10
2010
My Own Apathy is Bumming Me Out
An article by Former Writers
Any day now, pitchers and catchers will begin reporting to spring training all across Florida and Arizona. In a few weeks, all teams, including our Mets, will begin their spring training games, and then less than two months from now, Johan Santana will likely be throwing the first live pitch for the Mets since last October.
Usually around this time of year, once the Super Bowl has been played and sports docket is less than fulfilling for most of us, I start to get that itch for baseball. I can almost smell spring when having visions of baseball, either at the ballpark or on TV. And it’s usually accented with the hope that my team, the Mets, are going to head into the season as contenders again, hoping for their first world championship since 1986.
But alas, I feel more than a twinge of apathy right now. Omar Minaya has once again given us false hope, as he signed modest slugger Jason Bay but then made no other significant moves. Well, unless you consider Kelvim Escobar, Henry Blanco and Gary Matthews, Jr. significant. I’m sorry Omar, but with each marginal move, you are increasing my own margin of apathy.
That doesn’t mean I won’t root for the Mets. After all, when fandom is in your blood, you can’t ever remove it. But beyond the fact that this Mets team has as much chance to contend as the ’62 Mets, is the fact that I almost would rather not watch it all unfold. Clearly there are better things I can find to do with my time, and the fact that I’m saying that and writing that really bums me out.
Would I feel differently had the Mets added the likes of Cliff Lee or Roy Halladay or Matt Holliday? Probably yes, but even if they somehow added all three of those guys without magically depleting the farm system, there would still be holes, and that’s not good. It’s not good for the Mets, their fans, or my apathy.
About the Author: Former Writers
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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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Write Your Own Mets Post
It’s totally understandable to feel this way Mikey. It’s not like we’re coming off a great year or even a decent year. I’m not going to tryto blow smoke up your…you know what. The Mets have issues. So what. Lets first get over the fact that we AREN’T the Yankees nor should we try to be. The Yankees are a brand. They transcend baseball. So what. We are the Mets. We treasure our history probably even more so than Yankee fans since our high moments aren’t as vast as the Yankees. I take nothing from them, they have a class act. But so can we.
Omar is as dysfunctional as the ownership, the players, and the Mets fans themselves. We want him to sign every top name free agent and VOILA…a championship will be ours. It’s going to take time to retool the minor leagues. We probably should clean house and look for new scouts. But that will only happen once the Minaya administration ends.
I look back at the 69′ and 86′ team and you know what, neither team, especially the 69′ squad, were superstar laden clubs. You had your stars here and there but what you had on both teams was heart, grit, leadership. You can’t scout, develop or trade for that. You either got it or don’t. I remember when the Mets brought in Frank Viola. At the time he was arguably the best lefty in the game. Did we go anywhere with him? I’m not saying that we shouldn’t go after star players but it’s not the lineup chock full of all stars that wins. Look at the Phillies. Great team, not all stars but they have the heart, the grit and the leadership. Mix in a few stars and the rest is history.
Don’t give up on the team just yet. Yes we may very well have a bonehead of and owner and a boob of a GM. But if the team plays it’s ass off and does what it needs to do, who knows, you may not need the abilify.
Communication with the fans is the wisest move any front office can do.
The big question confusing most Mets fans is “Where is the money?”. Their payroll has shrunk drastically. According to one report, The Mets have gone from a $149 million payroll in 2009 to $122 million payroll right now. There are reports from many sportswriters that members of the Mets front office are telling agents it has no money.
Remarkable that they are starting the season with no starting catcher, a second baseman they don’t want but can’t move, an untried first baseman and a bunch of huge question marks in their rotation after Santana – himself coming off surgery.
Is it Madoff that is preventing the Mets from taking care of business? Well, we fans have been hearing a slightly different story – that the Mets actually made money on the scandal.
So what’s the real story?
As I said, communication with the fans is a wise move.
The Mets ownership doesn’t feel that is necessary.
the problem with the Madoff scandal is that the people who made a profit might be forced legally to give the money back. I don’t really understand it but that’s what I’m told could possibly happen so in reality the Mets have money on paper but can lose it at any time if a judge rules against the Madoff clients who profited from him during the ponzi scheme.
Why are you apathetic. Doesn’t the brilliant move to acquire Jacobs instill confidence and excitement. Daniel Murphy, Chris Carter, Nick Evans, Fernando Tatis, Ike Davis. Why add Jacobs? The Mets have 1B covered down to AA with league average or worse players and still don’t have a league average catcher, 2B, or RF. Jacobs got a contract for $900,000. What does a minor league contract for $900,000 mean? Is that his salary if he makes the 25 man roster or does he cost that amount even if he stays in the minor leagues? Add up all these replacement level players salary and maybe the Mets could have made a play for Felippe Lopez as insurance against a Reyes injury or Castillo’s regression to a crappy hitter with no power. Garko wasn’t a good fit but Jacobs is? Omar has lost his mind. Apathy is about the best you can feel with this organization. Inspite of this, If two of Pelfrey, Maine, and Perez have a season to match their potential the Mets will be a good team. If only they didn’t waste money on players that don’t realy improve the team (Jacobs, GM Jr, …)and instead spent it on a catcher like Snyder and/or an infielder like Lopez, this could be a very good team.
If Jacobs makes the majors he gets 900,000 plus 1.15 million in incentives
I agree with this 100%.
I’m approaching this Met season with a combination of dread and “meh”.
There’s not a heck of a lot to look forward to, or get excited about. No shiny prospect that I can pretend is going to be the next superstar, no big FA signing (although I’m ok with that).
Even the stadium is old news now.
Just medical reports on all our injured players, who by the way, weren’t good enough to win when they were all 100% healthy.
So our motto is, “Let’s hope those injuries don’t re-occur, so we enjoy more good times like the 2007 & 2008 seasons!”
Haha, wow, I just depressed myself even more. Sorry!
Hey, even if/when we suck, it’s still baseball, and a worthy passtime on a warm summer night.
No FA signing? What was Jason Bay?
LETS GO METS!!!!!!!
You need to get some air, smell some grass, and re-watch game six!
I think it’s time to stop crying and fussing about the off season. I wasnt thrilled with how it turned out either, but it’s now time to come together and support the team. The players did nothing to deserve sour pusses from the fans. They are gonna go out their and bust their asses and we need to support them like we always have. Maybe they will surprise us.
I will support my beloved team until the end. I’m puzzled by the so called “fans” saying that they root for other teams like the Stankees because they are winners. I don’t care to lose either but I would never jump ship…
Having a healthy Santana and Reyes and eventually Beltran will automatically improve this team, adding Bay will improve this team.
I know no big signing of pitchers, which we need, but both Perez and Maine were also hurt.
I think all the pitchers will be improved (not handing out Cy Youngs but….)
Last year was like nothing ever seen in SPORTS (not just baseball)
Small additions have been made and they just may surprise you. I love having Mookie in the system and having Keith helping out Murphy and Evans is huge.
I know its not the faithful way – but things are not nearly as gloomy as the cool kids think.
Did ANYONE think the team had a shot to get to the WS in 2000? If ANYONE says yes, you’re kidding yourself.