I read that he is going to USA Today. I would imagine that means he is done with the Giants, but do not know that for sure. If this has been talked about, I will delete, but did not see it on first two pages.
He's one of the only sports reporters I will still read. He's got good information, cites his sources, and usually comes across as relatively objective.
Covering the giants all these years hope you have developed a passion for the team and will still find ways to contribute to the community of fans we all share. TC!
For the incredibly kind words. I'm extremely humbled by the outpouring here, on Twitter and on email. I mean, I should be thanking you all for all you've done for me over the past 8 years. The passion you folks show and the willingness to call us on our crap when we're not doing our best has only made me work harder. So yeah, I'm very excited about the opportunities ahead but I do feel a great sense of sadness that I won't be as fully invested in the Giants' doings as I've been.
Now, I did say "fully" and that's because I'm not saying goodbye. As it stands now, I'll have only a slightly increased focus for USA Today. The Giants are in the small pocket of teams I'll be covering closely so I do hope I'll have plenty of stuff for you. I'll also be continuing in some capacity with SNY for those of you who catch that every now and then.
For those who have asked about who will be replacing me, that's being worked out but I have the utmost confidence you'll be left in good hands. That's a great paper over there and my leaving had nothing to do with what's going on there. It was just a decision that was right for me at this point.
I sound like a free agent who just bolted...
Anyway, back to the point I was trying to make: thank you all for your kind words and, again, for inspiring me to do as good a job for you as I could.
You did really great work over the last several years. You were always the first guy I would read or look to on twitter for any info. I (and I'm sure we) appreciate it. Best of luck on your new endeavor! (and if you get any juicy tidbits, post them here first!)
Meh, Jenny Vrentas is the brains of the operation, we'll be fine.
You've been hands down, the best beat guy for NYG for as long as I've known and followed the team. Won't be the same without you but I look forward to reading you on a national scale.
I had a talk with Mr. G on Monday Night (he wanted to break it to me gently, felt like he was dumping me) and he will still be covering the G-men, but also the Jets and probably the Eagles. His main focus is still the NFL but he'll be regionally covering those teams and he's charged with getting USAT up to speed on social media so the news they give you isn't 3 days old.
He will be in print and on online and he'll still be covering the G-Men for SNY so he's not going away completely, but he'll have 2 more teams to monitor. His game review days are likely over (sad on that), but he'll be at every game covering the team still or most games anyway.
Jenny Vrentas is taking over the beat for him at the Ledger, which is good news all around. She's been great as his backup and he hand picked her to take over, let's all give Ms Vrentas a chance to shine before we cry too much over Mike leaving. I will miss his daily coverage for sure, but it's a good career move for him and I wish him all the best.
good luck. You are my reference point for all things Giant. If you haven't reported it, it isn't.
The ray of hope I see for you is that this will be a step stone to bigger and better things. The ray of hope I see for USA Today is that your presence will - somehow - drag that useless rag up from bird-cage-liner to something worth reading.
Mike, You have brought a lot of good reporting and love for the
as my go to for Giants info...I mean real Giants info. I've always consider Mike G and Pat as the best in their fields, so Pat, please don't go anywhere.
The only thing they had left going for them was MG. I am seriously dejected.
Several years ago they cut staff in their Sports Department and decided they wouldn't have a writer assigned to the Rangers. Now no Garafolo. I may finally cancel.
really enjoyed his ability to juggle both social media and features, a lot of sportswriters can do one or the other but he was able to get the story quickly and also put together some very good articles for print. A well-deserved promo.
the only giants beat writer who was a must read for me. His Monday game review columns are my favorite of the week. I am really, really, really hoping that with the All-22 tape being available that someone, in the news media formally or not, undertakes to take the time necessary to go through each game, play by play, noting positives and negatives. Mike did a great job of doing this as best he could, which was to pick out a bunch of different plays. Such an undertaking is an enormous effort, but one that fans would love. For michigan games it is done, and it is absolutely a must read if you want to understand who is playing well and who isn't. Mike G came closest to doing this, so kudos to him and good luck.
Been on the Garafolo bandwagon for a long time, and it's good to see talented people get new opportunities. Mike has always been good to his readers, and is the best giants beat guy since Neil Best.
I think Jenny will do very well. Hopefully Jorge Castillo will get the Jets beat as his own.
I'll tell you one thing, Mike: I'M NOT GOING TO READ RALPH!!!
MG was great.
Best of luck to him @ USA Today.
Best of luck to MG... He will be missed...
Now, I did say "fully" and that's because I'm not saying goodbye. As it stands now, I'll have only a slightly increased focus for USA Today. The Giants are in the small pocket of teams I'll be covering closely so I do hope I'll have plenty of stuff for you. I'll also be continuing in some capacity with SNY for those of you who catch that every now and then.
For those who have asked about who will be replacing me, that's being worked out but I have the utmost confidence you'll be left in good hands. That's a great paper over there and my leaving had nothing to do with what's going on there. It was just a decision that was right for me at this point.
I sound like a free agent who just bolted...
Anyway, back to the point I was trying to make: thank you all for your kind words and, again, for inspiring me to do as good a job for you as I could.
j/k of course, best of luck to MG and whomever we get in his place.
All the best!
He will be in print and on online and he'll still be covering the G-Men for SNY so he's not going away completely, but he'll have 2 more teams to monitor. His game review days are likely over (sad on that), but he'll be at every game covering the team still or most games anyway.
Jenny Vrentas is taking over the beat for him at the Ledger, which is good news all around. She's been great as his backup and he hand picked her to take over, let's all give Ms Vrentas a chance to shine before we cry too much over Mike leaving. I will miss his daily coverage for sure, but it's a good career move for him and I wish him all the best.
The ray of hope I see for you is that this will be a step stone to bigger and better things. The ray of hope I see for USA Today is that your presence will - somehow - drag that useless rag up from bird-cage-liner to something worth reading.
Mike G. will be missed.
Mmm. Pie chart.
Several years ago they cut staff in their Sports Department and decided they wouldn't have a writer assigned to the Rangers. Now no Garafolo. I may finally cancel.
Thanks for all the pleasure you've given me/us over the years. Regards, Yat
I've always enjoyed his work and hope to continue enjoying it in his new position.
You are by far the best beat reporter we've had in as long as I could remember!
Now go kick some USA today ass.
I think Jenny will do very well. Hopefully Jorge Castillo will get the Jets beat as his own.
I'll tell you one thing, Mike: I'M NOT GOING TO READ RALPH!!!