R.A. Dickey has revived his career — and found some fame — thanks to his high-powered knuckleball.
The Mets pitcher took that fame to The Daily Show this week, talking with host Jon Stewart about his trademark pitch and Cy Young award-winning season. But with rumors continuing to swirl that the Mets may trade Dickey while his worth is high, Stewart’s first question was of a different flavor.
“How do the New York Mets screw this up?” Stewart asked as soon as he introduced and greeted Dickey.
Dickey dodged the question, but he did say he wants to stay with the Mets. He said he understands if the team’s management needs to make some changes, but he would prefer to keep his life intact for right now.
“It’s hard,” he said. “Baseball in general is so dysfunctional as a lifestyle. You’re playing 162 games in 183 days, not to mention spring training is another 40 days. So the thought of taking your family to Toronto or L.A., that takes a lot of thought power.”
Dickey talked about the Knuckleball! movie he appears in with former Red Sox pitcher Tim Wakefield and others who have used the pitch, whom Dickey referred to as a “Jedi brain trust.” He also shed some light on what made him turn to the knuckleball after Stewart asked about his arm “just flopping around” due to some damage to his elbow.
Check out the chat in the video below.
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