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In St. Lucie, I spent time with John Maine 
asking him questions about how to make a pick off throw to second, and keep a runner honest at first, his awareness of his infielders while focused on the game, and where and when you make the throw over.
Here’s one Q&A in text from the discussion:
- Matthew Cerrone: The other one you always see, and one fans always boo when you’re on the road, is the fake-to-third, throw-to-first move – does that ever work?
- John Maine: (Laughing) You hear the boos when you do at a visitor’s park. Actually, it works sometimes.
- Matthew Cerrone: Have you ever picked any one off that way?
- John Maine: I picked one guy off that way, yeah. I’ve only done it a hand-full of times. But, again, what people need to realize is that it’s about not letting that runner on first get a big jump stealing second. Or, maybe it’s because we want to see what the hitters going to do, if he’s gonna bunt or swing…
- Matthew Cerrone: I always thought, if I ever get the chance to throw out the first pitch for a game, I would do that. You know, do the fake, see how people react. I’d probably get made fun of for it, but…
- John Maine: Well, you know in New York if you bounce a pitch you’re gonna get booed, so…
To watch my entire interview with Maine, click play below:
For more Mets spring training videos, click here.
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Metsblog drinking game… drink every time Matt pumps his fist into his mitt… you’ll get hammered
good news everyone! i take a shot every time matt talks with his hands.
I was wondering when this video would be posted.
i almost had a heart attack when i saw a new post with a picture of maine, thought he got hurt or something…
Haha! Yeah, nice to see a post about an important player without “MRI” in the title, or a red cross adorning the post!
I think I remember this move working TWICE in ONE inning for Turk Wendell.
Wow. Thanks so much for confirming my sanity. I’ve mentioned this game to people a couple of times, and nobody ever believes me, let alone remembers it.
I actually signed up for an account here (after reading the blog for several years) just to thank you.
Matt, you should have asked him why he can’t throw strikes on a consistent basis.
oh boy, the high and mighty speaks
What???? “High and mighty”? What the f are you talking about? Please let me in on it.
Completely unrelated, but someone just called the Michael Kay show and asked about the Yanks going after Brandon Inge to replace A-Rod. Poor guy called the wrong show… We all know how they feel about Inge on WFAN.
Ron Darlings pick off move was absolutely freakin wicked, I don’t know who even comes close to his move in the organization then or now.