SNY will have some new faces in its studio for Mets pregame and postgame shows this year, as Bobby Ojeda and Chris Carlin are taking over for Matt Yallof and Lee Mazzilli. Ojeda, the former Mets pitcher, talked with The Post’s Justin Terranova after rehearsing for his first live broadcast, which will be on April 3 when the Amazin’s play their first game at Citi Field, an exhibition vs. the Red Sox.
Q: Any nerves with this being your first broadcasting gig?
A: Nah, I got used to it as a player. When I was a player, I was very tightly wound; it was hard for me. Even as a coach, I got sweaty palms. With this, all I have to do is talk and give my opinion. I can do that no problem. I have five daughters at home, so I never get to talk there, so this is great.
Q: You played a large chunk of your career with the Mets, you coached in their organization and now you work for their TV network. Will it be tough to be objective?
A: Does this feel like home to me? Yeah. I have had the best years of my life in New York. But I do separate myself. Once I took off the uniform as a player . . . I’m on the outside. It’s like taking a step back from player to coach and now to this as an analyst.
Q: Will the consecutive collapses be a factor this season — is it something that sticks with you or can you put it behind you?
A: One time, you can separate yourself. Now, I really don’t consider last year a collapse, but the two years do get looped together. That’s life, that’s New York. But now it’s not going away until they win. If anything as the season progresses, the pressure is going to mount. On the inside, they can separate it as players. The anxiety that the fans feel isn’t going away.
Q: What do you think about all the chatter between the Mets and Phillies?
A: I don’t want to see the Mets worrying about only the Phillies. And to be honest, I think the Phillies concentrate more on the Mets than the other way around. They are having their World Series parade and they are talking about the Mets. You got something to say, I will be on the field at 7. You can find me and we’ll settle it on the field. But for the players, I don’t want to see them get caught up in “Phillies this, Phillies that,” because Atlanta and Florida are good teams this year.
Q: Do you think the looseness Jerry Manuel brings to this team will have the same positive effect it had last season?
A: I just came back from (spring training), and that’s a very relaxed clubhouse. They said when Willie (Randolph) was there it was very tight, and all I can tell you (is) it’s not that way now. And that’s where they want to be.