What's that growing out of Billy Wagner's ear... oh, it's one of those pathetic bluetooth things. You know, the phone devices that make annoying folks look like they have an entire cadre of friends that may or may not be calling every five to ten minutes. Barring that, it makes it easier for the self-possessed to appear as if they are not talking to themselves.
Nevertheless, it appears as if Wagner, or "Country Time" as he has been dubbed in The City, will be talking to himself a lot these days. That's because not only was he taken to task by manager Willie Randolph for calling out starting pitcher Oliver Perez for a rather languid outing a week or go, but yesterday, following a 1-0 loss to the Nationals, Wagner called out his teammates for ducking the media.
Here's the transcript. According to published reports, Wagner directed his ire toward Carlos Delgado's empty locker:
"Can somebody tell me why the (expletive) the closer being interviewed and I didn’t even play, while they’re over there not getting interviewed? I get it, they’re gone. (Expletive) shocker."
OK. It sounds like the Mets' clubhouse is a lot like the Phillies after a loss (or a win) in that players are not too interested in deconstructing their job for the media and fans. Because, you know, screw the media and the fans.
Still, there are Phillies who are very good at talking to the press after games. For instance, Brett Myers was sitting at his locker waiting to re-live the horror of Wednesday night's eight-run debacle against the Braves. He was rather stand-up about it, which, I suspect, isn't the easiest part of the gig. As a whole, the Phillies usually are good about the media part of the job, though a few can be a bit prickly.
I guess that makes them human... go figure.
But just for the record, if I were a mainstream professional athlete, I'd place a podium and small stage in front of my locker in order to properly discuss all topics with the press. Sometimes, you know, I can get a bit chatty, though I'd probably just use the old Scott Rolen line and ask the press, "What do you need me to say to make your story better?"
Sometimes I can be a team player.
Anyway, back to Wagner...
With the way Brad Lidge has been pitching - and yes, Wagner has been very good this year - would anyone want Country Time back in Philly?
Additionally, does anyone else think that the Mets are just going to implode during the second half of this season complete with fistfights in the clubhouse and sniping in the NYC tabloids?
Speaking of what other people think, is there any other player that has more fun than Manny Ramirez?
Answer?
No.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E-YRFp8fXgg&hl=en]