26
2009
Trading Blue for Purple.
An article by 
A true Mets fan is also a baseball fan. I grew up in New York, but went to College in the New England area, and I now reside in Connecticut. Where, I had to change cable providers 3 times before I could get SNY. That’s for another time though. My biggest pet peeve is when people say they are done caring about the sport for the year because their team is out of it. To me, that’s a Red Sox fan. Let me be clear, I truly respect a Red Sox fan who year after year struggled with the constant disappointments of their team. It’s the fan that jumped aboard in 2003 right before Aaron Boone’s Home Run that I can’t stand. Trust me, going to school in the New England area, I saw plenty of them.
While the Mets season is clearly over, and all we can hope for now is that they improve their draft placement and maybe call up some young players in September to see if they can contribute in 2010. The baseball season however, is not over.
The Mets have problems, no doubt about it. We can sit here and argue about Minaya, Manuel, the Wilpon’s, Ollie, all day. It won’t change. Everything that needs to be said, has been said. In fact, everybody who can get injured basically has been injured. So why focus on the last 30 something games? There is great baseball being played, and baseball Mets fans should pay close attention to. Next year will come. The winter will hit, the trade market will flourish, and the Mets will show us what direction they see this team going. So for now, while you flip the channel after a Mets error, or a double play by Tatis, or Pelfrey licking his hands 10 times after giving up 2 straight walks, take a look at what’s going on around the league.
Most Mets fans in my experience cannot stand the following teams (in no order): Yankees, Phillies, Dodgers, Giants, Cardinals and Red Sox. That’s just my experience of course. Sadly for the Mets fans, it’s possibly that all 6 of those teams will be in the post-season, but more likely at least 4 of them. So who do we watch? Who do we root for? I think I made it pretty clear in one of my previous articles that the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim should be what Mets fans want their own ballclub to be. So naturally, I’ll be rooting for the Angels to take the AL Pennant home. They are as fun of a ballclub as you’ll get to watch in the American League, and set a true example of how the Mets need to build their team moving forward. In the National League, we’ve got some problems. The Phillies, Cardinals and most likely the Dodgers (whether by division or wild card) all seem likely playoff teams. That leaves us with only one option.
Colorado Rockies – What a great time for Mets fans to hop aboard the Rockies bandwagon for the year. On September 1st, the Mets travel to Colorado, so if it’s worth it to you to stay awake for the two 8:40pm starts, you’ll get to see this very exciting team in action. This is a team that teams like the Phillies, Dodgers, and Cardinals hate to play. Why? They have nothing to lose. Again, this team, just like their 2007 team, doesn’t have the talent to match up with those teams, but they make up for it with heart. Something the Mets fan certainly isn’t used to seeing.
In a recent Sports Illustrated article I read while waiting to get my hair cut, the Rockies were praised for their ability to run the bases better than any team in baseball, without relying on steals. They are aggressive, but smart when it comes to running the bases. Something again, we haven’t really experienced this year or in recent year’s past.
All 8 of the Rockies offensive starters are homegrown talent. Of course this is something the Mets have really never been able to achieve. Mets fans however have always hoped for something like this. To a true Rockies fan, this is indeed “their team.”
This is a team that can put up a great fight. We have struggled through a team for the last 3 years that has seemed to have no heart. A team that doesn’t handle firing managers, talking to press, diagnosing injuries, or developing young talent very well. A team that come September has laid down, showing no desire to win the big games, until the big games were long gone. It’s time to get inspired by watching how others do business. It’s time to watch the Angels bunt, steal, and pitch their way past the NY Yankees in the ALCS, and it’s time to watch a team defy all odds and all experts by proving that sometimes, it takes more than just a couple of free agents to win a pennant. It takes a team. The Angels and Rockies are two perfect examples of how the Mets need to plan for the future. So it’s natural that they will be the two teams I root for in the finals weeks of the regular season, and into the playoffs.
Writer’s Note: One of my best friend’s is a Rockies fan and prior to 2008 we made a $100 wager that the Rockies will win a World Series before the Mets do. So if the Rockies do manage to find their way back to the October Classic, I really hope they don’t plan on doing anything crazy, like winning it.
About the Author: Michael J. Branda
I work for a non-profit organization, working closely with all of our fundraisers in hope of one day finding a cure. My time with MMO began in July of 2009 when I wrote a Fan Post defending Omar Minaya (before it was cool to do that.) I grew up a Mets fan with the mid 1980's teams. My favorite Met of all-time is (and was) Wally Backman. When it comes to sabermetrics versus old school thinking, I like to think I meet in the middle. I believe thinking of new ways to get answers is helpful, especially when the same way has not produced results. However, I think over-thinking certain situations can get you into trouble. I'm excited for the new regime, because I believe they have pieces in place to focus on several aspects of the Mets organization. I've waited this long for a World Series, waiting a few more years for another chance isn't going to kill me.
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NL East Standings
| Team | W | L | Pct. | GB |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nationals | 26 | 18 | .591 | - |
| Braves | 26 | 20 | .565 | 1.0 |
| Mets | 24 | 21 | .533 | 2.5 |
| Marlins | 24 | 21 | .533 | 2.5 |
| Phillies | 23 | 23 | .500 | 4.0 |
Last updated: 05/25/2012
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After sesing them pull off walk off hits in the past week, I’m totally ruiting for Rockies to win it for NL.
I’m just hoping Rays make it in and take it all though.
I agree. I like the Rays.
You forgot to mention the Braves on teams we hate
Ironically, I admitted earlier in the season when the Rockies were coming into town that I liked the Colorado Rockies. I’m a fan, and I used to be a major fan of Todd Helton, and I still am. The heart in their team is great, and playing half their games at Coors Field definitely doesn’t hurt their chances. They’ve also got a pretty smart guy as GM.
The Rockies series starts on Sept 1. Supposedly David Wright is coming off the DL and will play in that series. That means a flight into and out of Colorado. Wasn’t that what polished off Church last year? Will the Mets actually take such a chance for no reason? We may have one more surprise in the offing. Let’s see what they do about this!
That’s an excellent point. They should just wait for the next homestand to begin on Sept. 4 to activate him. That way, he won’t need to fly until after the Sept. 10 game. It’s not like the Mets need him for the stretch run.
On the topic of the blog, I would love a Rays/Rockies World Series. The Rockies might end up with the best record in the National League, which is amazing, considering they were once 15½ games behind the Dodgers. Perhaps there will be a sequel to Rocktober!
I was a backseat Rockies fan for a while in the 90s when the New Haven Ravens (AA Eastern League, now the New Hampshire River Cats) played at Yale Field…saw Craig Counsell, Neifi Perez, Todd Helton, John Thompson and others on their way up as part of the Ravens. On the opposing side, I saw Derek Jeter, Mike Lieberthal, Bobby Abreu, Vladimir Guerrero, Rey Ordonez…
They belonged to the Rockies at first, and were managed by ex-Yankee infielder Paul Zuvella. later, they were affiliated with the Cardinals, Mariners and Blue Jays before leaving town. Was a great, cheap night out at the ballpark…miss it.
CAPSLOCK=DISABILITY ACCOMODATION
THIS IS A PERFECT EXPLAINATION AS TO WHY THE U.S. DIVORCE RATE IS SO HIGH.
IF I ONLY LOOK AT THE RAYS & ROCKS I SEE 2 FRANCHISES THAT OVER THE PAST 10 YRS COMBINED OUT OF 20 POSSIBLE RESULTS(10 EACH) TO FINISH LAST 12 TIMES, NEXT TO LAST 5 TIMES & GARNERED A COMBINED 2 WS APPEARANCES(1 EA.) LOSING BOTH. MANAGING ONLY 1 WS GAME VICTORY COMBINED. NY FANS TYPICALLY DON’T HAVE THE SAME PATIENCE. WHAT’S TRULY AMAZING IS HOW SO MANY FAIL TO SEE HOW IN-SEASON FAILURE TENDS TO CREATE RICHER FARM SYSTEMS YIELDING BETTER HOME GROWN TALENT. THERE’S A PRICE TO PAY EITHER IN FREE AGENT CONTRACTS+TOP DRAFT PICKS OR IN IN-SEASON HOPELESSNESS WITH PERMANENT IRRELEVANCY & COUNTLESS “WAITING TIL NEXT YRS” THAT ATTRACTIVE PERSON WALKING DOWN THE STREET WITH THE KILLER BOD HAS THEIR FAULTS,THEY STILL FART IN BED & HAVE B.O.. GRASS IS ALWAYS GREENER, HOW DO U SUPPOSE THESE TEAMS U MENTION WILL FARE UNDER NYC SPOTLIGHTS WHERE A WIN ISN’T A WIN, IT’S A GAME TO BE ANALYZED TO DEATH & A LOSS IS A DEATH SENTENCE END OF SEASON PRECURSOR.
BTW, RE. ANGELS I LIVED THE 90s IN LA & CAN ATTEST THE ANGELS GET “NO NOTICE” FROM SPORTS RADIO PERSONALITIES (WHEN I LIVED THERE JIM ROME WAS THE TOP RATED SPORTS RADIO HOST & APOSTULATED “HE DIDN’T UNDERSTAND THE STUPIDITY OF FANS ROOTING FOR FRANCHISES THAT DIDN’T WIN!” THE DODGERS WERE PAID JUST SLIGHTLY MORE NOTICE THAN LAA. EVER WONDER HOW NFL DEALS WITH IGNORING THAT MKT? IT’S THE BIGGEST COLLEGE TOWN ON THE PLANET! NOBODY CARES ABOUT SCOSCIA OR TORRE’S IN-GAME DECISIONS.
hey, even though they are out of the race i look at it this way, for three years now we have been getting our hopes up just to be let down horribly in the end. its been PAINFUL!!! three years of heart break is ALOT! for the first time in a while im watching a mets game and just relaxing and enjoying baseball. i havent said that in a while. no expectations, just watching the mets cause i love the team and the game. mind you i wish they were in it and winning but this is the first time in a long time that baseball is stress free. plus im excited because you know with some players coming off the books (delgado, etc.) there will be some shakeup to the roster in the offseason whether its a creative trade or signing or two (not big free agents but role players). we NEED starting pitching to complement johan so look for a 1-2 punch next year. for now im a diehard no holds barred mets fan so win or lose im just gonna watch them play it out, hope for a strong finish and come october hope the the skankees and sillies fall flat on there face!!! for now as the summer comes to a close enjoy the game we grew up on, root for the mets no matter the line-up or record, and know that our day despite the letdowns and tough years like this one, our day will come! no matter what! LETS GO METS!!!! (for me the phillies are most hated folowed by the skankees)
CAPSLOCK=DISABILITY ACCOMODATION
D-DAY, I CONCUR WHOLEHEARTEDLY ESP. THE STRESSLESSNESS OF TODAY’S GAMES; BUT LIVING IN NC I DON’T HAVE THE SAME NEG FEELING TOWARDS NYY AS YOU; THOUGH I’VE A COUSIN, A BORN CONTRARIAN, WHO GREW UP NEXT DOOR IN THE SAME 2-FAMILY HOUSE IN BAY RIDGE, WHO’S THE SOLE NYY FAN IN A BLUE DYED DODGER DWELLING. TO THIS DAY HE’S GOT PINSTRIPES ON HIS SOUL. HIS ARROGANCE IS TOUGH TO TAKE EVEN OVER THE NET, HE LIVES IN FL, NOW.I UNDERSTAND YOUR HATRED; BUT DESPITE MY CUZ, I’M STILL A NYer IN MY HEART & WILL ALWAYS ROOT NY REGARDLESS OF CLOTHING WORN(UNI); THOUGH I DON’T ANTICIPATE ENDURING THAT TO THE WS. I’VE AN LAA SWEATSHIRT IN MY CLOSET DUE TO THE 2002 PLAYOFFS, I WAS OUT THERE VISITING MY MOTHER-IN-LAW IN JAN, ’03 & FORGOT TO PACK A SWEATSHIRT & BY THAT TIME THE LAA WS CHAMPIONSHIP CLOTHES WERE CHEAP AT WALMART! OFFSEASON SPENDING WILL BE VERY INTERESTING TO WATCH. PRESENTLY THE NEW “FAB 5″ AS JERRY’S CHRISTENED THE PRESENT ROTATION OF PELFREY,PARNELL,REDDING,MITSCH,FIGGY HAS A TOP SALARY OF 2.25M IN REDDING FOLLOWED BY 2.37M FOR PELF & THE REST AROUND 400K EACH. DID SOMEONE SAY U GET WHAT U PAY FOR?
Oh what a tangled web we weave to deceive ourselves into false hope! Unfortunately, you have set yourself up for a large fall. Do you really think, the Mets will finish strong this year and the Yanks and Phils will crash and burn? You can root your heart out for that, but expect it to be broken!
This is a awsome article! I as a Rockies fan think its great that were getting some people to notice our talents. I hope for a rays/rockies world series
and no mets fans,don’t lose your faith in this team ; you’ll make it next season
It was a really nice theme! Just wanna say thank you for the data you have fanned. Just continue penning this kind of post. I will be your patriotic reader. Gives Thanks once more.