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CNN Saturday Morning News

Interview with Rob Becker, Steve Goldstien

Aired October 18, 2003 - 09:15   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


HEIDI COLLINS, CNN ANCHOR: We are just 12 hours away from the start of the 2003 World Series, and many of the players in tonight's game will have some special new equipment. The makers of the Louisville Sluggers have been working overtime to get their special World Series bats to New York in time for game one. Better get them there, huh?
So the Marlins and the Yankees meet for the first time ever in the post season, and both teams have history on their side. The Yankees have won the most World Series titles, 26, while the Marlins have never lost a postseason series.

For more on the series and the teams, we are joined now by a pair of guests. Rob Becker is a sports columnist and commentator in New York. Hello to you, Rob, thanks for being here.

ROB BECKER, NEW YORK SPORTS COLUMNIST AND COMMENTATOR: Hi, how are you?

COLLINS: Good. And Steve Goldstein is a Miami sports radio host. Steve, how are you?

STEVE GOLDSTEIN, WQAM FLORIDA SPORTS RADIO: Fine, Heidi. How are you this morning?

COLLINS: I'm good. I just want to make sure that you guys -- I'm glad that you can't really reach each other, because I don't want any fighting going on here.

But I do want to know, what do you think's going to happen here tonight, Rob?

BECKER: Yanks in -- well, Yanks in six. Tonight I think they win because they have the better pitcher. David Wells is reasonably well rested. He only had six pitches the other night in that big game. And he's a money pitcher who's pitched very well in the post season. Brad Penny has more of a sort of spotty record, so I just don't think it's realistic that he's going to beat Wells, I mean, although anything can happen in baseball.

COLLINS: Anything can happen in baseball, and boy, we have seen that in this series, haven't we, in these playoffs?

Steve, what do you think? Who's going to win tonight? GOLDSTEIN: Well, of course, it's going to be the Fish. You know, I have my Miami shirt on. We got the great beaches, the great weather. And now it's complete, because we have a great baseball team. Heidi, what people don't realize is, since May, the Marlins have been the best team in major league baseball. They weren't supposed to beat the Cubs, they weren't supposed to beat the Giants, now they're not supposed to beat the Yankees. Going to, they're going to take care of the evil empire.

And by the way, this morning, in New York, I want to say good morning to Dontrell Willis, Juan Pierre, and Pudge Rodriguez of the Marlins. They're big "CROSSFIRE" fans, so I know they're watching this morning. Go get 'em, guys.

COLLINS: Wow.

BECKER: Yes, listen, if the Marlins, if the Marlins are so good, how come it -- they needed seven games to beat the Cubs who really weren't that good to begin with.

COLLINS: Ah, yes.

BECKER: I mean, the Yankees took seven games to beat the Red Sox, but the Red Sox have power from the beginning of the lineup to the end. You cannot tell me...

GOLDSTEIN: Well, I would say...

BECKER: ... you can't tell me, Steve, that the Marlins pitchers are as good as the Yankee pitchers, and that's what wins ball games.

GOLDSTEIN: You know, the Yankees have a edge in the starting pitch. Marlins' bullpen is better. But hey, (UNINTELLIGIBLE) the Red Sox...

BECKER: (UNINTELLIGIBLE) Rivera, are you kidding?

(CROSSTALK)

GOLDSTEIN: The Cubs, the Cubs' pitching -- the Cubs' pitching...

BECKER: Certainly (UNINTELLIGIBLE).

GOLDSTEIN: ... is so much better than Boston's pitching. So now you're going to nitpick and say the Marlins didn't win soon enough? I mean, come on, they won two road games...

(CROSSTALK)

COLLINS: ... OK, OK, OK, gentlemen...

(CROSSTALK)

COLLINS: ... gentlemen. Excuse me. Let's pick a couple of questions maybe to one gentleman, and then we'll go to the other, so we're not all screaming and fighting at each other. How about that? Let me ask you, Rob, quickly, what was your reaction to Thursday night's game? I mean, were you surprised that the Yanks actually pulled this out?

BECKER: Well, I was definitely worried when they were down 4-0, but, you know, you have to remember what Derek Jeter said to Aaron Boone (ph) during the game, because Aaron was -- he was a little worried too, and Jeter came over to him and said, Don't worry, the ghost will arrive.

And that's exactly what happened. I mean, they just come together at the right time. They raised their game, and they come through. So I wasn't really surprised. I was just worried.

COLLINS: But I know that the key to their success, or, at least, I think I know, from what I saw, Mariano Rivera, what do you have to say about that?

BECKER: Well, he is the difference-maker. I mean, you're -- that's the key to their success. And no team, not the Marlins or anyone else, has a pitcher that can do what he does, and he also proved that he can do it for several innings. He's really his own setup man. He's imperturbable. And there's no one like him. And that's really the biggest reason the Yankees should win the series.

COLLINS: All right. Now, Rob -- or pardon me, Steve, let's go back to you. Tell us what, if you predicted that the actual -- that the Marlins would actually beat the Cubs. I mean, were you with this team all the way?

GOLDSTEIN: Well, I thought they'd win it before the series. But I'll be honest with you, when they fell behind three to one, I mean, only four teams in history had come back from that three-one down. And they're going to Wrigley Field to face two of the best pitchers in baseball in Carey Woods and Mark Pryor. So, you know, I thought maybe, but didn't have a ton of confidence. But, you know, this is a team of destiny, they've got the best speed in baseball, they have the best defense in baseball as well.

And, you know, the Marlins, they don't know they're not supposed to be here. These guys aren't nervous. Let me give you an example, Heidi. The Marlins' cleanup hitter tonight was 9 when Bill Clinton became president of the United States.

They have -- they don't know that this is a big stage and they're not supposed to beat the Yankees. They just go out and play and have fun, and they got a ton of heart and a ton of character.

COLLINS: Well, they're all definitely going to have to play hard.

Let me ask you both a quick question, I'll let you comment. Rob, you go ahead and go first. Do you think people care about this game? I mean, you have to admit, a lot of folks were really hoping for a Red Sox and Cubs series. I mean, in the end. GOLDSTEIN: Right. Look, I think you're right. I think there's going to be a letdown. I think the ratings are going to be hurt by the Marlins. No offense, it has nothing to do with how good the Marlins are. It's just the point is, there's not as many Marlins fans as there are Cubs fans in this country. And that would have been a much better story, the Cubs having failed for 95 years and the Yankees with 26 championships.

So people will care, but not as much. That's the unfortunate fact. And really Marlins, I have to say, deserve better than that, because I think they are better than the Cubs.

COLLINS: All right, Steve, tell us what you think. Do you think people care about this game?

GOLDSTEIN: Probably not.

COLLINS: I mean, this series?

GOLDSTEIN: But you know what? For everybody in Boston and Chicago, we're having a great time, and we wish you were here. Hey, they're probably watching MSNBC or something. They're a bunch of losers. They haven't won since 1908 and 1918, Heidi. Come on!

COLLINS: All right. And on that note, we thank you so much for being here, guys. And we do want you to come back next weekend. We'll talk to you again once this thing wraps up. Rob and Steve, Rob Becker from New York this morning, and Steve Goldstein, coming out of Florida. I really want you to work on your energy, Steve OK? Thanks again, guys.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com







Aired October 18, 2003 - 09:15   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
HEIDI COLLINS, CNN ANCHOR: We are just 12 hours away from the start of the 2003 World Series, and many of the players in tonight's game will have some special new equipment. The makers of the Louisville Sluggers have been working overtime to get their special World Series bats to New York in time for game one. Better get them there, huh?
So the Marlins and the Yankees meet for the first time ever in the post season, and both teams have history on their side. The Yankees have won the most World Series titles, 26, while the Marlins have never lost a postseason series.

For more on the series and the teams, we are joined now by a pair of guests. Rob Becker is a sports columnist and commentator in New York. Hello to you, Rob, thanks for being here.

ROB BECKER, NEW YORK SPORTS COLUMNIST AND COMMENTATOR: Hi, how are you?

COLLINS: Good. And Steve Goldstein is a Miami sports radio host. Steve, how are you?

STEVE GOLDSTEIN, WQAM FLORIDA SPORTS RADIO: Fine, Heidi. How are you this morning?

COLLINS: I'm good. I just want to make sure that you guys -- I'm glad that you can't really reach each other, because I don't want any fighting going on here.

But I do want to know, what do you think's going to happen here tonight, Rob?

BECKER: Yanks in -- well, Yanks in six. Tonight I think they win because they have the better pitcher. David Wells is reasonably well rested. He only had six pitches the other night in that big game. And he's a money pitcher who's pitched very well in the post season. Brad Penny has more of a sort of spotty record, so I just don't think it's realistic that he's going to beat Wells, I mean, although anything can happen in baseball.

COLLINS: Anything can happen in baseball, and boy, we have seen that in this series, haven't we, in these playoffs?

Steve, what do you think? Who's going to win tonight? GOLDSTEIN: Well, of course, it's going to be the Fish. You know, I have my Miami shirt on. We got the great beaches, the great weather. And now it's complete, because we have a great baseball team. Heidi, what people don't realize is, since May, the Marlins have been the best team in major league baseball. They weren't supposed to beat the Cubs, they weren't supposed to beat the Giants, now they're not supposed to beat the Yankees. Going to, they're going to take care of the evil empire.

And by the way, this morning, in New York, I want to say good morning to Dontrell Willis, Juan Pierre, and Pudge Rodriguez of the Marlins. They're big "CROSSFIRE" fans, so I know they're watching this morning. Go get 'em, guys.

COLLINS: Wow.

BECKER: Yes, listen, if the Marlins, if the Marlins are so good, how come it -- they needed seven games to beat the Cubs who really weren't that good to begin with.

COLLINS: Ah, yes.

BECKER: I mean, the Yankees took seven games to beat the Red Sox, but the Red Sox have power from the beginning of the lineup to the end. You cannot tell me...

GOLDSTEIN: Well, I would say...

BECKER: ... you can't tell me, Steve, that the Marlins pitchers are as good as the Yankee pitchers, and that's what wins ball games.

GOLDSTEIN: You know, the Yankees have a edge in the starting pitch. Marlins' bullpen is better. But hey, (UNINTELLIGIBLE) the Red Sox...

BECKER: (UNINTELLIGIBLE) Rivera, are you kidding?

(CROSSTALK)

GOLDSTEIN: The Cubs, the Cubs' pitching -- the Cubs' pitching...

BECKER: Certainly (UNINTELLIGIBLE).

GOLDSTEIN: ... is so much better than Boston's pitching. So now you're going to nitpick and say the Marlins didn't win soon enough? I mean, come on, they won two road games...

(CROSSTALK)

COLLINS: ... OK, OK, OK, gentlemen...

(CROSSTALK)

COLLINS: ... gentlemen. Excuse me. Let's pick a couple of questions maybe to one gentleman, and then we'll go to the other, so we're not all screaming and fighting at each other. How about that? Let me ask you, Rob, quickly, what was your reaction to Thursday night's game? I mean, were you surprised that the Yanks actually pulled this out?

BECKER: Well, I was definitely worried when they were down 4-0, but, you know, you have to remember what Derek Jeter said to Aaron Boone (ph) during the game, because Aaron was -- he was a little worried too, and Jeter came over to him and said, Don't worry, the ghost will arrive.

And that's exactly what happened. I mean, they just come together at the right time. They raised their game, and they come through. So I wasn't really surprised. I was just worried.

COLLINS: But I know that the key to their success, or, at least, I think I know, from what I saw, Mariano Rivera, what do you have to say about that?

BECKER: Well, he is the difference-maker. I mean, you're -- that's the key to their success. And no team, not the Marlins or anyone else, has a pitcher that can do what he does, and he also proved that he can do it for several innings. He's really his own setup man. He's imperturbable. And there's no one like him. And that's really the biggest reason the Yankees should win the series.

COLLINS: All right. Now, Rob -- or pardon me, Steve, let's go back to you. Tell us what, if you predicted that the actual -- that the Marlins would actually beat the Cubs. I mean, were you with this team all the way?

GOLDSTEIN: Well, I thought they'd win it before the series. But I'll be honest with you, when they fell behind three to one, I mean, only four teams in history had come back from that three-one down. And they're going to Wrigley Field to face two of the best pitchers in baseball in Carey Woods and Mark Pryor. So, you know, I thought maybe, but didn't have a ton of confidence. But, you know, this is a team of destiny, they've got the best speed in baseball, they have the best defense in baseball as well.

And, you know, the Marlins, they don't know they're not supposed to be here. These guys aren't nervous. Let me give you an example, Heidi. The Marlins' cleanup hitter tonight was 9 when Bill Clinton became president of the United States.

They have -- they don't know that this is a big stage and they're not supposed to beat the Yankees. They just go out and play and have fun, and they got a ton of heart and a ton of character.

COLLINS: Well, they're all definitely going to have to play hard.

Let me ask you both a quick question, I'll let you comment. Rob, you go ahead and go first. Do you think people care about this game? I mean, you have to admit, a lot of folks were really hoping for a Red Sox and Cubs series. I mean, in the end. GOLDSTEIN: Right. Look, I think you're right. I think there's going to be a letdown. I think the ratings are going to be hurt by the Marlins. No offense, it has nothing to do with how good the Marlins are. It's just the point is, there's not as many Marlins fans as there are Cubs fans in this country. And that would have been a much better story, the Cubs having failed for 95 years and the Yankees with 26 championships.

So people will care, but not as much. That's the unfortunate fact. And really Marlins, I have to say, deserve better than that, because I think they are better than the Cubs.

COLLINS: All right, Steve, tell us what you think. Do you think people care about this game?

GOLDSTEIN: Probably not.

COLLINS: I mean, this series?

GOLDSTEIN: But you know what? For everybody in Boston and Chicago, we're having a great time, and we wish you were here. Hey, they're probably watching MSNBC or something. They're a bunch of losers. They haven't won since 1908 and 1918, Heidi. Come on!

COLLINS: All right. And on that note, we thank you so much for being here, guys. And we do want you to come back next weekend. We'll talk to you again once this thing wraps up. Rob and Steve, Rob Becker from New York this morning, and Steve Goldstein, coming out of Florida. I really want you to work on your energy, Steve OK? Thanks again, guys.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com