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The Gazette News Group presents the Parting Shots Podcast. Now here's your host, Gazette News Group Sports editor Ken Shots. Thank you Scott Gezy, and welcome to the Parting Shots podcast, available wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe today. Thanks for joining me from the Parting Shots Podcast studio in Schenectady, New York. And of course, if you listen to the Open It's a little bit different new name for the Gazette Company and we'll have to get used to that.
I used to have the other one memorized not to worry about it, but now got to make sure I get this new one down right. We actually debuted it on Wednesday's podcast with Union men's head hockey coach Josh Hauge. Didn't want to make any reference to it then because it was focused on talking about the Garner Chargers and getting ready for their Speaking of Union hockey, both the men and women are at M and T Bank center this weekend and we're going to talk with members of the men's hockey team. We're going to talk to the Korpi brothers, Carter, the senior forward, and Cameron, the sophomore goalie who transferred from Michigan. We'll talk about being together and this is the first time they have played organized hockey together, so they'll tell about their stories of playing in the basement and playing in the backyard. And we'll talk why one's a forward and one's a defenseman.
Union will open up their season Saturday at 5 o' clock against Army West Point. It's sort of become a tradition the last couple years Reunion plays either the opening game or the second game of the season against the Black Knights. Also, we're going to talk with Union captain Nick Young and alternate captain Brandon Burr. We'll get their thoughts on playing in the new rink and getting ready for for Saturday's game.
The Union women are off to a 20 start, posting back to back shutouts last weekend against Franklin Pierce, the first time the program has done that in their Division 1 history.
We'll talk with Monya Wagner, who was in Friday's net made 18 saves and Saturday's goaltender was Emma Reumi. She made 19 saves. She'll also be on the podcast along with team captain and defenseman senior Stephanie Bourquet.
We're going to talk with army men's hockey head coach Zach McKelvey. He's taking over for Brian Riley, who announced his retirement.
He coached last season right before the start of the season. He announced he was going to retire at the end of last season. And Zach has been an assistant and associate head coach for a number of years under Brian Riley. Also played for Riley at Army West Point. We'll talk to him about taking over the program and for the first time in 75 years, there's no rally as a head coach at Army West Point. So we'll talk about the legacy he is following there.
And then we'll talk with Will Springstead, Union College associate college football beat writer. I'll get that right eventually. And he's also the associate sports center. We'll review the Garner Chargers impressive victory over St Lawrence last Saturday in the Liberty League opener and look ahead to Saturday's matchup at Buffalo State. And we're going to talk with New York Post sports columnist Mike Vaccaro. We're going to talk about the Giants Jackson dark Malik Neighbors injury and his thoughts on that and the collapse of the New York Mets.
Spoiler alert. I'm happy about it, being a Phillies fan, so we have a lot to digest on this podcast and looking forward to doing it.
So coming up, we're going to talk Union men's hockey and Union women's hockey. We'll have, of course, as you mentioned, the corporate brothers, Brandon Burr and Nick Young on the men's side and on the women's side, Stephanie Bourke, Monya Wagner and Emma Reumi. So stick around here. You're on the Potting Shots Podcast.
Where do my friends and other students find their voice?
We find our voice through the performing arts, along with millions of other high school students by expressing yourself in a role on stage, through an instrument or at the debate podium. The performing arts give us freedom to find ourselves, to find our place.
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Encourage the students in your life to find their voice through the performing arts.
This message presented by the nfhs, where we encourage all students to play, perform and compete together.
Hi, this is Union College head football coach John Drock. You're listening to the Parting Shots Podcast with the Daily Exec, sports editor Ken Schott.
Welcome back to the podcast. And I should mention that this is the 475th episode of the Parting Shots podcast. We're 25 away from 500. Unbelievable. So getting excited about that milestone. Well, it's Union hockey time here on the Parting Shots Podcast. We're getting you set for the men's season opener and the first game for them at M and T Bank Center.
The Garner Chargers will take on Army West Point at 5 o' clock on Saturday afternoon and of course a lot of excitement is about this. We had the Union women open the M and T Bank center on last Friday with the Franklin Pierce game and they'll have three games under the belt by the actually four as they'll be hosting Merrimack. But we'll talk about the women in just a moment. The men coming off season where they finished in fourth place in ECAC hockey, lost to Dartmouth in the quarterfinals for the second consecutive year, got swept. But this is a team on the rise and they have a lot of scoring depth coming back and so goaltending will be interesting to watch. If you read my column in Wednesday's Daily gazette and online dailygazette.com I pointed out my I think the three keys to this season for the Garner Chargers. Of course one of them was actually beating Quinnipiac and Dartmouth. They have not beaten those two teams in a while. Quinnipiac has beaten 11 straight, including 10 straight wins against Union and Union has lost seven straight to Dartmouth. The goaltending situation, of course, Kyle Chauvett gone after three seasons, the last two as the number one goaltender at New Hampshire, Cameron Corpi coming in from Michigan and Braden Gillespie and Holohan coming in from as freshmen. So we'll see how they that trio works out this year. As you heard on the Parting Shots podcast Wednesday, Josh Halji, the head coach, said Cameron Corpy will start Saturday's game against Army West Point.
Speaking of Cameron, I spoke with him and his brother Carter Korpi, the senior forward.
Both players are coming back from season ending injuries.
Cameron has suffered a concussion in a February game against Minnesota and Carter Korpi suffered a tor meniscus in a Jan. 3 game at Brown and he did not return for the rest of the season.
But they're back healthy and ready to go. And funny thing is, when talking with them, one of the things they first mentioned this is the first time they played organized hockey. Never played youth hockey together, obviously not in college until now.
There were some games obviously at home, on the ice surface that their father built and in the basement.
Carter's gonna have an interesting story about one of those basement games. So here we go. Here's Carter Korpi and Cameron Corpi from Tuesday's Media Availability how does it feel to be reunited here at Union?
[00:08:32] Speaker A: Pretty sweet. Not gonna lie, we've never played together before so this will be definitely something that we'll remember for the rest of our lives together. So I'm really excited for it.
[00:08:43] Speaker C: Not even in youth hockey?
[00:08:44] Speaker A: Not even in youth.
[00:08:47] Speaker C: So for you, Cameron, what is it like to be at union to play with your brother for at least one year?
[00:08:54] Speaker A: It's great. I mean it's pretty surreal for, I mean both of us and our whole family.
Us being in the same same spot. It's pretty special.
[00:09:01] Speaker B: So.
[00:09:04] Speaker C: How did you end up being a goalie, not a forward?
[00:09:07] Speaker A: To be honest with you, I wasn't very good at forward.
[00:09:09] Speaker C: So that's why Carter, for you being.
[00:09:13] Speaker A: A forward, not a goal, it's because he's 64 and I'm 5 11.
That's fine.
[00:09:19] Speaker B: Talk about the process.
[00:09:23] Speaker C: Cameron enter transfer portal. Was union first on the rail? Did you talk to your brother at all about that?
[00:09:31] Speaker A: I didn't talk to him a ton about it. Obviously he didn't want to get in the way of the process I was going through.
I looked through all my options and just between the staff and all the guys here, it was just the best for me and I'm so happy I did it.
[00:09:47] Speaker C: Carr, did you have any influence with coach at all about this?
[00:09:51] Speaker A: So mine was more of trying to be a good brother and a good sister teammate. I tried to kind of stay out of it as much as I could.
Obviously with Kyle going away, like I wish Kyle nothing but the best. Like we loved him around here, he decided that he wanted to move on and I completely understand that.
But yeah, I wanted to make sure he knew that I was going to stand by him whether it was here or someone else or somewhere else. So yeah, tried to keep. Keep the middle ground on that one for sure.
[00:10:22] Speaker C: Who did you tell first, Josh or your brother?
[00:10:26] Speaker A: I told how you first.
I called a day later. I made him wait.
[00:10:34] Speaker C: What was your reaction?
[00:10:36] Speaker A: A little annoyed, but the anticipation, but whatever.
[00:10:42] Speaker C: Just what was your relationship like growing up together? I mean, obviously three year difference in age of obviously senior preference. Now what was that like growing up together?
You say you didn't play hockey, but were there any kind of like shitty games or anything like that you guys played with?
[00:11:04] Speaker A: Oh yeah, all the time.
I vividly remember getting a stick to the face in our basement from him getting a little scar. But yeah, our dad always had a backyard rink for us to play on and I was the shooter and he just happened to be in that. So it's just kind of how it worked out.
[00:11:21] Speaker C: Was he tough to score on?
[00:11:23] Speaker A: Not at that time.
[00:11:27] Speaker C: Talk about, you know, being 6 4. How much of an Advantage is that for you in goal?
[00:11:32] Speaker A: It's definitely a big advantage.
The big thing is you got to learn how to use your size. And I think the last couple years it's just been a process of learning how to use it to your advantage. And because it can be. It can be tough if you don't know how to use it.
[00:11:46] Speaker C: I mean, you guys unfortunately had your seasons ended prematurely because of injury.
How do you guys feel going into the season? Obviously part of you had the tor meniscus and you had a concussion, I think was. So how do you guys feel as you get ready for the season?
[00:12:03] Speaker A: I mean, I'm as ready as I could ever be. If I'm being honest.
That was a really hard time for me in January. Going down for that long and having to watch the whole second half of the season.
Wouldn't wish that on anyone.
I'm happy I got through it and we're on the up and up here and I'm ready to go.
[00:12:21] Speaker C: For you. Part of the Cameron.
[00:12:23] Speaker A: Yeah, same thing.
I feel the best I have going into NEC that I have in my entire career, so I'm really excited for me personally. But also just this group, I think we have a really good group, so it should be fun.
[00:12:36] Speaker C: What is the excitement level like as you get ready for this play? The first game, your guy's first game in the new building?
[00:12:43] Speaker A: I mean, there's a lot of hype around it. Right. Like, everyone expects us to have a really good season, a really good, really good team and continue to build the program.
And we expect nothing less. Right. Like, we're going, we're aiming to win an acac, win the UCAC regular season and playoffs, and then make it onto the tournament. We're going to do everything we can in our power to make sure that happens.
What are some of the things you guys need to do, especially early on, to lay the groundwork for where you want to be in March?
Yeah, I think early on as we get playing with the new guys, right. Like we have a lot of new guys, a lot of new faces in the locker room.
It's figuring out kind of how each other plays.
[00:13:22] Speaker D: Right.
[00:13:22] Speaker A: And the biggest thing to do with that is communicating and, and being relentless in everything we do and having a good attitude about it.
Yeah, just getting close and building that chemistry with your line mates and just the rest of the guys is the biggest thing. I think the closest teams always end up winning at the end of the year.
[00:13:39] Speaker C: So your goals against average was just over 3. We had a safe percentage of just over 90. Was that more of a byproduct the goals against average of the style of Michigan plays like up tempo. And maybe the defense, Michigan's defense was one that was not one of the greatest in Kyle Chockey last year.
[00:13:59] Speaker A: I don't think it was any of the defense.
I gave up some bad goals at times. You know, stuff happens and it's a really tough conference to play and it's. The Big Ten is a lot of skilled players. It's, you know, each. I think every team has a first rounder, at least one. So it's, it's just how it is. It's like really good players.
[00:14:17] Speaker C: Let's talk now with Union senior defenseman and team captain Nick Young and senior forward Brandon Burr, who's going to be an alternate captain. One of the two. The other is Parker Lindauer. We'll get their thoughts. They're ready to go. Playing in the new building, they can't wait to drop the puck on Saturday. So here are Nick Young and Brandon Burr.
Well, guys, here we are a few days away from the first game for you guys in this.
[00:14:45] Speaker A: I mean it's, it's through the roof. I know all of us have been waiting for it as soon as our last game ended last year. You know, just the anticipation of playing a game and being here for a little over a month now. And now it's finally game week. The boys are ready and the boys are super excited.
Yeah, pretty much exactly what Nick said. Like on top of all that, just the new rank, just the excitement to see like how fans are react to this new atmosphere. It's a really good time.
[00:15:10] Speaker C: You guys. You guys were here for Friday night women's game, right?
[00:15:13] Speaker A: Yes.
[00:15:14] Speaker C: What did you. What was it like to watch that game in the excitement level? I mean it wasn't, you know, they had over 700 fans, I think was a record for the Union women's game.
[00:15:24] Speaker A: No, it was, it was super nice. You can really see like how it's all going to come to effect. I know we were all picturing ourselves out there.
You can see Even just with 700 people, it was so loud. It felt like everyone was on top of the action and just everything, all those small little details put together just brought out a really great production. So we're super excited to get on the ice.
[00:15:44] Speaker B: How important will it be to take.
[00:15:45] Speaker C: Advantage of that loud noise? You may get the fans intimidated in the opposition.
[00:15:51] Speaker A: I think it'll be super important. The more you can have the crowd into it, the better you can Feed off that energy. And I think the addition of the student section behind the opposing goalie for the first and third is going to be play a big role in that too. What as a group, has there been a little extra drive and motivation and hunger this season to start, given the way that last year kind of ended for you guys? Oh, yeah, 100%. And just bringing in the pieces we were bringing in and the people we have coming back, it's just we're super excited and, you know, especially with the new rink and everything, everything's kind of coming together at one time and we're ready to explode. What are some of the steps that you guys need to take this year? Year to take this program from that team that gets that first round body to the team that goes to Placid and competes for ECS title? Yeah, I mean, I think the biggest thing for me is we gotta stress how important the beginning of the year is. You have to treat the beginning of the year like the end of the year and you can't afford these mistakes that I think in previous years we've done in the beginning of the year. And you have to treat it like it's playoffs every single game, because they all matter.
[00:16:52] Speaker C: How important will it be for you guys to be in the back of the Garden if you've had your number, put it back a lot longer than the Garden's life. But how important will it be if you want to be in the top four?
Even challenging for the regulars, who can tell? How important will it be to beat those two teams?
[00:17:13] Speaker A: It is extremely important. But we've beaten good teams. I mean, we used to thank Cornelis team that would beat us.
My freshman year was like 10 nothing. But now we swept them last year and like, we're ready to take on any challenge that any team has.
Yeah, every game's important. Obviously Dartmouth and Quinnipiac, they have kind of had our number, but just with that first game against them, just proves to ourselves that we can play any team again. What Nick said, I mean, I wasn't here for that freshman year, but there were the stories like, oh, it's Cornell. But we came over that hurdle and now we've had success. Success against them.
What are some of the things you guys want to do this weekend and early on in our conference play to lay?
Yeah, I mean, I. I think we just gotta trust the process and, you know, really dive into our core concepts and our core values as a team. And I think if we can instill that early on and, you know, kind of make an impact on these teams and show everyone else what we've got the rest of the year. Yeah, pretty much exact same as that. Just, just show every team like no matter even if it's not in conference, then the games may not be deemed as important. Every game is very important for like rankings and stuff. So just starting off getting those big wins and that's pretty much what we need.
[00:18:24] Speaker C: How important will it be for guys on Saturday not to get over hyped with the excitement of the new arena?
[00:18:31] Speaker A: Yeah, I mean we always talk about just keeping a level head. Don't get too high, don't get too low. So I think there's an important time to feed off the energy and be really excited.
But we also have to stay even keel and you know, make sure everyone's staying on task with a clear head.
[00:18:46] Speaker C: So Brandon.
[00:18:48] Speaker A: Yeah, just again, stay even keeled. We don't want to get too high because that could always lead to some bad things. So staying right in the middle.
[00:18:54] Speaker C: Do you guys take any pleasure in being picked 5th in the coach's pole after the 3 straight 8th place fixed?
[00:19:03] Speaker A: I mean we're never satisfied. I don't, I don't think we're taking.
To be honest. I think it's still kind of a shot to the gut and we're just going to use that as fuel like every other time they put us down. So yeah, realistically probably wouldn't have been happy unless it was first. So got to get there eventually.
[00:19:23] Speaker C: Now let's talk about the Union women's hockey team. Off to a 20 start after sweeping Franklin Pierce last weekend. A 3 nothing victory in the opener last Friday for followed by a Two Nothing win on Saturday at MNT Bank Center. The team drew over 1100 fans for those two games. That's very impressive for the women. Hopefully they'll continue to attract fans at the new facility.
History was made last weekend with the shutouts. Union had never in its Division 1 history posted back to back shutouts.
They did that on obviously last weekend. Monia Wagner played Friday, made 18 saves.
Emma Ryumi, the freshman played Saturday and had 19 saves.
Both each had a key save in the game to protect the shutout. So history is made. The last time Union did post a back to back shutouts came in the 20022003 season against MIT. A pair of 15 nothing victories. So.
But this was a great job by both goaltenders over the weekend. In fact, Ryumi was named EC SI hockey Freshman of the week. Why Wagner was not named goalie of the week. I don't know.
I don't participate in that situation. But very interesting as to why she did not make it.
The Garden Chargers are back at MT bank center this weekend for a pair of games against Merrimack. A 6 o' clock start Friday and a 1 o' clock start on Saturday.
This series was originally scheduled to be played at Merrimack in North Andover, Massachusetts, but I think there was a scheduling conflict there so the games were moved to here. So I'll be doing a doubleheader on Saturday with the women at 1 and the men at 5.
Merrimack split a couple games with Clarkson. Nationally ranked Clarkson last weekend. So this is a team that cannot be taken lightly and that's something that the players spoke to on Tuesday at the media availability.
Emma Ryumi, Monya Wagner and Stephanie Bourque were at the media table on Friday. So here's what they had to say Tuesday. I mean, so here's what they had to say, sort of the goaltenders. Do you realize you made some history over the weekend becoming the first Division 1 union goalies to force back to back shutouts?
[00:21:52] Speaker E: I didn't know till like after the weekend, but it's really fun and exciting and it's really fun to do it with Emma because yeah, she's. She's a great goalie.
Yeah. Yeah, I didn't know either until now. So like it's pretty cool.
[00:22:08] Speaker C: But yeah, last time was done was when they were in Division 3. So what does that does. What does that be opening the way you guys did back to back shutouts? What does that mean for this team? What does it mean for you guys personally?
[00:22:25] Speaker E: It's obviously a really good start for us, creating a lot of confidence within the team for the goaltenders. And it's always great to start with no goals against. Like what else do you want? Like it's a win and amazing.
Yeah, it's really cool. And I mean it's not only us. I mean it's the whole team.
Everybody was there and block shots and they were playing really great in front of us. So it's not. Yeah, we got the zero gold, but at the end of the day it was everybody's work. So.
[00:22:56] Speaker C: Yeah, Stephanie, you've been obviously playing in front of them there over the last weekend. How did you feel about their performances?
[00:23:03] Speaker E: Yeah, I thought they both did. Unreal. I mean as a defense, it's. When you have a lot of confidence in your goalies, you can't really ask for much better than that. I knew that like they would have my back and they know that we got their back, so I definitely did that. They like stood on their heads and they did a good job and I mean, now that's what we're expecting from them. So.
[00:23:22] Speaker C: So yeah, there are two.
She had a key save in the game.
I think it was the third player you mean to stop on the side shot, kick, save. It was when you guys come down and score and then you made a save in the second breakaway. How good were those saves to start with Emma?
[00:23:43] Speaker E: I mean, I had a player back checking so she had a lot of pressure on her and I saved the pluck. I mean, it was, it was great.
[00:23:53] Speaker C: But yeah, what did you see on that shot?
[00:23:58] Speaker E: Honestly, it was just another shot, really. I don't even remember exactly what moment it was, but the team was just so solid in our D zone that they made it really easy to make saves. So a lot of credit goes to the players too.
[00:24:13] Speaker C: Let me ask you guys, over 1100 fans attended the two games which, especially with the ring. What did that mean to see the support this program and got over the weekend?
[00:24:25] Speaker E: Yeah, I mean it definitely means a lot. Like we want to play for the community. It's more than just our school. We want to play for like the little girls that are watching in the stands. We want to show them that what we can do and everything. So we definitely want to, want to prove to the fans that like we're a good team and we're playing for them and with their support, like it makes it easier. Obviously viewing them cheering us on, like it gives us more to play for.
[00:24:47] Speaker C: Did you feel the excited last weekend with the fans in the stands?
[00:24:52] Speaker E: Absolutely, yeah, it was, it was hype, like compared to other games where maybe like 40 people showed up. You could really feel the energy and that chance was onto the ice and I feel like it helped us a lot in those two games.
Yeah, I mean it was a great start. People were there and it was really fun. We definitely had fun.
[00:25:12] Speaker C: Well, you guys have another two home games this weekend with, with Mermack coming in. How important is it to build off that momentum from last weekend?
[00:25:21] Speaker E: I definitely do think that, like having two wins is a big step for us and big confidence. But definitely Mermak. They just beat Clarkson so they're off of a hot start as well. So definitely we have to be ready and kind of just. We're going to learn a lot this week and do video from the past weekend and kind of build off of that and be ready for Mir, man.
[00:25:41] Speaker A: Yeah, I mean, what are some of those things that you need to do.
[00:25:43] Speaker C: To carry that momentum?
[00:25:46] Speaker E: Yeah, I definitely do think our D zone is key for us. When we play well in the D zone, I think that helps helps us get pucks to the forwards and they're a highly skilled group. So I definitely do think that like they can score and stuff and also getting pucks through and getting traffic to the net. I think like a goal is a goal. It doesn't always have to be pretty goals. So you can get those dirty, like garbage goals.
That's how you win games. So I definitely do think that that's how like the keys to build off that weekend and going to near Mac.
[00:26:15] Speaker A: Yeah, I mean, what kind of, how huge was it for this team to establish that mindset of we're going to be defense first with two shy opens.
[00:26:21] Speaker D: To open up the year?
[00:26:22] Speaker E: Yeah, I mean we started really strong with like great goals too. So like in the second game, I mean we scored in the first like what, couple seconds. So that's a great part of it. Like we brought down the pressure and we were like, listen, we're dictating the game. We're the one playing at home.
[00:26:40] Speaker D: So yeah.
[00:26:43] Speaker C: We'Re gonna stay on the hockey theme here with Zach McKelvey, the new Army West Point head coach. He'll be bringing his team to M and T Bank center on Saturday. We'll talk to him about taking over as a head coach of the Black Knights. You're listening to the Parting Shots podcast.
[00:27:13] Speaker E: Speed, skill, physicality.
Home to college hockey's elite teams, coaches and student athletes.
[00:27:20] Speaker C: ECAC hockey.
[00:27:22] Speaker E: Twelve programs competing at the highest level.
A league where champions are born and.
[00:27:27] Speaker B: World class professionals are trained.
[00:27:29] Speaker E: Where history is abundant and a commitment to the cutting edge is unrivaled. The best facilities, the fiercest competition.
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[00:27:44] Speaker A: Hey, everybody, this is don Barnes from 38 Special and you're always rocking into the night when you're listening to the.
[00:27:50] Speaker C: Parting Shots podcast with Daily Gazette sports sports editor Ken Shot. Hold on loosely, Ken. Just don't ever let go.
Welcome back to the podcast. My next guest is the new head coach at Army West Point men's hockey. And it's the first time that a member of the rally family is not the head coach. And want to talk to him a little bit about that. He's also a graduate of Army West Point. Please welcome to the podcast, Zach McKelvey. Zach, welcome to the podcast. How are things going?
[00:28:21] Speaker D: Things are going great.
Appreciate you having me and excited for the season to get going.
[00:28:25] Speaker C: Yeah. I mean, we knew last year when Brian Riley announced he was going to retire after the 20, 24, 25 season, you were named the head coach.
I mean, as I said in the open the first time that O'Reilly is not a head coach at that Army West Point, what was it like that legacy there with the Riley family? I mean, how impactful was that?
[00:28:49] Speaker D: Yeah, I mean, you know, first time in 75 years. Our program has been around for 120 years and. 121 years. And so for 75 of those years, it's been led by the Riley family and their impact has been tremendous. I mean, not only did they impact the hockey program and build this hockey community, but more importantly, the amount of young men that they produce. To be leaders of character, to go on to serve our nation is really unbelievable when you think about the number of guys that have gone through this program for 75 years.
And it's a really special legacy to be a part of, for sure. So we're certainly proud that we've had the opportunity to have the Riley family at West Point for the last 75 years. And we're going to do everything we can to continue to honor their legacy.
[00:29:38] Speaker C: Now, you played for Brian, correct?
[00:29:40] Speaker D: Yeah.
[00:29:41] Speaker C: Okay, let me ask this question first. What was it like playing for Brian?
[00:29:46] Speaker D: He's a. He's the ultimate players coach. He truly cares about his, his guys more as people than as players. And he's one of those guys that demands a lot from you, but at the same time, when the game's over, when practice is over, he's putting his arm around you. He knows who your girlfriend is, he knows about your family.
He truly cares about our guys. And he's just a. He's a really unique person and has a great way about him to connect with people and to get his players to buy in. And, you know, I was really able to see that, especially as his assistant, you see how much he cares about not only the school, but the people that come through this institution.
[00:30:26] Speaker C: Now, what was it like being the associate head coach with Brian?
[00:30:30] Speaker D: It's great. You know, getting to learn from. In my opinion, one of the country's best coaches was phenomenal. And him and I have a, a great relationship.
You know, when he brought me in in 2005 to play for him for those four years, it was one of those things where we had an instant connection, player coach connection. And so when he gave me the opportunity to come back as a coach, it was a no brainer to be around someone like that, but also learn from him from a hockey perspective.
It was, you know, for me and as I look at my career, it was hugely beneficial. So very fortunate. And he'll still be around at all our games and his son's on our staff, so, you know, the, the program.
Although we miss Rob Coach Brian now, we of course miss the late Jack Riley, but we, we still have another Jack Riley on our staff. So the legacy continues here at West Point.
[00:31:26] Speaker C: Well, I'm always going to appreciate Brian for a couple of reasons. I was down a couple years ago covering the Union army game and I was in the middle of running my story. He stopped up at the press Fox to say hello, and I appreciated that. I didn't get a chance to interview me after the game. And then last year when I had him on at this time on the podcast previewing the start of the season, last year he dropped the news that you guys were going to be the opening game at MNC Bank Center. So I was like, I was sure to give you some, a scoop on that, but just, just a general Brian, I like him. He's a great guy. And just as you said, he seems to be just very personable. And I'm hoping he does come to the game Saturday just to, you know, see what it's like. But it's got to be a thrill that you were able to play for him and then coach with him.
[00:32:20] Speaker D: Yeah, 100%. He's.
Like I said earlier, we have a great relationship. And for me and my wife, she's a grad as well. For us to be able to be back here and give back to West Point what we felt West Point gave to us as cadets is just a tremendous opportunity. I mean, we, we love this place. We bleed black and gold. And you know, this, this place is. West Point is so special.
It's. It's the people. You know, we got unbelievable buildings and we get great academics, we got great athletic programs, but it's really the people that make this place special.
And certainly coaches is one of the more special people that have. Has been around West Point. And the whole, really, the whole family has. Is just a tremendous family. And they're everything that we look for in our cadets you can find in their family.
[00:33:12] Speaker C: How important was it last year when he announced he was going to retire and then you were named the head coach? I mean, what was, what was the comfort level like knowing that you were going to be there and as taking over for Brian this season?
[00:33:28] Speaker D: Yeah, well, it's you know, the transition was something that coach and I had talked about for a number of years. And so, you know, I knew, well before he announced it that he was going to do it. And we had communicate. We had been communicating for several years about what that transition would like, but until it comes, you don't really don't know how it's going to go.
And what I would say is that last year, you know, I think kind of anticipating it, we were like, okay, how is this going to work? The guys aren't going to know. I'm taking over next year. Like, who. Who's in charge? But I will tell you, and I'm not sure this is the case in. In every environment, but like, Coach Riley was. He was all in 100% of the time. Like, he did not stop going until his last day here. And for me, that was just awesome to see because he was. I think a lot of people maybe let their foot off the gas and he was.
He was in. He was the first guy in every day and the last guy out, like he has been for the past 20 some years that he was here.
And he came to the rink with joy and passion every day. And then, you know, the way we finished last year, I thought was really nice to send him off because, you know, we didn't have a great record last year, but we had a lot of great memories. Some of the best memories that I've had in hockey, certainly the way we won games and the motion of it. So it was a really special year for both of us. And for him to mentor me through that, it was, you know, something that I'll always be appreciative for.
[00:35:00] Speaker C: How would you describe your coaching style? I mean, is it along the lines of Brian? And do you want to add something that maybe Brian didn't have?
[00:35:08] Speaker D: Well, I mean, you know, he's been a huge mentor of mine for a long time, player and coach.
So I think there will definitely be some similarities. I mean, he's a legend in the business, so I'd be dumb not to take some of his ideas and.
And keep those as a part of our program.
But with that said, you know, I'm. I'm a. We have a lot different personalities, so I'll lead in a lot different way. And even, you know, in the past couple weeks, when we've gotten together with our guys, I'm sure that's different for them. When I talk to our alumni, I'm sure that's different. So there certainly be some things that are a lot different from myself and the Riley family. But at the same time, there are a lot of things that work. So, you know, I'm not going to try to change everything in one year because so many things that made them great people helped make our program successful.
[00:36:00] Speaker C: What kind of team are you going to have this year?
[00:36:02] Speaker D: So I think we're going to have a really tough and competitive team.
We have a lot of guys that are committed to playing defensively and playing hard and physical. I think that's what people expect when you play West Point. And, you know, the simple three words that we use with our guys is just fast, tough and tenacious. We want to get all over teams and we, we certainly have skill on our team, but I do think we're a team that needs to win games by wearing them down, by being really tough defensively. And so that's the style you'll see. We lost, you know, arguably I think one of the best defensemen in the country last year. So we're gonna have to make up for that by committee. I don't think you can recruit. That takes. It takes a long time to get a guy of Matt Gadowski's stature and what he can do on the ice. So that's going to be a huge challenge for our guys. But I do believe that we have a lot of guys that are ready to take on that challenge and step up and get the job done by committee.
[00:37:02] Speaker C: Course Mac transferred to Penn State to play with his dad, who's the coach there.
Let me ask you about recruiting. Obviously you guys are limited in who you can recruit. You can't recruit international players, obviously.
And you and the transfer portal, you really can't, I don't think, get players. I mean.
[00:37:21] Speaker D: That's right.
[00:37:22] Speaker C: Yeah, you end up just. If guys leave, you lose players in transport, you really can't replace them. How difficult is that?
[00:37:29] Speaker D: Yeah, it's a challenge, but I think every school has challenges, some more than others. And you know, it's one of those things where every team at any of the academies is going to have more challenges than other teams. But what we have to offer here is, extends far beyond what other teams can offer on the ice. I mean, we're offering a life changing experience like this. You graduate from West Point Naval Academy or Air Force Academy, you are going to be set for life. And so that's one of the things we sell. But at the same time, we need to give them an incredible Division 1 hockey experience too. So we need to make sure that we're a coaching staff that connects with guys and can develop them over the four years. And. And so that's how we combat some of those challenges. And there's no doubt, like, not being able to recruit international guys or grabbing guys in the portal or offering nil like that, that may limit you, but there are enough good players out there, and if you find the right combination, you can still be successful at a. At a place like West Point. And you just. You really just can't lose sleep over it. Our admissions closes and January or February, so if we lose a guy to the transfer portal, that's it. Right? And so we just got to stay positive about it, kind of be convicted in what we want to do and the style of team we want. And like I said, there's enough players out there for us to be successful.
[00:38:58] Speaker C: How honored and thrilled are you guys helping O Union play the first men's game at M and T Bank Center?
[00:39:06] Speaker D: Yeah, I mean, it's.
I think it's great for Union.
Union has a rich history of hockey, and, you know, I really respect the coaching staff there. I think Union has a phenomenal coaching staff. So for them to give us the opportunity to come in and open up the rank is great for us. I mean, it's really special for us to be a part of that.
You know, I hope it's a really good competitive game. I hope it's great for the fans. I hope it's good for the development of both teams, and I know it will be. But, yeah, we feel very privileged to be able to come up there and open up the new arena.
[00:39:45] Speaker B: And it's.
[00:39:46] Speaker D: And like I said, it's phenomenal for college hockey for schools like Union and a bunch of other schools to be investing in their hockey programs.
[00:39:54] Speaker C: I think it should be mandatory that Union and Army West Point open up the season every year. Makes a lot of sense. I mean, I can get to go down to West Point, which is a beautiful campus, been down there many times, and it's just an honor to be on that campus and knowing what these players are going to do once their college career is over and the sacrifices they're going to make. So. And just.
You feel that. I mean.
[00:40:20] Speaker D: Yeah, and we. I think there's a mutual respect between the coaching staffs and both programs. Like, I really respect Josh and, you know, the way he has his team play and the guys he recruits, like he does it the right way. And so, you know, we look at this game, it's the first game of the year, and obviously, you know, you always play the game and you want to win. But I do look at Union as a team as like, you kind of, if you can play well against them, you're going to be well off. And I thought last year was a great opening and hopefully we can continue this tradition. And we've done it in the past before Josh was there where we open up against Union or play them early in the season. So I agree with you. It'd be great if we could continue this tradition.
[00:41:04] Speaker C: Well, I think you guys, Josh had credit you guys with helping them land Brendan Holhan, because I think he was going to go to army, but failed a physical there and ended up at Union.
[00:41:17] Speaker D: Yeah. Yeah. And we're excited to see Brendan. You know, he's a really good goalie. I'm just really happy for him because he landed with a great coaching staff that's going to help develop him, and he's a phenomenal person. Great ad for Union. And unfortunately, that's one of the recruiting challenges we have is, you know, in addition to the, the nationality, the academic qualifications, you do have to be medically qualified here. He just couldn't be medically qualified for West Point.
[00:41:45] Speaker C: Yeah.
[00:41:46] Speaker D: So it's good for him that he landed with a good program.
[00:41:49] Speaker C: Well, Zach, I appreciate a few minutes. We'll see you on Saturday. I'll talk to you either, you know, before the game or definitely after the game. And good luck with the coaching career. The head coaching career.
[00:42:00] Speaker D: Great. Thank you. I appreciate you having me on.
[00:42:02] Speaker C: All right, thank you. And that's Zach McKelvey. Be back. We'll talk Union College football with Will Spring Said next here on the Parting Shots podcast.
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Hi, this is Daily Gazette reporter Ted Remsnider. You're listening to the Parting Shots podcast with Daily Gazette sports editor Ken Schott.
Welcome back to the podcast. The Union College football team opened up impressively in Liberty League play last Saturday against St. Lawrence. And to talk about that is Associate Sports center and Union College Football football beat writer Will Springstead. Will, 44 to 12 final on Saturday, and it wasn't even that close.
[00:43:22] Speaker F: It really wasn't. Union came out and did what they wanted to do right away. It was 14 nothing.
A mere few minutes into the game and you could see a few shoulders on St. Lawrence slump. And from there the Garner Chargers pretty much did what they wanted to.
[00:43:41] Speaker C: Yeah, two touchdowns in nine seconds with a DiNardo two yard run and a fumble recovery for a touchdown by Boykay. Is that pronounced how you pronounce?
And so two touchdowns in nine seconds, that set the tone.
[00:43:55] Speaker F: It really did. And that's what they wanted to. Coach John Drock said if there was any way they could get the ball to start the game, that's what they wanted to do.
I think they felt they could move on St. Lawrence and they did. They were very balanced. They had.
Excuse me, they had 246 yards rushing, 258 passing. They looked comfortable in the offense.
No procedure, false. I mean, a false start here and there, but not out of lack of knowledge of what they were doing.
Just so it looked under control and in rhythm.
[00:44:33] Speaker C: How important was that balance in the offensive attack? As you said, 258 in the air, 240, 46 on the ground.
[00:44:39] Speaker F: It was. And as we've been saying, they needed to get a few more healthy running backs and they did.
Now, a lot of the carries in this game come from second teamers, but they were able to do some things effectively, including second team quarterback Cole Brisson, who ran very nicely in his one series, all the way for a touchdown in the second half.
[00:45:03] Speaker C: So of course then in the second quarter, Unions puts up 20 points. The only blemish was the block. Extra point there on the last touchdown. But to be up 34 nothing at halftime. And considering what happened last year up in Canton with them blowing the lead and losing overtime, how important was that start to get going and erase what happened last year and get off to a good start in Liberty League play?
[00:45:29] Speaker F: I was surprised after the game when I interviewed receiver Gil Rivera. He did not mince a word. He just said, we wanted to send a message that this team is not remotely in our league and we are going to take care of business. And boy, they felt it and they proved it because as Bokeh said, they have that taste in their mouths from last year. So they wanted to send a message.
Message sent.
[00:45:56] Speaker C: Yeah. Do you think didn't happen. Do you think the rest of the league took notice of this?
[00:46:01] Speaker F: I think it did. I think it may have exposed some things in St. Lawrence that hadn't been apparent yet. St. Lawrence may not be the team that they might usually be, but I also think Union was so effective in its offense and defense that teams are going to have to take notice. And maybe not this next week against Buffalo State, whom, let's be honest, Union should handle pretty easily, but the next week against a Hobart team that seems to be now finding its stride a little, that'll, that'll get noticed.
[00:46:37] Speaker C: Union defense held St. Lawrence to 172 total yards, just 29 rushing yards. Of course, you know, by the second half St. Louis is probably passing a lot, try to get good. So how important, I mean they get, they give up 12 points in the second half, okay, but they scored 13, so. But how good was the defense? Especially, you know, they shut him out in the first half, but how important was it for them to keep it up in the second half to make sure they didn't let the Saints mount a comeback?
[00:47:04] Speaker F: It really was and you could hear it on the sideline. There was, there was pressure to not let them get any big plays and that's something that John Drock had mentioned the week before and I think is going to be a staple of this team. Do not give up big plays. St. Lawrence, I believe it was their second touchdown, did have a beautiful throw and catch.
The quarterback led the receiver what everyone in the stands thought was 5 yards too much and the receiver came down with it. A couple plays later they scored their second touchdown. Okay, there's a big play, but beyond that one, the secondary especially was most effective in bright breaking up plays, timing very well to get to the receivers and not let St. Lawrence get comfortable.
[00:47:50] Speaker C: How important was it with the big lead to rest the starters and give the second and third stringers some chances here?
[00:47:56] Speaker F: They gave them a lot. As I mentioned, I was expecting after Brisson scored his touchdown to see the same numbers. Nope. Third string quarterback came in, different running backs came in, different linemen came in.
I would have to check, but I bet there were probably only one or two players that didn't see action in that game. And that's good. You found some weapons, you found some players and what they can do.
[00:48:24] Speaker C: I mean, how good does John Drock feel? And I know we were talking after two games, I mean if they lost to SUNY Marshville, do we start the John Drock watch? I mean they, they beat Marsville, I mean it was strong second half and they came out on fire on Saturday against St. Lawrence and you know, putting up 34 points in the first half. How good does he feel about the way he's coaching and the way this team's playing right now?
[00:48:48] Speaker F: I think he feels that to be fair to him the same way he's always felt. He believes and the Garnet Chargers believe. I think he knew they just needed some time under their belts with his system and they seem to have that now and the players seem to believe in him and in themselves. So I think you know right now you'd say John Druck was the. Was the right person for the job and they're believing the confidence is super high up there.
[00:49:21] Speaker C: Yeah. Well as we mentioned they are going to take on Buffalo State on the road on Saturday.
You probably won't hear this statement too much but Buffalo State tied for first place right now in the Liberty League. They made their. They beat Hilbert, the new entry in The Liberty League 158 last Saturday at Hilbert. Not a particularly great game. I'm just judging by the score. It's probably one of those slobber knockers games but looking at their schedule they opened at SUNY, Brockport got trounce 41 nothing. They lost by two to Hartwick 2927 in week two and week three against Alfred Straight Alfred State A 5620 drubbing Buffalo State we know is a not probably a great team.
This is where Union's character has to show that they can't overlook the team. How important is it for them to stay focused and make sure they do not treat Buffalo State as an inferior opponent even though they may be.
[00:50:24] Speaker F: I'm sure that is message 1, 2 and 3 in the game plan this week. And I would be very surprised if Coach Strock does not expect something like he got out of the St. Lawrence game. I want scores. I want in this St. Lawrence game. They had the ball. Three possessions in the second quarter, three scores.
I think that's going to be the message for possibly even the first quarter against Buffalo State. Do your job, do it quickly. I'll rest you. I'll get the second and third teamers in there. Let's not get injured but let's by all means do our jobs. Because the next week here comes Hobart and man they'd love nothing to do than spoil family weekend coming up here and knocking off Union.
[00:51:08] Speaker C: Yeah, I mean it's got to be important for this team, the Garner Chargers to get off to that may like it did against St. Lawrence. Score two or more touchdowns in a first quarter and try to bury them and don't give Buffalo State any glimmer of hope.
[00:51:23] Speaker F: And I would Think so. From what I've seen of Buffalo State on paper, they seem to have a decent enough quarterback, one decent running back, but they appear to be limited in personnel. So I think the game plan will focus on those two individuals.
They've not shown a ton of offensive power.
So again, just do your job. And I think if they do that, then they come into Family weekend and the home game against Hobart with confidence. Like I said, right now they've got a lot of it.
[00:51:57] Speaker C: Yeah, well, speaking of confidence or lack thereof, you're a Mets fan.
[00:52:04] Speaker F: Sadly it is.
[00:52:05] Speaker C: What the hell happened to that team? I mean, I look at them and we're going to have Mike Vaccaro from the New York Post in a bit to talk about the Mets as well as the New York Giants. But this team had the best record in baseball in June and then they swept the three game series against my Phillies at Citi Field. And to pull within four games of first place, they should have had all the momentum in the world. Instead they lose three out of four to the Marlins. The Phillies, who should have probably been, you know, questioning themselves, ended up going on a run there.
And then when the Mets came to Citizens bank park, the Phillies swept all four games, including that last game where the mets had a 4 nothing lead in the first inning and didn't get a hit the rest of the game. I mean, what is this collapse?
I'll ask Mike this, but is this collapse worse than what happened in 2000, 2007?
[00:52:59] Speaker F: I would put it on par with that and I was interested yesterday to see the general manager Stearns fall on the sword. He said, I put this team together, we had enough talent to do it well.
And certainly first let me say Mike Vacaro, much more able to speak on this than I am. This is just a Mets fan talking, but to my way of thinking, there's a lot of responsibility on everyone.
Mendoza's gotta manage them better. When you see the collapse happening and not enough actions were taking place from him, the players, you know, you're a Major League baseball player, whoever you are on that roster and they did not put in the effort, they did not put in the winning effort. So they did not win. And Stearns absolutely, he got the bodies there.
To me that was a 33. 33, 33 general manager, coach, players.
They got to take a long look in the mirror.
[00:54:03] Speaker C: Yeah, I mean, Juan so got out to a slow start but he ended up having, you know, putting up some good numbers but not good enough to get them to the playoffs. And they're on the outside looking in one of the highest payrolls in Major League Baseball. And it's, I'll just say that's Mets being Mets.
[00:54:20] Speaker F: As I said to you not too long ago, if they had made it, if they had somehow snuck in, that's a poor look for baseball.
My hat is off to the Cincinnati Reds who did what they had to do to get into the playoffs.
And I think the fact that the Mets were, you know, one game, game away from making the playoffs is laughable because they, they didn't deserve to be there. So enjoy the golf, fellas.
[00:54:52] Speaker C: So, well, we'll appreciate a few minutes. We'll talk about the Buffalo State game next week here on the podcast.
[00:54:59] Speaker F: Sounds good.
[00:54:59] Speaker C: All right, that's well, Springstad coming up, as we mentioned, Mike Piccaro of the New York Post, we'll talk about Jackson Darts debut as a starting quarterback for the Giants and the Mets collapse. You're listening to the Parting Shots podcast.
[00:55:27] Speaker D: Man, I loved playing high school sports growing up, and it's fun being a fan now, don't get me wrong, but sitting in the stands feels like I'm missing out on all the action. You know, I wanted to get back in the game, so I signed up to be a high school official.
It takes me back to my playing days. I'm supporting students and I get paid to make the big calls.
Do you want to see the game up close? Sign up to become an official in new
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[00:55:56] Speaker B: Hi, this is Union College hockey alumni Bill Railton. You're listening to the Parting Shots podcast with Daily Gazette sports editor Ken Shot.
[00:56:07] Speaker C: Welcome back to the podcast. The New York Giants have a new quarterback and maybe a bright future ahead, while the New York Mets, well, they got to contemplate what the heck happened at the end of the season. And to join me to talk about them is the fine New York Post columnist Mike Vaccaro. Mike, welcome back. And I was when I was texting you the other night and I didn't realize until I saw it was like over a year since we chatted. I apologize for that.
[00:56:32] Speaker B: Time goes by very fast. Right.
[00:56:36] Speaker C: So let's talk about the Giants. I mean, they draft Jackson Dart in the first round. This is after they had signed Russell Wilson. Wilson does not mean he had one good game against the Cowboys, but the other two were bad. And the Giants fans wanted Jackson Darton. They got the wish this past Sunday and ends up leading them to a victory over the previous unbeaten Los Angeles Chargers. I mean, how did he look in that game on Sunday look very confident?
[00:57:03] Speaker B: He looked like he'd been there before with the charges are banged up and, you know, a West coast team playing in the east coast is always a significant advantage for the east coast team. But look, they were, they were undefeated and the Giants were winless. The Giants came out with a win, so it's hard to, to diminish that. The problem is that, you know, about 10 minutes into his time there, Neighbors blows out his knee, and so now he's missing a business. He's his most dangerous weapon for the rest of the year, which, which is really kind of a bummer. But, you know, the kid look, the, the kids got the makeup and the look of a NFL quarterback and, you know, it's going to be really interesting to see what he does this week. Definitely a winnable game in the ones, but, you know, in a building that's going to be obviously a lot less friendly than last week's was.
[00:57:50] Speaker C: Although the way fans travel these days, there could be half the Giants fans in the Superdome there.
[00:57:56] Speaker B: You would think that's a pretty good destination place, for sure.
[00:57:58] Speaker C: Yeah. I mean, we'll get to the unfortunate injury to Neighbors in a minute, but Jackson Dart leads that Giants on the first drive, ends he ends up scoring the touchdown. I mean, can you sense maybe there's a lot more confidence with Dart, with, with his teammates as opposed to maybe Wilson?
[00:58:19] Speaker B: I, I think it's. I think it's a little premature to say that. I mean, I think they had a, a lot of confidence in Wilson, too. And, you know, as you pointed out, he had a terrific game against the Cowboys.
You know, even if the other two games were, were less than some point. The thing about Wilson is that he's also, you know, really established himself as a, you know, his role as captain very seriously. You know, he handled the demotion like a pro.
He's handled his responsibilities as a team captain like a pro, and his teammates really, really like him. So, I mean, I don't think that that's.
You can really necessarily sense that. I mean, obviously Dart had a wonderful debut.
Those of us who were old enough to remember Daniel Jones's debut in Tampa a couple of years ago, remember that a similar aura followed him out of game one, and it obviously didn't proceed along that way. So I learned a long time ago not to judge anything too quickly. And look, I'm certainly open. Open to, to believe or to have my mind convinced that Dart is a guy.
I'm just not quite there yet it.
[00:59:27] Speaker C: Seems like Dart has a personality about him. Maybe. I don't know if flamboyant's the right word, but he's a. Seems like a very confident individual.
[00:59:36] Speaker B: No, it definitely is. You know, and like I said, he's got the look and the makeup of a quarterback, you know, and that's a lot of time. That's half the battle in the NFL, you know, if you can look the part.
You know, I think great examples. Baker Mayfield, who. Who looked like he was a successful NFL quarterback long before he was a successful NFL quarterback. I think that's really helped him, you know, not only now that he's regained form, but also during the tough times when, you know, he was almost. Almost out of the league. And so I think that that's an important trait for any quarterback to have.
Obviously, talent is better. I think. I think Patrick Mahomes has a wonderful makeup, but he's also got an incredible right arm and an incredible gift to, you know, do what he's done in his career.
And so you'd rather have, you know, all of it, but certainly identifying the right makeup and a young quarterback. It was a good start.
[01:00:27] Speaker C: And Brian Dable, the head coach, said that it was his decision, and no one else. No one else pressured him to make the.
The quarterback change. Do you believe him?
[01:00:37] Speaker B: Sure. I mean, I think. Look, I mean, I. I think that, you know, the guys who run the.
Run the Giants, you know, understand that Dable understands that this is a very important year for him, and so he's gonna go down. He's gonna go down doing things his way.
And so, yeah, I. I do think that it was, you know, I think he had an idea in his mind that, you know, he wants to kind of pursue two tracks here. He wants to develop a young quarterback. He wants to win enough games to make sure he's got a chance to push that quarterback next year and for the years to come.
[01:01:13] Speaker C: Yeah, I mean, I mean, if. If the Giants don't make the playoffs, but they at least played decently on the dart, do you think that saves Dable?
[01:01:22] Speaker B: Oh, I. I don't think it's. It's a playoff mandate. There's no way that they're going to ever been a playoff mandate. When you look at the. At the schedule the Giants have, it's one of the hardest schedules you could ever put together.
And, you know, so I. I think it's been very difficult for them to even be, you know, be playing meaningful games in November or December. But, you know, I do think that for one thing, the Giants are patient enough organization that if they win six games, but they're competitive in most of their games and you can sense a genuine move forward in the right direction, then I definitely think that you can see a situation where Dable is brought back. I don't think they made up their mind on him. I think they still want him to succeed. And, you know, that goes along to, I think answering your question also is that, you know, they don't want to, John Marin doesn't want to go back into the coaching pool again. He wants to believe that he's got a guy who's going to be there for the next five, six, ten years.
[01:02:22] Speaker C: Yeah.
[01:02:23] Speaker B: And so they're going to get better opportunities to succeed.
[01:02:26] Speaker C: Yeah, you meant, you mentioned the schedule. I mean, whose idea was it to schedule defending champion Philadelphia, super bowl champion Philadelphia two of the next three games?
[01:02:36] Speaker B: Yeah, that's a tough, that's a tough one.
But look, I mean, you know, it starts with the fact they have both the NFC north and the AFC west as their, as their, as their designated, you know, opponents this year. That's, you can't ask for, you know, eight opponents that are better, potentially more hazardous to your health.
[01:02:56] Speaker C: Yeah.
[01:02:57] Speaker B: And so it's just one of those years.
[01:03:00] Speaker C: Let's talk about the devastating torn ACL to Malik neighbors, the Giants. The turf there at MetLife Stadium has really been a problem. We've seen a lot of injury torn ACLs, torn Achilles. What is, what is wrong with that turf there at MetLife Stadium?
[01:03:19] Speaker B: I mean, I, I know we see a lot of stuff about that, but you know what?
Tyreek Hill had the exact same injury 24 hours later on a perfectly plush grass surface, too. It's a violent, it's a violent game. I'll get it. You know, people who play on, on turf as opposed to grass will tell you that turf, you know, piece up the body and certainly, I mean, there are enough examples of guys getting hurt there. But look, I mean, it's in the NFL. You're going to watch an NFL game and you can have it on, on grass, on turf, on the swimming pool. Your guys are going to be, guys are going to get carted off. That's just the nature of the game. And even as they've tried to minimize the amount of gratuitous violence in the game, it's a violent sport.
You know, people are, people are colliding on every play.
And you know, so, and again, you know, non contact injuries are frustrating. And you know, the first thing you want to do is blame turf, but I mean it's, you know, so many else, I mean it's.
Secretary of college used to say about, about pitchers, you know, if they're going to get hurt, they're going to get hurt.
[01:04:23] Speaker C: Yeah.
[01:04:23] Speaker B: And that's kind of the way it is with NFL season. Guys are going to get hurt if you're winning for a certain team.
[01:04:31] Speaker C: Yeah. I mean, you and I grew up in a time when the artificial turf was rock hard. They were basically playing on cement. This turf is a lot softer. But I think this is my dumb theory. I'm not a scientist or anything, but I think maybe these guys train too much in the off season where they don't let their bodies heal and then, you know, one little small thing happens and there you go.
[01:04:53] Speaker B: Yeah, I mean I'm not a scientist or a doctor either, so I'd be loath to offer diagnosis. But look, I mean it's, it's obviously a, you know, it's a sport that's unique from any other because you know, the team that you think looks like a shoe in for the super bowl this week could be entirely different two weeks from now. There's a quarterback, was a quarterback, was a, you know, there's a linebacker. And it could all happen on any play of any game. I mean, again, I guess theoretically that's possible in other sports too. It's just that, you know, in baseball and basketball, you know, you just, you just don't have the amount of violence, you know, inherent to the game that you do in football.
[01:05:35] Speaker C: You mentioned John Mara and you know, unfortunately you've announced over the weekend he was diagnosed with cancer.
Have you had, have you talked? I mean, I know he, voice of the limelight, but how does he, how does he seem? Does he seem in good spirits?
[01:05:51] Speaker B: Yeah, I had a chance to communicate with him. He seems like he's in great spirits.
You know, he's a, he's a, he's a tough guy. He comes across like, like a librarian. I know and, but like I've seen him in press boxes suffering brood as if he were the starting running back.
So he's a tough guy, you know, as was his father, you know, just a tough minded guy and a guy who, you know, is, is a real purveyor of positive outlooks. So I think all that's going to help him. I mean, again, I think, you know, I think, I think everybody's, everybody's wishes are with him. But you know, nothing drives me crazy, to be honest with you, Ken and When people try and tell me that, oh, I don't think the matters. I don't think John Miller cares, cares enough. And you mean, you know, tell me that you're a dumbass without telling me you're a dumbass. Because there is no owner anywhere in sports, in any sport that cares more, that cares more deeply than John Maury. He is more deeply, passionately involved in this team than any fan of the Giants is, and he just happens to own the team. So I, I think there's, you know, he seems to have a great outlook, a great attitude toward this, and I think that's certainly going to help him in this fight.
[01:07:02] Speaker C: Well, I like owners like John Maher who don't need to be the center of attention like someone else in that NFC east there, down there in Texas.
[01:07:11] Speaker B: They'Re definitely a different, different end of the spectrum.
[01:07:14] Speaker C: So. Well, let's go across the river to Citi Field and what the hell happened to the New York Mets?
[01:07:23] Speaker B: Well, I mean, look, I mean, it wasn't exactly, to me, a real, a real stop the precious moment that they made the playoffs. I mean, they played, they played terrible baseball for three and a half months. I mean, they were 21 games over.500 on June 13th, and they were, you know, 17 games under.500 for the rest of the way.
They were among the worst teams in baseball, record wise. And look, if you watch them every day, they, they play the part. They just, you know, they had terrible, unreliable pitching after the middle of June. And when you start there, that's just a hard thing to put into the, the equation every day. I mean, whether it's, you're only getting free units from your starters, whether it's over taxing your bullpen to where when they do get a lead, you know, subsequently that they can't hold it because they're just beaten up.
Everybody was charmed by the fact that the Mets, you know, had these three kids come up to help save the day in September. But look, as good as those kids are, and, you know, it's me, I mean, McClain is the real deal. We'll still see that the other two. But if you're relying on three rookies in September to get to the finish line, it's, it's not a good formula. And you know, we saw all three of those guys struggle in their last starts of the year. And not surprisingly, you know, it's just that that's the way it is. Those guys are supposed to go through those growing fans in April and May of the season. You know, not in the last few weeks of September. And so you had that look. I mean the Mets offered the stars, all delivered terrific years, but theirs was always a pretty thin lineup. It's funny, you know, people kept telling me business stunning doesn't stun you. I'm like, you know what stunned me was when they were 45 and 24, I thought that was an unbelievable testament to overachievement over an extended period of time. You know, I picked mets to win 85, 86 games, finished in third place in the East. I thought they were a good enough team. I thought that they, you know, when I said this going in, I thought they were still thin, I thought their lineup was still thin.
Turned out to be, I thought their pitching was looking. I was not one of those guys who was completely won over by the quote unquote pitching lab that was so successful last year. I think, I think that when you play on the margins as the most digger pitching staff last year, as they did this year, sometimes you're just inevitably going to get marginal results. And I think that's what a burning in this year.
[01:09:43] Speaker C: Yeah.
[01:09:45] Speaker B: So nothing really surprised me, I'll be honest with you. I mean, you know, I, I, I, I, I thought they were going to scuffle to get into the playoffs at the beginning of the year and that's how it wind up playing. Obviously you don't expect them to go from 21 above to 4 above by the end of it, but you know, this was there. If you want to liken this to 2007 and 2008 and look, 2007 especially, it was a terrific team that had two and a half nightmarish weeks. That was a, you know, that was an inexplicable collapse.
To me, this wasn't inexplicable. If you watch the last three and a half months of the season, they just played very poor baseball. And baseball sometimes demands that you pay a surcharge on playing that poorly. And this year it did.
[01:10:25] Speaker C: Yeah. Well, Jason Stark posted on X Sunday night the Mets went 38 and 55 since they were 21 games over.500. The only national League teams with more losses since since then were the Rockies with 6. 54 and the Nationals for 58. The Pirates had a better record than the mets. Pirates are 44 and 48 over that same span. I mean that as he ended the post he said unimaginable. And to me, I, I, okay, I'll tell you, I'm, I grew up in Philadelphia, so I'm a Phillies fan. And all that stuff. So I when to me when the Mets swept the Phillies in August in Citi Field, I pull within four games of the the Phillies. I thought, oh, here we go, the Mets are going to take advantage of this and the Phillies are going to collapse and Mets are going to win the National League East. What happens next? The Mets lose three or four to the Marlins, the Phillies get on a roll and then the Mets come to Citizens bank park for that four game series. Lose the first three games up four nothing in game four after a half inning and don't get a hit again the rest of the game and lose that game. And I'd say a team. Me at that point I thought the Mets were done. I mean, I mean I was, I.
[01:11:34] Speaker B: Was telling people for the last three weeks I didn't think they were going to get in the playoffs. The fact of the matter is that if either the Reds or the Diamondbacks themselves play anything resembling, you know, semi hot baseball the last few weeks, they would have, they would have run away from the mess. But those teams were just as deplorable and you know, even I guess now next conversation question about do they allow too many teams in the playoffs? And the Reds obviously got stumped by the Dodgers last night, which would, which would further justify that question. But then, I mean, you know, even what he said about those records and the surprise that they were better than tires. You know what Irish could throw up Paul Seeds every five days. Yeah, somebody like Paul Seeds throw it every five days. They probably made it pretty comfortable and they would have been a threat in the playoffs. You know, the thing to me that I kept trying to console my disconsolate Mets fan friends was all right, let's say you get in the playoffs, how you feeling going up against the Dodgers in LA, you know, and, and starting Nolan McLean, all the respect in game one. I mean, that's what you're talking about. I mean that is not a playoff worthy team. And you know, it's interesting, the Mets had almost the diametric opposite season this year they had last year. I mean they're just awful in the first two months last year and then came rolling back and you know, they were, they were actually a dangerous team by the end because they were playing well going into the playoffs. I mean to me when you play three and a half hours or months, the suddenly expected magic will suddenly elevate you to be able to play much better than that.
You know, it's, to me it's just reflective, you know, baseball. One of the great Things about baseball, Ken, is that it's, it's reflective of what the season is and the season is long which demands you to be consistent and you know, better than average over the course of a 162 games. And the Mets were far worse than average over half those games. And it's not so to me, I mean I can't hear how surprising it was and not just from you, but everybody to me. I mean when you watch starting to watch the Nets in July and August, September, none of it surprises me because they just weren't very good. Now you can have other questions about you know, $350 million into a higher level of performance than that. They're fair questions to ask. But you know, the product I saw every day was, was just not very good.
[01:13:49] Speaker C: Who's to blame for the collapse?
[01:13:52] Speaker B: Look, I mean here's the thing. Everybody wants to fire somebody now and you know, David Stearns had a. Had a terrific first year.
David Stearns. His mission when he was hired from by by Steve Cohen wasn't just to. It was also to provide you know, obviously competitive rosters in the present day. But the mess was such a horrifying behind the times infrastructure team. When Cohen took over the team after years of neglect, you know, he basically, you know, he wanted to model the organization after the Dodgers who's got the best infrastructure in the sport, maybe in pro sports whose farm system was designed to always provide either prospects for themselves or assets to trade for for frontline players. And the Miss were far, far away from that even two years ago and they're a lot closer now than they were. And that's the kind of thing that you're just never going to give credit to the GM for because you don't see it every day. But so he's done a wonderful job with that too. So you know, people want to say he's incompetent gentleman but he's not. No, he had a terrible year and we started starting out by, by, by a. Not getting the extra back they needed coming out of spring training being decided to go with the, you know, with the whack a mole starting rotation and let's try we have this guy and that guy and you know our pitching lab will solve everything. It didn't.
[01:15:13] Speaker C: I didn't.
[01:15:14] Speaker B: I never thought they had a deep bullpen and these things don't want to catching up with them so you can. And then every acquisition you made at the deadline, you know, one guy was worse than the other. Cedric Mullins and you know, Ryan Helsley and you know, and pseudo from memorials.
So he had a terrible year. But I mean I don't think that you can just fire somebody have a terrible year. And that goes also for Congress. Mendoza, I get it, you know, he did not have a good year this year. But you, you were being unfair and also foolish if you don't incorporate the fact that his first year, you know, by rights he should have been the manager of the year. I mean that's how good he was in his friend his first year. Not only keeping the team together when they were on the verge of splintering in early June, but also down the stretch he managed terrific baseball. He managed that team perfectly. So I mean, you know, if you're going to give him blame for this year as he deserves, you also have to counterbalance that. So now to me what that means is that both those guys are very much on the clock for next year. No stone joy acid delivery, you know, a plan. The product is going to be competitive next year. The Mets can't afford to, to, to not make the playoffs next year. That's just not, that's not a negotiable possibility. And Mendoza's got any better too. I think, you know, I, I, I, I think it's gonna be easier for the manager to back bounce back because sometimes when you acquire players you just never quite know how they're gonna fit. But yeah, I think both those guys have a lot of, have a lot of ground to cover and a lot of credibility to win back among the rank and fire and fans.
[01:16:47] Speaker C: Pete Alonso announced that he's opting out of his contract. Is this the end of the Pete Alonso era with the Mets?
[01:16:53] Speaker B: I don't know. I mean look, I mean I think at the end of the day that's going to be, that's gonna be an ownership decision as it was last year.
Steve Collins, you know a lot of people pointed to Sturges quasi apologetic press cameras and what they can't get out of it was him saying better run prevention and you know, is obviously not a great first baseman and tried to read those tea leaves. To me I think the more telling apology was from Steve Cohen who you know, really did seem profoundly wounded by what his team did and felt betrayed because, because you know, he asked for Mets fans to come out this year and support the team they did in record numbers that he feels personally responsible for having, you know, for having betrayed them.
And we're gonna, if you're gonna compound this year by then, you know, not resigning the most popular player the Mets have had probably since Tom Seaver.
I I just don't see. I I don't see Steve Kellen doing that.
Anything can happen. I'll say this, if they did get rid of Alonzo and the 130 RBIS and the offensive production that he provided, they better have an airtight plan for how to build next year's team, because it's going to be a lot of it's going to be a lot of crickets where the fans were this year.
[01:18:16] Speaker C: Well, Mike, appreciate a few minutes talking Giants and Mets, and I'll try to make sure we're not talking every every little slot sooner than a year.
Great talking you. Thanks Mike. Appreciate it.
That's Mike Piccaro of New York Post. We're back to wrap up the podcast and have the latest winners in the Daily Gazettes you pick of football and auto racing contests in just a moment.
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[01:19:15] Speaker B: Hey, I'm Frank Caliendo, pretending to be walking Freeman. Maybe even a little bit of John Bad work. Robert Downey Jr. Comedian, impressionist, playboy, philanthropist. Maybe not the last two.
[01:19:25] Speaker D: And you're listening to the Parting Shots.
[01:19:27] Speaker C: Podcast with Daily Gazette sports editor Ken.
[01:19:30] Speaker D: Shots.
[01:19:35] Speaker C: Back to wrap up the podcast. The week four winner in the Daily Gazette's you Pick them football contest was Tom Roche of Burn hills with a 141 record. Tom wins a $100 price chopper Barca 32 gift card. Congratulations, Tom. The VIP winner for the second straight week was Jim DeMarco of Morris Ford with an 1141 record.
I went 1051 to improve to 4617 1. My Gazette colleague, Associate Sports Editor Will Springstead went 78 1. Ouch. He is 41, 22 and 1.
Taking a look at the standings after week four, Jim DeMarco and Matt Margiotta of SG Roofing and Paul Little of Emerick Sales and Service each have 47 wins to lead the way. Dwayne Leach of All Seasons Equipment, John Keller, my buddy at Cadio Burns and I all have 46 victories. Andrew Crounce of Glensville Beverage has 45. Scott Lucher of CapitaLand GMC has 44. Nick Platel Grand Premier tires has 43 wins. I'm sorry, 42. And Will Springstead has 41.
I'll announce the U Pickham football contest winner's name and that winner's name will appear in Thursday's Daily Gazette. To play, go to dailygazette.com and click on the you Pick' em football banner.
The Week 32 winner in the Daily Gazette's auto racing contest with Kathleen K. Crahoula of Schenectady. She's won before and I recognize the name. She had 55 points. Kathleen wins a $50 gift card. Congratulations, Kathleen. The VIP winner was Jerry Peel of Frankenstein's with 30 points.
Looking at the standings, Jerry leads the way with 560 points, 10 more than Scott Lucher. Duane Leach has 430. Nick Platel was next at 385. I have 370.
Maybe have a shot at getting past Nick and then Matt Margiotta has 135.
I'll announce the auto racing contest winner's name and that winner's name will appear in Saturday's Daily Gazette. To play, go to dailygazette.com and click on the auto racing contest banner.
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That wraps up another edition of the Parting Shots Podcast. I want to thank Cameron and Carter Korpi, Nick Young, Brandon Burr, Wonya Wagner, Emma Reyumi, Stephanie Bourke, Zach McKelvey, Will Springstead and Mike Vaccaro for being a part of the show.
If you have questions or comments about the podcast, email them to me at shot. That's s c h ottaily gazette.com follow me on X Threads and bluesky at Slap Shots the views expressed on the Parting Shots podcast are not necessarily those of the Gazette newsgroup. The Parting Shots Podcast a production of the Gazette News Group. I'm Gazette News Group Sports Editor Ken Schatz. Thanks for listening and I'll catch you next time from the Party Shots Podcast studio in Skedech, the New York Good day, good sports.
