*CLASSIC* Mike and The Mad Dog GRILL Fred Wilpon & Steve Phillips After Valentine Firing

[@onmlate]

So many things wrong with that 2002 team. They made the Mo Vaughn trade after he missed a year due to injury and saw him take a few swings in a batting cage in Connecticut. Alomar went from being a Hall of Famer to a .266 hitter who lost all defensive range overnight. Burnitz struck out every third at bat and Cedeno showed up after signing as a free agent very much out of shape and couldn't steal bases anymore. Don't forget, they were actually at .500 until August, when they went an entire month without winning a game at home. That 12 game losing streak in August and the 6 game losing streak in September sealed Bobby V's fate. Whether he "lost" the team or they quit on him (it looked a lot like the latter), this group of players was the wrong fit for any manager, much less one with an inflammatory personality. The off the field stuff like Mark Corey and Tony Tarasco smoking pot, Grant Roberts being blackmailed over a picture of him with a bong in college, the ridiculous press conference where Bobby V imitated a stoned ballplayer trying to hit a fastball while Steve Phillips glared at him, it was all too embarrassing for the Wilpons and they fired Bobby V because he was the most convenient target. That 2002 team was officially torn down in the first half of 2003, when Vaughn's career ended due to injury, Burnitz and Alomar were traded, new free agent Tom Glavine had an ERA around 5... fun times in Flushing.

[@gustoppa358]

Great memory. Kudos

[@dr.manhattan4537]

Tom Glavine even admitted that he never wanted to sign with the Mets. I liked Bobby Valentine. He and Steve Phillips never got along after he fired half his coaching staff; Tom Robeson and Bob Apadaca on June of '99. It was easy for the Wilpons to fire Valentine because Doubleday was the one that gave the contract extension to Valentine. The Wilpons never had the intention of trading for or resigning Mike Piazza and the Wilpons never wanted to resign Valentine after the 2000 World Series either. Doubleday made that all happen. Fred hated that. That's why there was a lot of riff between both owners of the team.

[@CJIdrA]

2002 Mets: Up in smoke!

[@scott83074]

2024 and listening .literally listened daily for 20 years. Feels like home .I miss NY. I remember a lot of these conversations. Best radio show of all time

[@denmac19]

The only thing I regret about the Wilpons selling the team is they won't get bashed like this anymore.

[@claydouglas2526]

They deserved this evisceration for sure

[@kevinvanmeter2264]

Until July 2023

[@tuliurbach]

These clips are amazing! Please keep posting. Grew up on Mike and the Mad Dog!

[@firstnamelastname3280]

ed coleman is the wizard of "ahhhhs"

[@thedxexpress]

These M&MD clips are clutch! Keep them coming bro!

[@DiamondConversations8]

I've got a ton... Mike and the dog all day and everyday... they helped drive me to want to get into broadcasting

[@patrickgray5633]

Do you have their heated exchange with Colts GM Bill Polian when they gave up their undefeated season against the Jets????

[@topspot4834]

@@DiamondConversations8 Do you have the Saturday episode with just Chris on November 20, 2004? It was after the Pistons vs Pacers fight at The Palace ... Never heard it on KZbin but caught it live. Chris was nuts ripping Legler and the other ESPN broadcasters who actually defended the players (something they apologized for on Mike and The Mad Dog later that week). It was IMO Dog's finest moment. Never heard him more upset about anything.

[@MB-gd6be]

@@topspot4834 I thought was the only one who heard that live and still remembered it. Those Saturday mornings with Dog were priceless, I was on a long drive that morning and just "happened" to catch it. Dog was beside himself!! Lol. He said: And you have Jermaine O'Neal haul off and punch this fan like he's Marciano in 61 ! I almost pulled over on the highway lol!! I hope he has that clip or someone has it.

[@walterbison]

SO thankful we no longer have an owner who thinks he should be making personnel decisions for his team.

[@JKLeScH777]

Lmao yeah it’s working out GREAT

[@dalmatia1]

Wilpon hires Art Howe after Valentine lol what a joke

[@badgerden7080]

I am so happy the Wilpons no longer own the Mets. They are the worst outside of the Dolans.

[@Blues05216]

Tell me about it, as a Rangers fan.

[@tylerlozano9849]

So am I big Mets fan Steve Cohan is an awesome manager

[@LtrainCNN]

And then we met John Fisher

[@mr.brenman2132]

​@@Blues05216The Rangers have been good in recent years.

[@JustinHoffler-qt4of]

@@mr.brenman2132they were good 3yrs ago. Dolan is not a bad owner. All I want is my owner to spend money 💰. And he does!

[@HoOGenghisB]

Could you imagine any of the low tier guys at Wfan today even getting a quarter of these questions into an owner. That is if they take a second to break from their nonsense “guy talk” garbage.

[@daviddeconinck499]

Great point. Very well said. I agree

[@jamesdamico9284]

I agree 100 percent. I have to turn off some of the stuff I hear today

[@ter521fad]

You’re so right. I can’t listen to the FAN anymore. I was never the biggest fan of Mike and Dog. But the FAN is just brutal to listen to now. Evan and Tiki make Mike and Dog look like legends now. That’s how bad they are.

[@LtrainCNN]

​@@ter521fadMike and Doggie are pioneers of this craft. They don't need the compare & contras with modern-day FAN to validate.

[@TheodoreRizzo]

@@ter521fadEvan is the only one I would still listen to the rest yawn

[@seandon9207]

They was listening and Mike gave that thumbs up to dog like “bro you ready to flame these guys?” The good ol days 🤣

[@FJBsouthernflo]

What a great show missed everyday

[@topspot4834]

I was CRUSHED the day they announced the split. Sports radio has never and will never be the same. I've been out in Philly now for over 10 years, but grew up in New York and was a sales rep for 6 years in the city and upstate. NOTHING was better than catching Stern in the morning and Mike and Dog in the afternoon. They were the pulse of the city, and everyone I knew listened. Must listen radio, especially after a big event.

[@trumplostlol805]

@@topspot4834 Nobody cares, move on

[@cloud1stclass372]

These guys were the fucking best.

[@wiedep]

The Fred-o and Jeff-ie Show is OVER !

[@nickyd.4695]

Thank God!!!!

[@stephendouglas4343]

Steve Cohen is not so great yet himself.

[@nickyd.4695]

@@stephendouglas4343 Got to be better than what we had!

[@StevenBertuglia]

@@stephendouglas4343 what about now? Last year was his first year. 2nd best team in baseball now.

[@dr.manhattan4537]

Wilpons fires Valentine and then goes out and hires Art Howe. The Wilpons were terrible!!!!

[@chrisgentile8275]

Great interview

[@ernestpassaro9663]

Mike with all the hair gel lmao

[@jgionti3]

These older clips are just amazing These two guys were unparalleled in their hay day.

[@matthewfoley252]

old school M&M.....miss these guys on the FAN!!!!!

[@GPG3211]

Respect these fellas for calling it like it is

[@WhereTheyPlayForPay]

...and then he hired Art Howe, yea that worked out well.

[@DGNYY27]

“He lit up the room”

[@HelloooThere]

@@DGNYY27 They were even worse under Howe.

[@DGNYY27]

@@HelloooThere one player said “like playing for my grandfather”

[@HelloooThere]

@@DGNYY27 That was probably Burnitz or one of the lousy relievers they had

[@DGNYY27]

@@HelloooThere in August I went to a a Saturday game that became a double header due to rainout night prior. Jeremy went hitless in both games and the fans chanted MVP! MVP! at him in the on deck circle. I also yelled at Ty and he made an error

[@MarkoAnzio]

Thank goodness these clowns don’t own the team anymore. Steve Cohen is the best thing to ever happen to this team

[@RZARECK-nw5dg]

So raw miss these days

[@turkwendell6904]

Yes totally now it's did you do great or greater.

[@VoltairePrimetime]

Thank you for these gems bro!

[@DiamondConversations8]

My pleasure! I have the entire 2003 Mets caravan episode of Mike and The Dog ready to go but I'm not sure if I should just upload it in parts.. stay tuned

[@bosstime2010]

Mike and dog were the best!!

[@nicholasdicarlo217]

Loved Bobby V as manager. Been a Mets fan for 21 years and he’s the best Mets manager in my lifetime. But firing him after the 2002 season was the right call. They were awful in August and Sept. Steve Phillips was not a good GM. He should’ve been fired too.

[@hmhm856]

I disagree with Phillips. I think he was a good GM with the Mets. He got talent, he made the Mets a winning team again after the 80's Mets. But 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, and 2005 were really lost years for the Mets, specially in 2001 and 2005 since the NL East was such a weak division.

[@TL2354]

@@hmhm856 especially

[@ATCguy1973]

I think the problem with Steve Phillips behind the scenes was that he couldn't keep his head in his pants if you know what I mean.

[@ladistar]

@@hmhm856 what made the Mets so bad those years? Was it bad hitting, pitching, bullpen, management, etc?

[@HarrisonHollers]

Yanks fan but fan of NY sports overall. Ed Coleman and Sweeny Murti do a great job covering the baseball teams.

[@johnnywishbone.]

they are both generic and boring. sweeny literally make mike fall asleep on air.

[@ter521fad]

@@johnnywishbone.I’m with you a hundred percent. I always thought Coleman and Sweeney sucked.

[@droopmountain6510]

When these guys were both interested, which wasn't often, they were great.

[@droopmountain6510]

PS Coleman is unlistenable with his y'knows that come out y'ow.

[@newt0830]

This is great. .please more!!! We are reduced to Joe and Evan..Moose and Mouth...i mean Maggie....Golic and Wingo...Babble I mean Shannon Sharpe and Ballos and Norman and Greg. I mean Boomer and Gio

[@HelloooThere]

I wouldn't be surprised if they now hired Bobby Valentine as GM/Manager in a dual role. Valentine would love the control.

[@stephendouglas4343]

I wanted him. They stuck with Cora.

[@HelloooThere]

@@stephendouglas4343 sucks

[@DontrplytoMycomments]

His deep breathes are killing me and once you hear it you cant stop listening for it

[@johnparker4787]

Wow these guys are awesome. There are no shows like them. M & m are second to no one

[@kapo2012fb]

Lol art Howie was so bad

[@VenomousStare]

two radio legends!

[@michaelgreenhaus1750]

Mike and Dog the best ever !!!!

[@blakeloington5476]

The greatest sports show in the history of the world! They made sports talk what it is! Every sports talk person owes them!!! I miss this show so much!

[@N3G4T1V3_]

Forgot about Ed Coleman and his "ah, uh, ah". Hard to believe someone who can't speak a sentence without these goofy pauses made a career as an on air reporter.

[@theanarchist000]

Is this going into the Art Howe era?

[@DiamondConversations8]

yes, this firing led to Art Howe being hired.

[@AnthonyScarpa-er3sq]

Bobby Bonilla is still smiling and got the last laugh on this organization I love it !... Forget Bobby Valentine he choked making poor management decisions just like Buck Showalter is doing today in 2023...

[@usachristmas5433]

After all this, the man who turned on the lights for Fred, Art Howe, was a terrible choice. Phillips was gone after 2003, then got fired in 2009 by ESPN for boning a 22 yr old intern which cost him his marriage. Wilpon was a smart businessman but had terrible baseball instincts re talent and managers.

[@alfredoguzman7754]

they were good to average by themselves, but we’re great together

[@joemaher1902]

Oh my god so much better than the crap wfan produces today…

[@MB-gd6be]

Phillips didn't sign Arod. And Sabean ended up winning 3 in 6 years with the Giants and Bochy

[@LoDDEMOCIDE]

Ed Coleman speaks a lot like Francesa.

[@TylerOswald7187]

Firing valentine was the right move after the terrible season they had in 2002. Keeping Steve Phillips was dumb. I’m glad these buffoon owners are out of the picture when it comes to the mets

[@ernestpassaro9663]

Then they hired the immortal art Howe!

[@Lp-cd5mx]

LoL prominent manager ... I'm sorry Mike a prominent manager cost too much here's Art Howe!... They didn't fire Bobby V because the team sucked, they fired him because he wanted more money and power in the organization ... And the Wilpon's based there decisions on what would save them money, hence why they ran the Mets like a small market team in NYC ... That's why nobody shed a tear when they finally sold the team the penny pinching was too much.

[@LENTHEGOAT]

Dog wanted to pick a fight so bad

[@darnellkelly1987]

Sounds like Mike is talking to himself

[@HelloooThere]

And..the reality was they had poor scouting and a bad organizational philosophy at the time..

[@williamoleary9330]

I remember listening to this…Oh man this was funny as a Yankees fan listening too

[@riding4beers889]

Does this guy not have the ability to NOT say UHHH?

[@Tj11813]

After all this we ended up Art Howe.

[@johnlindsay4310]

I'm sorry, but after that disaster season with the Red Sox and years of mediocrity with the Rangers, I can't help but think Bobby Valentine just happened to be the guy in the Manager jersey when the Mets put a great team together.

[@eblissreseller]

Never liked Bobby V and I could see why players didn’t either. A Leyland or Kelly would’ve been best.

[@mikecleary4988]

Legends ! 👍🏼

[@MM-rr1kp]

Looks like ol Hunter Biden in the thumbnail

[@chrisgentile8275]

And art Howe ended up being that big manager....uggghhhh

[@kyletrump8025]

I miss Mike on FAN so much

[@dukedematteo1995]

I didn't like Bobby Valentine too much. Mike and Dog were too in love with him. I woulda canned his ass too.

[@brianfarkas8172]

Baseball is cruel.

[@thesolomind]

Let’s Go Mets

[@christopherranallo1310]

Bring him back!!

[@rossdawgsbrokenspirit9038]

2002 team still superior to 2023 club and for less money too!

[@visionquest414]

[@JonnyYouTube]

Dog grooming

[@ernestpassaro9663]

Mad dog carried mike!

[@theconservative1967]

I respect Mike "Mad Dog" Russo, NOT Mike "The Fat Man" Francesca. Happy that "The Fat Man" is no longer on radio.

[@zcorpalpha2462]

Awwwww Too bad he is rich and successful on a podcast. Fat Man is doing great. What have you done lately ?

[@FatPigInTheHouse]

Wilpon comes on 8:22