April 10, 2012
Mets Fan Problems

It’s hard to be a Met fan.  After a 4-0 start, it’s still hard to be a Met fan.  The reasons, however, may surprise you. 

Sure, the ownership is a disaster.  Owing hundreds of millions of dollars and slashing payroll is not a fun spot to be in.  Even when they were throwing money at the team with assumed good intentions, the back office rumors were laughable.  With a decreased payroll comes players that no one has ever heard of.  When you have players no one has heard of, expectations are low.  When expectations are low, assumptions are that the team will stink.  The cycle goes on and on.  

As bad as that all sounds, losing is something that this fan base is pretty familiar with.  This same fan base, my peers, are the ones bringing me down.

There is so much pessimistic, petulant whining and complaining about this team.  I feel it has reached a tipping point.  If a fan can’t be happy with 4-0 and a dramatic walk off home win, then I don’t want to hear from you.  I don’t care that you don’t think Tejada should hit lead off, or that Pelfrey isn’t any good.  I don’t want to hear that you’re still going to boo Jason Bay.  What ever happened to, “Ya Gotta Believe”? 

Maybe it’s just the people I interact with.  Maybe it’s my Twitter feed and only people who call talk radio.  I’d be interested to hear what others think. (Disclaimer- I am not referring to fans who are clever, witty and/or sarcastic.  It’s an understandable defense mechanism at times.) 

Relax and enjoy the moment people. 

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(Notes: 4)
  
Filed under: mets nym new york mets mlb nl east 
March 12, 2012
Finally looking like home…. metsingaround: Another picture of the new blue wall at Citi Field Love the orange lining on the top. via Mets on Facebook

Finally looking like home….

metsingaround:

Another picture of the new blue wall at Citi Field

Love the orange lining on the top.

via Mets on Facebook

(Source: metsingaround, via stephaniemaria)

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(Notes: 17)
  
Filed under: mets citi field shea blue and orange mlb ny mets 
March 2, 2012
Even when Jeremy Lin isn’t on the cover of Sports Illustrated, he’s still involved in the cover. PS- Man it hurts to see Reyes in that ridiculous Marlins uniform.

Even when Jeremy Lin isn’t on the cover of Sports Illustrated, he’s still involved in the cover. PS- Man it hurts to see Reyes in that ridiculous Marlins uniform.

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(Notes: 5)
  
Filed under: marlins mets jose marlins mets jose reyes mlb jeremy lin linsanity 
July 21, 2011
Thank You, #15 Carlos Beltran

Part 1: Playing the Game

I have always had a mixed relationship with baseball.  I grew up playing it.  I idolized my father, uncles and cousin who played it.  I would sit in the dugout of my cousin’s team during games (my uncle of course coached).  I would play catch with my dad and have my mom throw me flyballs for hours on end after school.

But, I quit playing when I was fairly young to pursue other sports.  As an 11 year old kid, the game was boring to me.  I loved to play the field, but getting a couple balls my way a game wasn’t enough.  I loved running the bases, but standing around for hours on end in the middle of the summer was torturous.  I needed to be doing something.  At that point, I was out.    

Part 2: Fandom

I grew up in a Mets household thanks to my mother.  I always liked going to games with my family.  I can remember sitting through rain delays, and watching Darryl Strawberry hit a home run deep to right field and into the darkness.  I remember driving home from games when it was way past my bedtime.  

But let’s face facts.  The ‘86 team was incredible, but I was 3.  Until I turned 16, the Mets were pretty irrelevant.  At times they downright stunk.  I guess you could say I “grew up” a Mariners fan.  I loved Ken Griffey Jr.  I had a Mariners hat which I wrote #24 under the brim.  I loved the rivalry they had with the Yankees, and how it irked all the old fart Yankee fans that I wore a Mariners hat in NJ.    

Part 3: Carlos and the Mets

Full disclosure, I fell back in love with the Mets in 2005, the day they signed Carlos Beltran.  Go ahead and call me a bandwagon jumper, fair weather fan, etc.  The truth is Carlos Beltran brought me back.  He was the symbol of the Mets turning around their franchise.  On opening day of the 2005 season, Beltran homered on his debut and I bought his shirt the next day (of course the Mets lost in a walk off HR, reminding me that it’s never going to be easy).  I have admired watching him ever since.  

Beltran has been the consummate professional.  He’s carried expectations of a franchise on his back.  He HAS played hurt, he DOES hustle and I believe he truly cares about this team.  He’s been a scapegoat and lightning rod for many who blame him for all things wrong with the Mets and he has handled it with class.  

Carlos Beltran is my guy.  He brought me back to a team that I have come to identify with again.  He brought me back to a sport that I had long given up on.

For that I say thank you, Mr. Beltran.   

(And for the record, I still like irking old fart Yankee fans.)  

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(Notes: 13)
  
Filed under: mets ny mets carlos beltan trades mlb trade deadline 
July 21, 2011
Angel in the Outfield

I love that Gary was so distracted by the ball that he didn’t use his trademark “It’s outta here!” call.  Simply put, “and it’s a Home Run.”  

Pagan just earned himself a t-shirt in my closet.  I’ve been waiting to buy a new Mets shirt and his celebration was bonkers.  Prob wasn’t the classiest of moves, but it was raw emotion.  I don’t think anything intentional.  

Wouldn’t be surprised if he gets buzzed today though.   

Video courtesey of mlb.com

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(Notes: 1)
  
Filed under: mets ny mets mlb mets gary cohen angel pagan walk off home run 
September 9, 2010
The Wrigley Experience

Below is a timeline of my day at Wrigley Field watching my beloved NY Mets (for my Bachelor Party):

10:30AM- Murphy’s bar, Beer, Friendly people, Space outside, Souvenir bar shirts printed on American apparel T’s (I let that slide, the cotton IS very soft)

10:30AM- Sign outside Murphy’s bar reads “Cubs go for 3 in a row, Champagne on ice” At least they have a sense of humor about their perennial underwhelming club

10:35AM- Awesome t-shirt vendors- clever and funny material, friend buys this:

10:40- Beer, it’s cold in the shade

10:50- Beer, Jaeger, make face, chase with beer 

11:15- On line for bleachers, nice people, wristband, it’s warm in the sun

11:20- Find Bleacher seats, group sits, next to nice people

11:30- Another bachelor party made t-shirts, can’t tell if this is cool or cheesy, overall happy we didn’t 

12:10- Crowd loves their Marlon Byrd, He motions “I’m not worthy” like Wayne and Garth to crowd in response.  Mets fans hate their whole team, management and relatives

12:11-3pmish- Hotdog, Beer, Mets suck, beer, beer, Ike!, nice people, Mets suck

3:15ish- Cubs win! Crowd sings silly song, nice people

3:22pm- One fan takes a shot at us for the Mets losing, fair play, there’s always one

3:30ish- Whole group walks right in Moran’s, no hassle, nice people

If you didn’t catch the recurring theme, BIG thank you to Chicago, Wrigley and Cubs fans for an awesome experience.  Everyone we sat next to was nice and happy to answer our questions about the city, what we should do at night, and of course, joke about our sad teams.  Some may say the pitiful teams is the reason the atmosphere was so friendly.  I have to think that even if it was a meaningful game, any joking and posturing would have been all in good fun.

As for Wrigley, amazing ball park.  My friend asked “where’s the big screen,” and I responded with, “I guess you just pay attention and watch the game.”  I can’t stress how enjoyable that concept was.  To be able to watch a game and actually hold a conversation with some one without being interrupted by the 5th playing of the “Cha Cha slide” was eye opening.  Must say, negative points for the wave.

I would trade in all the Shake Shacks and Blue Smokes (not the taqueria) for a baseball centric park. I understand that baseball is hurting and needs to build these “family friendly” parks to draw people and keep interest up.  The thing is it doesn’t matter if the team is bad.  The Mets attendance has dropped significantly in the second year of the new park.  It’s not because the hot dogs got worse either.  These parks are just paper to cover deeper cracks within America’s alleged pastime.  To think you got a ballpark nowadays to watch baseball is a concept lost on owners. 

With that said, Wrigley was a thoroughly enjoyable throwback and I would go back anytime.      

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Filed under: chicago cubs mets wrigley field NL new york mets ike davis 
August 19, 2010
Jenrry Call Up Possible for September

According to the Daily News, the Mets are planning to bring Jennry Mejia on as a September call up.  
 
I hate to be so negative with this team, but I can only assume this is the wrong call to make and/or they will use him in the wrong way.  I’ve listed some highlights from the article below:
 
1) Mejia’s role will be determined by the teams position in the standings.  Assuming they aren’t going to be in any race, have they learned nothing from the team across town?  This kid is a starter and they should keep developing him that way.  You know the first thing that crossed management’s mind when K-Rod went out was that Mejia could close.  Please, please do not let this happen.
 
I know at some point you have to see what you got, but having him in garbage starts in September doesn’t really help anyone.  What if he gets shelled?  His trade status goes out the window with every Cody Ross homerun ball.  Haven’t we seen this before, Fernando Martinez.  I know, I know, he’s still young! Fingers crossed he’ll be great! blah blah  I think Jenrry’s trade bait was perfectly displayed while he was here.  The team should wait to see more of him in Double-A.     
 
2) He missed several weeks with a rotator cuff strain, but the Mets viewed that injury as minor.  I’m sure that means this injury was EXTREMELY serious.  The way that they mis-manage injuries on this team is insane.  I honestly (okay, almost honestly) feel I could do a better job diagnosing these guys.   
 
3) The team planned to bring him up Tuesday.  And they didn’t because?  The injury is in fact serious?  They haven’t seen enough since he’s been out so long?
 
4) There is some debate within the organization about Mejia’s future.  Some view him as a starter, while others feel that his high-octane delivery would be difficult to maintain over the course of several innings, and make him better suited to short bursts of action.  Obviously, need I even comment?
 
I beg of you Metropolitans, please make one call that is not a comedy of errors.  We all want you to turn over a new leaf and become a smart, analytical successful club.  Just don’t screw this up.  
 
See Cerrone’s take here- MetsBlog

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(Notes: 4)
  
Filed under: mets jenrry mejia 
June 4, 2010
Moving Mets Content to DailyStache.net

For those of you who follow me solely for Mets content, you can now catch all my Mets ruminations at DailyStache.net.  Thanks for any and all your support. -Rake

twitter.com/dailystache

twitter.com/rake_

First post is linked above.  “Worrying About Johan Santana” Hope you enjoy. 

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Filed under: Daily Stache Mets