Gary Speaks

From NY Sports Day (via Metsblog)

“I am just thrilled to be part of this new venture,” Cohen said in a conference call earlier today. “[SportsNet NY] is dedicated to making this the best regional sports network in the nation. For me, this gives me the opportunity to make the transition from radio to television, while maintaining my bond with the Mets. I look forward to the challenge.”

Well, at least there's one saving grace:

According to SportsNet NY’s president John Litner, Cohen will be allowed to speak his mind and able to criticize the team when needed, which is in contrast to other local sports outlets.

Hmmmmm.... what other local sports outlets could they be talking about?

UPDATE: Faith and Fear in Flushing, the best Mets blog on the web, weighs in. Money quote:

But those of us who live the Mets are at a loss. We consider the radio to be our oxygen, our atmosphere. We don't make a move without it. It would be disingenuous to suggest we'll be withdrawing all our AA batteries now and saving them for the next blackout. No, we'll listen to whoever does Mets games because we are Mets fans. But they'll just be baseball broadcasts. They won't be a way of life.