Johan Cut Bullpen Phone Prior To Last Night's Shutout

Johan Santana was brilliant last night.  After getting into and out of trouble in the first, Santana methodically worked his way through the Reds dangerous lineup en route to a complete game shutout.  For good measure, the Mets ace even provided his own run support when he belted his first career homer in the third. 

But this game will be memorable for a moment that happened in the ninth.  Following a Jason Bay miscue in left, Jerry Manuel came out to the mound.  The pair briefly exchanged words and Manuel return to the dugout.  Two batters later the game was over.  Many in the media have praised this moment as a player convincing his manager to let him finish what he started.  The Apple, however, knows the truth.

This photo, taken by Angel Pagan, shows Johan early yesterday sabotaging the bullpen phone.  Apparently, Pagan and Santana, with some coaxing from the Mets bullpen, thought it might be fun to take the pitching changes out of Jerry's hands for a night.  Which brings us to the now famous mound visit.

When Manuel went for the phone to summon his closer last night he was met with a dead phone dangling from a cut chord.  Furious he went to the mound and asked his ace what the heck was going on.  Johan responded (and MLB Video confirms this) "I (expletive) cut it.  This is my job."  Stunned, Manuel returned to the dugout.

The phone has been repaired for today's game but the word around the clubhouse is that the Mets relievers will present Johan with a new watch today to show their appreciation for the night off.  Jerry Manuel, not as amused, is having cell phones placed in the lockers of all his relievers.  They will be expected to carry them at all times during the game.

 All articles featured on The Apple are fictitious. No Mets were harmed in the writing of this story.

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