Daniel MurphyIf you haven’t heard or just crawled out from under a rock, there has been a recent uproar about New York Mets’ second baseman Daniel Murphy missing the Mets first two games to tend to his wife as she gave birth to the couple’s son, Noah, this week. By the way, Noah Syndergaard says thanks!

Getting back to the point.

With Murphy missing the first two games to be with his wife, some radio personalities, namely WFAN’s Mike “The Sports Pope” Francesa and Boomer Esiason and Craig Carton, have took some pot shots at Murphy, claiming he should be with the team. Each granted that Murphy should get at least one day off, but two? By golly, now that’s just crossing the line!

This is what Francesa had to say (h/t Charles Curtis via NJ.com):

“First of all, the first two days, your wife is in the hospital anyway, you’re there with her. And the baby’s in the hospital. So you’re not taking the baby home usually ’til the third day. You think the third day that Daniel Murphy’s going to be in charge of nursing that baby the third day? … That’s my point. He’s not there to take care of the other kids, he’s not there to nurse the baby.”

The normally well-composed and reserved Esiason had this to say (h/t Bob Raissman of the Daily News):

On Wednesday, Esiason said he would have demanded Tori Murphy get a “C-section before the season starts, I need to be there opening day.”

Esiason, sensing he was out of line and under heavy criticism issued an apology.

More from Raissman:

“I was not telling women what to do with their bodies. I would never do that. That’s their decision, that’s their life and they know their bodies better than I do,” Esiason said on the air. “And the other thing, too, that I really felt bad about is that Daniel Murphy and Tori Murphy were dragged into the conversation, and their whole life was exposed. And it shouldn’t have been.

“And that is my fault,” Esiason said. “That is my fault for uttering the word ‘C-section’ on this radio station. And it all of a sudden put their lives under a spotlight, and for that I truly apologize.”

At least Esiason apologized. But Francesa, who would never admit guilt if his life depended on it, kept strong his gasbag opinion and stood by it.

Granted you don’t want a player you count on heavily to miss Opening Day and the game after, but shouldn’t common sense prevail here? This in the end, is just a game being played by big kids. Shouldn’t family come first?

It’s beyond admirable that Murphy wanted to spend extra time with his family, and mind you this was collectively bargained for by the players union. So, he had every right. What if Murphy’s wife had complications and something had gone horribly wrong? Does playing in the second game of the season matter more than being with your family in the most special moment any parent has the luxury to go through?

Do these men really mean what they say or this a ploy for better ratings and trying nothing more than to be a ‘shock’ jock?

In any regards, this should not be considered a controversy. Murphy has every right, legally and ethically, to be with his family and anyone else who disagrees is being a bit narrow minded.

Simply put, family comes before baseball.

Follow me on Twitter @Stacdemon

8 comments on “Weighing in on the Daniel Murphy “Controversy”

  • pal88

    Much to do about nothing…Murphy did the right thing

  • pete

    Dan while its true it’s just a game, it’s the game that provides all the comforts that Murphy has attained. It’s his job and since his employer agreed to allow players to be with their wives in time of labor I don’t understand all the bitching and moaning coming from WFAN. I guess since the Mets are no longer there the radio hosts have nothing better to do.

  • Jim OMalley

    If the Mets get to.500 over the next week, nobody will care any more.

  • Name

    Anything to get ratings I guess. Francesa is pathetic, absolutely pathetic.

  • Mr. Bill

    What Jerks. Murph did the right thing. I bet if those 3 guys were under the same cicumstances they would do the same. It’s only a game. Get a real job you guys, instead of sitting around like a bunch of old ladies gabbing about nothing all day.
    What idiots. At least Boomer had the sense to apologies.

    P.S. Under the collctive bargining agreement I think are allowed 3 days maternity leave?

  • BabyBoomer

    Usually I disagree with Francesa but this time he was just saying what any 50+ year old guy was thinking. He was just talking about HIS life experience and his thoughts about “paternity leave.”

    Carton is a buffoon and it has rubbed off on Boomer. The “C-Section” remark was an attempt at a joke I guess. His apology was probably a management order!

  • K Davis

    An Irish Blessing for Murphy’s Detractors (parenity)

    May those that love us, love us;

    And for those that don’t love us,
    May God turn their hearts.

    And if they don’t turn their hearts,

    May God turn their ankles,
    So we’ll know them by their limp.

    Boomer is LIMP!

  • Paulie G.

    Isn’t life funny, I guess we don’t have enough problems of our own we have to make more problems for others. We should be happy for the Murphy’s. Wish them the best of luck & happiness on their new arrival,& move on, they don’t need any pressure added on from others. Now just lets give him a slap on the back & let him play baseball!! Lets Go Mets!!!

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