…the locker room is a strange but easy-going place…it’s an awkward collision of men getting dressed for work, and other men standing around, 
looking around, wandering around with note pads and voice recorders waiting for something to happen…
…i didn’t ask, but i wonder if the players find it bizarre that there guys are just sort of hovering around…
…also, the locker room here is fairly small…it’s essentially two long hallways divided by and surrounded by lockers, which contain a few jerseys, shirts, sneakers, random nik naks, etc…i am not sure, but i think one of the coaches had a pair of Nike Air Huarache…i loved those shoes back in the day…i didn’t know they still made them…
…the veterans who are not traveling with the team will drift around in street clothes, just sort of chilling, getting 
ready for the bus ride, setting up their iPods, or portable video-game systems, while catching up with other players…it’s very slow paced…nobody appears to be in a huge hurry…also the entire place smells of mineral ice, which actually made me a bit nostalgic, because i was addicted to that stuff when i pitched in high school…just dip your elbow in it, son, and you’ll be fine…
…there is a separate room catered for the players to grab some breakfast…most all of them were eating french toast with sausage on a paper plate and coffee from a plain-old styrofoam cup…they’d grab their food, plunk down on the stool in front of their locker and eat, while 
balancing the paper plate on their lap, knees together, trying to keep the food from sliding off on to the floor…
…speaking of nutrition, i talked briefly with Jon Niese, who recently changed his entire diet to a more organic, raw approach…i eat the same way…he explained that a few years ago he roomed with another player who majored in nutrition, and so through this guy’s encouragement jon got on a track and has since lost 30 or so pounds…
…i also walked up to David Wright, who is traveling with the team today, so he was standing in street clothes grabbing a few things for the bus ride…i said hello and introduced myself…he asked me how things were working out with SNY, noting that MetsBlog must be ‘blowing up,’ which was funny 
to hear…it was nice to finally meet in person…he was wearing a Giants Super Bowl Champions hat, of course…
…the guys are all very approachable, in fact…if a reporter has a question, he or she will just walk up and start talking…it’s not very official at all, as writers are just wondering aimlessly around the room…in one case, a player began talking from his locker to one reporter…it was just the two of them…within seconds, though, five other reporters were in there with notepads and voice recorders…the player walked away, and the cluster broke apart as each writer returned immediately to the aimless drifting…
…the whole place is actually well organized…i was quite surprised…i guess i just expected a lot of hustle and bustle and chaos, which is not the case…there are shopping carts loaded with equipment, bats lined up along the wall and packed bags in the runway…things seem to run very efficiently…
…it’s hard not to feel out of place…like Fernando Martinez, who just wondered around, occasionally sidling up to other players, listening, not talking, while wearing jeans, sneakers and an orange polo shirt…actually, judging by his body language, you would have thought he was a reporter…he bounced from locker to locker, room to room, smiling and making small talk…he’s not a big kid, either…he’s only an inch or two taller than i am, though he’s very lean and strong…Darryl Strawberry walked by, patted him on the back, gave him a nod as if to say, Everything good?…fernando nodded back, and darryl kept walking…
…strawberry was stopped in his tracks by Pedro Martinez, who let out a big yell, screaming, “Hey, Hey, It’s the Big D,” which ended with pedro giving darryl a big hug…they exchanged pleasantries about one another’s families, shook hands the entire time and then parted ways…
…it’s business as usual for them…but, definitely not for me…
{ 50 comments }
I absolutely eat this stuff up.
I can hear the typical sports journalism anywhere, but this “Layman on the Inside” stuff is what makes Metsblog stand out for me.
Reading this post I learned a half dozen things, which is about as much as I learn all year from the normal periodicals and ESPN.
Keep it up!
sounds like a surreal experience
ask Darryl if you can “borrow that thing” ala David Cone circa late 80’s
Man that is awesome Matt. I kind of hate you right now as I am sitting at a desk trying to kill time. I worked for ESPN doing sound for their sunday night games in ny and it was so cool to get so close to the action and inside the dugout. I couldn’t get in the clubhouse though but being so close and seeing the interaction is awesome.
Great stuff, Matt.
See if you can get some info about what the vets do to the rookies in terms of hazing and initiation. Those stories are always great.
I am a pretty fortunate guy. I do well at work, have a nice house, nice cars, married with 2 terrific kids, etc, etc. But I have never been more jealous of someone elses life than right now.
MATT…YOU ARE ABSOLUTELY KILLING IT WITH THIS GIG. I hope you can scratch a few nickels out of the deal because the idea of working by plugging in under a palm tree in spring training in sunny and warm florida and meeting and greeting all the teams players in a truly casual way is just freakin awesome! From me to you pal…….I wish you the best and I would not mind joining you for the day as a like an assistant gopher (go-for coffee) guy or something.
I really have to tip my hat to you and your crew, Matt. While sitting at home w/ my newborn twins, I actually get time to sit and read your blog much more carefully. This past week has been great.
And I spent a bunch of time in the Carolina Leagues helping out with the MILB website. The locker room IS an odd place. And down in the minors it’s even odder (if odder is actually a word).
Keep up the good work and I hope it’s just a small matter of time before we are all graced with your presence on a Mets game broadcast.
…but it is becoming business as usual for you. Matt, you made it. You are in the Major Leagues now. Your insight and perspective is not only wonderful to read but it gives the reader an understanding of what life is like for these guys. That’s something we would never get from the mainstream writers. Keep up the great work.
I know this is off topic, but what does everyone think about Brandon Inge. He plays 3rd but he’s a good defender so I’m sure he could handle 1B, bats right and can be a 3rd emergency catcher. I think he has played some outfield too.
Best part is that he has 19 Million left on his deal so if the Mets swallowed most of that contract they probably wouldn’t have to give up anyone of value.
Any thoughts?
I was throwing that around for the first few days after the Tigers traded for Cabrera (and Willis. I love Inge, but i dont think that he would necessarily be cheap, nor do i think he would want to play for the Mets. his whole problem is that he wants to start, something he would not get the opportunity to do in New York. Good thought though.
His batting stats are pretty poor for a corner infielder also. That’s why he has to so vocal about starting – his offense says bench player at best.
That’s just crazy. Wow.
To see Darryl, Pedro, Wright, and F-Mart in the same place. Past, Present, and Future. Incredible.
Hey thats great, Matt. You must be having a blast down there. Dont take this the wrong way, but when you write the word “chilling” it kind of makes you sound… old and out of touch. Now Im not a professor of Slang 101 but Chillin’ as oppossed to Chilling has a better ring to it… Once again great work and all the best.
HOWEVER, if Matt ever uses “chillaxing” I am quitting and finding (or founding) a new blog!
Matt, what you know about old school sneakers? haha
Let me find out Matt is a sneaker head…
I have to say that this is unprecedented and so informative. It is the stuff that we actually want to hear. I read this post and actually got the feel of the locker room, the reporters roaming around and the players just mixing it up with everyone. Great writing, great description and great job all around. I do not even bother reading the newspapers or other websites anymore because you can only get stuff like this here at Metsblog. The proof is in the pudding. I mean D Wright acknowledged the Metsblog must be “blowing up” and it is.
Awesome job Matt, keep it coming!
Perhaps Matt can address the question we are all dying to know the answer to…Which Met requires the largest athletic supporter??
thats amazing. im sitting in front of 2 computer screens in hazy miserable baltimore and youre having your morning coffee surrounded by straw, pedro, and dwright. not a bad gig. keep up the good work, i love reading posts like this it really gives a nice insight into the players beyond just statistics.
Matt,
Great Post! Keep it coming!
The more the merrier for this desk jockey!
I have a good question for the players. Ask them what job they would like to have if they weren’t ballplayers? Just a suggestion. I can see Maine as a high school teacher.
Go Mets ‘08!
Im the worlds biggest athletic supporter. I support each and every one of them through thick and thin.
So does that mean you smell like fumunda?
Matt,
I’da taken you yard in high school!
wandering……
not wondering. whatever. good stuff.
Matt, what kind of pitcher were you? Were you the Johan of your staff with some hard, nasty stuff or the El Duque, throwing garbage and keeping guys off balance?
Trick question. El Duque doesn’t throw.
F-Mart is walking around aimlessly now but in a few years he will hopefuly be the superstar player all the press wants to talk to. I believe he will be the “real deal”. Hope he picks Straw’s brain as to what NOT to do as the Mets #1 OF prospect and future superstar.
Just wanted to say, this stuff is awesome. Seeing the inside through a fan’s eyes. I love that SNY has managed to hook you up, without making you lose your identity.
Matt, ask David Wright if he ever reads the blog. And if he does, ask if he ever posts.
Matt Cerrone you are an American Hero.
I am so jealous of you. Live it up Matt, live it up
Your best work yet, Matt. Keep it up. What a treat for us!
Plenty have said what a great job you’re doing Matt but I wanted to throw my two cents in as well.
I’m a faithful reader but this has been one of the best run of posts I’ve read on this site. You’re hot right now having 10 hits in your last 12 ABS!
I’d be curious to see if the number of hits the site is getting has spiked since you got down there.
I love these blogs. Its coming from a real fan who is getting to play reporter and its great to hear how things really work. Even though there isn’t any real news its just great to read!
On the day that Brett Favre has retired, the Matt Cerrone lovefest reminds me of every Packer game that I watched where every announcer, sideline guy, and hot dog vendor fawned over how great a guy Brett Favre is.
Matt, you kept us updated during the winter meetings, you did the same, keepin us sane during the Johan chase, and now you’re still doing a great job givin the inside story.
This seems to be a praise-a-thon, bu it is well deserved. You’re doing excellent work. Keep it up!
YOU ARE MY HERO…I forward your stuff to my little baseball list all the time becuase you are so appreciative of the game and your opportunities…I just love it- it’s so genuine.
Matt, thank you so much for your insight. These posts while you are in FL are just amazing. I’ve been addicted to this site for 2 years now and these last few days have been simply fantastic. It is so wonderful hearing the inside stuff from a true fan. Don’t ever let all this change you, as I’m sure it never could. Someone said earlier, and they are right, that NO other tv show, magazine, article, website, newspaper or blog would ever have the insight that you have given us. I am a transplant that lives in FL now, and I’ll be making the 3 hour drive to Port St. Lucie this weekend and you have just made me more excited than I already was, which I didn’t think could be possible! Thanks Matt, and keep up the great work!!!
Additional generic Metsblog compliment, Matt!
Matt,
It’s pretty special to get a sense of who the Mets are through your daily posts. Acquiring the information was good enough but you have really hit a new peak with your locker room drifting piece.
That work is natural and has such an honest voice that it carries the reader visually into your world of sight. Excellent writing!
Dean Lapinel
Amazing read… the mental image reading that gave me is amazing.. you are a lucky man Matty… keep it coming..
I just posted a comment but I don’t think ti went through..
I was basically saying how I believe Matt’s “job” only came about because he loves the Mets (like the rest of us) and he was initially too lazy to get a real job
I also mentioned something about me being extremely envious and thinking he does an excellent job
Matt; is there any real sense of a mission to accomplish a playoff presence in ‘08?
Or dare I ask; a championship?
Or do we have the same,tired, “we’re professionals and we know what to do” BS that fell flat on their behinds with last Sept?
Go the next step; ignore the “code” and ask the real questions!
You are in a special place, Matty-Baby!
Matt shouldn’t ask questions like that, he’s not a reporter, he’s a fan who has an interesting persective. I’ll throw more wood on the love affair we’re having with Matt right now, but he’s offering us a glimpse that’s truly unique, just the everyday stuff that’s going on, how a baseball player lives, the interactions. Keep it coming Matt, it’s a unique take on it and it’s something I, for one, find fascinating. No need to throw stupid reporter style questions in their faces, I like the real person perspective you’re taking.
One more thing Matt, it is so funny to read what you are writing, because we as readers get the sense that you feel that you don’t really belong there. Kind of like when you were “inside” at the Johan introduction. It sounds like a kid in a candy store. It’s great hearing from someone who truly feels lucky just to be there, and who also does a great job. Well I’d say it’s pretty obvious Matt, you do belong there. So keep it up, we all love reading that perspective!
Best Spring Training reports I ever read….keep up the fantastic work Matt and crew!
So fabulous.
SO FABULOUS.
Matt ya lucky bastard!
Matt get a picture of D Wright and Darryl together!!!!!!!!!
Nice work Matt,
F-Mart a “Sidler?”
Ha! I’m lovin’ it.
Solid work.
Is anyone else worried about Darryl hanging around F-Mart? I know he’s trying to turn his life around but it still doesn’t sit quite right with me given his past.
Matt if you see any “leaded” and “unleaded” coffee pots in their you make sure to take out your whistle and blow.
Outstanding work. Simply outstanding. End of story.
Comments on this entry are closed.