Thinking Out Loud Online
New York Mets
Opening Day Follows the Script
Apr 6th
The last two seasons have begun with a tremendous sense of hope for the New York Metropolitans. The last two seasons have ended with a sense of utter despair for the team, and more acutely, the fanbase. Changes to the equation that had failed us the last two seasons were needed and made. Whether the new equation, consisting of a new ballpark that couldn’t have come at a better time and, more importantly, a revamped bullpen with a dominating closer at the back end, will serve to erase the failures of the last two years is yet to be seen. On this day in rainy Cincinnati, the second part of the new equation held up their end of the bargain. May it always be thus.
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Requiem for a Season and a Stadium
Oct 12th
I didn’t stay for the ceremonies. I will make that admission at the beginning in case anyone was hoping for my take. I’m sure they were touching. I’m sure they were very sentimental. I’m sure if I had stayed through the very long delay between the end of a season and the last goodbyes to a stadium, I would have been feeling suitably nostalgic. It was not to be.
In retrospect, the events leading up to the end should have served as a warning. Once again, my Mets went into a final weekend series against the Florida Marlins fighting for their playoff lives. Once again, a Mets pitcher threw the game of his life on the final Saturday in order to keep hope alive. Last year it was John Maine throwing a one-hitter. This year it was Johan Santana tossing a complete game shutout on only three days rest. If those parallels didn’t serve enough warning, the weather should’ve been the final signal of what was to come.
Much Could Be Decided
Sep 7th
While much of the country turns its attention to this first Sunday of the pro football season, I turn my attention to Flushing Meadows, NY. For today, the Mets and Phillies have a day-night doubleheader and I will be at the nightcap. It should’nt have been this way. The second game was originally a day game moved to accomodate ESPN. And as much as I might gripe about an 8:05 start (on a Sunday?!?!?!?), karma appeared to be on the schduler’s side as yesterday’s game was rained out and suddenly the afternoon was available for a makeup.
The Phillies had taken the opener of the three game set on Friday night to move within two games of the division lead. Recent history suggests the Mets will take the next two. Recent history (or possibly just my perception of it) also suggests that the Mets don’t do well in doubleheaders. Something has to give.
Their First Game
Aug 20th
This post could easily have been about an opportunity lost. At just about any other time, it would’ve focused on John Maine’s erratic pitching (O runs allowed but only lasting 5 innings), another blown save by the bullpen after tempting fate all weekend, Damion Easley’s rally killing double plays, and the lack of clutch hitting in general.
While those are valid topics all, this post focuses on something special. On Monday, I had the opportunity, along with my brother, to take two kids to their first major league baseball game. This was actually a repeat attempt of a trip to the ballpark last August. That time, we made it to PNC Park for my first trip there but the game was rained out with nary a pitch being thrown.
Don’t Mess With the Johan
Aug 18th
The Mets bullpen is a mess. While that isn’t exactly news to anyone who has been following the Mets (or subjected themselves to ESPN for more than 5 minutes, God help them), I doubt anyone has felt the effects any more keenly than their ace, Johan Santana. Sure, Mets fans are rather angry at the bullpen but then that goes along with being a Mets fan.