Transcript: Mayor de Blasio Appears Live on 710 WOR's Sports Zone with Peter McCarthy

October 26, 2015

Peter McCarthy: The mayor of New York City, Bill de Blasio, joins us right now. Pleasure to have you on, sir. How you doing tonight?

Mayor Bill de Blasio: I’m doing great, Pete, and I am excited about what these next few days are going to be like for this city. 

McCarthy: Yeah, I mean, you see it already – what have you noticed with all the blue and orange and the extra energy that’s just, you know, palpable through the streets of Manhattan right now?

Mayor: It’s amazing. I see the caps, I see the jerseys – people are really pumped up. And look, it’s a really likable team – it’s a lovable team. I think that this group of guys has really captured people’s imagination. And I’m knocking on wood as I say this to you – we – we will be prepared for a great, great celebration. We’re not going to count our chickens until they’re hatched, but we will be prepared. 

McCarthy: So everything’s – everything’s all ready?

Mayor: Well, not everything, but I can tell you that we have a great history in this city of putting together these parades. We had a great parade for the Women’s National Soccer Team – it was a beautiful experience. But this one – if – if we are so blessed as to have a Mets World Series victory, it’s going to be the mother of all parades. 

McCarthy: Yeah, no doubt about it. Talking right now with the Mayor of New York City Bill de Blasio. You know, how about the economic impact as well? Does it impact more than just the emotions of Mets fans to have this kind of run?

Mayor: Look, it’s great for the city. Obviously the eyes of the world will be on us. We have people coming in for the games and all the media here and all – it’s great for us. But I think it’s also – you know, this team – they’re a scrappy team. You know, they really represent this city. They’re resilient. They’ve been down and they came back in so many ways. And I think it’s just a great image of New York City for the country to see and the whole world to see. 

McCarthy: Yeah, and, you know, obviously with guys like deGrom and d’Arnaud and de Blasio as the mayor, that little “d” is starting to become very fashionable in this town. 

Mayor: Let me tell you, man, there’s a trend here. And, you know, d’Arnaud is my personal catcher, because I had the honor of throwing out the first pitch during my first year as mayor last year, and Travis did some serious framing of my pitch. It was – it was – you know, it was decent, but he – he got it right perfectly into the strike zone. So that guy – that guy is special.

McCarthy: Are you planning to make it out for either Games 3 through – 3, 4, or 5 at Citi Field?

Mayor: I am looking forward to Game 3 – we’ll definitely be there. 

McCarthy: Awesome.

Mayor: And I had the – I had the joy of being at an amazing game, which was Game 3 of the Division Series, and someone said you had to compare the place to the Roman Coliseum because of the – everyone calling for the head of Chase Utley. And, you know, it’s a – it was an amazing, amazing experience, and I think this one’s going to be even more intense and even louder. 

McCarthy: Yeah, there was a – there was a little angst for that game, obviously. And with the Mets going through Los Angeles and Chicago on this run to the World Series, you know, you’ve made some bets and won some bets. How has that been for you?

Mayor: I’m feeling great, you know. I made a bet with the mayor of L.A. – we won. Then I went to Israel the very night that they won the Division Series – landed in Israel, immediately emailed the mayor of Chicago, made a bet with him – we won that one. And now the mayor of Kansas City, Sly James, and I, we’re almost finished with our bet. It’s going to be formalized tomorrow, but it’s – I’m feeling good – I want to go three for three here. 

McCarthy: Yeah, we certainly would love to see that as well. And, you know, we made a bet with our sister station out there in L.A. – I would’ve had to go out there and sing “I Love L.A.” on the air, which wouldn’t have been very good. But I know you’ve had experience with that – 

Mayor: I had a bad, bad experience, Pete. I had to do it on national television. It’s – first of all, it’s nowhere near as good a song as the New York songs. And it was not a fun experience when the Rangers lost, so I really don’t want you to have to go through that. 

McCarthy: Yeah, no, I didn’t, which was nice, and everybody was spared, and we got a “Meet the Mets” from our L.A. equivalent out there, which was fun to hear. But, you know, a Mets World Series coming up, and, again, what about this team in particular has warmed itself to you? I know you’re a Red Sox fan. Are you over ’86 now? Has it all changed – bygones, bygones?

Mayor: Yeah, I’ve got to tell you – I was in a bar on Prince Street when the ball went through Bill Bruckner’s legs. And, you know, I – I look back at that, and I said the Mets just won fair and square, because, remember, they had to come back and win Game 7 after that. 

McCarthy: Mhm.

Mayor: So the Mets won that one fair and square – I’ve never held a grudge. I have great respect for this team. And I’ve got to tell you, there’s something about this team – I mean, first of all, the Murphy thing is unbelievable – and the home runs are great, but I still feel it’s when – when they put the shift on, and he was going into second base on the walk, and then he saw the opportunity to go and take third – that, to me, was like the epitome moment of the whole year – the – the spunk and, you know, the heads-up play, and so, Murphy, to me, heart and soul. Obviously Wright – I’m thrilled for Wright in terms of finally getting this chance after an amazing, loyal career with the Mets. So there’s something really special about this team, and I want to give my praise to Sandy Alderson, because what he did in July – and what he did before that, obviously, but especially what he did in July – opened up this possibility, and this is a case where you’ve got to give – you’ve got to give the executive some credit for having the foresight to put it together. 

McCarthy: Well, how about, too, Matt Harvey – can he become the official, let’s say, Dark Knight of New York City? Can you play with that a little bit?

Mayor: Absolutely. And you know, I – I love that he lives in the city, he loves the city. And he’s been – look, he’s been through his ups and downs, and he’s shown the grit, and, you know, I give him a lot of credit. So I think – I think we’re going to have – there’s tons of symbolism to this team. This team’s amazing. I mean the amount of personality per square inch – you haven’t even talked about Bartolo Colón. 

McCarthy: Oh!

Mayor: Yeah, my staff was talking about, you know, Harvey, deGrom, Syndergaard, and then Matz. So I said, yeah, but if needed, Colón could pitch all seven games. You know? So – [Laughs]

McCarthy: It’s true. Going deep, I like it. 

Mayor: And for all of us, you know, who are not as young anymore, a 42-year-old out there, that’s something to feel good about. 

McCarthy: Hey, that’s an idol right there. I’ll hit those years very shortly, I’m sure. But Bill de Blasio, pleasure having you on the show, and I hope there’ll be a big party in a couple of weeks. 

Mayor: We’re going to be ready. Good luck to all of us. 

McCarthy: Alright. Bill de Blasio, Mayor of New York City, giving us a shout here – and he knows hits Mets – that’s good – that’s good – going down to Bartolo Colón. And what would Colón get? I mean, you wouldn’t – you can’t just give him the key to the city. Would it be the sun dial to the city or something like that? [inaudible] the big call on him with that – that huge hit that he had – what was it? The double, you know. The only way Bartolo could get the double – it has to go all the way to the wall, but good stuff there.