Welcome into the WGR baseball podcast alongside Matthew collar crime pat knowledge Cairo and -- it's been a few weeks since you and I had actually been face to face on one of these things. I know we were on the phone that I had been Wagner in here as you were -- busy in Washington and I she got the nationals hats on today did you draw your trip to our Nationals Park. Now -- time neck and down in Washington and special Memorial Day week and what better way to spend it. When an American way -- manager Memorial Day weekend. Yeah I got to go down Lester I think around July 4 that I got to go down and boy it's it's a -- it's a very nice park. And it's really great to see the city did you happen to stop by Camden yards on the way back up what. -- on fortunately the Orioles weren't in town and just one of those things it may be next time -- I had down their deal is in town. Yeah I got to tour the park I didn't get to see the game same thing they were on the road. What do what -- beautiful park Camden is I like nationals park at Camden is is something special. All that was the first of this whole revolution if you wanna put it that way of the more intimate ballpark to the the throwback ballpark where it's not just a cookie cutter. And you've got the warehouse behind I'd actually went there I think the second year was open along time ago and and accents but. Now what what an incredible place and got Jesse cal Ripken. Play -- for Baltimore so you know a lot of people got a chance to see the Iron Man streak but you know -- -- get down there in that park NC it was cool. Yeah I got to see a lot of Rochester red wings who became Orioles and and every once in awhile cal Ripken would come back they would play like an exhibition between the big club in the small club and one of the things I was respected about him is that he would he was a superstar. But he would come back and he would play against the Rogers or red wings where guys like I'll say for example Albert -- were like no way. Blowing that off and they would send all those you know second team type guys in the middle relief pitchers but there's -- would always show up because he's got. -- their ties so that that's that's really cool that you -- in my never got to see them live in person myself. Daddy who's such sick at class act to mean first ballot hall of Famer I believe I mean it did that two point 632 streak of games played in a row. I mean. Underrated on the field too I think in the field I mean everyone remembers the streak and the home run in the all star game and complain shortstop for that one last time. But his defense especially when he was young player short is tops all time really I mean him Ozzie Smith. Couple of the guys up there he's among the best. Day you know I met you mention how cal would play those exhibition games against the Rochester red wings all. Easy transition into what our first topic -- of the WG or baseball podcast on this. Weekend is. An article about her column by Buffalo News writer Mike -- -- couple of us thinking. Time last Sunday's buffalo new sports section Mike Harrington. Basically saying though the world bonds. Off the field issues should give the -- in some reason to reconsider. -- re -- past their current two year. -- player development contract and an interesting article coming out. Palestinian. Less than a year into this new deal. Well yes I guess you -- that's you putting it nicely putting it how it was was. Basically Mike Harrington. Poured gasoline all over the Mets let them on fire and told the -- in the exits in the back get out. He put on the red lights and -- and pulled the alarm he said -- and get out of town. And year deal AS AP with the New York Mets because their ownership is a mess -- a lot of very good arguments on farm entirely sold. On them just saying hey you guys -- some financial problems were out. But he makes a good argument if the license could connect up with Toronto you can't say that wouldn't be a better relationship right now. All right now absolutely it it would be a better relationship but in eagle back to 2008. When the relationship with the Cleveland Indians was severed. After thirteen seasons and it seemed like and the Mets with a perfect fit. Because at the time it was basically the maps the blue jays and nationals those -- the three teams. It left in the merry go round. And it was between buffalo Syracuse. In Las Vegas. And you know at the time. There was still. It was right in the middle of the bills in Toronto and Yelp fans here in buffalo not really on board with the idea will what's Ronald tried steeler football team. And that those need to bring into play the fact that the general manager. In Toronto and the way that situation is going with JP a charity it was really not the right fit but for the -- moving forward in 2009 but. You know now they have a new general manager now -- -- new direction in Toronto this might be the perfect time after Tony twelve. I think that's an excellent point is that win McCarty was in there you. That it was a mess I mean you just look at those Vernon Wells and Alex Rios deals ego OK that's a GM -- -- him in out of relief. Then fit for the fifth for the game. But now you look at the influx of young players coming into Toronto the one that sticks out to me is Ricky Romero and that's a great as a great pitcher who can bring excitement to the -- a guy who can say if he was coming up -- the minor league club you're looking at a guy who can come in. And bring fans in the in the park every time he pitches. Those are the kind of guys that the buffalo by reasons need and you know the bison haven't won since they've been with the Mets and they also have not drawn. That's another problem is that. Maybe they expect it here in buffalo to see attendance go up but they really haven't since the days of Cleveland. It -- advised to post the 76 and sixty record all language so the first year was was a failure on. 56 day 87 they get in the playoffs they can -- in the playoffs OK while at the I mean okay. Couple games over 500 not really legitimately competing right. At that point that would make on that though is in 2009. The season never really got off the ground and it really bad and losing streak to start shorthand is certain times throughout the year. And last year the Mets sort of took a patient buys this book and brought in Terry Collins to run a minor leagues and that. Terry -- the -- that awful fans know well. That the rich family knows very well. And was successful here in buffalo and that was a goodwill gesture I think from the -- to say you know we had a bad first year we had a lot of problems. But look we're gonna get some new blood in here someone established and we saw it pay off political last year but now. We're almost back to that 2009. Season where. The -- are brilliant ad team. But everything off the field is just leading to you know another tarnished reputation for the Mets which will want to very proud franchise. Yet you know and it's great to see. Some of the young players go up to the Mets like Justin turner who wins rookie of the month. And Dillon gee who continues to surprise me because I always thought. That well -- was very successful here that he would not be any more than a fifth starter at the Major League level but he continues to prove me wrong it seems every time he goes out to start. It's great to see that that's what fans like -- that's why I like to see is the guys I can see in person right downtown go on up to the big club and I can watch them on TV. Outstanding but at some point. There's a teeter tottering there where it starts to go. You know the weight starts to go down on the other side you go yes that's great that just -- Turner's up there that's great deal and he's up there but so's everybody else. And now we're left here in buffalo -- is a real skeleton of a minor league team. And that's what made Cleveland such a perfect situation for the license for as long as they work affiliated together is because Cleveland had such a deep. Organizational. Which. Draft after draft after draft you would find. Guys working their way up if -- Sizemore got called up to the big leagues. You had. Ben Francisco or somebody else to fill the role. And you had guys always filtering through in cycling through and it seems like -- last should devise and had that. When you had guys like pass -- called up and Lucas do it was a nice surprise. This year maybe not so much early on now to get up the ball rolling get things going but you don't really see. That organizational. Depth that. By some fans are used to a Cleveland and that's one Mike Harrington is big point is that not GM Alex and droplets for for Toronto. Is really big on that and that Las Vegas team. Is very successful up there and that's one of the reasons why is because if somebody gets called up there's an injury on the team they're able to fill. The role. That's right and you know I would like to see to that Toronto is bringing to the table already. Is a prospect they can become a household name. And Brett -- is that guy in the Toronto says that he's gonna get his first chance to play with the big club I think this weekend. At the head by pitchers something like that with -- -- injury that delayed it a little bit. That's a guy that -- people want on Twitter talking about asking. Scouts and draft experts of people like that like what did you think of him like what's he gonna do in the majors there's excitement -- this kind of a groundswell like we're waiting you know people ought to see guys like that. There are projected to be really big at the Major League level and -- -- ask yourself. -- last guy became the awful like that is Henry when he does he even -- I mean like what -- -- three starts here and we got injured but deceiving cal. As someone who would be a household name I know in buffalo there's the sabres to compete with. There's the bills to compete with but when Stephens prosper came here. That stadium sold out. So where is that guy in the New York Mets system you look down the system there there might be some pictures and single layer right now. Who knows but at this point they have not sent anybody through who's gonna bring fans of the ballpark. Well and let's not forget the -- your business just like pro sports -- business. In -- there is a relationship there but also I don't know that. Necessarily. That the connection to the max has really been an overall winner for the buys in terms of you know being able to sell the Mets products. We're gonna take a break now on the WGR baseball podcast the last thing I will say about this and I met and I talked about the past mats on the play by play guy for our team and its -- among dogs. I've had some time with the -- this year it. You know. Having seen the team a lot this year. There is. A lot has to like about this team but there are there are things you need to it at change and it is an interesting conversation at at least a year before the player development deals. Right we just wanted to make clear that we're not trying to to rip the buys its franchise right by saying that just that the Mets may not be the best choice. For the Verizon's going forward in future. We come back Matt I'll have more of maybe we'll talk a little ball Buster Posey and his injury in the firestorm that's created. I will be back on the W -- baseball podcast. We stopped coming out we look like fourteen minutes and a that's okay yet. We are back here on WGR baseball podcast Matthew -- along with pat Mel Karl. And we we have to talk about it we can't avoid the biggest issue in Major League Baseball that I. I thought was going to be an issue for maybe a day and a half. Maybe two full days and it's gone now two full weeks it seems Buster Posey gets run over by Florida Marlins outfielder Scott cousins. And the giants just cannot let it go. Bryant's AB in the GM of the giants shoots off his mouth saying. What he hopes cousins never plays and we again essentially. And then Logan Morrison of the Marlins shoots back it's Sabine yesterday calling his comments inappropriate and arrogant. Have we just lost the whole issue here entirely. I think completely mean you know general manager right to wanna protect the players don't want to see. Your players injured as -- your star players but let's not lose sight of the fact that. You know Buster Posey. Was playing catcher and tried making a -- he was he was in a bad position that he put himself in and got run over. Cousins didn't -- when they're thinking I'm gonna try and buster -- his career he went to go cross home plate Buster Posey tries to block home plate what do you think's gonna happen. Yeah and all the catchers. Former managers -- -- catchers have pretty much said. As clean plate what he would do okayed -- of the ball but it looked like he was gonna have the ball. And anybody Hussein's head hunting I guess you've just never had that happen before when year when you go on and home and you know. It's a close game we can win this game pretty much right here on this play. I gotta do everything I can to make that happen and it was within the rules what the problem would mean the Sabine is okay. If you want to attack the rules and if you wanna cry about that if you wanna say. Okay well this should be illegal that's real that's fine. But he goes after cousins as a player as a person almost and to meet you have crossed the line and Logan Morrison mentioned. That cousins has family in San Francisco and friends. And he's kind of concerned about this because it keeps going and they keep fueling the fire he -- kind of afraid for his friends and family. Yeah I mean I I don't know I mean what what -- would you like differently would you want causes the slide home plate okay fine. Now if you wanna change the rules. -- cannot block the base. Because let's face it if a third baseman tries block in the back. On out of all torn from the outfield gets -- in the leg and he's out for three weeks was that is that the runner's fault for trying to get the bank. Well that's the fielder's fault for blocking the bag and doing what he's taught -- using his technique. Buster Posey. Used this technique to try and keep Scott cousins from scoring. And you -- for Brian Sapient -- a lot and say that you know cousins. Is in the wrong I mean you know you get Billy -- -- telling Kurt Suzuki you can't block the plate anymore okay fine you don't want to catch a block the plate public to deal with the real issues on your team having. GMs have bigger issues to deal -- then worry about the architectures using that technique they've been taught along the way. Well it's funny you say that because you might thought was it's funny because I. She -- Nguyen van Wagner about this last week concerning his Montero about moving him out from behind the plate and savient has any of positions that are open let's see. He's got Miguel Tejada playing third base Miguel Tejada is done he's finished he's -- So put us opposing -- left field are you know who the hell's playing left field for the San Francisco Giants at this point. Put him in the outfield put him in right field -- Aubrey Huff can get a little bit but he sure as heck can't play the outfield. If there's money that could have been done or he could've told Posey in the same manner. Don't block the plate don't get anywhere near its not worth it one loss by one run is not worth not having a thirty home run hitter. There's plenty of blame to be had also by the way it was brought up on Twitter and I kind of liked his point. In 2003. If you remember JT snow runs over Yvonne Rodriguez was a game 163. Of the AL BS I can't remember which one was. But he runs over Yvonne Rodriguez Rodriguez hangs onto the ball. Since that famous kind of celebration picture. I don't remember anybody saying anything about that that. Right it's just because Buster Posey is potentially done for the season. And the giants are coming off a World Series victory last year so Brian -- In my opinion feels like he has a platform now to speak from that he may not have had a year or two ago. And he it's just so it's self righteous and it just it just arrogance and I just. I don't buy it appointed if you wanna come out on radio and say I think Scott cousins should have -- But it happens in the game and we hope Buster Posey comes back soon because in important part of our team that's one thing. But to come out and basically say I hope this guy never plays baseball and professional level again. And he did this on purpose is just complete ignorance like Logan Morrison said it's. It's just. Ridiculous while that's what I'm talking about attacking a guy personally. Scott cousins didn't bet on baseball or he didn't hit a guy with a bat like Weimar -- -- And one Marshall kept playing I'm sure they wanted him out too well I'm just saying. It's -- did not. Do anything deplorable here he had a borderline. Running over the catcher play it wasn't like what Pete Rose did a -- posse in the all star game which. That to me is ridiculous if someone said that after Pete Rose ran over guy in the all star game I would. Feel a little more lenient. But to run over a guy with two teams were competing for first place tough play. To -- out like that is just too is it's childish. But in the Pete Rose play is played over and over again every year when we have this you know -- -- and -- who's gonna get that the home field advantage. It goes to show you every time. It's it's brought up to show how hard -- the game needs to be that Pete Rose went all out how to play and almost -- at a guy's career or certainly -- hampered rate boss his career by. -- taking not belong on his knee on the play that's almost glorified and and now we can't have a guy go shoulder to shoulder on a play that. -- Buster Posey. Is trying is trying to do his job on it it does doesn't make sense. To me there's reasonable solutions here for Brian -- the first would be to me is get Buster Posey out from behind the plate I am a big believer. That guys like Yadier Molina. Guys like or any Molina for that matter those guys are catchers. Not just hitters who happened to put on the mask like Buster Posey both -- and our job behind the plate but. Jose Molina Yadier Molina guys who can hit a little bit especially ID. They can hang around 300 to hit ten home runs may be in play exceptional exceptional defense very smart that's the guy one. Thirty home run hitter I need him in the lineup for a 150 games I don't meet him taking the respect there. Or getting the little chips and injuries in ticks on the fingers in everything else. There's only a handful of -- all time who have been able to hit for a long period of time it seems to me like you're you're really hampering someone's. Long term success. As a hitter by sticking them behind the plate that's what's going on Posey if you really wanna keep my father put somebody who knows how to actually catch back there like Eli Whiteside who's catching now. Put him at third base put the left field -- at thirty to 35 home runs there -- everybody on behalf. WGR baseball podcast hopefully let's talk about something more fun next time. They're downers that name and I mean I feel bad habits you know -- we're just. Just two guys and opinions amen Regis you don't want things better in this world delegates at WGR baseball podcast. Matthew -- along with panel Carl thanks so much for listening.
