Tuesday, April 9, 2002
Updated: April 10, 10:53 AM ET
Off-Broadway BP
From the Page 2 mailbag
Mo Vaughn, Robbie Alomar, Jeromy Burnitz ... there seems to be no limit to what the Mets will attempt to knock off the Yankees as New York's top ballclub. As proof, Page 2's Mystery Photo found the Mets auditioning another high-priced talent at spring training.
We weren't sure what was going on, so we sought your help to explain what Matthew Broderick was doing at the New York Mets' spring training site. After receiving more than 800 e-mails, we've chosen the best caption suggestions below.
"What kind of producer did you say you were on Broadway?"
Steve Chambers
Eagan, Minn.
Ferris Bueller's Second Day Off.
Mitchell Groff
Ames, Iowa
Matthew Broderick gets pointers training for the role of Joe McEwing in his next musical about his beloved Mets: "Springtime for Hitter" or "How to Fail in Baseball Without Really Trying."
Mike Rohan
Orland Park, Ill.
"Chuck Finley suggested I learn to defend myself against actress-spouses."
Jon S.
Glasgow, Scotland
Based on Todd Hundley's numbers in the 2001 season, the Mets could only get Ferris Bueller as compensation for the Cubs signing of the free agent.
Mark Norrod
West Lafayette, Ind.
After seeing Matt Broderick "strike out" with movies such as "Godzilla" and "Election," the Mets knew he'd be able to handle the disappointment of being a DH for them.
Micah
San Francisco
Matt: "Hey, Joe."
Joe: "Hey Matt, how's your wife and my kid?"
John
Dayton, Ohio
"Mr. Big?!? I'll show her Mr. Big."
Mike Fecht
Beaverton, Ore.
"What's the score?"
"Nothing nothing"
"Who's winning?"
"The Bears"
Ethan
New York
"No one believed us when we said Mo had lost weight ..."
Jaime Oppenheim
Ardsley, N.Y.
"Well, it's not like 'Godzilla II' was going to pay the bills ..."
Jonathan Smith
Jupiter, Fla.
The New York Mets go out on a limb to acquire Abe Froman, Sausage King of Chicago.
Brian Burton
Gurnee, Ill.
Here we see a still-frustrated Matthew Broderick hitting line drives at the guy who convinced him that "Inspector Gadget" would revitalize his career.
Justin A. Lollie
Hollywood, Calif.
"I've never had one lesson!"
Joel Lugar
N. Hollywood, Calif.
"Go, go, Gadget Bat!"
Justin
Worcester, Mass.
"... Bueller. Bueller. Bueller. Bueller."
"Um ... he's sick. My best friend's sister's boyfriend's brother's girlfriend heard from this guy who knows this kid who's going with the girl who saw Ferris get plunked by Al Leiter last night. I guess it's pretty serious."
Kate Alexander
Watertown, Mass.
Ferris Bueller's Pay Off.
Jonathan Sweet
Boston
"Swing batta batta, batta, batta, swing batta SAHwing batta! Kennedy, Kennedy, Kennedy cannot Sahwing batta."
Matt Alexander
Sturbridge, Mass.
Mets hat ... $19
Official major-league bat ... $30
Mo Vaughn's Ben Stein impersonation ("Bueller ... Bueller ... Bueller") ... priceless.
Ken
Detroit
"Simba, remember ... to swing your hips ... remember ...
Tim O'Shea
Concord, Mass.
(Computer voice): "Would you like to play a game of Batting Practice?"
Joe Domico
Pittsburgh
"OK, Valentine. You help me become the scourge of beer league softball, I show you how to act and wear makeup to properly disguise yourself in the dugout."
Dax
San Diego
The Mets make Broderick the obvious choice to star in this season's "Sucks in the City."
Buckshot
Boston
The Mets' new lineup may score more than his wife.
Spiegel
New York
"I gotta get some more practice. I haven't had a hit since 'War Games.' "
Matt Hueting
New Market, Md.
The Mets continue their customary practice of signing big names who are past their prime.
Daniel Newsome
Providence R.I.
Max Dugan's purchase of the New York Mets has resulted in a new addition to the starting lineup.
Dan Moir
Winnipeg, Manitoba
This is for my good buddy, Cameron, who claims we didn't do anything "fun" today.
Gary Roux
Three Rivers, Mass.
And here is the real caption from The Associated Press: Stage and screen actor Matthew Broderick takes a turn in the batting cage during a visit to the New York Mets spring training facility, March 27 in Port St. Lucie, Fla. Mets utility player Joe McEwing looks on at left. (AP Photo/Ron Frehm)
