| | ESPN baseball analyst Peter Gammons recently took time out from his World Series duties to chat with ESPN.com users.
Standing alongside the first base line at Shea Stadium, Gammons commented on the Clemens-Piazza incident, what the Mets are feeling right now and who he thinks will win the series.
Due to technical difficulties, we were unable to send out the chat live, but we did get Gammons' answers to your questions. The edited transcript follows.
Martin: Who do the Mets have to do to break through against El Duque?
Peter Gammons: I think two things, be very selective, not chase pitches out of the strike zone and the left handed hitters have to take advantage of him. They have to get their opportunities. I think it can be done.
Timo: Has the Clemens incident been a distraction for the Yankees?
Peter Gammons: I think it has distracted them. It has put the Yankees on the defensive. If they get back to Yankee Stadium they have reversed all the pressure in this series. I think they will beat Clemens if they get back to Yankee Stadium. The Yankees have always been so quiet but that isn't the case now.
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Thurs., July
6
Peter Gammons, a highly respected Major League Baseball journalist, serves as a studio analyst on ESPN's Baseball Tonight. He also provides "Diamond Notes," his regular reports during the baseball season for SportsCenter. Gammons has served as a Major League Baseball correspondent on ESPN since 1988. Besides working for ESPN and and writing for ESPN.com, he also writes a weekly baseball column for the Boston Globe each Sunday and is a regular contributor to Baseball America.
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Tom in Queens: Was Game 1 of this series one of the best World Series games you have seen?
Peter Gammons: It was one of the best first games I've ever seen. The first game in '77 was also a great game. No 1 in my mind was the first game in '88 with Kirk Gibson hitting the homerun off of Dennis Eckersley. But it ranks in that group definitely. It was a terrific game. But most great games were flawed and that game was flawed as well.
Mike: What is it like in the Mets clubhouse right now? Do they still feel like they can win this series?
Peter Gammons: They are very confident. They are a little bit angry. When they were playing the Braves there was a lot of tension on this team. That tension has been released by all the Clemens stuff that is going on. They are a very resilient team.
Patrick H.: Do you think the fact that the teams aren't having to travel has really been an advantage?
Peter Gammons: I think it has helped not traveling. They all live in the same place and are playing seven times in nine days. The concerns with family and tickets, and did we bring the kids play toy, adds to the complications. And the unfamiliar hotels on the road don't help either.
Theresa: There has been a lot of talk about the pitching decisions by both managers in Games 1 and 2. Do you agree with all the decisions that have been made?
Peter Gammons: I agree with all the pitching decisions. I understand Neagle starting. I disagreed with taking Clemens out in Game 2. I just think you have to give those guys as much time as you can because the Yanks are a three man bullpen right now.
Brandon in NH: What is the deal with Benitez? What should Valentine do, move his to setup man?
Peter Gammons: Right now Bobby Valentine will ride it out with Benitez. If he put him in a setup situation it would destroy his confidence. I don't think Bobby has any choice right now. It may have been better to switch his role earlier in the year but I don't think any of us would have had the guts to do it.
YanksRule: Where are you right now? At the stadium?
Peter Gammons: I'm standing on the first base line right now at Shea. I've been talking to Turk Wendell and his daughter Dakota.
T.J.: If this series turns into a sweep, will all the hype be forgotten and will anybody remember this series?
Peter Gammons: It will take a lot of the air out of the hype nationally. It would become more about the Yankees winning three straight as opposed to the New York aspect of it. As they say, I would be pretty surprised if that happens.
Metsin6: What is your take on the Pirates hiring Lloyd McClendon?
Peter Gammons: I was surprised. They said they wanted a bigger name. They thought they had a good guy and they went with it. I think it was a good decision. He is very well respected in the game.
Gary from Minnesota: Who is going to win the World Series?
Peter Gammons: I originally said the Yanks in 7. I would still bet on the Yankees in 7. I tell you, I have a funny feeling that the Clemens thing has changed the whole momentum of the series. The single most important game of the series is this game tonight. If the Mets win tonight I think they will win the series. I wouldn't be surprised to see the Mets win four in a row.
I hope people around the country are enjoying the theater here in New York. There are a lot of really engaging players on these two teams. Hopefully we won't always be in a major market and can get the Series back to a place like Kansas City. I'm still not sure that Oakland isn't the best team in baseball.
Thanks everybody.
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