Mets Nation check out this in depth interview by Mets Mets with up and coming sports handicapper JR Ladson of 2kallday.com. New York area native and lifelong Mets fan, Ladson reveals some great insights into the pulse of sports in the Big Apple.
Mets Mets: Welcome to Mets Mets JR, it’s great to have someone here who can answer some of the many questions swirling around the minds of Mets fans everywhere.
Ladson: Ha…looking for an interview?
Mets Mets: r u ready
Ladson: Fire
Mets Mets: What are the most crucial areas for the Mets to improve this offseason?
Ladson: The most crucial areas: #1. Health #2 Starting Pitching behind Johan. We need guys who can go deep into games, and take the stress off of the bullpen. Kinda tied into number 1. #3 Corner outfield and infield production. We need to get more pop out of First Base (health one again ties into that), LF, RF, and 3rd base (even thought the third baseman was healthy!)
Mets Mets: That is a lot of holes who are the Mets looking to bring in
Ladson: Halladay makes everything okay. The Mets have star quality at a bunch of positons. The other thing about the holes is that our minor league depth makes having injuries unbearable. The best thing would be to get Halladay, and get a bunch of guys who can catch the ball in our upper-minors/bench
Mets Mets: David Wright averaged 29 home runs the last four years and then only hit 10, can you explain this dropoff?
Ladson: The reason D-Wright had a drop off was because of the right-center field gap, plus adjusting to the new park. In Shea, the ball carried great to right center (which was also 371 feet). Now, fly balls go to die in right center. Plus every time I watch David, he seems like he is pressing to hit 6-run homeruns, every time. This might also be the reason why he is less clutch than A-Rod (pre 2009)
Mets Mets: Are CitiFields dimensions going to keep power hitters from signing with the Mets in the future?
Ladson: The Mets haven’t been a franchise that has had a lot of prolific hitters. Pitching is where its at, and I love that we would be a top destination for pitchers more than hitters.
Mets Mets: Minaya the right guy to build the farm system?
Ladson: Minaya is the guy. He can’t stop the injuries, and his patience may pay off. Sure, he has made some mistakes, but Brian Cashman makes more. The key is getting to a position where we don’t have to continuously trade off our top prospects
Mets Mets: Put the NL east in order you think they will finish next year
Ladson: As of right now: Phillies, Mets, Braves, Marlins, Nationals
Mets Mets: Johan started off last year looking like a Cy Young candidate, how long will he stay at that level
Ladson: 3 years of Vintage Santana
Mets Mets: The Nets and Knicks are both trash, what chance do you give either team to land The King
Ladson: The Knicks have the only shot, out of the two. I think that there is a wildcard team: Oklahoma City Thunder.
Mets Mets: The Yankees championship means we can finally put an end to the steroid era and move on?
Ladson: I guess. The steroid era should be called “The owners got the players to cheat, to make the game better and everybody did it….so, who cares?” era
Mets Mets: What development plan are the Knicks working on when they say no to AI?
Ladson: Eddy Curry looked like he’s ready to become a relevant player again. That is why they didn’t go with AI. The young players developing thing, I don’t buy. When they say it had nothing to do with AI’s personality, I don’t buy that either
Mets Mets: NFC east had a big day yesterday, what must the Giants do to make the playoffs
Ladson: Just win…they control their own destiny, plus have games upcoming with teams in the mix. 10-6 should do it (with tie breakers). Remember, Washington wins that game yesterday and the Giants are on top of the NFC East.
Mets Mets: Mets had the second highest payroll in the majors, how come year after year they don’t have the consistent results like the Yankees?
Ladson: Because they don’t have Yankee money. The Yankees signed guys to about 450 million in contracts. Sabathia and Teixeira in the same offseason can’t be done by any other franchise.
What no questions about Brandon Jennings?
Mets Mets: What do you have to say about Brandon Jennings?
Ladson: Brandon Jennings is the most invigorating talent in the NBA, since LeBron (including Kevin Durant). He has turned a boring to watch franchise into a must watch franchise (ESPN is picking up their game Friday). The other thing is that he is already near the top of the league, as far as point guards go. It’s early, but I don’t miss many Bucks games
Mets Mets: What do you attribute his breakout to the year he spent in Europe?
Ladson: Jennings breakout year? He played against pros in Europe and worked hard. I find it hard to believe that more kids don’t go over there. He got to play against Travis Best and Earl Boykins in Euroleague. Can’t find those guys in college. Plus, he’s incredibly humble. He puts in the work, and he doesn’t have the bling bling associated with being an NBA Rook
Mets Mets: How long before we see an NBA franchise in Europe?
Ladson: You will never see one that competes in what we call the NBA today. You may see an NBA Europe
Mets Mets: Will Dubai and other international rich people own a majority of American sports franchises within the 25 years
Ladson: Someone from Dubai will attempt to buy something, and it will cause a discussion. If someone from Dubai wanted to buy the Mets, I would want it in a second
Mets Mets: Why does Nike not just pay Lebron to play alongside Kobe
Ladson: It’s not worth it… They would probably make more money if they were in two cities. Vitamin Water has them both, and they were ecstatic when Kobe and Bron almost faced off last year. There needs to be some rivalry there
Mets Mets: What is your feelings on T. Henry of France?
Ladson: It’s a missed call….that’s it. The problem is that missed calls in soccer can result in 3 weeks of rioting, or a referees death.
Mets Mets: Was Clemens on roid rage when he threw the bat at Piazza?
Ladson: Clemens wasn’t on roid rage. Here is my diagnosis of what happened there. He hit Piazza in the head with a pitch, and it was accidental. Then the media makes it out to be on purpose, and create a fake rift between the Yanks, the Mets, Clemens, Piazza, etc. Then, that night Clemens got so fired up, that he unconsciously threw the bat at Piazza. 2 things about that moment (which is one of the most important moments in Mets history): Clemens should have been tossed, and if he isn’t tossed, the Mets should have cleared the benches. Clemens literally ripped the heart out of the Mets there.
Mets Mets: Should the NFL scrap challenges and just let the booth make all the correct calls every time?
Ladson: No…never. Three problems with it: One, the refs usually get it right the first time. Two, it would slow the game to a standstill. Three, not every stadium has the same areas they can put cameras. The different types of views, etc. wouldn’t be uniform across the whole league.
Mets Mets: So it is ok in football to have a totally wrong call but no challenges/timeouts when a team’s whole season comes down to a piss poor spot or blown call on the line
Ladson: yes.
Kim Kardashian
Mets Mets: Who are currently the 3 hottest girls in the world?
Ladson: lol….hmmm. Megan Fox, Kim Kardashian (until she has a kid), # 3 is tough
Mets Mets: lol
Ladson: Jessica Alba? No.. Not anymore
Mets Mets: Thanks for joining us today. New York fans be sure to check out the sports handicapping blog 2kallday.com
