Sports

Comments (0) Tuesday, May 9 2000

Microphone Meathead

One day in August of 1997, WFAN's Mike Francesaopened his show with an introspective monologue in which he critiqued his recent job performance, took himself over his own knee, and pledged to rededicate himself. "I need to do better as a radio host," he said, chastising himself for having belittled Jets owner Leon Hess, being rude to listeners who called in, and generally falling short of his personal standards. Coming from a guy whose on-air presence had indeed become increasingly overbearing, it sounded like a timely self-administered reality check.

Too bad it didn't take. Nearly three years later, Francesa is a bigger blowhard than ever. His daily Mike and the Mad Dog show with Chris Russo has become a showcase for the most belligerent radio persona this side of Dr. Laura. Francesa, who long ago abandoned commentary in favor of pontification, berates any caller who disagrees with him ("You don't know what you're talking about!" is his standard retort), routinely interrupts anyone else who's speaking, whether it's a caller, a guest, or even Russo (a telling moment came a few weeks ago when the Mad Dog—certainly no slouch in the motormouth department—complained, "Mike, ya gotta let me get a word edgewise here!"), and generally behaves like the radio equivalent of a bully. Francesa knows his sports, obviously, but his acumen has been eclipsed by his laziness—these days he begins every other sentence with "The bottom line is this . . . " and thinks it passes for sharp analysis. And for a guy who supposedly values professionalism, Francesa shows tremendous contempt for his job and his audience by reading his commercial spots in this utterly bored, disinterested voice, as if the task is beneath him—a habit that's no doubt a big hit with the advertisers who essentially pay his salary.

With his impatient, control-freak arrogance and hostile overreaction to even the slightest opinion contrary to his own, Francesa reminds Jockbeatof two other famously bellicose New Yorkers: Bill Parcellsand, of course, Rudy G.The three of them are so similarly insufferable that they deserve each other. Why not lock them in a room and stick a microphone in there—now that would make for some great radio.

Rookie Mystique

Every spring, a theme—sometimes obvious, other times obscure—dominates the Stanley Cup playoffs. It might be upsets or injuries to stars, crease violations, lots of overtime games, or a plethora of shorthanded goals. This year, the emerging subtext is the crucial postseason play of rookies. NHL coaches are often reluctant to play youngsters, whose mistakes might cost the coach his job. But perhaps because expansion has diluted the talent pool, the better first-year players seem to be making an unprecedented impact in the games that matter most.

The Devils are the main beneficiaries of this trend. The inconsistent play of some important Jersey vets, like Claude Lemieuxand Vladimir Malakhov, has been more than offset by rookies. Although first-year forwards Scott Gomezand John Maddendominate the headlines, the Devs defense corps features two rookies who have strengthened the club's backbone with less fanfare. Brian Rafalskihas partnered with veteran Scott Stevens, and while Stevens has played some monster games in the first two rounds, the smaller Rafalski (5-9, 200 pounds) brings more speed and mobility to the tandem and has covered for the 36-year-old Devils captain when he has faltered. Although 6-4 and 210 pounds, Colin Whitewas once considered non-NHL material by a well-known scout, but his effective, rugged style made trading popular Lyle Odeleinpossible, and his plus-3 rating in the playoffs through Sunday trailed only Stevens among the Devils.

Philadelphia, too, is getting big games from rookies. Goaltender Brian Boucher, steady and unruffled thus far, shut out Pittsburgh for nearly 185 minutes in the marathon Game 4. Out-of-nowhere defenseman Andy Delmore's Game 3 OT winner and Game 5 hat trick have him scoring at a Jaromir Jagr-like pace. And young sniper Simon Gagnejust started finding his touch when a wrist injury took him out of the lineup on Sunday.

If the Devils and Flyers meet in the Conference Championship round, it will be rookies who got them there. These same rookies may also decide which team goes to the Finals.

Jockclips

When eight protesters ran on the Yankee Stadium field Friday night in a demonstration against the continued U.S. military presence on Puerto Rico's Vieques Island, the fans loved it. Of course, they love it when anyoneruns on the field (the standard response is a loud cheer, followed by boos when security catches up, and then cheers again, when the guards inevitably pummel the tresspassers). But the Stadium crowd really seemed to get what was going on in the highly choreographed action (protesters came from all corners of the park, holding flags and placards, and handing native Puerto Rican Bernie Williamsa T-shirt). Though broadcasters John Sterlingand Michael Kaypredictably ripped the demonstrators, in the bleachers—home of baseball's most multiculti crowd—they were chanting "Puer-to Ri-co [clap-clap, clap-clap-clap]." . . .
Simone de Beauvoiron bowling (from America Day by Day): "I had often seen the word, 'Bowling,' shining forth in big red letters at night. It is the old game of skittles which the dwarfs of Rip van Winkleplayed, but it has been brought up-to-date. Instead of a wild gully, I found a bar with tables and chairs: the bowling alleys, set side-by-side, are of varnished wood, and when the bowling ball has knocked over the ninepins, it falls through a trap door and is returned by an automatic device to the player. Seated on benches, the drinkers watch the game, which is also somewhat of a show. I remembered a game of ninepins on the promenade of a French village one afternoon on the Fourteenth of July; the uneven ground played tricks on the players. Gardens, small taverns, squares shaded by plane trees, all are replaced in America by the huge halls, which are air conditioned and where the game is played without laughter or dispute." . . .
Late Realization Dept.: Jockbeat is amused to finally notice what a terrific porn-star name Randy Johnsonhas.

Contributors: Paul Lukas, Stu Hackel, Ramona Debs, Brian Parks
Sports Editor: Miles D. Seligman