Master Index of Archived Threads


Hagin 2012?

Edgy MD Nov 05 2011 07:32 PM

Bob Raissman, in a column ripping Reggie Jackson for ripping Billy Martin, also goes on to speculate --- with seemingly little to build on --- about the fate of Wayne Hagin. WHAT’S GOING ON WAYNE? Is Wayne Hagin out as one of the Mets radio voices? That remains to be seen. Hagin’s current contract expires Dec. 31. No decision on his future in the Mets/WFAN booth has been made. Radio moles say FANdroids and Mets suits are already in consultation, exploring broadcast booth options. This means they are looking at Hagin, as well as other candidates, to join Howie Rose at the Mets radio mike.

Frayed Knot Nov 05 2011 07:46 PM Hagin Frag

So now that you've had your drink, why don't you explain to your listeners what the in-house audience already knows.

Fman99 Nov 05 2011 07:57 PM Re: Hagin 2012?

I want Wayne Hagin to get the same treatment that Laika got.

Ceetar Nov 05 2011 11:13 PM Re: Hagin 2012?

I'm ready for a new voice. who? No idea.

MFS62 Nov 06 2011 08:50 AM Re: Hagin 2012?

Ceetar wrote: I'm ready for a new voice. who? No idea. Hopefully, someone who can describe all the action in easy-to-follow sentences. Later

Ceetar Nov 06 2011 08:56 AM Re: Hagin 2012?

MFS62 wrote: Ceetar wrote: I'm ready for a new voice. who? No idea. Hopefully, someone who can describe all the action in easy-to-follow sentences. Later that might be too much to ask.

bmfc1 Nov 06 2011 10:10 AM Re: Hagin 2012?

Charlie Slowes is the lead radio announcer for the Nationals and Eric Nadel is the lead guy for Texas and they're both good. As ex-New Yorkers, they might want to go back to NY even if it means being the #2 guy.

metirish Nov 07 2011 01:13 PM Re: Hagin 2012?

I remember liking the Texas guy when I tuned in during the playoffs. He has a contract for life with Texas http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eric_Nadel n May 2006 Nadel announced that he has signed a "lifetime contract" with the Rangers, allowing him to continue on their broadcast team until he chooses to retire. At the conclusion of the 2008 season, Nadel joined a handful of broadcasters to call Major League Baseball games for 30 years, with the added distinction of calling all of them for one franchise

bmfc1 Nov 07 2011 01:39 PM Re: Hagin 2012?

Thanks metirish. I listened to him when the Mets played Texas this year and he was very nostalgic about the Mets of his youth. Based on his longevity with Texas and the discrepancy in talent, I doubt he'd take the job if offered, especially to be the #2 guy.

Edgy MD Nov 07 2011 02:33 PM Re: Hagin 2012?

Well, the way Wayne and Howie operate, there isn't really a one and two, is there? More like one-a and one-b. I'm sure a new guy with a successful track record could take the job with commensurate salary without any clauses indicating that he has to run errands for Howie and sleep on the lumpier bed and stuff. Not that I think they'll go that way. Looking at their recent personnel decisions, they'd probably rather go with a prospect then a vet.

Gwreck Nov 07 2011 04:06 PM Re: Hagin 2012?

Howie is definitely #1. He gets PBP for innings 1-2, 5-6 and 9. Wayne gets PBP for innings 3-4 and 7-8.

TransMonk Nov 07 2011 04:13 PM Re: Hagin 2012?

I've never understood having 2 PBP guys alternate innings if one of them isn't doing TV. Let Howie do all the PBP and bring in some ex-jock to do a little bit of color here and there.

metirish Nov 07 2011 07:16 PM Re: Hagin 2012?

TransMonk wrote: I've never understood having 2 PBP guys alternate innings if one of them isn't doing TV. Let Howie do all the PBP and bring in some ex-jock to do a little bit of color here and there. I like this idea.

Fman99 Nov 07 2011 07:34 PM Re: Hagin 2012?

metirish wrote: TransMonk wrote: I've never understood having 2 PBP guys alternate innings if one of them isn't doing TV. Let Howie do all the PBP and bring in some ex-jock to do a little bit of color here and there. I like this idea. Seriously. Isn't there an '86 Met not already involved in some Met-related broadcasting duty? Is Danny Heep really that busy?

Edgy MD Nov 07 2011 07:45 PM Re: Hagin 2012?

Well, there's no requirement that an '86er play the role of Beercan McBackslap. There's Brian McRae, Doug Flynn, Sandy Alomar, Jr., Butch Huskey. Think harder, Homer. OOOH, Benny Agbayani.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Nov 07 2011 08:35 PM Re: Hagin 2012?

I'd like a guy with a downhome southern accent. Terry Leach, Desi Relaford, Wally Whitehurst, Mac Scarce...

Edgy MD Nov 07 2011 08:55 PM Re: Hagin 2012?

Flynnie could definitely give you some Kentucky Komfort.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Nov 07 2011 08:57 PM Re: Hagin 2012?

Edgy DC wrote: Flynnie could definitely give you some Kentucky Komfort. Call him up and see what it'll take.

Valadius Nov 08 2011 06:24 AM Re: Hagin 2012?

Go grab Ron Swoboda from New Orleans! He's the Zephyrs' color commentator.

metirish Nov 08 2011 06:46 AM Re: Hagin 2012?

A guy with some real Met connections is needed, Mike Glavine surely isn't busy.

Edgy MD Nov 08 2011 08:05 AM Re: Hagin 2012?

The mellifluous tones of Doug Flynn: [youtube:l2bgjr2g]qdiUdpiPOGM[/youtube:l2bgjr2g]

Frayed Knot Dec 16 2011 01:31 AM Re: Hagin 2012?

Phil Mushnick [Fri - NYPost]: It’s doubtful Wayne Hagin will be back for a fifth year as Howie Rose’s partner in the Mets’ radio booth. Hagin’s contract has expired and WFAN has been interviewing possible replacements.

Ceetar Dec 16 2011 01:39 AM Re: Hagin 2012?

Phil Mushnick [Fri - NYPost]: It’s doubtful Wayne Hagin will be back for a fifth year as Howie Rose’s partner in the Mets’ radio booth. Hagin’s contract has expired and WFAN has been interviewing possible replacements. Can we claim Hagin is the curse?

Frayed Knot Dec 16 2011 01:43 AM Re: Hagin 2012?

Phil Mushnick [Fri - NYPost]: It’s doubtful Wayne Hagin will be back for a fifth year as Howie Rose’s partner in the Mets’ radio booth. Hagin’s contract has expired and WFAN has been interviewing possible replacements. Can we claim Hagin is the curse? Not convincingly.

Ceetar Dec 16 2011 01:52 AM Re: Hagin 2012?

Phil Mushnick [Fri - NYPost]: It’s doubtful Wayne Hagin will be back for a fifth year as Howie Rose’s partner in the Mets’ radio booth. Hagin’s contract has expired and WFAN has been interviewing possible replacements. Can we claim Hagin is the curse? Not convincingly. This isn't a case of life imitating art? The Mets aren't butchering plays in the field because Wayne butchers them in the booth? Hey, Maybe Jason Bay can be the next host. transfer his contract to WFAN, free up payroll.

G-Fafif Dec 16 2011 03:06 AM Re: Hagin 2012?

Ceetar parodizes and they're gone. Do the Wilpons next!

Ceetar Dec 16 2011 03:07 AM Re: Hagin 2012?

G-Fafif wrote: Ceetar parodizes and they're gone. Do the Wilpons next! Not on my list. I was thinking about Wright next, but now I'm scared.

MFS62 Dec 16 2011 03:26 AM Re: Hagin 2012?

Our luck, they'll bring Suzyn Waldmann back to WFAN. Later

HahnSolo Dec 16 2011 05:15 AM Re: Hagin 2012?

Maybe they'll throw Coleman a bone and give him the slot next to Howie finally? Not that I advocate this, but thinking it might be a reward for sticking around so long.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Dec 16 2011 05:19 AM Re: Hagin 2012?

Ed Coleman. Good voicebox, kinda boring.

HahnSolo Dec 16 2011 05:21 AM Re: Hagin 2012?

Maybe Eddie can get the postgame Mets Extra back at least.

metirish Dec 16 2011 05:25 AM Re: Hagin 2012?

HahnSolo wrote: Maybe Eddie can get the postgame Mets Extra back at least. Ed does all that just fine, but when he steps in to the pbp role to give Howie a blow he's just not that engaging.

Ceetar Dec 16 2011 05:36 AM Re: Hagin 2012?

Burkhardt?

Fman99 Dec 16 2011 05:38 AM Re: Hagin 2012? Edited 1 time(s), most recently on Dec 18 2011 09:32 AM

Phil Mushnick [Fri - NYPost]: It’s doubtful Wayne Hagin will be back for a fifth year as Howie Rose’s partner in the Mets’ radio booth. Hagin’s contract has expired and WFAN has been interviewing possible replacements.

Lefty Specialist Dec 16 2011 08:29 PM Re: Hagin 2012?

Howie needs a Met fan to play off of. Someone who knows the history of the franchise and will understand Howie's jokes. Oh, and someone who can describe the action clearly, concisely and who sounds like he cares about whether the Mets win or lose. I have no idea who that person is. That's the job of the Mets HR Department. Wayne Hagin sometimes sounded like he was stuck at an airport and forced to keep talking for three hours or his connecting flight to St. Louis would never arrive. There was very little joy in his delivery, and very little of the gobsmacked holy-shit-I can't believe-they screwed-up-that-badly feeling when they kicked a game away.

Benjamin Grimm Dec 17 2011 05:41 AM Re: Hagin 2012?

Lefty Specialist wrote: I have no idea who that person is. That's the job of the Mets HR Department. Kevin Burkhardt?

HahnSolo Dec 17 2011 05:42 AM Re: Hagin 2012?

I'm growing tired of Burkhardt even in just small doses on TV.

Ceetar Dec 17 2011 06:29 AM Re: Hagin 2012?

pretty sure you're in the minority there.

Frayed Knot Dec 17 2011 06:38 AM Re: Hagin 2012?

Lefty Specialist wrote: Howie needs a Met fan to play off of. Someone who knows the history of the franchise and will understand Howie's jokes. Oh, and someone who can describe the action clearly, concisely and who sounds like he cares about whether the Mets win or lose. I never bought the idea that an announcer has to be a fan - especially seeing as we already have the prototype in both the TV and radio booths. Finding a guy who can describe the action well is much more important than is limiting yourself to trying only those who can match Howie memory for memory. Particularly on radio that's the much more important part of the job anyway. So as long as the guy knows baseball inside and out (I hate general purpose announcers dropped into baseball games) and isn't totally ignorant of team history I don't feel the need for a history of blue and orange footie pajamas as a prerequisite.

metirish Dec 17 2011 07:40 AM Re: Hagin 2012?

Ceetar wrote: HahnSolo wrote: Benjamin Grimm wrote: Lefty Specialist wrote: I have no idea who that person is. That's the job of the Mets HR Department. Kevin Burkhardt? I'm growing tired of Burkhardt even in just small doses on TV. pretty sure you're in the minority there. Kevin might be too much of a feel good fan, he's fine doing what he does with the field stuff and occasional studio duties. Love lefties description of Hagin in the airport, agree with FK, a good pbp guy is a must, chemistry with Howie would be nice. I remember loving the radio booth of the Giants during their WS run.

Edgy MD Dec 17 2011 07:47 AM Re: Hagin 2012?

Yeah, sheesh, Matt Yallof got all the jokes, but enough inside jokes already.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Dec 17 2011 08:06 AM Re: Hagin 2012?

Give me a guy who can call the action without making it sound like a logic puzzle. In lieu of a Metly-by-birth sort, give me one who does a semi-decent job of selling his partner's anecdotes. You don't need Howie II in the seat; you just need someone who won't step on Howie's remembrances, jokes, or extemporaneous trivia niblets... or let them fall flat without a reaction/response (a Wayne specialty, IIRC).

themetfairy Dec 17 2011 08:13 AM Re: Hagin 2012?

I like Burkhardt - I'd be happy to give him a shot in the booth.

bmfc1 Dec 17 2011 08:51 AM Re: Hagin 2012?

themetfairy wrote: I like Burkhardt - I'd be happy to give him a shot in the booth. "And here are the guys in the field for the Mets... the guy at first is Ike Davis. The guy at second is Daniel Murphy.... and now for the first pitch, the radio voice of the New York Mets, Howie Rose... guy."

themetfairy Dec 17 2011 08:54 AM Re: Hagin 2012?

bmfc1 wrote: themetfairy wrote: I like Burkhardt - I'd be happy to give him a shot in the booth. "And here are the guys in the field for the Mets... the guy at first is Ike Davis. The guy at second is Daniel Murphy.... and now for the first pitch, the radio voice of the New York Mets, Howie Rose... guy." LOL - If we get that for a season, I'll be willing to rethink this

Ceetar Dec 17 2011 09:01 AM Re: Hagin 2012?

bmfc1 wrote: themetfairy wrote: I like Burkhardt - I'd be happy to give him a shot in the booth. "And here are the guys in the field for the Mets... the guy at first is Ike Davis. The guy at second is Daniel Murphy.... and now for the first pitch, the radio voice of the New York Mets, Howie Rose... guy." I've enjoyed the couple of games he's called in spring training, albeit on TV. Anyone listen to him calling football? Could it be that letting him (and I assume SNY had to grant permission due to overlaps) go do Cowboy games was a way for them to 'try him out' so to speak, before perhaps offering him a role? I believe they denied a similar request for him to call games on Fox or something a couple of years ago. I'm sure that's where his career is heading in any case. He's not a Mets fan, but he's been here a while and knows the team and the players and it's history. So he'd have plenty of 'remember when?' conversations to have about things, but also would allow Howie to tell older stories without the other host interrupting with "That reminds of this game in Colorado.."

Gwreck Dec 17 2011 09:16 AM Re: Hagin 2012?

Ceetar wrote: He's not a Mets fan Yes, he is. See the part about how Gary Cohen was his childhood idol. I think Burkhardt would be a fantastic choice to partner with Howie.

metirish Dec 17 2011 09:17 AM Re: Hagin 2012?

He's not a Mets fan??????, IIRC this gig is his dream gig because he is in fact a huge Mets fan.

Ceetar Dec 17 2011 10:03 AM Re: Hagin 2012?

Gwreck wrote: Ceetar wrote: He's not a Mets fan Yes, he is. See the part about how Gary Cohen was his childhood idol. I think Burkhardt would be a fantastic choice to partner with Howie. I guess I misunderstood. I thought he wasn't. Even better.

HahnSolo Dec 18 2011 06:43 PM Re: Hagin 2012?

I thought Burkhart left his FAN gig to go to SNY because he wanted his future in TV.

Gwreck Dec 18 2011 07:59 PM Re: Hagin 2012?

Maybe, but moving from field reporter to being one of the full-time radio [crossout:372m0kk8]guys[/crossout:372m0kk8] broadcasters is definitely a promotion.

Lefty Specialist Dec 19 2011 12:21 PM Re: Hagin 2012?

Radio is a much different talent than TV. Not everybody can do it. Former athletes are color guys generally, not play-by-play guys. Ever heard Keith do PBP? Neither have I. I heard Ron do it once, and while I love the guy, he was horrible. On radio, you're describing all the action all the time. One of the complaints about Hagin is that he's terrible at describing the action. On TV that can be glossed over because you've got pictures and replays. Not on radio. Howie needs someone who he can play off of. Hagin just wasn't that guy, he wasn't steeped in the Metliness that's needed to announce games for this starcrossed franchise. Someone who gets his jokes and his New York area references. While I'm not a big Ed Coleman fan, I'd rather see him get it than some guy with good pipes from Dallas or Seattle. Burkhardt strikes me as a guy who doesn't want to be locked up in the radio booth for nine innings. I have a feeling that after a few months he'd hate his job and we'd hate his performance at it.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Dec 19 2011 12:30 PM Re: Hagin 2012?

Not that WFAN would be interested necessarily in investing even a day beyond the length of its deal to broadcast their games, but the Mets for their part could probably stand to bring along a younger contemporary of Howie/Gary, and insert him/her in the radio booth for a summer of learnin and growin alongside an old pro (who by Murphy's standards is a beginner but you know, he's a veteran).

Edgy MD Dec 21 2011 07:35 AM Re: Hagin 2012?

Ruby Tuesday wrote: Report: Jim Duquette, Chris Carlin, Ed Coleman, Billy Sample candidates for Howie Rose sidekick.

MFS62 Dec 21 2011 08:18 AM Re: Hagin 2012?

Billy Sample! Billy Sample! I want Billy Sample! I heard him interviewed when he was a player (Texas) and my wife and I both commented that he had the pipes to be an announcer. He was crisp, clear and booming. Later, he wrote a sports column for USA Today. He would be perfect. Later

metirish Dec 21 2011 08:18 AM Re: Hagin 2012?

Edgy DC wrote: Report: Jim Duquette, Chris Carlin, Ed Coleman, Billy Sample candidates for Howie Rose sidekick. an inspiring bunch, haven't heard much of Duke but I like him , who is Billy Sample......any ,uh samples of his work? pass on Carlin, give it to Ed I think.

Edgy MD Dec 21 2011 08:32 AM Re: Hagin 2012?

Billy Sample is a former big league outfielder, mostly with Texas. I've seen/heard him do MLB.com spring training games, but he's worked for a few teams. Genial, jocky guy. Low voice, if I remember correctly. Also has written a bit. I get the idea that MLB uses the MLB.com spring training broadcasts to showcase some broadcasting prospects to teams, and may try to focus on trying to get more non-whites some opportunities. It seems like the closest thing to a non-Caucasian presence the Mets have ever had on English-language broadcasts is the half-Polynesian Ron Darling.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Dec 21 2011 08:38 AM Re: Hagin 2012?

As long as the job requires 4 innings of pbp a nite, I can't see it going to Duke or another jock with limited broadcasting experience. Carlin is a clown, we hear enough idiots pretending to be knowledgeable on FAN when Met games aren't on. Coleman, good pipes, experience but kinda boring and lacks a passion for doing journalism. Sample it is.

themetfairy Dec 21 2011 08:45 AM Re: Hagin 2012?

Not Carlin. Please, ANYONE but Carlin!

Edgy MD Dec 21 2011 08:51 AM Re: Hagin 2012?

The Billy Sampling.

Lefty Specialist Dec 21 2011 09:00 AM Re: Hagin 2012?

themetfairy wrote: Not Carlin. Please, ANYONE but Carlin! This. Imagine that scatchy, irritating 'Loudmouths' voice coming out of your radio. I'd never listen to another game.

Gwreck Dec 21 2011 09:09 AM Re: Hagin 2012?

I actually find Carlin an intriguing choice. Somehow I don't think he's going to be doing the "loudmouths" act while doing PBP.

themetfairy Dec 21 2011 09:18 AM Re: Hagin 2012?

I listen to him announcing Rutgers football - I cannot stand that voice!

HahnSolo Dec 21 2011 09:25 AM Re: Hagin 2012?

Eddie C or Sample for me. I don't understand how Carlin keeps getting broadcasting gigs. I guess spending 5 years as Francesa's lickspittle gets you far.

Frayed Knot Dec 21 2011 05:00 PM Re: Hagin 2012?

Gwreck wrote: I actually find Carlin an intriguing choice. Somehow I don't think he's going to be doing the "loudmouths" act while doing PBP. I'm with GWreck on this one. I'm not saying he's a 'MUST GET' but they could do a lot worse. - Sure Carlin doesn't have a classic announcer's voice, but I also don't think having a Mr. Golden Pipes is the most important prerequisite for the radio sidekick guy. - the 'Loudmouths' stuff is pure schtick directed, I'm sure, from the show's producers who think having two guys insulting each other because they just happen to be on the opposite side of every issue is going to create TV magic as some sort of love-child between ESPN's 'Pardon the Interruption' and the old SNL 'Point-Counterpoint' parody. - when he did come out from under Francesa's shadow [insert joke here] and got WFAN shifts on his own he was more than OK. He always seemed to know his stuff and is reasonably quick-witted. - and while he claims to no longer be a Met fan (he got mad at the Mookie deal and somehow adopted the Rangers as a replacement) he'll at least not be ignorant of the team's history or of NYC. I can't imagine Duquette being anything special based on the little I've heard him on TV and Coleman or Sample both strike me as the kind of vanilla choices we've knocked this org for in the past.

Fman99 Dec 21 2011 07:04 PM Re: Hagin 2012?

The voice doesn't mean much. Wayne Hagin has a pleasant baritone and he's INSUFFERABLE. Because he doesn't know the team's history, he doesn't have the pedigree.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Dec 21 2011 09:17 PM Re: Hagin 2012?

Hagin's insufferable because he can't describe a play on the field without making it sound like a poorly-written logic puzzle. He's also poor at selling/working with Howie to tell Mets anecdotes; he needn't be an expert here, but he's a bad sidekick, as well. I'll go Coleman or Sample. Although part of me's hoping for some sort of change-up, just to keep things interesting (since I suspect that onfield product won't necessarily do that job by itself for us).

bmfc1 Dec 22 2011 05:12 AM Re: Hagin 2012?

I don't like Coleman's PBP. He good at post-game and interviews but he's not much better than Hagin in keeping up with the game action and quickly interpreting it for the audience. He's good at banter and would work well with Howie in that respect but his solo innings would be weak. Sample is boring and Duquette would spend his time trying to show us how smart he is (as he does now). I wonder if these are the only interviewees because there are plenty of good PBP guys "out there" with a NY background that would love to work for a major league baseball team or the Mets.

G-Fafif Dec 22 2011 06:21 AM Re: Hagin 2012?

Coleman: "Cut on and missed." For whatever reason, his insistence on "cut on" as opposed to "swung on" (or, for that matter, swung at or swings in the active voice) drives me nuts. Overall, capable but not optimal. Liked Sample in a TBS sample but this feels a bit like the managerial search of 2010: is this it? Don't have to have a born and bred Mets fan (McCarthy and Robinson grew up as such and it didn't do anything for them). Just don't come off as clueless.

Ceetar Dec 22 2011 06:41 AM Re: Hagin 2012?

G-Fafif wrote: Don't have to have a born and bred Mets fan (McCarthy and Robinson grew up as such and it didn't do anything for them). Just don't come off as clueless. Or be a fast learner. I think it'd be okay if the guy didn't know what John Olerud did with the Mets say, as long as he's amenable to learn. An excuse for Howie to retell "Greatest Infield Ever" stories. Those stories might be all we have this year.

DocTee Dec 22 2011 09:14 AM Re: Hagin 2012?

C'mon Mets, get creative. You could do worse than follow the Brooklyn Nets lead: [url]http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/20/sports/basketball/david-diamante-new-nets-announcer-shows-flair-and-hair.html

Edgy MD Dec 22 2011 09:36 AM Re: Hagin 2012?

Is the hire done under the Mets' initiative or more like FAN's with the Mets having some degree of veto power?

metirish Dec 22 2011 03:41 PM Re: Hagin 2012?

G-Fafif wrote: Coleman: "Cut on and missed." For whatever reason, his insistence on "cut on" as opposed to "swung on" (or, for that matter, swung at or swings in the active voice) drives me nuts. Overall, capable but not optimal. Liked Sample in a TBS sample but this feels a bit like the managerial search of 2010: is this it? Don't have to have a born and bred Mets fan (McCarthy and Robinson grew up as such and it didn't do anything for them). Just don't come off as clueless. LOl, "cut on and missed", this is so true, I can't get it out of my head now.