I had a chance to do an interview with diehard Mets fan and popular artist Joe Maracic more popularly known as @GrafixJoker on Twitter. He’s also the designer of the many different Mets cartoon images you’ve seen all over social media and even on SNY Monday night. Enjoy my Q&A with this passionate Mets fan who has been entertaining fellow fans all year long with his fun and clever Mets caricatures.
1. I think the first question on everybody’s mind is how did it all begin? What was the motivation behind those incredible and fun Mets toon graphics? Who was the first, was the plan always to keep adding more as the season wore on?
Up until this season I was painting some Mets players but during Spring Training the entire “Dark Knight Matt Harvey” inspired me to sketch this.
When I drew Harvey there was no real plan. After I fine tuned the sketch and shared it on social media I was getting responses like “where’s deGrom?” or “who’s next?”. Some Mets fans on Twitter even gave me ideas on future characters.
2. It’s amazing how you seem to catch the true essence of each player by their expression or the pose they strike. How do you do that?
Thanks. I guess it came from studying the human model for almost 8 hours a day back in art school. This was more for my charcoal drawings and oil paintings but it has come in handy for these toons, though these guys are much shorter. I watch just about every game and study the players plus search past images of them online.
3. Alright, let’s talk some Mets. What were your expectations going into the season and at what point did you stop and think a postseason run was no longer just a faint possibility but clearly a reality?
I thought playoffs were maybe a possibility at the beginning of the season because we had the pitching. The hitting was what scared me and during the season it had me doubting they could do it. When the Mets thankfully failed to trade Flores instead getting Cespedes, Uribe, and Johnson I knew our hitting would have to improve. What I didn’t know was how hot Cespedes would get and how great the clubhouse chemistry would become. Mets suddenly looked not only like a playoff team, but a squad that was going on a special run.
4. If you could choose one moment or game that stood out as a turning point, what is it?
The trade that never happened. You had to feel horrible for Wilmer during that game and a bit frustrated as a fan. After that night, a fire was lit under the team and the new additions of course helped.
5. What an incredible postseason by Daniel Murphy. Are you a big Murphy fan and do you think the Mets should bring him back for the 2016 season?
I’m a huge Murphy fan. His play in the field frustrated me at times, but what a bat in this lineup. I want Murphy back. Even before this amazing playoff run he’s on I wanted him back. The question is does Sandy want him back? This I doubt since he isn’t a Sandy type player. The Mets could have already made a decision on Murph before the playoffs, just like the Yankees did with Hideki Matsui in 2009 before he won the World Series MVP. They didn’t bring him back, and he too played on another level.
6. If you had to choose a current Mets Core-Four, which four central players would make your untouchable list and be the foundation for this team.
DeGrom, Syndergaard, Harvey, Matz. Pitching wins. I know some fans are fed up with Harvey, but the more pitching the better. Matz looks like he could be something special, as long as he gets good sleep.
7. Which Mets player turned in the most surprising season?
I think Syndergaard. We all knew he had great stuff but his composure on the mound for a rookie is amazing.
8. What was your most memorable moment of the regular season and describe why?
The Cespedes rally parakeet game. It had it all; drama, excitement, and humor. I love that bird almost as much as the raccoon. By the way, is anyone feeding those little critters?
9. What was your most memorable moment of the postseason thus far?
Jacob deGrom in the Game 5 NLDS. He didn’t have his best stuff but battled out there. It was an amazing performance by our Ace.
10. Finally, what’s your prediction for the rest of the NLCS and what would be your favorite World Series matchup?
Mets sweep of course, haha. I honestly haven’t thought of the matchup though the Blue Jays hitting scares me. I bet most baseball fans would like to see hitting vs picthing, Jays vs Mets.
You can follow Joe at Twitter @GrafixJoker and you can check out all his work or pick up a t-shirt or stickers with his Mets toons at Red Bubble.
