Darling and Hernandez

ESPN's Jeff Pearlman rightfully lauds Ron Darling and Keith Hernandez's work in the Mets' broadcast booth:

. . . Darling is part of what has to be considered major league baseball's top three-man broadcast team, along with play-by-play announcer Gary Cohen and analyst Keith Hernandez. The SNY trio is funny, insightful, and -- most importantly -- brutally honest. When the Mets blew yet another pennant race game to the Washington Nationals Tuesday night, Hernandez trashed stars Carlos Delgado and Jose Reyes, holding little back as their defensive gaffes helped New York lose yet another critical contest. Darling willingly chimed in that pitcher Jorge Sosa was inexplicably, inexcusably out of position on a play. It's the sort of stuff fans need to hear . . .

We're certainly entering an age where the vast majority of ex-players -- not just the big names -- are set for life as a result of high salaries from their playing days. While this may cause many to avoid taking broadcasting, coaching, or managerial jobs because, hey, they don't have to, one hopes that it allows for some much-needed independence in those who do take those positions. Personally, I'd much rather hear Keith Hernandez (intelligently) criticize the failings of one of my team's players than listen to someone like Joe Simpson apologize for them for fear of offending team management.

I'm an adult. I can handle it. And it may actually teach me something about the game, too.