* Mets fans, be very cautious about your glee over the signing of Jason Bay. Remember that the big numbers he got this past season were put up in Fenway Park, where the Green Monster increases not only home run totals, but also batting averages, RBIs, on-base percentage, extra-base hits, etc. And the small left-field area helps covers up fielding deficiencies; it is well established that Bay is a mediocre fielder at best. Remember when you got Luis Castillo? Playing on an artificial surface in Minnesota inflated his batting average, on-base percentage, etc., and also made him look like a better fielder than he was.
LARRY WEITZMAN
Manhattan
* After watching the Jason Bay press conference the other day, it seemed to me he was schooled on what to say and how to say it. Now, don’t get me wrong, I think Bay will do well here. It’s just that he really wanted to go back to the Red Sox and had no idea the market was not in his favor. His body language said it all. He seemed a bit uncomfortable when trying to adjust to the media’s questions and I wonder if he felt all along someone other than the Mets would come calling. He said Citi Field is not an issue and that he played in PNC park and had no trouble in a bigger ballpark. As a guy that had to replace Manny Ramirez in Boston, I think Bay is as good a fit as anyone for the Mets. The question is: Is his heart in New York?
KENNY CULLEN
Throggs Neck
Pitching out
* I am glad Andre Dawson finally got into the baseball Hall of Fame. He was a rare all-around player who combined power, speed and sparkling defensive play. Now if only “The Dutch Delight,” Bert Blyleven, and “Black Jack” Morris could get in, as they were two of the premier pitchers of their day.
KENNETH L.
ZIMMERMAN
Huntington Beach, Calif.
Cleaning house
* Why did the Giants only get rid of defensive coordinator Bill Sheridan and one of his assistants when the entire coaching staff should be cleaned out? If head coach Tom Coughlin had sent out the taxi squad to get drubbed in the finale against Minnesota, the blowout would have been understandable. But the fact that the starters were so anemic shows that the organization needs a fresh start. Why would anyone in their right mind rebuild this team with the same coaching staff that couldn’t get the previous group to play for them?
RICHARD REAY
The Bronx
Gholston at end
* Jets coach Rex Ryan should spend some time in the offseason converting Vernon Gholston to his natural position at defensive end. The Jets should have learned a lesson from playing Dwayne Robertson and Jon Vilma in the 3-4 when both would have excelled in the 4-3 scheme. Gholston can still be the horse we expected him to be if they play him at defensive end.
TONY MAGLIO
Las Vegas
Classic idea
* Since the NHL’s Winter Classic has become a great success, it’s time to bring it to New York City. And what could be better than a home-and-home between the Islanders and Rangers? The Rangers could host at Yankee Stadium and the Islanders at Citi Field. One game could be played on New Year’s Eve and the other on New Year’s Day. It would mean big bucks for the city, NBC and the NHL.
JAMES PANZO
Brooklyn
Damon or Dye
* It is likely that the Yankees will not re-sign Johnny Damon, due to the money and years he is seeking (or is it his agent, Scott Boras, seeking them?). A cheaper, but similar option would be Jermaine Dye, who also is a free agent. Perhaps a two-year deal would lure Dye as a reasonable replacement for Damon on the Yankees’ roster.
DENIS FLYNN
The Bronx
Not Bowl-ed over
* It looks as if the NFL has one-upped MLB. Some genius came up with the plan to play the Pro Bowl in the week between the league championship games and the Super Bowl. I thought MLB was stupid for allowing the World Baseball Classic to be played in the middle of spring training, and I may have been right as many of the players who took part ended up on the disabled list during the season. At least the WBC was played before the regular season and not right before the World Series. Does anyone really think any players from whatever teams make the Super Bowl will be allowed to participate in the Pro Bowl? I doubt it. This has to be the dumbest thing I’ve ever seen in sports.
ROBERT PIOVESAN
Rye, N.Y.