The Unit already cracking under the NY media

[Arles]

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=1963886

NEW YORK -- The Big Unit had a little confrontation on the way to his Yankees physical.

Randy Johnson put his long right arm up to block a camera from WCBS-TV on Monday after he left his Manhattan hotel. It was unclear from the video whether Johnson, who was accompanied by Yankees director of team security Jerry Laveroni, made contact with the camera.

"Get out of my face, that's all I ask," Johnson said, according to a video of what occurred, which was posted on the station's Web site.

"No cameras," Laveroni said.

"Don't get in my face," Johnson then said. "I don't care who you are. Don't get in my face."

"I'm just taking a picture," said the cameraman, identified by the station as Vinny Everett.

Responded Johnson: "Don't get in my face, and don't talk back to me, all right."

Johnson issued a statement through agent Alan Nero that was distributed by the Yankees.

"Regarding the unfortunate incident that happened this morning as I was on my way to take a physical, I hope that everyone will understand that the past few days have been a bit overwhelming and I wish I had handled the situation differently," Johnson said. "I am very sorry it happened."
New York better get used to this. While Johnson is certainly an elite talent, he's a bit of a sourpuss to the media. The Phoenix media never really pushed him on that but I doubt the NY crew will be that accomodating ;)

[Farrah Whitworth-Rahn]

Bye bye Randy! Have a nice time in New York. We'll sure miss you here.

Hugs and Kisses,
Farrah the DBacks fan

[SirFozzie]

Come on, Arlie and Farrah, it could be FUN to see if Mr. Johnson goes apeshit the first time he bombs (Ie, lets up more then two runs in six innings) in consecutive starts and the NY Media starts smacking him around.

It could be Mike Tyson level entertainment.

Just get the popcorn, and don't get too close..

[Farrah Whitworth-Rahn]

Come on, Arlie and Farrah, it could be FUN to see if Mr. Johnson goes apeshit the first time he bombs (Ie, lets up more then two runs in six innings) in consecutive starts and the NY Media starts smacking him around.

It could be Mike Tyson level entertainment.

Just get the popcorn, and don't get too close..

Actually I'm looking forward to a Schilling vs. Johnson game. That will be some great entertainment.

[Fonzie]

Mr. Johnson has provided us with yet another affirmation of that old axiom: be careful what you wish for.

[SirFozzie]

http://cbsnewyork.com/topstories/topstoriesny_story_010111516.html - Video of the confrontation

[SirFozzie]

Interesting, Johnson apparently SHOVED the cameraman!

Added to the original story:

WCBS-TV spokeswoman Audrey Pass said the station planned to issue a statement later in the day.

When Randy Johnson came to New York on Monday to get a physical, this likely isn't what he had in mind.

When a local television station approached Johnson and Yankee director of team security Jerry Laveroni on the way to the doctor's office, Johnson reached out to block the lens, according to WCBS-New York.

"C'mon man, I'm just taking a picture," the cameraman pleaded as the security guard attempted to intervene. "No pictures," he warned him.

As the tape continued to roll, Johnson became more agitated. He appeared to shove the cameraman while brushing past him and grumbling "Get out my face!"

"Don't get in my face, and don't talk back to me!" Johnson scolded as he continued to try to block the lens.

Laveroni put his hand on our camera, and swiped it away. He and Johnson then both yelled at Everett, saying, "Don't get in my face.....don't talk back to me!

[WSUCougar]

...and...and...then he SCOWLED at me! Boo-hoo-hoo!

Hey man, I dunno about youse guys, but when a 6'10" due wearing a bitchin' mullet tells me to get out of his face, I listen.

[SirFozzie]

WSUCougar, I'm sure that every media/papparazi DREAMS of such a situation. gravy train for life. Sue for millions, plus you'd get so much notoreity (and in New York, there would be no such thing as bad press)

[Fonzie]

...and...and...then he SCOWLED at me! Boo-hoo-hoo!

Hey man, I dunno about youse guys, but when a 6'10" due wearing a bitchin' mullet tells me to get out of his face, I listen.

I dunno - anytime a multimillionaire tries to beat me up, I'll let 'em start something.

Settlement City, baby!

[WSUCougar]

Get outta my FACE!

http://www.juneauempire.com/Images/042298/unit.jpg

[Fonzie]

Get outta my FACE!

http://www.juneauempire.com/Images/042298/unit.jpg

That *is* a face I'd rather avoid altogether, if you take a settlement out of the equation.

Damn he's ugly.

[Farrah Whitworth-Rahn]

Get outta my FACE!

http://www.juneauempire.com/Images/042298/unit.jpg

I'd hit it.

[Fidatelo]

I saw the video, did he cut his hair and shave? I would never have recognized him in the first place, good thing I'm not a newshawk

[SirFozzie]

he would have to to comply with Yankee rules (no beards or long hair)

[Fonzie]

he would have to to comply with Yankee rules (no beards or long hair)

I'm pretty sure he cut his hair last year. I don't recall about the facial hair, though.

[Samdari]

"Don't talk back to me?"

Is the camera man his son? WTF is that? That is perhaps a more arrogant statement than Randy Moss has ever uttered. Randy - people can say what they want to you. You don't get to issue orders to the press, and then tell them not to talk back when they don't want to follow them.

And, if you are a public figure ($16 mil a year pitcher for the Yanks qualifies you as such) who goes out in public, the paper has a right to take your picture and publish it. You wanted to be in NY, well guess what - it is now going to happen EVERY time you leave your house.

[WSUCougar]

I'd hit it.
The worm has turned.

[KWhit]

"Don't talk back to me?"

Is the camera man his son? WTF is that? That is perhaps a more arrogant statement than Randy Moss has ever uttered. Randy - people can say what they want to you. You don't get to issue orders to the press, and then tell them not to talk back when they don't want to follow them.

And, if you are a public figure ($16 mil a year pitcher for the Yanks qualifies you as such) who goes out in public, the paper has a right to take your picture and publish it. You wanted to be in NY, well guess what - it is now going to happen EVERY time you leave your house.
Yeah, that "Don't talk back to me" quote got under my skin, too.

[Subby]

BREAKING NEWS!!!

THIS JUST IN...Randy Johnson is a dick.

[CHEMICAL SOLDIER]

Bah!

[SirFozzie]

Anyone want to crossbreed Randy Johnson and Peter Angelos? :D

[Fonzie]

Anyone want to crossbreed Randy Johnson and Peter Angelos? :D

Crossbreeding their names would give you a great pornstar moniker: Peter Johnson. :)

[SirFozzie]

Love the Daily Quickie's take on Randygate

http://espn.go.com/i/page2/photos/050111_quickie.jpg

[SnowMan]

Maybe the next time the reporters will see Mr. Snappy.