equal time Phil Mushnick The fixes for these pathetic Mets are so obvious, they’re (almost) free By Phil Mushnick Published July 2, 2026, 7:20 p.m. ET Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor (12) celebrates with teammates in the dugout after hitting a solo home run against the Toronto Blue Jays. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect Back when Al Alburquerque — known only to Mike Francesa as “Alberto” — roamed the American League, callers to Francesa’s show would bust his sanctimonious chops by setting him up to reveal both his imperial arrogance and know-it-all ignorance.
One afternoon, a caller asked if he’d be willing to manage the slumping Yankees. Not realizing — or unable to realize — that he’d been presented a banana peel on which to step, Francesa answered, “Yes,” then added, “but the money has to be right.”
He was serious. After all, he once fancied himself the soon-to-be-named GM of the Jets, now that they were in the hands of ex-pal Bill Parcells. Recall the official Jets team jacket Francesa modeled when seen in “my usual” front-row and finish-line seats.
So, as Lafayette, the young French Revolutionary War general, chose as his Latin motto, Cur non? — Why not?
