new-york-mets
They say that it’s time to pack it in. That there is nothing left to play for. That it is time to throw away those scorecards and throw on your favorite football uniform. There’s no denying that unless you are the Red Sox or the Yankees fan, your team’s role is that of the “spoiler”; the least glorified and most under-appreciated role in the pennant race, and one few fans want to be a part of.
However, as a diehard Met fan, I’ve never been as proud of my team as I have this week.
According to New York Mets owner Fred Wilpon last season, an important factor for him is for his ballclub to play “meaningful games in September”. Unfortunately, these words did not ring true for him then. But as we speak, the Metropolitans are actually still hanging around in the National League Wild Card race.
Even though it is still early in the month& the Mets have currently dropped four straight, they are playing important games in September.
By Steven Weingarten
The unthinkable has happened; the Mets are no longer lingering around the 500 mark. Please somebody pinch me. Wait that might not be strong enough, please somebody kick me! Are the Mets really 1 1/2 games out of the wild card and six games above 500?
Yes they are, and this Met fan is all over that bandwagon. I’m kidding, I have been an extremely loyal Met fan this year. And yes, I have written several articles bashing the organization, but you would only understand if you were a Met fan. More importantly the Mets record is 11-1 when I go to games so I might be attending more games in the very near future. Just call me Nelson (Pedro’s lucky charm during the 2004 season). They got a fever and the only prescription is more cowbell! Sorry, I meant wins.
By: Steven Weingarten
Friday night at around 8:30, I was at this bar Cassidy’s in New York having some drinks when I received a voice message from one of my friends. The message was this, “Steve, I just heard on the radio the Mets are close to getting Manny.” I nearly wet myself. This could have either been from the excitement from imagining Manny Ramirez in a Met uniform or from me wanting to wait to break the seal for at least another beer.
As a Met fan I can’t help but say that I am actually happy Manny is not going to be a Met. I am a big Manny Ramirez fan, how can you not be? I know he has a piss poor attitude and he comes off as a bit of a jerk. But you have to just be amazed at the way he plays the game.
I know, I know who cares about the New York Mets. Better yet, who cares what I would do if I were the General Manager for the New York Mets? Really, I can’t answer that all I can say is that my wit and dry humor rivals that of a Dennis Miller (of course without the awful historical references).
We all have thought about being a GM. That’s why fantasy sports is a multibillion dollar industry. But I am going to live that dream right now, because I am that ignorant to not know the difference between my imagination and real life.
Is it really necessary to have a captain in baseball? No, good god, no it isn’t. There are certain players who are so influential to a team that they are named captain. One is Jeter (My stomach actually hurts now), and it took him 5 years to be named captain. He is the quintessential Yankee, and that is why he was named captain.
Willie Randolph has decided that he will look to name a captain for his “new” Mets. But who on this team can you immediately say is captain worthy? Who is the quintessential Met? Well, the quintessential Met would be a player like Eddie Murray, Roberto Alomar, or Bobby Bonilla. These were the type guys that were great on other teams before coming to the Mets. I swear to god, the Mets are where good players go to die.
The 2005 New and (Hopefully) Improved Mets
This past summer at a family reunion, I engaged in a friendly sports conversation with two of my New York cousins. The Mets are religion to these guys.
When I dared to ask about their favorite team’s fading playoff hopes and the seeming failure of the Amazins’ major acquisitions following the 2003 season, what followed was pure gold.
After a steady diet of Mike and the Mad Dog this week, I’ve heard a plethora of Mets fans calling in saying how much they need Carlos Beltran and what an impact he will have on them next season. There’s no doubt about it, Beltran would improve the lowly Mets outfield. Then again, Mookie Wilson would probably be an upgrade over what the Metropolitans had last year.
I wrote this article on August 4th, one day after the death of one of the greatest announcers baseball has ever seen…