BBTF's Newsblog Discussion :: THT: Jaffe: Rob Neyer Interview

Baseball Primer Newsblog
— The Best News Links from the Baseball Newsstand

Monday, October 22, 2007

THT: Jaffe: Rob Neyer Interview

It was just your basic cotton, indeed! A nifty interview with Rob.

What’s the angriest feedback you ever got from a column?

The angriest feedback probably came after a column I wrote about Derek Jeter’s defense, I believe in 2001. You always get a lot of e-mail when you write anything negative about the Yankees, so I wasn’t surprised by that reaction. But apparently somebody in the media picked up on the column (which, by the way, was loaded with facts). I believe Suzyn Waldman mentioned it on the air somewhere, and John Sterling and Michael Kay had me on their radio show. What I didn’t know is that the goal apparently was to embarrass me, as the two of them spent most of the time yelling at me. This was my first time on New York radio, and not particularly pleasant. Sterling was particularly nasty. I don’t want to get Kay in trouble or anything, but it’s been more than six years, so I hope he doesn’t mind me saying this . . . Sterling was so rude that Kay e-mailed me the next day to apologize for his partner. I’ve always considered him a mensch for doing that. He certainly didn’t have to.

Repoz Posted: October 22, 2007 at 12:14 PM | 1273 comment(s) Login to Bookmark
Tags: community

Reader Comments and Retorts

Go to end of page

Statements posted here are those of our readers and do not represent the BaseballThinkFactory. Names are provided by the poster and are not verified. We ask that posters follow our submission policy. Please report any inappropriate comments.

Page 1 of 13 pages 1 2 3 > Last ›

1. Dag Nabbit: Sockless Psychopath Posted: October 22, 2007 at 12:36 PM (#2588542)

It wasn’t actually flannel. It was just your basic cotton, with a flannel sort of look.

Disappointing, innit? It's like finding out that D. B. Cooper is just a mild mannered dental assistant living in Ottumwa, Iowa.

2. Slinger Francisco Barrios (Dr. Memory) Posted: October 22, 2007 at 12:40 PM (#2588544)

It wasn’t actually flannel. It was just your basic cotton, with a flannel sort of look.

If it looks like a duck, and it's cottony soft like a duck...it's flannel.

3. Slinger Francisco Barrios (Dr. Memory) Posted: October 22, 2007 at 12:49 PM (#2588546)

And "Rocky" is overrated? Sir, "Rocky" is on the short list of the greatest movies ever made. A low as Sylvester Stallone gets in his post-"Rocky" career, "Rocky" will get him a pass from me.

I'll give him the others, although "Ordinary People" <u>was</U> pretty good; Mary Tyler Moore was fabulously OTT as an emotionally frigid North Shore hausfrau.

4. Van Lingle Mungo Jerry Posted: October 22, 2007 at 12:52 PM (#2588550)

"Ordinary People" and Robert Redford will eternally get minus-20 points in my book for taking Best Picture and Best Director Oscars away from "Raging Bull" and Martin Scorsese.

5. Shooty would run in but these bone spurs hurt!

Posted: October 22, 2007 at 12:56 PM (#2588552)

"Ordinary People" and Robert Redford will eternally get minus-20 points in my book for taking Best Picture and Best Director Oscars away from "Raging Bull" and Martin Scorsese.

No way, man. Not getting the Oscar is a blessing. If I like a movie, and it wins an Oscar, I start to wonder what's wrong with me. Thankfully, it rarely happens. The Oscars were created to trumpet mediocrity.

6. Misirlou cut his hair and moved to Rome Posted: October 22, 2007 at 01:02 PM (#2588555)

The angriest feedback probably came after a column I wrote about Derek Jeter’s defense, I believe in 2001

I remember that sh1tstorm on the message board well. Another one just as bad or worse came on the heels of a column in which he mentioned that the mets weren't as good as their record. Probably during the 2000 playoffs, when the WC and pennant winning Mets outperformed their pythag by 6 wins.

7. Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Griffin (Vlad) Posted: October 22, 2007 at 01:13 PM (#2588563)

"But apparently somebody in the media picked up on the column (which, by the way, was loaded with facts). I believe Suzyn Waldman mentioned it..."

I believe that this is the first time the phrases "Suzyn Waldman" and "loaded with facts" have appeared so close together. Well done!

8. Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Griffin (Vlad) Posted: October 22, 2007 at 01:16 PM (#2588564)

"Honestly, though, I really don’t care whether any of it survives."

This is sad to me. I really enjoyed reading those columns.

Resist the temptation to pitch it out, Rob. If nothing else, I bet the HOF library would be interested.

9. 1k5v3L

Posted: October 22, 2007 at 01:22 PM (#2588568)

I don't believe "Suzyn Waldman" and "mention" go well together. Maybe "Suzyn Waldman" and "whinny"? "Suzyn Waldman" and "mewl"? "Suzyn Waldman" and "wail"?

10. Dag Nabbit: Sockless Psychopath Posted: October 22, 2007 at 01:22 PM (#2588569)

The full interview was almost 6,000 words long. I had to edit because, well, it was almost 6,000 words long. From the cutting room floor . .

Favorite band: Wilco

Least favorite stadium: Veterans Stadium. Favorite are old'uns Tiger, Fenway & Wrigley.

His best friend is fellow ex-James intern Jim Baker.

He doesn't get writer's block.

Frequently checked baseball websites: "Baseball Prospectus, Baseball Analysts, Hardball Times, ShysterBall, and (of course) Baseball Think Factory every day during the season."

Other stuff, but I have to go.

11. 185/456(GGC) Posted: October 22, 2007 at 01:38 PM (#2588585)

He doesn't get writer's block.

I have permanent writer's block. Springsteen produces stuff faster than I do.

12. Mike Emeigh

Posted: October 22, 2007 at 01:44 PM (#2588592)

I have permanent writer's block. Springsteen produces stuff faster than I do.

But you both write faster than I do, lately.

-- MWE

13. Sam M. Posted: October 22, 2007 at 01:45 PM (#2588594)

I'm among the relative minority who actually prefers Ordinary People to Raging Bull. I think it actually tells a quieter story just as well, which is really quite hard to do. As far as Redford is concerned, think about this: he brought out heartbreaking, interesting performances from every member of his case -- NONE of whom ever gave as good a performance again. Not Sutherland, not MTM, not Timothy Hutton, not Judd Hirsch.

Ordinary People is no mediocrity. Oscars often go to pictures that are, don't get me wrong. But that one, that's the real deal.

14. RoyalsRetro (AG#1F) Posted: October 22, 2007 at 01:46 PM (#2588595)

Interesting interview. Its interesting that although he's originally from Minnesota, he did adopt the Royals when he moved, but he kept his fandom to the Vikings. The decisions we make as children. You would have suffered much less anguish had you adopted the Twins!

15. The Original SJ Posted: October 22, 2007 at 01:52 PM (#2588602)

I really like Ordinary People, and MTM was just fantastic.

16. Craig Calcaterra Posted: October 22, 2007 at 01:52 PM (#2588603)

No comments yet on his Pam Dawber crush? I would have guessed that Rob would be more of an Erin Gray or Valerie Bertinelli man.

17. 185/456(GGC) Posted: October 22, 2007 at 02:04 PM (#2588611)

I was a Dani Minnick and Cheryl Gormley man growing up. Dawber was kind of cute; I suppose.

18. schuey Posted: October 22, 2007 at 02:10 PM (#2588616)

Never saw "Ordinary People' (I thought MTM's smile look like a piano and Ted Baxter was the only good thing about the MTM show). "Raging Bull" is okay if you like four-letter words and mediocre black and white photography that is meant to look "artistic" but looks like #### to anyone willing to speak out against stupidity. But the movie did get a 53 year old Vikki LaMotta to pose for "Playboy". Wow!!! She should have played Stiffler's mom.

19. The Original SJ Posted: October 22, 2007 at 02:15 PM (#2588621)

The Mary Tyler Moore of Ordinary People is unrelated to the MTM of the Mary Tyler Moore Show.

20. Gromit Posted: October 22, 2007 at 02:16 PM (#2588622)

Mmmmm....Erin Gray. That's a -good- memory.

21. bob gee Posted: October 22, 2007 at 02:22 PM (#2588628)

nice of michael kay to send that email...seriously.

22. John (You Can Call Me Grandma) Murphy Posted: October 22, 2007 at 02:22 PM (#2588629)

Mmmmm....Erin Gray. That's a -good- memory.

I liked her much better as a brunette. Still, as hot as she was, Lynda Carter was even more so.

23. Yeaarrgghhhh Posted: October 22, 2007 at 02:26 PM (#2588638)

I second #20. Also, Lynda Carter.

24. Yeaarrgghhhh Posted: October 22, 2007 at 02:28 PM (#2588646)

MTM was also good in "Flirting With Disaster."

25. RoyalsRetro (AG#1F) Posted: October 22, 2007 at 02:30 PM (#2588648)

I think I'm a generation younger than the Erin Grey/Lynda Carter generation, although I hear them mentioned quite a bit.

Not sure who fits that mold for my generation. Judith Light? That seems lame. I did have a thing for Emma Samms for a bit.

26. 185/456(GGC) Posted: October 22, 2007 at 02:32 PM (#2588650)

Primer seems to like the brunettes. It's cliched, but I liked some of the blondes those days: Farrah Fawcett, Cheryl Tiegs, and Cheryl Ladd. Then there was Bo Derek in cornrows.

27. BDC

Posted: October 22, 2007 at 02:33 PM (#2588653)

Ordinary People and Raging Bull are name-brand entertainments, but they both leave me pretty cold. The best of the Oscar contenders from that year IMO is The Stunt Man, which is a much less even film but has some terrific performances of its own, Peter O'Toole and Barbara Hershey in particular.

28. Shooty would run in but these bone spurs hurt!

Posted: October 22, 2007 at 02:34 PM (#2588654)

Jacklyn Smith. That is all.

29. Vrhovnik Posted: October 22, 2007 at 02:41 PM (#2588664)

Jacklyn Smith. That is all.

Not quite. Diana Rigg as Emma Peel.

30. John (You Can Call Me Grandma) Murphy Posted: October 22, 2007 at 02:43 PM (#2588666)

Not quite. Diana Rigg as Emma Peel.

And in leather. Of course, she's older than my mother...

31. Slinger Francisco Barrios (Dr. Memory) Posted: October 22, 2007 at 02:43 PM (#2588667)

The Mary Tyler Moore of Ordinary People is unrelated to the MTM of the Mary Tyler Moore Show.

Acting's acting, and she did what she had to do in both (and in "The Dick Van Dyke Show").

She was also good in "Thoroughly Modern Millie", although that was somewhat less demanding.

32. Shooty would run in but these bone spurs hurt!

Posted: October 22, 2007 at 02:44 PM (#2588668)

Not quite. Diana Rigg as Emma Peel.

Before my time, sadly, though a quick trip to IMDB allows me to concede the point.

33. Mr. Hotfoot Jackson (gef, talking mongoose) Posted: October 22, 2007 at 02:48 PM (#2588671)

Ordinary People is no mediocrity. Oscars often go to pictures that are, don't get me wrong. But that one, that's the real deal.

Fine movie. I remember seeing it as a double bill with The Elephant Man.

More than 26 years later, I'm still depressed. A double bill I saw the following decade, Seven & 12 Monkeys, was a Three Stooges mini-festival in comparison.

34. Sam M. Posted: October 22, 2007 at 02:57 PM (#2588686)

A double bill I saw the following decade, Seven & 12 Monkeys, was a Three Stooges mini-festival in comparison.

Brad Pitt in 12 Monkeys may have been the single most over-the-top, out of control performance ever filmed. Every time I see that movie I change my mind about what he did; I can't decide if I absolutely love it or detest it. Either way, it's beyond beyond.

35. WSPanic Posted: October 22, 2007 at 02:58 PM (#2588687)

NONE of whom ever gave as good a performance again. Not Sutherland, not MTM, not Timothy Hutton, not Judd Hirsch.

What? Like Turk 182 never happened?

36. CFiJ Posted: October 22, 2007 at 02:59 PM (#2588689)

Lessee... Pam Dawber, Valerie Bertinelli, Lynda Carter, Heather Locklear (T.J. Hooker), Heather Thomas (Fall Guy), Catherine Bach, and Julie Newmar (Batman) were all pre-pubescent crushes, some of course through reruns on syndication through the eighties.

Adolescent, first-run youthful crushes would have to be Dana Delaney and Gates McFadden.

37. The Original SJ Posted: October 22, 2007 at 03:00 PM (#2588691)

I am a generation younger than Rob, but Malarie Keaton will always be my #1 youthful crush.

38. Lassus Posted: October 22, 2007 at 03:11 PM (#2588697)

Alex Gordon - I will 2nd, 3rd, and 4th your Emma Samms thing. No doubt.

Actually, I had a thing for a lot of those General Hospital women.

39. Slinger Francisco Barrios (Dr. Memory) Posted: October 22, 2007 at 03:16 PM (#2588703)

Brad Pitt in 12 Monkeys may have been the single most over-the-top, out of control performance ever filmed. Every time I see that movie I change my mind about what he did; I can't decide if I absolutely love it or detest it. Either way, it's beyond beyond.

That part of the script was regrettable, and in fact the movie didn't work without it. So Pitt was forced into the decisions he made (or were chosen for him by Gilliam and the editor, more likely). Fortunately Madeline Stowe was on hand to almost single-handedly save the film from the mockery it could've been.

40. schuey Posted: October 22, 2007 at 03:16 PM (#2588704)

I know MTM is different from Ordinary People. It's just everytime I see MTM's face I remember that line a friend's father said about her. Like hearing the "william Tell Overture" and saying "hiho, silver, away".

41. Lassus Posted: October 22, 2007 at 03:20 PM (#2588711)

I want Rob to see where his thread has gone. ;-)

I'm also kind of surprised by the consistent 12 Monkeys dismissal. I mean, sure, it was no Time Bandits, but I thought it was a way better film than it's getting credit for here. Visuals, script, and Willis was excellent as a tortured soul and was rather nuanced for a sci-fi film.

42. Craig Calcaterra Posted: October 22, 2007 at 03:22 PM (#2588713)

I want Rob to see where his thread has gone. ;-)

Hey, there's no baseball for more than two days (we'll have gone a week with only two games!), so it's expected that guys are going to sit around and talk about late 1970s hotties.

Ok, maybe just us guys, but my point stands.

43. Edmundo got dem ol' Kozma blues again mama

Posted: October 22, 2007 at 03:25 PM (#2588720)

Hmmm, Emma Peel -- first big-time adolescent crush. There was Julie Newmar in My Living Doll and Batman. Then came Raquel Welch in those cave-lady clothes...

44. RoyalsRetro (AG#1F) Posted: October 22, 2007 at 03:27 PM (#2588724)

Oh how about Lacey Underall from "Caddyshack"? She was an uberbabe there for awhile.

45. Yeaarrgghhhh Posted: October 22, 2007 at 03:30 PM (#2588735)

I liked "12 Monkeys." Very underrated IMO. And Pitt was over the top but very good.

Other adolescent/early teen crushes: Olivia D'Abo in "The Wonder Years," the redhead on "Head of the Class," and, of course, Alyssa Milano.

46. 185/456(GGC) Posted: October 22, 2007 at 03:33 PM (#2588741)

How many of your pieces for ESPN.com are available in its archives?

It looks like the archives go back to the beginning of 2000, which actually surprises me; I didn’t think that much was available. Everything before that, I think, exists in only one place: on paper in a few loose-leaf binders in my office.

Does archive.org have this stuff?

47. Sam M. Posted: October 22, 2007 at 04:06 PM (#2588788)

I'm also kind of surprised by the consistent 12 Monkeys dismissal. I mean, sure, it was no Time Bandits, but I thought it was a way better film than it's getting credit for here. Visuals, script, and Willis was excellent as a tortured soul and was rather nuanced for a sci-fi film.

I liked it a lot too, actually -- it's just Pitt's performance that I keep going back and forth on. And to respond to Dr. Memory (# 39), I know the script/story called him to be loopy, but I don't know that it couldn't have been dialed back to a 10. This wasn't Spinal Tap, after all.

48. Dag Nabbit: Sockless Psychopath Posted: October 22, 2007 at 04:07 PM (#2588791)

Agree that Ordinary People is underrated. It has one of the most well-earned "I love you"s in movie history. Raging Bull is overrated. Still, Raging Bull was better.

I thought 12 Monkeys was fantastic. Pitt was over the top but that didn't bug me. I always thought Gary Sinise's performance in Forrest Gump was the most absurdly over the top performance on my lifetime. The combined sum of Al Pacino's last 32 years of work isn't as overblown as Sinise's post-Vietnam scenes. It's easily the worst performance by an allegedly talented actor I've ever had the misfortune to watch.

Switching topics, for me, it was whichever Bach was on Dukes of Hazard and reruns of Lynda Carter and Julie Newmar.

49. and Posted: October 22, 2007 at 04:16 PM (#2588807)

Adolescent, first-run youthful crushes would have to be Dana Delaney and Gates McFadden.

I have to ask: who is your doctor? I sense trouble.

50. Lassus Posted: October 22, 2007 at 04:19 PM (#2588813)

Gary Sinese's performance in Forrest Gump was right in line with everyone else in the film. That piece of crap movie takes scenery-chewing to another level entirely, across the board, and not in the fun way.

51. Yeaarrgghhhh Posted: October 22, 2007 at 04:19 PM (#2588814)

I thought 12 Monkeys was fantastic. Pitt was over the top but that didn't bug me. I always thought Gary Sinise's performance in Forrest Gump was the most absurdly over the top performance on my lifetime. The combined sum of Al Pacino's last 32 years of work isn't as overblown as Sinise's post-Vietnam scenes. It's easily the worst performance by an allegedly talented actor I've ever had the misfortune to watch.

Couldn't agree more. THat movie generally bugged me, but Sinise in particular was terrible. I also found him annoying in "Apollo 13."

52. My name is Votto, and I love to get Moppo Posted: October 22, 2007 at 04:21 PM (#2588816)

Suzanne Somers

53. Sam M. Posted: October 22, 2007 at 04:24 PM (#2588821)

I also found [Sinise] annoying in "Apollo 13."

Now hold on there, partner. I love that movie, including Sinise. Has there ever been a better match between a story and a director's earnest style than that one? As for Sinise, remember, he was playing a frigging Apollo-era astronaut. That Sinise intensity swagger thing was exactly right for Ken Mattingly and for the situation. Hand, meet glove.

54. Lassus Posted: October 22, 2007 at 04:29 PM (#2588828)

OK, so I'm not entirely negative, scenery-chewing in the FUN way was Pacino as Satan in Devil's Advocate. (To be vaguley topical) AWFUL film, but Pacino doesn't just chew the scenery - he simply swallows it whole without even having to chew. Inspired.

55. More Dewey is Always Good Posted: October 22, 2007 at 04:30 PM (#2588830)

And to respond to Dr. Memory (# 39), I know the script/story called him to be loopy, but I don't know that it couldn't have been dialed back to a 10. This wasn't Spinal Tap, after all.

It was a Gilliam film, though. And as his character turned out to be a giant red herring, I didn't mind them going over the top with him.

I thought the movie was extremely well-done, although I love Gilliam movies (I even found something to like in The Brothers Grimm).

56. Edmundo got dem ol' Kozma blues again mama

Posted: October 22, 2007 at 04:31 PM (#2588832)

Pacino doesn't just chew the scenery - he simply swallows it whole without even having to chew

Sounds like one of those Chuck Norris quips

57. Shooty would run in but these bone spurs hurt!

Posted: October 22, 2007 at 04:35 PM (#2588840)

FWIW, since we're talking about ham acting, William Shatner's ham acting is always a pleasure to watch. Star Trek doesn't last a month without his over the top intensity.

58. schuey Posted: October 22, 2007 at 04:39 PM (#2588843)

Diana Rigg. Julie Newmar. Barbara Feldon. Saw Charlie' Angels briefly the other day and Jaclyn Smith was truly stunning 30 years ago.. I know this last one may sound totally off the wall but she is the only one I collected pictures of as a teen (may still have them in a Risk box)....Vanessa Redgrave

But if it is 1980s movies you want, they start (and end) with "This is Spinal Tap".

59. Fred Garvin is dead to Mug Posted: October 22, 2007 at 04:42 PM (#2588848)

Mary Tyler Moore was fabulously OTT as an emotionally frigid North Shore hausfrau.

OTT? I thought Mel had already died and figured that Dale was married.

60. Yeaarrgghhhh Posted: October 22, 2007 at 04:44 PM (#2588850)

Now hold on there, partner. I love that movie, including Sinise. Has there ever been a better match between a story and a director's earnest style than that one? As for Sinise, remember, he was playing a frigging Apollo-era astronaut. That Sinise intensity swagger thing was exactly right for Ken Mattingly and for the situation. Hand, meet glove.

I have to admit that I'm somewhat biased against "Apollo 13." "The Right Stuff" is my alltime favorite movie, and while I didn't dislike "Apollo 13," I also didn't think it deserves to mentioned in the same breath as TRS. And it bugged me to no end that "Apollo 13" seemed to get a lot more critical and commercial attention.

61. Repoz

Posted: October 22, 2007 at 04:45 PM (#2588851)

may still have them in a Risk box

I used to keep rubbers in one of those handy see-thru coffinesque dandies.

62. Sam M. Posted: October 22, 2007 at 04:48 PM (#2588855)

Do you know how much self-control it has taken to read all this stuff about everyone's first crushes AND keep silent with all this conversation about Brad Pitt at the same time? Man, I'm going to get some lunch before I explode.

63. CrosbyBird Posted: October 22, 2007 at 04:55 PM (#2588864)

I always thought Gary Sinise's performance in Forrest Gump was the most absurdly over the top performance on my lifetime. The combined sum of Al Pacino's last 32 years of work isn't as overblown as Sinise's post-Vietnam scenes. It's easily the worst performance by an allegedly talented actor I've ever had the misfortune to watch.

I agree that Sinese's performance (frankly, everyone's performance in that movie is a little over the top, IMO) was a little much.

The best thing I ever saw Sinese do was play the lead in One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest in the Roundabout Theater a few years ago. For about 10 minutes I felt he was no Jack Nicholson, and then for the rest of the performance I forget there was ever a Jack Nicholson playing the role.

64. John (You Can Call Me Grandma) Murphy Posted: October 22, 2007 at 04:59 PM (#2588870)

OK, so I'm not entirely negative, scenery-chewing in the FUN way was Pacino as Satan in Devil's Advocate.

Was Pacino in that film? Funny, but I just remember Charlize Theron and Connie Neilsen.

Sinise in his cameo in The Green Mile was awesome.

65. John (You Can Call Me Grandma) Murphy Posted: October 22, 2007 at 05:04 PM (#2588872)

FWIW, since we're talking about ham acting, William Shatner's ham acting is always a pleasure to watch. Star Trek doesn't last a month without his over the top intensity.

Shatner actually was rather reserved at the beginning of Star Trek. When the scripts became more outlandish, he went with the flow (and then some).

Remember, he was terrific in two well known

Twilight Zone

episodes, too.

Yes, I am trying to justify my vote for him as best actor ever 33 years ago. :-)

66. Shooty would run in but these bone spurs hurt!

Posted: October 22, 2007 at 05:04 PM (#2588873)

67. Craig in MN Posted: October 22, 2007 at 05:10 PM (#2588883)

No comments yet on his Pam Dawber crush?

My first reaction was picturing Pam Dawber blissfully making breakfast the next morning, wearing only Rob's rumpled flannel shirt. Sure, it's a cinematography cliche, but it fits the moment perfectly.

68. Craig Calcaterra Posted: October 22, 2007 at 05:15 PM (#2588888)

My first reaction was picturing Pam Dawber blissfully making breakfast the next morning, wearing only Rob's rumpled flannel shirt. Sure, it's a cinematography cliche, but it fits the moment perfectly.

Shazbot!

69. Shooty would run in but these bone spurs hurt!

Posted: October 22, 2007 at 05:16 PM (#2588890)

My first reaction was picturing Pam Dawber blissfully making breakfast the next morning, wearing only Rob's rumpled flannel shirt. Sure, it's a cinematography cliche, but it fits the moment perfectly.

Be careful. This is how you end up with an egg with Jonathan Winters inside.

70. Justin T's pasta pass was not revoked Posted: October 22, 2007 at 05:22 PM (#2588904)

Boy, this is an old people thread. I had to settle for going gaga about Christina Applegate in Married...With Children.

71. Dag Nabbit: Sockless Psychopath Posted: October 22, 2007 at 05:22 PM (#2588906)

The angriest feedback probably came after a column I wrote about Derek Jeter’s defense, I believe in 2001

I remember that sh1tstorm on the message board well. Another one just as bad or worse came on the heels of a column in which he mentioned that the mets weren't as good as their record. Probably during the 2000 playoffs, when the WC and pennant winning Mets outperformed their pythag by 6 wins.

Y'know, I asked that question expecting him to talk about the column he wrote after Willie Stargell died. Big market advantage, I suppose.

More cutting room floor stuff:

- He's seen games in 38 MLB ballparks.

- He didn't say how much ESPN pays, but that it's more than he ever expected to make doing this, yet not enough to buy a house in the good part of town.

- He got involved in the 2007 Prospectus book because Steve Goldman asked him. Simple as that.

- His TV guilty pleasure is Nigella Lawson.

- His favorite guy film is . . .Brokeback Mountain . . . .I think Neyer and I have different definitions of what constitutes a guy film.

- Favorite chick flick: Bound or Glengarry GlenRoss.

- He thinks dogs are perfect, but has respect for cats.

- He doesn't think self-tests like this one work.

72. Charlie O Posted: October 22, 2007 at 05:24 PM (#2588908)

I'll go along with the Diana Rigg crowd and let's not forget Colonel Klink's secretaries.

73. Sam M. Posted: October 22, 2007 at 05:26 PM (#2588913)

His favorite guy film is . . .Brokeback Mountain . . . .I think Neyer and I have different definitions of what constitutes a guy film.

I know guys. And I know guy films.

It's a film to watch the guys. It's a film to watch with guys. Guys who like guys like the guys in Brokeback Mountain.

Need I say more? Brokeback Mountain is a guy film.

74. Mike Emeigh

Posted: October 22, 2007 at 05:29 PM (#2588919)

A double bill I saw the following decade, Seven & 12 Monkeys, was a Three Stooges mini-festival in comparison.

Everyone's talking about 12 Monkeys, but no one's talking about Seven? I loved that movie (Seven, that is). It's one of the few Brad Pitt movies I was actually able to watch without gagging (it helped that he had Morgan Freeman and Gwyneth Paltrow to play off of).

-- MWE

75. Mister High Standards Posted: October 22, 2007 at 05:32 PM (#2588923)

i liked forest gump.

76. RoyalsRetro (AG#1F) Posted: October 22, 2007 at 05:34 PM (#2588926)

Glengarry Glen Ross is a chick flick?

And yes, Bound is a great chick flick in that it has hot lesbian scenes. I'd sit through any crappy Kate Hudson chick flick if it had Jennifer Tilly and Gina Gershon making out.

77. Jimmy P Posted: October 22, 2007 at 05:34 PM (#2588927)

I want Rob to see where his thread has gone. ;-)

I'm really surprised he hasn't made a comment. He's probably lurking and laughing at us all right now.

78. Craig Calcaterra Posted: October 22, 2007 at 05:35 PM (#2588929)

Y'know, I asked that question expecting him to talk about the column he wrote after Willie Stargell died. Big market advantage, I suppose.

Was that the one where he did the analysis of how many homers Stargell's home parks really robbed from his total? I remember people talking about that as being a "too soon" moment, but maybe I'm mixing it up with something else.

As for the Jeter column, it's probably useful to remember just how far we've come in the past six or seven years. Saying such things now is controversial enough, but saying it in 2001 was damn nigh heresy.

79. McCoy Posted: October 22, 2007 at 05:36 PM (#2588931)

The only double feature I ever saw had the Last Dragon playing followed by Rambo II. I never had a desire to see another double feature again.

My first crush was on Raquel Welch (Trouble in Paradise)followed shortly after by Madonna.

80. Guapo Posted: October 22, 2007 at 05:38 PM (#2588934)

His favorite guy film is . . .Brokeback Mountain . . . .

Rarely are flannel shirts depicted so sensitively in mainstream cinema.

81. Dag Nabbit: Sockless Psychopath Posted: October 22, 2007 at 05:38 PM (#2588935)

Se7en is better, Mike. Don't forget about Kevin Spacey while you're at it.

When I think guy films, I think of Nazis someone getting shot while caked in the not yet dried blood of Telly Salavas while he's running from the men and women he's about to explode with grenades, gas, and explosives. Ya, one guy dies in Brokeback and he was apparently murdered, but that's it.

82. Dag Nabbit: Sockless Psychopath Posted: October 22, 2007 at 05:39 PM (#2588938)

If primeys still exist, I'm nominated #80.

83. Dag Nabbit: Sockless Psychopath Posted: October 22, 2007 at 05:40 PM (#2588941)

i liked forest gump.

Get a new username, Mr. Middling Standards.

84. The Artist Posted: October 22, 2007 at 05:40 PM (#2588942)

Everyone's talking about 12 Monkeys, but no one's talking about Seven? I loved that movie (Seven, that is). It's one of the few Brad Pitt movies I was actually able to watch without gagging (it helped that he had Morgan Freeman and Gwyneth Paltrow to play off of).

Big fan - Seven's ending just killed me, as movies go.

85. Lassus Posted: October 22, 2007 at 05:40 PM (#2588943)

whoa, Whoa, WHOA put down the pint glass of Haterade on Last Dragon. That one's a classic.

86. Robert in Manhattan Beach Posted: October 22, 2007 at 05:44 PM (#2588950)

Man, I'm going to get some lunch before I explode.

This is way too much information.

I am a generation younger than Rob, but Malarie Keaton will always be my #1 youthful crush.

Mallory was ok, I was more of a Carol Seaver type.

87. Chris Needham Posted: October 22, 2007 at 05:47 PM (#2588957)

Was that the one where he did the analysis of how many homers Stargell's home parks really robbed from his total? I remember people talking about that as being a "too soon" moment, but maybe I'm mixing it up with something else.

I think that was part of it. The part I remember was him poo-pooing Stargell's leadership ability because he never did anything about the drug problems in the clubhouse. I'm not sure it was a criticism, per se, but given how this thing went to "press" hours after the guy did, it did come across as mean-spirited.

88. Van Lingle Mungo Jerry Posted: October 22, 2007 at 05:49 PM (#2588964)

As-yet-unmentioned over-the-top, scenery-chewing performance: Nicolas Cage in "Vampire's Kiss". You will never be able to convince me that a sentient human being was sitting in the director's chair while that movie was being filmed (or edited).

As-yet-unmentioned 70's vintage, major-crush material: Jenny Agutter. I will brook no argument about this.

89. John (You Can Call Me Grandma) Murphy Posted: October 22, 2007 at 05:50 PM (#2588965)

I was more of a Carol Seaver type.

I liked Joanna Kerns even better.

90. John (You Can Call Me Grandma) Murphy Posted: October 22, 2007 at 05:52 PM (#2588966)

As-yet-unmentioned 70's vintage, major-crush material: Jenny Agutter. I will brook no argument about this.

She was pretty hot in Logan's Run and An American Werewolf in London.

91. RoyalsRetro (AG#1F) Posted: October 22, 2007 at 05:55 PM (#2588971)

I am a generation younger than Rob, but Malarie Keaton will always be my #1 youthful crush.

She wasn't even the hottest Keaton. Elise was a MILF before I even knew what a MILF was.

92. Van Lingle Mungo Jerry Posted: October 22, 2007 at 05:56 PM (#2588975)

She was pretty hot in Logan's Run and An American Werewolf in London.

The Eagle Has Landed too.

93. Der Komminsk-sar Posted: October 22, 2007 at 05:56 PM (#2588976)

Well, yeah, Seven is an excellent movie - I imagined that went without saying.
I liked 12 Monkeys as well. JRE sums up my position well.
Glengarry GlenRoss is a chick flick?

94. Van Lingle Mungo Jerry Posted: October 22, 2007 at 05:57 PM (#2588978)

She wasn't even the hottest Keaton.

No love for Tina Yothers?

95. Steve Treder Posted: October 22, 2007 at 05:58 PM (#2588980)

Glengarry GlenRoss is a chick flick?

96. PreservedFish Posted: October 22, 2007 at 05:58 PM (#2588981)

Glengarry Glen Ross must have been a joke. Does it have a single female in it?

97. Pops Freshenmeyer Posted: October 22, 2007 at 05:59 PM (#2588983)

Glengarry GlenRoss is a chick flick?

Jack Lemmon's smoldering good looks + Alan Arkin's suave charisma = chick flick

98. Mister High Standards Posted: October 22, 2007 at 06:01 PM (#2588987)

Get a new username, Mr. Middling Standards.

It was very very funny. More laugh out loud moments than nearly any movie during the 90's.

99. PreservedFish Posted: October 22, 2007 at 06:01 PM (#2588988)

Maybe Neyer got the Brokedown/Glengarry confused.

100. Shooty would run in but these bone spurs hurt!

Posted: October 22, 2007 at 06:02 PM (#2588991)

Glengarry Glen Ross must have been a joke. Does it have a single female in it?

I think something got reveresd in the interview. Glengary Glen Ross is clearly a guy film and Brokeback Mountain is a chick flick. It's a lot funnier transposed like it is now, though.

Page 1 of 13 pages 1 2 3 > Last ›

You must be Registered and Logged In to post comments.

<< Back to main

Monday, October 22, 2007

THT: Jaffe: Rob Neyer Interview

Reader Comments and Retorts

BBTF Partner

Support BBTF

Hot Topics