23
2013
The 2013 Mets Have No Chance To Win. However…
An article by Tie Dyed
We wont win this season. We wont compete this season. We wont be any good this season. Okay, now that that’s settled, lets go ‘Play Ball’ this season and see what happens. Opening Day is a little over one month away and when that first pitch is thrown, the Mets technically have just as good a chance as anyone to win.
We Mets fans are an interesting bunch Always have been. In 1962 that other team in New York were defending World Champions (again) They had guys named Yogi and Mickey and Whitey and Moose. And they had Roger Maris fresh off breaking what had been deemed the unbreakable record. However, just a few miles away, playing in a dilapidated stadium that was close to being demolished, there was a new team in a town. The Mets countered with guys named Choo Choo, Elio, Marvelous Marv and ‘Hot’ Rod.
And yet, even though the 62 Yankees won 96 games and their eighth World Championship in 13 years, it was the new kids in town who drew more fans.
The difference between the fan bases of our two clubs is simple: Yankees fans feel that anything less than a Championship is simply unacceptable. Mets fans, on the other hand, are ecstatic over finishing .500.
We always hope for the best…but prepare for the worst.
When you think back to 1986, what are the words that come to mind? Swagger. Confidence. Arrogance. Buckner. One word that never really gets brought up is ‘Miracle.’ Sure, Mookie’s slow roller was a gift from the ghosts of Joan Payson and Gil Hodges. But ‘miracle’ is more fitting of 1969 than 1986.
Think back to Game Six. No, not that one. The one against Houston. The Mets were leading the Astros three games to two but we came into the ninth trailing by three and Mike Scott, who’d already shut us down twice in a week and on his way to winning the Cy Young Award, was poised for game seven. Remember that feeling?
Remember that feeling in another Game Six? After Keith flied out, Gary stepped to the plate. The Mets trailed 5-3 in the bottom of the tenth, bases empty and two outs. No hope. Shea was deathly quiet. Failure was written on Davey’s face. The players sat on the bench staring in utter shock and despair at what was playing out before them. Losing was bad enough. Being the team whom the Red Sox would break their curse against was downright embarrassing. But the most heart-wrenching feeling of all was disbelief. Why?
1986 was OUR year. We were supposed to win. We deserved to win. We were entitled. We were the best team. My heavens—We had turned into the Yankees.
And two days later when ‘the dream came true,’ sure, we were elated. But the agony of possible defeat far outweighed the thrill of victory.
In the mid and late 80’s expectations were always high. This was something new for our Metsies. We’re never favored or picked to go far. But with this new burden comes a heavy task. When excellence is expected, almost demanded, anything less is deemed failure. However, when nothing at all is expected and something great happens, it’s that much sweeter.
Over the last quarter century, the two most heartbreaking moments for us came off the bat of catchers: Mike Scioscia and Yadier %$#&^% Molina.
In 1988, the Mets were expected to repeat their ’86 performance. We won 100 games, 10 of those coming in 11 matchups against the Dodgers that season. When Scioscia hit a two-run homer in the top of the ninth in game four against Doc, we were shell-shocked. The Mets never recovered. We were supposed to win. But in the blink of an eye (or the swing of a bat) our expectations and sense of entitlement was crushed.
Same could be said of 2006. That years’ Mets were similar in many ways to the 1986 club. Confident, some arrogance. We dethroned the much hated Braves. Yes, 2006 would definitely be our year. That is until Yadier Molina dug in.
As if 2006 was not heartbreaking enough, the subsequent collapses the next two seasons were downright unfathomable. Choking is hard enough to swallow. But choking when you’re expected to win? That just seems unfair, cruel.
In 1973, the Mets were not good. To say our hitting was anemic would be an understatement. Only one player had over 16 HRs. Only one player hit over 280, Rusty Staub was our RBI leader, plating a whopping 76. No one even had double digits in SB’s. Even our traditionally strong pitching was a letdown. Two of our big three pitchers, Jerry Koosman and Jon Matlack both finished with more losses than wins. And on August 31, our closer Tug McGraw, had an ERA north of 5.00.
But somehow, with no expectations, 1973 remains one of the best years in Mets history. We managed to finagle the NL East title, upset a Big Red Machine team that was filled top to bottom with would-be Hall of Famers. And then, pushed the A’s in the midst of their dynasty, to seven games, even getting the tying run to the plate in the ninth inning of Game Seven.
There are certain players that are held in reverence by their team’s fans. The Red Sox have Ted Williams, the Cubs Ernie Banks, the Royals George Brett. And for us it’s No. 41.
But Tom Seaver was not always Tom Seaver. In the spring of 1969, Seaver was not yet Tom Terrific. He was a promising 24-year old kid with a mediocre 32 wins and 25 losses. (No one expected Seaver to win almost as many games that season as he’d won in the previous two). In Spring Training that March Seaver was joined by Cleon Jones who was a career .272 hitter. (No one dreamed that Cleon would hit .340 in 1969) Former Rookie of the Year Tommie Agee was coming off hitting .217 the previous year. At 26, Agee was considered a has-been.
And if this wasn’t bad enough, our manager was none other than Gil Hodges. Sure, Hodges was loved by New York fans but as a skipper, he achieved little success. With 6 managerial seasons under his belt, the former Brooklyn first baseman had a lackluster .407 winning percentage.
Now, as we inch our way closer to another season, we have little hope. Will Jon Niese turn into another Tom Seaver? No. Will Lucas Duda, like Cleon, hit 340? Of course not. Will Terry Collins join Davey and Gil as championship managers? No way.
But just for the hell of it, lets play out the season and see what happens. In 1962, Casey Stengel told his team, “All I ask is that you bust your hiney on that field.”
Do the Mets have any chance to win it all this season? I think we have about as good a chance as we did in the spring of 1969.
About the Author: Rob Silverman
It was 1973 when my dad introduced this 7 year old kid to Baseball and the Mets. It's been a love and passion that has lasted for 40 years, much longer than my first marriage. Since I was little, there've been 2 things I've always dreamed of: 1) Being a successful author and 2) playing right field for the Mets after Rusty Staub retired. Although 4 decades have passed and based on the current condition of the Mets, I have not given up on either dream
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NL East Standings
| Team | W | L | Pct. | GB |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Braves | 25 | 18 | .581 | - |
| Nationals | 23 | 21 | .523 | 2.5 |
| Phillies | 21 | 23 | .477 | 4.5 |
| Mets | 17 | 24 | .415 | 7.0 |
| Marlins | 12 | 32 | .273 | 13.5 |
Last updated: 05/19/2013
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A couple of other moments that were heart-breaking over the past 25 years would be Kenny Rogers walking in the series-winning run in extra innings during the NLCS in 1999, Timo Perez getting thrown out at home in WS G 1 of 2000, Mike Piazza popping up against David Cone in the 5th inning of WS G 4 and finally the groundball up the middle on Al Leiter´s 140th or so pitch in WS G 5 of that same year.
Being a Mets fan makes you tougher for sure. And it let´s you enjoy the good moments more thoroughly, I suppose after all the hardship that led up to them.
Even during the last 3 playoff appearances, the Mets appeared sort of like underdogs:
1999 with a very questionable rotation beyond Al Leiter and maybe Rick Reed, plus a shaky outfield
2000 without a real SS and a disastrous OF (for a playoff team)
2006 without any sort of rotation due to injuries – heck the playoff rotation basically was Glavine – Trachsel – Maine – Ollie Perez – the latter two not anywhere on the radar before.
Basically the last 3 Mets playoff teams had rosters with serious flaws.
The 1986 team pretty much was the only Mets team ever that was “expected” to win (the 1988 Mets may have been even more talented – but they ran into Orel Hershiser and a hot enough LAD team at the wrong time and lacked the luck & swagger of the 1986 team)…
Doobs,
That first paragraph was brutal. Thanks for ore-opening those semi-forgotten wounds.
From an historical standpoint, you can see the footprint this current team is beginning to form, which is predicated on pitching.
Its a very good sign because if you can pitch, you can compete. The Giants have reinforced that principle in two of the last 3 years. Its true in any sport, really, and its call “stopping your opponent.”
Recently, the team’s greatest setback was in Omar’s decision to dismantle the bullpen after the 2006 season, which was a central component to its success. Grab the early lead with Reyes, Wright, Beltran & Delgado and then put the opponent in a choke-hold for the final 2-3 innings.
We are going to surprise a lot of teams, scouts and fans this year because despite losing RA Dickey, this team is deeper and more experienced on the mound with fewer question marks than in the past few seasons.
The rotation: Santana, Harvey, Niese, Marcum, Gee (Wheeler, Mejia, Familia, Hefner, Laffey, McHugh, Gorski) – we’re almost 2-deep in the rotation.
The bullpen: Parnell, Francisco, Lyon, Familia, Ramirez, Mejia, Hawkins, Burke, Edgin, Carson, Gorski, Laffey & Feliciano. Again, we’re almost 2-deep in available arms.
My expectation for the rotation is that Santana & Marcum will begin the season healthy, but are at risk as the season progresses. By season’s end, we could be talking about a rotation of “Harvey, Niese, Wheeler, Gorski & Gee” and the buds of 2014 will blossom earlier than expected. I happen to think highly of Gorski.
My expectation for the bullpen is that Parnell, Lyon, Burke, Familia, Edgin & Carson will step forward. I really don’t know what to expect from Hawkins, Ramirez, Mejia, Laffey & Feliciano.
The real fun begins 2014-2015 when guys like Fulmer, Montero, Mateo & Tapia step forward. My sense is that most MLB teams are going to be very, very uncomfortable at Citi Field.
And that’s when you’ll find me in the stands to take in a random game, just as wide-eyed as the 8-year old that witnessed the Miracle Mets in 1969. Baseball springs eternal.
Any given season, they can win it all, but the prospects are slim. If they could win with Timo, Benny A, & who else in 2000, maybe Duda, Capt Kirk, & Byrd can pull something together in 2013. Lets Go Mets!
While I like the idea that the 2013 Mets season is not over before it starts, I don’t believe that we Met fans should be crazed because we are not yet playoff ready. There are lots of reasons to be positive about this season as we build a better team.
I do take issue with the idea that Tom Seaver was not yet a very good pitcher before the 1969 season. Seaver was already far and away the best pitcher that ever played for them after his rookie season in 1967. Winning 32 games with the 67 and 68 teams was damn good with ERA’s well under 3.00 new, with less hits allowed than innings pitched and new records for strikeouts.
“We wont win this season. We wont compete this season. We wont be any good this season. Okay, now that that’s settled, lets go ‘Play Ball’ this season and see what happens.”
I have to say that your opening comment got right to the point.
Thanks MNJ—Thought that was a good attention getter
If Mets fans didn’t think their team was going to win, then there would be no point in watching any games at all. But they do watch the games. And the reason they watch is because they want to see their team win. That’s why I watch them. And that’s why I expect them to compete for a playoff spot until the schedule says it’s not possible. Let’s go Mets!
Hi Rob,
Love your stroll through memory lane, however, there were a few things which I hope you don’t mind that I think you under-estimate, my having been there at the time and is important to remember in comparing the chances of 2013 to that of 1969.
For example, there is your take on Tom Seaver:
“In the spring of 1969, Seaver was not yet Tom Terrific. He was a promising 24-year old kid with a mediocre 32 wins and 25 losses ”
This is really furthest from the truth. In 1968, Seaver was one of the unluckiest pitchers there was with barely any run support. Prior to the 1969 season, Jack Zanger wrote:
“He even loses like a winner. Last season, he was deprived of a number of early season wins because of the ineptitude of the Mets batters. Tom took the losses with his usual good grace, but never became discouraged.”
He was a two-time all star in two seasons and even in the year of the pitcher when the league ERA was 2.98 and whip close to 1.2, Tom’s was 2.20 and below 1.00. Rookie of the year in 1967, he was regarded as being years ahead of his age when it came to maturity and poise. Zanger ended by saying of Tom “He’s a pitcher’s pitcher”.
That shows that he was not promising – he was already there!
Then there was the direction the team was heading. In 1968 we won 73 games, more than we ever did before. We improved our win total by 12. We had taken on a no-nonsense approach under Gil Hodges. We were finally a rising team which suddenly had a pitching staff that went from 9th to 4th best in the league in one year. The following season it was the best in the national league, surpassed only by that of Baltimore.
Today we have a young and promising rotation, yet despite that we still finished in the lower third in pitching. And what about the bullpen?
We also had a strong defense, the fourth best fielding team in the league after being 8th the year before. In that sense, the 2012 Mets are similar as their defense improved tremendously over that of 2011.
The Mets also had a shot at sixth place going into September before they slumped and were able to finish just a half-game out the cellar.
Then, regarding 1973:
“But somehow, with no expectations, 1973 remains one of the best years in Mets history. We managed to finagle the NL East title, upset a Big Red Machine team that was filled top to bottom with would-be Hall of Famers. And then, pushed the A’s in the midst of their dynasty, to seven games, even getting the tying run to the plate in the ninth inning of Game Seven.”
But as mentioned before, that was when (of all people) M. Donald Grant told the team in late August that you’ve got to believe”. We all know “ya gotta believe” became the rally cry led by Tug McGraw. That is much different than after the trade of their closer the current G.M.
“I think far more important in that situation will be realistically how we play over the next two weeks, three weeks as the season develops.”.
Of course, we know what the mood of the clubhouse was after Beltran was traded and the following season when no help was obtained when the were again in the hunt for the wildcard. And back in 1973 Mrs. Payson was still running things and the players had no problem with the front office’s focus on winning. When Grant took over, just like with Sandy today, his focus was primarily on the ledger book. Both wanted to win, to be sure, but it wasn’t the driving force behind the moves they made.
So there were a lot of things going for us then that we do not have now. At the same time, there was no wildcard then – it was winner take all. So, the Mets do have a better shot at post-season this year than in 1969 because today, mediocrity is rewarded with one third of the clubs getting a shot at the world series past game 162.
Also, there is a bit of historical accuracy that needs to be corrected:
“And yet, even though the 62 Yankees won 96 games and their eighth World Championship in 13 years, it was the new kids in town who drew more fans.”
The Yankees drew over a half million more than the Mets that first season and let the American League in attendance with 1,493,574 compared to the Mets 922,530. Take away the over 200,000 that attended the first five dates that the Dodgers and Giants drew their first series back in New York, Yankee (and replaced that with their average draw instead), Yankee attendance would almost be double that of the Mets (there were fewer of us “new breeders” that first season but we led the charge!).
Hope I didn’t burst your bubble too much, but there are many differences with this team as it was back in 1968 or 1973.