29
2008
Mets Fans Have Destroyed Their Homefield Advantage
An article by 
Yes, it’s true and it pains me to say it. We have created such a feeling of hostility in our own home park that it has permeated into the minds of the players and turned our Mets fan base into a laughing stock throughout all of sports.
We have made it a burden for the Mets to relax at the plate because of the unrealistic expectations we have for each player. It has become as though the weight of the world rests upon the shoulders of each and every player and I’m not just talking about those players who happen to be in a slump.
What my biggest fear is that someday beloved players such as David Wright and Jose Reyes will one day leave for the serenity and calm of a team like the San Diego Padres or Arizona Diamondbacks. If and when that happens we will have nobody to blame but ourselves.
When the Brooklyn Dodgers left us starving for National League baseball, we were left with a giant hole in our hearts. The Mets filled that heart with joy and it didn’t matter how bad they were, we loved them.
In 1969 they rewarded that love and loyalty with a World Series trophy that we could all be proud of. Since then the team has had their ups and downs like any other team, but their love affair with their fans was a thing to marvel at.
Those days are now gone because of an impatient society that has been fueled by sports reporters and beat writers who couldn’t care less, a sports talk radio show that revels in the failures of the team and it’s players, a team sponsored network that is disconnected from the team, and a blogosphere that has gone out of control with negativity and the fascination with the power it yields irresponsibly.
It’s a cocktail for disaster and the New York Mets are unfairly swept inside it.
The most unfortunate part is that all those things I mention are not representative of the majority of undying loyalists to the team like myself. The majority of Mets fans are the most supportive fans on earth, but their voices simply are not loud enough to drown out the mindless utterings and negative rantings of the aforementioned.
For the majority of Mets fans it’s a travesty… a travesty that is perpetuated each day with the constant barrage of sensationalizing each and every player’s misstep or dissecting and over analyzing every players quote. It’s not only sad, but disgusting as well.
Everyone is smart enough to realize that for some reason mostly all Mets players hit better on the road, yet they are too naive to see that we are the cause of it. They hit better on the road because that is where they are most relaxed and most comfortable. A homestand has become a great, giant burden for them.
How can we possibly win anything, when we’ve taken away our team’s home field advantage?
How can we hold players responsible for failing to produce in the hostile environment we created?
We have let renegade bloggers and writers warp our good sense. We have let what were supposed to be the radio and cable home of the Mets destroy the fabric of our loyalties and convictions. We have become unique in the sports world for this utter monstrosity.
Shame on us…
About the Author: Joe DeCaro
Went to my first Mets game, a Mayors Trophy game at Shea, in '73. We beat the Yankees 8-4 and I was hooked. I marched in two Banner Day parades, and before the Grand Slam single, there was the "Hendu Can Do" grand slam - I was there. I've collected Mets memorabilia all my life and started Mets Merized Online to feed my addiction.
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You are so right dude!! This whole situation makes me want to puke! SNY and WFAN totally strokes it and loves it. Look at what they say on their new shows knocking us all the time, and all the Derek Jeter commercials that run, plus they have polls that keep drawing even more attention to what ever negative topic is hot. They all suck!!!
KEVIN, I AGREE WITH U; BUT DON’T THINK JETER COMMERCIALS ARE RELATIVE SINCE AS AN OUT-OF-TOWNER, I CAN TELL U I FIND IT AMAZING & AMUSING HOW MANY REYES’ 2K8 ADS ARE AIRED ON STATIONS LIKE SPORTSSOUTH (ATL REPL FOR TBS) ESP DURING NYM-ATL GAMES.
I was at the game on Saturday and I have to say it was nothing like the way it used to be. Maybe it was the section we were seated in or just a coincidence but for the entire game there was nothing but booing and cursing for most of the game. I couldn’t even focus on the field because it was so crazy with negative fans. Why do they even come to the game?? Ironicallt it was a big win for us, but you wouldn’t be able to tell from the fan reaction. Maybe we’re better off spending the extra money and sitting at field level. Maybe that’s where the real fans are, I have no idea except that they certainly were not sitting in Mezzanine. Mets fans should stay away from SNY and WFAN except for game time only. And Steve Sommers too, I like him. Nice job Joe!
Christian – If the Mets own one third, shouldn’t they be able to have a say in supressing much of the negativity they spew out about our team. I believe that they should be objective, but they really cross the line. Their call in questions and the polls they do are all negative. I heard the Mets may leave WFAN because it’s their final year. I hope that’s true.
Joe, I can’t tell you how much your blog carried the true sentiments that I’ve been feeling for the longest time. I wish that these types of posts were the ones that got more play or more air time. For some reason it’s only the negative ones we get to see the most of, even on so called Mets blogs. There are only 2-3 Mets blogs I frequent now and this is one of my favorites. The bigger Mets blogs have become a haven for miserable Mets fans and I can’t take them anymore.
Let’s hope the Mets can get a another couple of wins from the Pirates starting today! LETS GO METS!
Joe, when was the last time you were at game? I was there Friday night, Loge section 7, row H. I heard nothing but supportive comments from all the fans. I was shocked there wasn’t much booing at all. The only booing was for Willie Randolph, and Carlos Delgado, and that happened late in the game.
This carrying on about booing is a bunch of nonsense.Every city boos. I watch 3 games a day on MLB.tv and hear it. Talk about making a mountain out of mole hill!!
I’ve got to agree with everything I’ve read on here about NY fans booing and jeering their own players. I truly believe that it’s directly related to how much $$ our NY athletes make compared to the rest of the leagues’ players. Generally speaking, players on The Mets and Yankees make the most amount of money. People talk about how much more respectful, supportive, and patient fans are for smaller market teams like Denver and Arizona. But those teams have tend to have much lower payrolls and far fewer players with $16 million a year contracts like The Mets & Yankees have. So their fans tend to be a lot more merciful when the players they cheer for battle through prolonged slups or underachieve. They don’t have the “that bum’s not earning his money” attitude that New York fans tend to have. A player making $700,000 a year batting .195 wearing a NY uniform is not going to get booed the way a player making $15 million batting .195 is going to get booed. Plain and simple. And another thing…I truly believe that when NY fans boo, they do so because in reality they really can’t wait to cheer that particular player. I remember when Derek Jeter started the season like 0 for 30 a few years ago and the fans at Yankee Stadium were all over him. But as soon as he got that first hit, he got a monumental standing ovation and all of Yankee Stadium was in his hip pocket again just like that. Same thing with Carlos Delgado…The guy couldn’t punch his way out of a wet paperbag and all of a sudden he’s getting a standing ovation after blasting 2 dingers. And then the fans instantly turn on him & commence the booing again because he won’t come out of the dugout for a stupid curtain call??? Only in New York.
The problem is that there are a bunch of loosers as Mets fans. They have no life and would rather boo there own team player than encourage them. Do some of you idiots who boo think that booing is going to help them? Ive been a Met fan since 1977 and i used to love going to shea and hearing Strawberry or Keith Hernandez being anounced to the plate. Now its like i look around and most of the idots booing are the ones who havent even payed there dues through the ruff seasons that i have gone through as a Mets fan. I bunch of 15-28 yr olds booing my boys Beltran and Delgado who quite frankly are way more talented than some of the players we’ve ever had. Beltran IS THE BEST CF WE HAVE EVER HAD. Point blank hands down. Delgado is atleast the 3rd best 1b we have ever had atleast in the last 30 yrs and he came through for us in his only post season appearance. I wish i can really slap some of the idiots who boo.
The problem is that there are a bunch of loosers as Mets fans. They have no life and would rather boo there own team player than encourage them. Do some of you idiots who boo think that booing is going to help them? Ive been a Met fan since 1977 and i used to love going to shea and hearing Strawberry or Keith Hernandez being anounced to the plate. Now its like i look around and most of the idots booing are the ones who havent even payed there dues through the ruff seasons that i have gone through as a Mets fan. I bunch of 15-28 yr olds booing my boys Beltran and Delgado who quite frankly are way more talented than some of the players we’ve ever had. Beltran IS THE BEST CF WE HAVE EVER HAD. Point blank hands down. Delgado is atleast the 3rd best 1b we have ever had atleast in the last 30 yrs and he came through for us in his only post season appearance. I wish i can really slap some of the idiots who boo.
In terms of salaries, who do you think is paying these players? It’s the fans who go and spend $60-$100 for a ticket that make these astronomical contracts possible. Would the Mets and their players rather it be the way it was in the 90′s, when Shea was practically empty every game? That would certainly stop the booing. Fans want to see a winning team and are willing to pay to see that, but when their money is going to guys who don’t deserve it, that’s when fans get upset. I am not saying that Delgado or any other player on this team hasn’t earned their paycheck (yet). I am just explaining why fans feel the way they do sometimes.
I’d say we implore all METS fans who show up at the game today, to show all of NY and the Media that we can have class.
Let’s stop the booing here and now.
No more booing our hometown team!
LETS GO METS!
Steve Bartman might beg to differ about Cubs fans being the best in the country. I live in South Florida and I went to one of the NLCS games between the Marlins and Cubs back in ’03. There were a ton of Cubs fans sitting in our section and around the stadium. They were without a doubt some of the most obnoxious, rude, and classless fans I’ve ever been exposed to.
I can Agree, us As Fans have done a bad job. I could’nt wait till the season started so we can get back on track and forget about last year. The last thing on my mind was to boo or boo at the players.I play ball and one thing i do know when you cheer it helps. I really think if you give them the support they will get back on track the whole Offense will get going. I mean who would want to pitch to Delgado if he starts to hit. So that would mean Beltran and wright will see better pitching. But then yet as fans we love you when your doing good and we hate you when your doing bad.
I believe that fans are booing because;
1)Losing because of indifference,fans want to see players give 100%.This team should be way above 500.Reyes has no plate discipline,Castillo has not been aggressive at the plate
Wright has been streaky,
Beltran puts up #s but is so non clutch.
Delgado’s been in a slump
for 2 yrs.Fans see him being there collecting a paycheck with no return.
2)the collapse last year still has lasting effects.Fans see the same exact attitude.This I blame
on Randolph.His theres “nothing wrong “here
attitude shows he clueless.
3)Some of the previous remarks above mentioned the
fans themselves.There are
the real fans who go to games when they really suck
and casual fans.I think long suffering fans know when they see guys sending it in.
4)the media do flame this stuff so they can fill there
air time and papers
The truth hurts.
David Wright said it all on David Letterman a few weeks ago… “You know as well as anybody in this city its what have you done for me lately…”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r5Hmf5nJ8yk
I wish fans would be more supportive. I understand getting upset but these guys are human too.
Great blog Joe D. I think it is also brought on by the football mentality that we bring to baseball. We as fans have to start somewhere to change this and I guess there is no better place than this forum.
John Smith – thanks for the update or your opinion on the team and why people boo.
STILL NO EXCUSE, besides its more opinion then factual.
I will not accept that people making millions, people paying so much…etc….make it ok to act like a classless bafoon.
I go to ALOT of games, I pay ALOT of money, I do NOT want to hear boo’s, and when it happens, I’ll be the one easy to find, Staning up and cheering louder then the boo’s.
Booing is part of being a fan. BUT….boo the other team!!! i remember in 2006 for game 1 of the NLDS, you could not even hear the dodgers introductions. it gave me chills. then hearing the cheers for the mets players. again…chills. that’s the kind of energy we need back. the energy that strikes fear in opponents. give them boo’s that resonate in their ears after they leave. i only hope enough people start to get the picture.
I don’t understand why people (fans) feel entitled to anything with a sport. If you’re a “fan” you’re supposed to root for your team regardless of what their standings are. That is what a REAL FAN is.
It wouldn’t surprise me to find out that those who currently boo our players are past Yankee fans.
I truly thought us real Mets fans were much better than those people in the Bronx.
If you use simple logic, people do better when cheered, acknowledged, or complimented. And this scenario does not only work in sports but in real life as well.
I can almost guarantee that if you weren’t doing too well at work, you wouldn’t feel motivated to do better if all you heard were negativity or boos from the people you work for.
How difficult is that to understand? These people who boo need to get a life, or become Yankee fans.
OH AND OF COURSE…..CHEER THE METS FOR CRYING OUT LOUD!!!!!!!!!!
I agree with you. Being a Die Hard Mets fan is like being in a marriage.. For better or worse, you still have to have faith and be supportive. Booing your home team is disrespectful and when I am at a game I will not stand for it. I scream and cheer so loud that it annoys the people in my section who are booing.. I tell them to go home if they don’t like it.
I agree to the fullest. The fans who aren’t so peesimistic and have that “ya gotta believe” spirt (yours truly) are left drowning in the wake of “fans” who embarass me as a fan of my METS. Oh, and its the top discussion on Mike & the dog, it pissses me off. What are we doing, and how do we limit it?
‘cmon people
sadly, the players have the most power in limiting it. the team starts winning at home and giving 100%, the boos will go away. i think people boo because it’s one of the only powers they have, as “fans”, that is noticed.
Nice Blog…
I agree the negativity has grown tremendously. I can attest as someone who has moved out of the area and catches he games on XM and MLB extra innings it does seem pronounced more so this year. I remeber when it did not take prompting from some audio clip for Mets fans to Chant Lets Go Mets. The other thing fellow Met fans WHO GIVES A S*&% WHAT THE YANKES ARE DOING!!!! Suppport the boys in Orange and blue! The Yankees suck chants are ridiculous! In Fact get creative that is all I hear anymore Phillies Suck, Marlins, etc…
It is Time for true Mets fans to unite and drive these front running drunken a-holes out of our house!!!
Unfortunately I can not be at the game as I am 1700 mile away but tonight I would love to hear the crowd chanting Let’s Go Mets the moment Johan Takes the mound!! Can some of you that will be there tonight help me out with this one?
Lets take back Shea this year so we can trully have a new home for the Mets next year!!!
LETS GO METS!
yep. negativity is definitely higher. we as fans are spoiled by a good team on paper and yes, we expect them to perform like they should. but also remember that these guys are human too. show negativity towards them and they’ll take that onto the field.
I agree with Mike this has gotten out of hand even if they are not living up to what they can do on paper as Marc says.
I will go on every fansite and Blog I can before I go to the game tonight and encourage my section Who are all diehards to stand up and chant Lets go Mets as soon as they take the field…This one is for you out of towners tht wish they could be here with us as well!
hey MetsWrighter…BOOOOOOOO BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO YOU STINK!!!!!!!! BOOOOOOOOOOOO
You know, I tried to take an equally fair stand on this issue in my blog last night and point out the logical reasonings from both the fan’s perspective as well as Delgado’s. I tried NOT to let my personal opinion play a part in my writing. But now I have to.
Listen, I am not saying booing is nice. But it also is not wrong. And to go as far as calling it disrespectful is a bit much. Believe me, Carlos Delgado did not lose one wink of sleep because some fans booed him during a slump. The fact that he consciously and deliberately ignored the fans’ request for a curtain call is what IS wrong here. You know the old expression, actions speak louder than words? Well, his actions speak much more loudly than a few verbal boos.
i don’t agree at all. i think the headline is baloney.
It’s not the fans, it’s the Mets play that has hurt their homefield advantage. it’s not the losing, because goodness knows that never stopped us before. It’s the bad, uninspired baseball being played by our favorite team.
If they were playing well and losing no one would say a word. But the sloppy play, careless pitching in big spots, and never-ever comeback style turns people off, especially in NY.
If Jose gets creative about using his natural skills – his speed – like slapping the ball a bit or bunting once or even twice a game, guess what… people would be on their feet win, lose, or draw. but when he stands there hacking away like he’s some modern version of ellis valentine, then people are kind of tired of it and are wondering if either he or the manager is paying attention.
and the more the media harps on the fans, then yes, players will start wanting out.
You remember the division celebration in 2006 when the team just wanted to be one with the fans and couldn’t get enough of celebrating together? well, guess what, the people in the stands are the same ones who were there that night… but the team is a different team and their play is a whole different style.
So let’s get off the fans. It ain’t our fault.
dont you remember the Simpsons when Bart and Lisa were harassing Daryl Strawberry…DONT YOU REMEMBER THE TEAR IN HIS EYE?!?!?!? DONT YOU?!?!?! WELL I DO!!!!!!
Bravo bx met fan!!!! You said it right! The team IS different, and while we still love them, it’s hard to accept sometimes. We just want the best because we know we are the best!
Nice reference David!!
We want Home run Homer….Matingly Shave off those sideburns.
Nice reference David!!
We want Home run Homer….Matingly Shave off those sideburns.
BX the headline or title or whateve is not baloney, it’s the truth. The Mets get no pleasure out of their homestands because of fans like you.
Beautifully written, Joe.
I totally agree with the poster on this one. I get tired of hearing all of the BOO’s months after the individual has turned in some decent games. Loved Wagners comment about when they BOOed him, asking if Scott Schoeneweis was behind him. Classic Wagner! It is like we want to be the typical, media hyped fan. We read and hear all over how tough it is to be in NY and how critical the fans and media are so we all have to act the part. I do not take part in any of the BOOing because it is just not my personality but I do think it is somewhat counterproductive. In general, people are human and want to please and do well. Does anyone think Carlos Delgado would rather be booed on a regular basis and he really could give a crap about coming up and being hated instead of being cheered for doing well? That would be dumb to say. I hate to say it but the feel I get from Shea is edgy and no matter what, that would impact any players performance. Did they BOO big pappi when he did not get a hit for like two months? I am not positive but I would doubt they did. Just show some class, media and fans. I have read ten stories about Delgado and the no curtain call deal. WHO REALLY CARES?!?! The people pissed about that are showing how fragile their ego is, now try to be delgado. At least we stopped throwing batteries at people. Guess that is a positive.
met fans did not boo delgado for a whole year last year, so the analogy to big papi and a month of not hitting is not relevant. look, let’s all root hard for carlos to give us 90 rbi and 25 hr’s and this conversation will never be had again. it’s enough already.
I was at the game last night, froze my butt off, and some jerk a few seats down from me, would boo everything.
Now people are booing for the sake of booing and they think its funny. I say people because they are NOT fans…….
I was there early enough to watch BP (nice to see Alou but I digress)
Some LOUD jerk in the front row of the mezz yelled “hey DELGADO – BOOO” and then laughed this guy was LOUD.
If you think this will get your your 15 mins – FORGET IT.