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Thursday, December 11, 2008
Mets = Choke Artists
Cole Hamels called the Mets choke artists today on WFAN in New York. And that's wrong because ... ?

A couple talk show hosts on WFAN in New York asked Cole Hamels today if he thought the Mets were choke artists.

He said they were because, well, they were choke artists the last two years.

"Last year and this year I think we did believe that," Hamels said on WFAN. "Three years ago we didn't because they smoked everybody, and I think we all thought they were going to win it all. Unfortunately that didn't happen. But, yeah, that's kind of what we believed and I think we're always going to believe that until they prove us wrong."

One of the show's hosts apparently gave Hamels a chance to back away from his comments.

He didn't.

"For the past two years they've been choke artists," Hamels said.

This apparently has not gone over well in New York. Ruben Amaro Jr. apparently caused a mini-uproar yesterday as well. When asked about the Mets signing Francisco Rodriguez he told Philadelphia reporters, "I don't think it affects us much. They had Billy Wagner for three years and we still beat them the last two years."

Personally, I like it. None of this everybody-in-a-big-league-uniform-is-tough-to-beat stuff. Mix it up a little bit. Why not?

Posted by Todd Zolecki @ 7:05 PM  Permalink | 78 comments
78
Comments   
Comment removed.
Posted 07:30 PM, 12/11/2008
thejerz
Good for Cole and Ruben; but, let's tone it down a bit. Anyhow, I think there is a lack of good chemistry on that Mets team and multi-millionaire closers aren't going to make that much difference.
Posted 07:31 PM, 12/11/2008
mrjarn
Well, yeah, the "Mess" DID choke. They were leading the division in the last couple of years, and PRESTO!!! They went south fast. Up 7 games with 17 to play in 2007? I'd say that was a choke. What else would you call it? Then, you have Carlos ("Mouth") Beltran stating that the "Mess" was the team to beat this year- and we all know how that played out. CHOOOOOOKE!!!!
Posted 07:32 PM, 12/11/2008
kenny000001
Good for you Cole!!!
Posted 07:33 PM, 12/11/2008
JSaq
Well, the kid didn't lie. The Mets have had an epic collapse and fell apart last year in the stretch. Great team on paper, but on the field it hasn't happened.
Posted 07:36 PM, 12/11/2008
sxedge
Sign that man long term, NOW!
Posted 07:39 PM, 12/11/2008
rich_gelman
What?...Would you rather him lie?
Posted 07:45 PM, 12/11/2008
adman
Excellent!
Posted 07:48 PM, 12/11/2008
phillyWASnice!
The great thing is the Phillies won it all and Cole was MVP of the Series and NLCS. He and the rest of the Phils can pretty much say whatever they want. If you're the Muts or their fan base, well you pretty much have to go scratch! The Muts inabilty to to put the thumb down on the Phils reminds me of Buddy Ryan's old saying when asked about playing the Giants..."they know they're gonna' lose, they just don't know how yet". Classic. MUTS SUCK!!!!!!!!!!!!
Comment removed.
Posted 07:49 PM, 12/11/2008
mrjarn
CHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOKE!!!
Posted 07:49 PM, 12/11/2008
2Parm
Congratulations to the Mets for winning the Winter meetings again. Mets get duped by K-Rod and his one-inning saves. What's with the Jackie Robinson rotunda at their new stadium? Did he play for the Mets? Nice job, Cole!
Posted 07:53 PM, 12/11/2008
flyersphan731
As much as they collapsed, the Phillies stepped it up to win too. Lets not forget that. But I absolutely love it. They should have the Ring and Banner ceremony when the Met's come to Philly for the first time next season. That would make this rivalry better. With everything going on for the past few years, I think this rivalry is becoming one of the best in baseball. And Cole has the right to say what ever he wants and so does Jimmy, Chase and who ever else is on this team because we truly are the "Team to beat" in Beltran's words!
Posted 07:54 PM, 12/11/2008
CAskier
YES, sign him long term. He should've been the only pitcher to ever go 5-0 in the post season. Except it got rained out and the commish dropped the ball. The mets are saying they got the best closer in baseball, but he didn't go 48 for 48 AND WIN the World Series!!!!
Posted 07:55 PM, 12/11/2008
PhillySubsMac
Don't think you see pros talking like that much, but...who cares? He also said they smoked us and everyone 3 yrs ago. All I know is...when I see those stinkin' Mutts fans this year with their gay little Jose Reyes chant and all, I'm just gonna chant...We're the Champs!
Posted 07:58 PM, 12/11/2008
mrjarn
The "Mess" must LOVE winning on paper- it has happened the past two years. Wagner trashes the Phils organization a few years back, and look where it got him....
Posted 07:59 PM, 12/11/2008
roblen
I love it! I heard the whole interview and Cole also called out Reyes as a showboater!
Posted 08:02 PM, 12/11/2008
phigglesfan75
I am glad Amaro and Cole said what they said, but 2Parm, I don't see how K-Rod duped the Mets...The Mets were the winners in that deal.
Posted 08:13 PM, 12/11/2008
lseltzer
Even if we all agree it's true I think it's uncool to say it in an interview, let alone one with the Mets radio station. I listened and the best thing I can say is that he came across as trying to be honest, but he could have been more diplomatic.
Posted 08:23 PM, 12/11/2008
p-diddy
Obviously it hurts when it comes from a rival, but even the Mets and their fans think they choked. P.S. Jose Reyes can't hold Rollins' jock.
Posted 08:25 PM, 12/11/2008
Reggie92
The truth hurts
Posted 08:32 PM, 12/11/2008
Ryan
King Cole, you are putting yourself into Utley territory. God bless ya.
Posted 08:35 PM, 12/11/2008
Ryan
Johan Santana < Cole Hamels, K-rod < Brad Lidge, Jose Reyes < Jimmy Rollins, Carlos Delgado < Ryan Howard, Carlos Beltran < Shane Victorino, Mets < Phillies.
Posted 08:42 PM, 12/11/2008
LJL
In the words of John Adams, "facts are stubborn things". The fact is, the Mets have C H O K E D the past two years.
Comment removed.
Posted 08:49 PM, 12/11/2008
Bill R4
Championships are not won in December, just ask all the teams who sign the high priced free agents. The Yankees can have their new "star" pitcher all they want, he has close to a 10.00 ERA in the playoffs and will fold in the NY pressure cooker. The same can be said about the two relievers that the Mutts signed. Ask A-Rod and Mussina if they have won zero championships since signing to the best team in baseball. Like I said, titles are not won during the winter meetings, just a lot of wasted money spent.
Posted 08:49 PM, 12/11/2008
Bill R4
Championships are not won in December, just ask all the teams who sign the high priced free agents. The Yankees can have their new "star" pitcher all they want, he has close to a 10.00 ERA in the playoffs and will fold in the NY pressure cooker. The same can be said about the two relievers that the Mutts signed. Ask A-Rod and Mussina if they have won zero championships since signing to the best team in baseball. Like I said, titles are not won during the winter meetings, just a lot of wasted money spent.
Comment removed.
Posted 08:52 PM, 12/11/2008
wingslax35
Todd, why can't you name the hosts?
Posted 08:54 PM, 12/11/2008
Jim C.
Totally lame. Classless. Embaress them...for what?
Posted 08:56 PM, 12/11/2008
Jim C.
Be careful who you act like a jerk to on the way up...
Posted 09:06 PM, 12/11/2008
phillylover26
YES!! Cole Hamels speaks the truth!!
Posted 09:09 PM, 12/11/2008
sarah89
Mutts favored every year, probably again this year, lose every year.....yeah, that's a choke.
Posted 09:18 PM, 12/11/2008
Chad McCulley
I don't see the problem, it's true! Did you see the last 2 years?
Posted 09:19 PM, 12/11/2008
Mark1npt
This is not a classless act...these djs were purposely asking this question to stir up the nest in or is it the fungus that is NY?......until they beat us, take away our crown and hoist their own WS trophy, Cole can say anything he wants.....nice to know or "Ace" has the cajones of one.....maybe he'll rub off on the rest of the staff......can you imagine the bolt of confidence that comes from taking the field KNOWING in your gut that you are the World Champs? This team could very well smoke the NL East next season.....wouldn't that just make this all the sweeter, especially after all the money the Mutts spent this week trying to buy a BP?
Posted 09:22 PM, 12/11/2008
Norma
Not like Cole was trash-talking. The Mutts DID choke! And remember, Cole didn't bring it up. He was asked. By the way....Where is our little NYC buddy??? LOL!
Posted 09:24 PM, 12/11/2008
KarenA
Oh those Southern Cal boys....Chase & Cole. What fine statesmen for our Phillies organization. Absolutely beautiful! (oh and nice to Reuben into the mix also)
Posted 09:33 PM, 12/11/2008
radicaleaglesfan
Hey, the mets are choke artist, but you have to figure if they had K-rod last year, they might of taken the division. I read that if baseball was played with only 7 innings, then phils would of ended the year 11 games behind the mets. But it's not played in 7, it's played in 9. So, untill then, those muts can cough up all the flem they want.
Posted 09:34 PM, 12/11/2008
Frank Lloyd Wrong
Whoever wins the world series gets to talk! The Mets think they can talk just because... why? Cole EARNED the right to talk that smack.
Posted 09:43 PM, 12/11/2008
J D
The Truth hurts, Mets fans. Epic choke. Made us forget about 196?
Posted 09:44 PM, 12/11/2008
Palmyra Scott
Love it....like I should feel bad...it's not like the Met's fans held back at all on Bill Buckner and the Red Sox when he let a World Series go through his legs (choke job!). Bring it on Cole...we're still the team to beat...try to back it up this year Carlos Choke-tran!!
Posted 09:53 PM, 12/11/2008
YIPO
The press just goads the players anyway. I have heard Francesa and others say A LOT WORSE ABOUT THE METS THEN WHAT HAMELS SAID. And they DO stink.
Posted 09:56 PM, 12/11/2008
pgcd3
Rivalries are great for the sport. And of course it's great that the Phillies are on top.
Posted 10:10 PM, 12/11/2008
argonne
The kid is no wallflower thats for sure.
Posted 10:11 PM, 12/11/2008
BobbyD
Muts suck!!!
Posted 10:15 PM, 12/11/2008
inquisitor
I" don't care what we say, just back it up by having the phightin's fans keep those blue a-hole fans out of the Bank!
Posted 10:15 PM, 12/11/2008
inquisitor
I" don't care what we say, just back it up by having the phightin's fans keep those blue a-hole fans out of the Bank!
Posted 10:35 PM, 12/11/2008
TempleKev
COLE HAMELS....YOU ARE...DA MAN!!!
Posted 10:42 PM, 12/11/2008
KMG
They used to say that Muhammad Ali he talked a lot, but he backed it up. Mr. Hamels and Mr. Rollins talked, but they backed it up. P.S.- we are the world champions. Go whine some more, new york.
Posted 11:06 PM, 12/11/2008
freewill
From a Met fan to everyone: I am so glad Hamels said that. Cause he's right. The past two years have been nothing but a sham up there. You guys earned respect last year, we need to start all over again. You all must admit you are going to miss watching Aaron 'The Cancer' Heilman hand you 3-5 wins a year, and Endy Chavez giving you easy double plays, and Joe Smith failing as a side arm pitcher. BTW, Santana plunks Rollins 1st at bat next year, what do ya say????
Posted 11:11 PM, 12/11/2008
philasportsfan
There is ABSOLUTELY NOTHING BETTER than seeing a Mets fan agonize when his team is blowing one, especially when it's against the Fightin's! More power to Hamels, Rollins and Amaro. And I'm sure Utley can come up with a really good quote if he's asked about it!
Comment removed.
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Posted 11:13 PM, 12/11/2008
NJLouis66
This kid Hamels is as cool as they come. I thought Utley was cool, and he is, but this Hamels kid is just great. And he's everywhere it seems - a star has been born. They'll have a new villian to hate in Mutt land, and it won't make a lick of difference.
Posted 11:37 PM, 12/11/2008
Mike4136
MUCK THE FETS
Posted 11:45 PM, 12/11/2008
emilia b
Phils fans make sure to buy all home game tickets and keep the NY scum out of our park! I hate the Mets, Mr. Cow Bell, the fans and the ugly Giant Orange / Dodger Blue uniforms. Beat the Mets!
Posted 11:47 PM, 12/11/2008
ricky11211
Yes, but why would you ever want to give another team ammunition or motivation like that. It's not very classy.
Posted 12:01 AM, 12/12/2008
finngov
When your World Champions, World F@$%ing Champions you can say things like this, especially when you're the World Series MVP.
Posted 12:19 AM, 12/12/2008
PhillyTheKid
Wait a second - We need Cole to confirm the Mets choked the past two seasons? It's a FACT...So now the Mets have bulletin board material or something? Not... Go Phils! PK
Posted 12:35 AM, 12/12/2008
danward
Is Terry Murray coaching the Mets??? Yes, they choked two years in a row!!!! Suck it New York!!!! They will lose next year again, maybe not to the Phils but both NY teams overpay and ruin their farm systems looking for quick payoff. Enjoy your new stadiums and the fact that no real fans can afford to see you there. Gonna be quiet in both new houses with all the corporate seat holders. It'll be like LA at both places - empty for the 1st, 2nd, 8th & 9th innings.
Posted 01:28 AM, 12/12/2008
Jp85
LOCK COLE UP FOR GOOD!!!
Posted 01:44 AM, 12/12/2008
Nezhy
I can't hear Jose' gibberish or the Mets fans crying.. our championship rings are in my ears, sorry. Sign Hamels long term.
Posted 02:05 AM, 12/12/2008
WPhillyguy
You're the man, Cole. If the shoe were on the other foot it would have been said of the Phillies long before now! Can't believe it took over two season for the obvious to be stated!
Posted 02:17 AM, 12/12/2008
shmeds
he did not even say it, they put the words in his mouth and he agreed with it.
Posted 02:19 AM, 12/12/2008
Chris From South Philly
I don't think the Mets are choke artists at all. I actually think they're overrated. Position for position they're not that good. What they are is over-achievers. Since they over-achieve everyone erroneously thinks they're good and are choking at the end of the season; but, they are actually just coming back down to Earth.
Posted 02:45 AM, 12/12/2008
barcelona fan
The hosts put the term in his mouth, and this is a team that has learned to spit back. It is truly nice to see a team back up its words with its actions, and, for the moment, all of these guys can say whatever they want.
Posted 03:28 AM, 12/12/2008
jpelle36
Talking to the media, the Phillies need to have Super Steve Carlton talk to the World Series MVP about making the correct responses to the media. Cole need to pitch effectively and not get into a media frenzy that will effect his pitching.
Comment removed.
Posted 05:32 AM, 12/12/2008
louturks
yes, the Mets are chock artists
Posted 07:48 AM, 12/12/2008
NJLouis66
I want to hear someone from the Mutts respond. What can they say? Can they deny that Cole is right? I don't think so. And as for some of the hosts on WFAN (the Met fan ones), you should have heard them through the end of the season and playoffs, moaning and groaning about how the Phils didn't really win, the Mets just lost, etc., PLEASE. There was no respect for the Phils. It is ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL to hear them basically forced to interview Hamels (it's a promotion of MLB's DVD set of the WS) and then have Hamels basically do in person what Tug McGraw did at the parade in 1980 - told NY to "stick it". Yeah. And now the rivalry is raised to Yankee-Red Sox stature. I don't think that's a stretch.
Posted 08:02 AM, 12/12/2008
RG
Phils sign Ibanez http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3764268
Posted 08:07 AM, 12/12/2008
stoky
Did Ellen tell him to say that?
Posted 08:26 AM, 12/12/2008
Goo
Cole shoots straight from the hip......no bull in his pocket!
Posted 08:26 AM, 12/12/2008
Sully
Good signing by Rube. Ibanez can hit for power AND average. He'll average $10m for the contract, whereas Burrell would've got $14m or more in arbitration.
Posted 08:33 AM, 12/12/2008
wiseoldowl
Every Phillies fan believes the Mets are over paid. They sign and trade for vets that demand high saleries. Phillies fans believe the Mets have over paid players. They sign and trade for high priced vets. However they can't buy a league championship. They have traded most of their prospects from their farm system. One exception is Wright at 3B. The Phils should take heed, don't trade away the blue chips in the minors. Build around Jimmy, Chase, & Ryan with our young players. Show the youngsters they can reach the biggies if they work hard.
Posted 01:34 PM, 12/12/2008
BigGerman
Nothing artistic about it! They just choke.But it would be nice to clinch with more than a few minutes left in the season next year.And Charlie's right,bring back Pat the Bat!
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Posted 10:46 AM, 12/13/2008
The Wizard
Where would have the Phils been last year if they lost Lidge the last 2 months like the Mets lost Wagner? From the files of “Enjoy It While You Got It” is Hole Camels. Camels calling N.L. East rivals, the New York Mets “choke artists?” Uh huh. Now that Mr. Camel’s team, the loosingest professional team in history, the Philadelphia Phillies have logged their second World Championship in, oh, 126 years, maybe he’s thinking that gives him the right to go mouthing off in the press. It’s gonna be a long wait before the Phillies hoist another championship flag now that the Mets have signed lights out closer Francisco “K-Rod” Rodriguez and traded for J.J. Putz. The next choking sound you hear will come from the City of Brotherly Love. Signing K-Rod means that the Phillies will no longer have the luxury of waiting for the Mets to lose the division in the last month of the regular season In ’09 the Phillies will have to actually go out and win the NL East crown. Don’t hold your breath.
About Andy Martino
Andy Martino is in his first season on the Phillies beat. A former New York City public school teacher and graduate of the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism, he previously wrote for the New York Daily News, where he covered baseball and worked with the award-winning investigative sports "I-team."
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