's remotely up in the air. ... (But) it's not going to be my decision to make whether we (take calls) during a game."

Considering the Mets were winning eleven to nothing at the time I guess it was a good idea, but I'm with Kirk on this one. There's no way I want a kid from the Bronx calling during a tie game in September. I think this could work as long as they don't over do it. Now if we can only get ESPN to do this so I can call and tell Joe Morgan he's lost his mind.

Keith not dialed in on SNY's plan (NY Daily News)