On May 31, Sal Licata went on Baseball Night in NY on SNY and looked directly into the camera and declared the National League East race to be “over”. Since his declaration, the Atlanta Braves have not lost. They’ve won fourteen straight and 680 The Fan’s Chuck and Chernoff wanted to speak to Licata about his prediction.
Host Matt Chernoff began the interrogation with a simple question: “What the hell were you thinking?”
Licata responded by by doubling-down on his prediction. “Let me just say this loud and clear: the NL East is over…I believe the Mets are winning the division. End of story.”
Chernoff chimed back in. “You practice that in the mirror, alot?… I feel like you’re saying that so you’ll believe it. Is that a fair analysis?”
Licata floated back in with: “that is not accurate”.
Chernoff then wanted to gauge the temperature of the fans and asked Licata how “uncomfortable” were New York Mets fans since the Braves began whittling away at the division lead.
“I think there’s a lot of people that are nervous – and I get it,” Licata began. “I get the history, I lived it, I understand 2007. I understand the Mets haven’t been good in awhile since 2015 or ’16 when they made the playoffs… they have only twice made the postseason in back-to-back seasons. In ’99 & 2000 and 2015 & ’16. But realistically, that doesn’t mean crap today.”
Chuck Oliver then followed up with Licata wondering how Mets fans responded to his comments.
“If you’ll listen to the clip (posted above) I even said, ‘I know you’re not going to want to hear this. I don’t want to hear about the jinx. I don’t care about that stuff.’ I wouldn’t say it if I didn’t believe it. It’s the Mets turn.”
Chernoff interrupted Licata with laughter and quipped, “My nine year-old is like ‘it’s my turn’ and that’s where the Mets are, okay keep going.”
The two continued a back-and-forth including until near the end, Licata asked Chuck and Chernoff why they hate the Mets so much.
Chernoff finished his sentiment, “It’s not hate. It’s sadness. I feel bad for you.”