The Mack Report - Jake Renewal, Mets verses Braves, David Ortiz, Ernie Harwell

 Jake Renewal 

So Steve Cohen made a public statement on Old Timer’s Day that he will do everything he can to get our ace, Jake deGrom, to re-sign with us.

I was told recently that he might do this, as well as raise the 2023 payroll to the 350-400mil range, so this doesn’t come as a surprise to me. 

What does, is turning over the negotiation power here to his agent. 

There is a lot of magic going on in that clubhouse right now and I think there has been a special bond formed between Jake and Max Scherzer. No proof here. Just a feeling. 

First, and this is coming from a guy that appreciates good health lately, let’s wish Jake good health going forward no matter where he signs… and, secondly, let’s light a candle and hope Mr. Cohen can get this done.

Ed Leyro @Studi_Metsimus 

Braves vs. losing teams: 52-20

Braves vs. winning teams: 27-30 

Mets vs. losing teams: 45-18

Mets vs. winning teams: 37-29 

Braves only do well against second division teams.  Mets do well against everyone.  Believe in the Mets.

David Ortiz  

David Ortiz doesn’t like what he sees lately in baseball. 

Ortiz things young players are far too focused on homers and could care about the art of hitting. 

“I have major issues with the way they’re these teaching kids to play the game nowadays,” he said. “Nobody taught me how to hit homers. Homers were the last thing you were thinking about when it comes down to hitting. You want to make sure you stay with the ball, you want to make sure you track the ball, you want to make sure you have an idea of what the pitcher is going to try and do against you. You have to go through all of that, and then begin thinking about hitting the home run. But it seems like more hitters, all they think about is hitting home runs. That’s why you see so many guys hitting for bad batting average. Unfortunately, a lot of the hitters nowadays aren’t hitting for power or batting average because of it. I think baseball needs to go back to the basics.”

Interesting… thoughts?

 

 Ernie Harwell

 Detroit Tigers announcer Ernie Harwell in the broadcast booth Sept. 16, 2002, after leaving the game earlier to check on his wife, Lulu, who became ill during the Tigers celebration in his honor the day before.

Before becoming a Hall of Fame announcer and Detroit Tigers icon, Ernie Harwell was traded to the Dodgers for a minor leaguer. 

Longtime Dodgers announcer Red Barber had to take a leave from the team in 1948 due to a bleeding ulcer, and GM Branch Rickey found a replacement in Ernie Harwell, then calling games for the minor league Atlanta Crackers. Only one problem: the Crackers wanted a player in return for releasing their broadcaster from his contract. 

That’s how Cliff Dapper, then a catcher for the Class AAA Montreal Royals, ended up being the only baseball player ever traded for a broadcaster. Dapper spent one season with the Crackers as a player-manager, and put up a .281 batting average. 

Harwell called the Dodgers for a year and spent most of his Hall of Fame baseball broadcasting career with the Tigers. He and Dapper met for the first time in 2002, the year Harwell retired.