Randy vs. NY media round 1

[joeshmo]

http://www.cbs.sportsline.com/mlb/story/8086028

Johnson lashes out at New York cameraman


Scott Miller Jan. 10, 2005
By Scott Miller
SportsLine.com Senior Writer
Tell Scott your opinion!




Ace pitcher Randy Johnson was in New York on Monday morning to take his physical examination before formally signing with the Yankees, but he wasn't quite in "start spreadin' the news" mode.

The notoriously cantankerous left-hander was angered when he and his security man were approached by a television cameraman and a couple of reporters as they walked on a midtown Manhattan sidewalk, ostensibly as Johnson was on his way to take the physical.

Johnson snapped at the cameraman to get out of his face, and when the man pleaded that he was only taking pictures, Johnson demanded, "Don't talk back to me!"

The accompanying security man reached out with his hand and covered the lens during the incident with the crew.

 

[devilalum]

What amazes me is that he asked for this.

Live with it you giant *****.

 

[Djaughe]

Can't wait for the Yankees to introduce R.J. in the press conference!

BY MIKE CASEY
NEWSDAY.COM

January 10, 2005, 2:34 PM EST


If today's actions are any indication, Randy Johnson has a lot to learn about dealing with the New York media.

The Yankees' newest acquistion engaged in a heated exchange and shoving match with a CBS News cameraman Monday on Manhattan's Madison Avenue.

Johnson, who is expected today to clear the last hurdle in the blockbuster trade that sent him from the Arizona Diamondbacks to New York by completing a physical exam, was confronted by the cameraman on Madison Ave. between 58th and 59th streets as he exited a building, accompanied a security guard. As the camera rolled a few feet away from the 6-foot-10, 231-pound Johnson, he reached out to block the lens.

"C'mon man, I'm just taking a picture," the cameraman said as the security guards attempted to intervene. "No pictures," he warned him.

As the tape continued to roll, Johnson became more agitated. He appeared to shove the cameraman while brushing past him and grumbling "Get out my face!"

"C'mon Randy, I'm just taking a picture!" the photographer repeated.

"Don't get in my face, and don't talk back to me!" Johnson scolded as he continued to try to block the lens.

The security guard again intervened, hurrying the 41-year-old lefty away as the cameraman stood in disbelief. "Welcome to New York!" he shouted after Johnson, who by that time was about 20 feet away with his back to the camera.

For the Yankees, it was an unwelcome flare-up of the dark side of Johnson's surly, stoic personality. Although his intensity has helped him become a future Hall of Famer on the mound, it has also cultivated the perception that Johnson is unapproachable and unfriendly in the clubhouse. Boston Red Sox ace Curt Schilling reportedly asked to be traded from the Diamondbacks last winter in part because he and Johnson despised one another.

Monday's incident is particularly untimely for the Yankees because they are expected to introduce Johnson at a press conference either today or tomorrow. Such negative publicity, particularly for a team that has always placed high emphasis on its layers being media-friendly is certain create a stir among top Yankees executives.

Those same executives had worked tirelessly for months to complete a trade for Johnson, who the Yanks had coveted since he asked to be traded last summer. They finally reached a deal two weeks ago, agreeing to send righthander Javier Vazquez along with a pair of prospects and $9 million to Arizona for the big lefty.

Johnson brings a career record of 246-128 along with a 3.07 ERA and 4,161 career strikeouts to a pitching staff that fell victim to injuries and underperfomance in the second half of 2004.

 

[Dback Jon]

As long as they don't try to talk their way into Randy's Gated Development...


:giltyree:

 

[IndyDevil]

You wanted the Yankees, you got the Yankees...now deal with everything that comes with it, Big Boy!!!

 

[AZZenny]

This is GREAT! LOL! The other side of it is - the NY Yankees wanted him, they got him - all of him. If they had some illusion they were going to turn him into a clean-cut, socially appealing and approachable guy, then they're as foolish as they are greedy.

To me, RJ vs. the NY Media was the one positive out of this whole deal. This should be very amusing. Between he and Pedro, the media will have a field day.

Reportedly Curt moved back here this off season for good - hated living in Boston and part of it was the horrible, nosy, lying media (and he LIKES the media, compared to RJ) and part of it the nonstop fans-in-your-face.

 

[thirty-two]

*points and laughs*

bahahahahhahahah

 

[Gee!]

Im rethinking my RJ stance. Give em hell Randy.. show em how these westcoast boys do it.

 

[aznando]

]["Don't get in my face, and don't talk back to me!"[/B] Johnson scolded as he continued to try to block the lens.

The security guard again intervened, hurrying the 41-year-old lefty away as the cameraman stood in disbelief. "Welcome to New York!" he shouted after Johnson, who by that time was about 20 feet away with his back to the camera.

HAHAHA Don't talk back to me says RJ....thats great, way to start it off right and get the media on your side

Aznando

 

[SweetD]

Here is the link to the video!!

http://cbsnewyork.com/topstories/topstoriesny_story_010111516.html

 

[boondockdrunk]

Im rethinking my RJ stance. Give em hell Randy.. show em how these westcoast boys do it.

Thats what I am thinking... he better go into Yankees Stadium with both of his guns blazing.... and a horse... he must ride a horse.

 

[Lefty]

I hope he is happy in New York because he sure the hell is going to need it. Money does not buy happiness.

 

[AZZenny]

In some cases, money at least buys you a change of unhappiness.

He's not after the money per se - he's after 300 Wins, some more Cy Youngs, and the 'respect' money seems to represent to athletes and their agents. However, he'll find the NY media are not nearly as intimidated by him as Arizona scribes. He may get the numbers he wants to cement his legacy, but they are going to purely assassinate him as a person. I think he may regret this deal before it's all over.

Did occur to me - Curt can pretty much kiss any hope of a Cy Young in this life goodbye. Hope a statue on Boston Common makes up for it. LOL

 

[Moose Lady]

HAHAHA Don't talk back to me says RJ....thats great, way to start it off right and get the media on your side

Aznando

You know Randy couldn't care LESS about the media or the fans. He thinks he is 1 under God so he expects everyone to bow down and do his bidding. Can't wait to see the first time he loses a game in Yankee Stadium. Should be very interesting.

 

[MaoTosiFanClub]

Randy, you reap what you sow. You could have gone to Anaheim or San Francisco and had just as good of an opportunity to win but you wanted New York to continue your childish feud with your former #2, who coincidentally loves himself just as much as you do. Personally I could care less about East Coast baseball, but you have to admit, this is shaping up to be good TV.

 

[Lefty]

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[coyoteshockeyfan]

Great, this is just what we need, more fuel for the media that already thinks the world revolves around New York.

 

[AZZenny]

I can't believe he copped out and apologized to the NY public, saying he's been overwhelmed these last few days. Suck it up, Unit! No one in NY says they're sorry, no one believes you are sorry, and you just totally blew it by backpedaling. Better to look tough and mean. Better to LOOK like an arrogant prick, like Pedro did, than look wishy-washy.

Overwhelmed, my butt. Second thoughts, maybe.

 

[FORKTUNG]

I think Randy rocks and it was a good negotiating flinch to blow off the NY media in this case.

DONT TREAD ON RJ lest he think he's not appreciated, heh.

Now can we talk about Moss' (feaux) moon?

 

[Hordispack]

You know Randy couldn't care LESS about the media or the fans. He thinks he is 1 under God so he expects everyone to bow down and do his bidding. Can't wait to see the first time he loses a game in Yankee Stadium. Should be very interesting.

He said "don't back talk me" to the photographer. WTF?? Who talks to another adult like that....other than God himself.

 

[Lefty]

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[Lefty]

Got this from DirtDogs. Pretty funny.


The Bronx Hillbilly

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Come 'n listen to my story 'bout a man named Randy
The sad Diamondback, was his modus operandi
And then on the day he turned his head to cough
He saw a cameraman, and told 'em to #&@! off.

"Frightened", he is, country boy... city streets...

Well, the first thing to know, is he's a millionaire
A tall, ugly southpaw, with curly 80s hair
He said, the "New York Yankees is the only place for me"
So he loaded up the truck and he moved to NYC

"Toilet", that is, press pools... nudie bars...

Well, now it's time to say goodbye to "The Randy Honeymoon"
He might be better suited playin' basketball with Boone
We're all invited back again to this reality:
He's just a cranky cracker with a gimpy, swollen knee

Hillbilly, that is, set a spell, take your shoes off

Y'all come back now, hear?