Tom McCarthy was calling a college basketball game Tuesday night and thus was unable to get back to me about his departure from the Mets' radio team until after my newspaper deadline.
That's why God created blogs.
"It was too good of an opportunity to turn down," McCarthy said of his decision to give up the Mets gig after two years to sign a more lucrative, five-year deal to cover the Phillies on TV. He will do some pre- and post-game work as well as three innings of play-by-play.
There has been speculation McCarthy - a loyal WatchDog reader, by the way - will be groomed eventually to succeed Harry Kalas, the Phillies' long-time voice, who will do the play-by-play for the other six innings.
McCarthy had another year left on his WFAN contract, but the station let him out of it, knowing the Phillies were offering an opportunity for career advancement.
"I can't tell you how much I enjoyed my time with WFAN," he said.
Comments (7)
Seems everyone is leaving the FAN. I wonder why?
It is not the station. It may be the network. Just my opinion.
Bruce from Florida
Neil, it's obviously super early in the process, but is there any word on who might replace McCarthy in the Mets booth along side of Howie?
In my dream world, the Mets would find a replacement for Cohen on TV and put him back with Howie. I like the work Cohen does for SNY, but listening to him working with Howie was highly enjoyable.
Peter: I don't think Gary going back to radio is realistic.
Ed Coleman is very good announcer. Perhaps?
Oh, I know Gary going back to the radio booth is completely unrealistic.
candidates:
dan hoard, pawtucket (did mets fill-in in 2001)
bob wischusen (did mets fill-in in 2000)
scott graham (11 years with phillies)
andy freed, tampa bay
jim jackson (phils pre/post game, did trenton baseball
dave popkin (has done minor league baseball)
matt loughlin (did some mets tv)
probably I'm wrong on all; any other candidates?
Personally, I'd love for them to bring back Ted Robinson. I enjoyed listening to him (as I did Tom McCarthy), and would enjoy him even more partnered with Howie Rose instead of Fran Healy.