There are a few surefire signs that the Major League Baseball season is quickly approaching.
Spring training gets underway. Rob Manfred is in the headlines over something he said. And the New York Mets television booth is tossing off bon mots like it’s already mid-July.
The iconic SNY trio of Gary Cohen, Ron Darling, and Keith Hernandez was back in action Saturday, calling a spring training game between the Mets and Houston Astros. And even if the action on the field was a little rusty, the comedy coming from the booth was in rare form.
The Three Horsemen got underway in the third inning, complaining about the complaining around national broadcasters calling games instead of team announcers.
“I’m sure you folks out there are looking forward to that Apple broadcast,” joked Hernandez.
day one of spring training and gary is already complaining about the national broadcasts ONE OF US pic.twitter.com/BKpNYW7rT3
— dianna (@runwildkian) February 22, 2025
When Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor joined the announcers during the 4th inning, his lack of enthusiasm prompted the booth to call him on it.
Keith, to Francisco Lindor: You don’t sound too excited to hear from us, Francisco
Francisco: I’m just exhausted 😂 pic.twitter.com/tCrkD2QZLP
— SNY (@SNYtv) February 22, 2025
In the fifth inning, the broadcast returned from a commercial with footage of a man and woman playing pickleball. Keith worked through many emotions in the span of 10 seconds, going from asking, “What are they doing?” to admitting, “I’m distracted.”
“I’m distracted.” – Keith Hernandez, in midseason form pic.twitter.com/D5ZngW4uN1
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) February 22, 2025
By the sixth inning, they discussed the passing of Keith’s cat, Hadji. He shared that they still have a dog but have contacted Hadji’s breeder about eventually getting a new cat they’ve already named Sinbad.
Keith remembers Hadji and shares that he’s gotten a dog 💙🧡
Keith has also been in touch with Hadji’s breeder and wants to name his potential new cat Sinbad 😂 pic.twitter.com/gylHKbygGa
— SNY (@SNYtv) February 22, 2025
The New York Mets are expected to compete for a World Series this season. However, as good as the action might get on the field, it will always pale compared to the antics from their broadcasting booth.
About Sean Keeley
Along with writing for Awful Announcing and The Comeback, Sean is the Managing Editor for Comeback Media. Previously, he created the Syracuse blog Troy Nunes Is An Absolute Magician and wrote 'How To Grow An Orange: The Right Way to Brainwash Your Child Into Rooting for Syracuse.' He has also written non-Syracuse-related things for SB Nation, Curbed, and other outlets. He currently lives in Seattle where he is complaining about bagels. Send tips/comments/complaints to sean@thecomeback.com.