Feb
17
2011

Wilpons Are At Mets Camp; Pardon The Interruption

An article by Joe D

I thought that the start of Spring Training would be just what Mets fans needed - that hearing the sounds of gloves popping and bats cracking would get all of us back to talking about Mets baseball.

Finally, I thought, we could stop talking about Madoff and start talking about who will fill the last two spots in the rotation or win the second base competition. I guess I was just being naive.

Like Al Pacino said in the Godfather Part 3, “Just when I though I was out, they dragged me back in.” By they, of course, I am referring to the relentless media.

It seems as though a lot of people had a big problem with Jeff Wilpon showing up to Port St. Lucie yesterday, and Fred Wilpon arriving to join his son today.

I unequivocally disagree with that notion and I don’t see why they or any baseball team owner shouldn’t be allowed the luxury of seeing their team whenever they want, and especially being there for the opening of Spring Training.

I have no doubt that if the Wilpons decided instead not to make the trek to Digital Domain Park, the vultures would have lined up to tell us that it was some sort of admission of guilt.

The last time I checked, the Wilpons were not charged with anything and even if they were, they should be afforded the same presumption of innocence all Americans are entitled too.

The Internet has made it incredibly easy to paint anyone we want in a very bad light, and unlike the pre-Twitter days, taking responsibility for what a journalist writes these days, is now a thing of the past. Integrity in journalism is at an all-time low.

Punch lines have replaced story lines, and fiction has replaced fact. It’s amazing how much joy can be gleaned from the misfortune of others these days.

We don’t censor opinions on Mets Merized Online – we never have and we never will. But I disagree with many of my colleagues on whether it was a bad idea for Fred and Jeff Wilpon to come to Mets camp this week.

If nothing else, their presence will keep the gossip seekers from asking the players about finances instead of fastballs and Ponzi schemes instead of pre-game rituals. Now they can satisfy their thirst for fresh meat by asking those types of questions from the two people who are best qualified to answer them.

Jeff Wilpon seemed confident yesterday, that in the end his family will prevail. I feel the same way.

About the Author: Joe DeCaro

I'm a lifelong Mets fan who loves writing and talking about the Amazins' 24/7. From the Miracle in 1969 to the magic of 1986, and even the near misses in '73 and '00, I've experienced it all - the highs and the lows. I started Mets Merized Online in 2005 to feed my addiction. Follow me on Twitter @metsmerized.

9 Comments + Add Comment

Mr North Jersey February 17, 2011 at 11:18 am

Well said
Caryn February 17, 2011 at 11:44 am

Very well said. Lets Go Mets!
Donal February 17, 2011 at 12:08 pm

Ya, if the vultures want to talk Madoff, they will. This way, they can chase the Wilpons around with their dumb questions rarther than the players, whom they can now ask baseball related stupid questions.
- Harry C February 17, 2011 at 12:35 pm
  
  Well Donal, the “vultures” as you ignorantly call those who do not step lock foot behind the Wilpons, have two things going for them that you obviously lack./
  Unlike you, they can think for themselves.
  Unlike you they have a brain that they use to think independently. I’m sure you have a brain Donal. Its unfortunate that you have chosen to let it go stagnant. But its easier to follow a master isn’t it. Call people names who aren’t here to shoot back at you. That’s fun. That’s easy./ Using that brain independently and creatively, that’s hard. That’s what yolu are incapable of accomplishing. Too bad for you. Have fun.
  - Donal February 17, 2011 at 12:48 pm
    
    “Call people names who aren’t here to shoot back at you. That’s fun. That’s easy./ ”
    
    Really? Thats where you are going? You really opened that door?
  - Marla Hooch February 17, 2011 at 1:05 pm
    
    You write the funniest posts ever. You are the biggest hypocrite. You come here and complain about someone and you do the exact same thing every single post – but if you are posting it with YOUR opinion – well then it’s ok.
    
    Are you even a Mets fan, have you ever been one?
    - t agee February 17, 2011 at 1:10 pm
      
      Harry is angry that we haven’t signed any dinosaurs to 5+ year contracts that we’ll begin to regret as soon as their official.
      
      Don’t worry Harry we will again, soon, just for you. NOT.
      
      But at least you have your fond memories of Bobby Bo and Fat Mo to keep you company.
Mr North Jersey February 17, 2011 at 12:26 pm

(Off Topic)

Looks like Maine is a Rockie
twitter.com/#!/jcrasnick/status/38283800001777664
alwaysnextyear February 17, 2011 at 1:38 pm

Good piece Joe.

I agree that if they went undercover, the media would get all u in arms that they were ducking them, the wilpons must be hiding something, the fans deserve to know, etc.

at least they came, got the press stuff out of the way, and kept the financial focus on them (instead of th eplayers getting badgered about it).

Hoepfully they just go into the background and stop talking to the media, now that they said their piece) and wait for something to actually change.

maybe there is a chance once the action starts that the press will actually focus on the on the field activities.

what the players do is at least directly relevant to the team and potential wins in 2011. Unlike wild speculation about next off season.

NL East Standings

Team	W	L	Pct.	GB
Braves	42	28	.600	-
Nationals	34	35	.493	7.5
Phillies	34	37	.479	8.5
Mets	25	40	.385	14.5
Marlins	22	47	.319	19.5

Last updated: 06/18/2013

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