It’s that time of the year again, namely the end of the year. With that comes the usual array of international traditions from eating Soba in Japan to munching on grapes in Spain and the countless resolutions we all tend to make. We all bring our optimistic best to hope for better things in the year ahead and try to forget some of the drudgery of the past 12 months. Here, in the land of the New York Mets, this brief note will have a simple theme: that all of us have a happy and healthy 2022 and that the new year bring us competitive and winning baseball and compassionate and wonderful tidings.
Before we say hello to 2022, a brief look back and some of the baseball luminaries we lost in 2021. Two come to mind immediately, Henry Aaron and Tommy Lasorda. Tomes have been written about Hammerin’ Hank and deservedly so. He is quite simply one of the greatest to ever play the game. Lasorda was such an intense manager that he once drove himself in his car to the hospital as he was having a heart attack after a Dodgers game. Rest in peace, gentlemen.
It would be short sided to end this without a dose of unfortunate realism. The Omicron variant of Covid-19 is spreading throughout the world with businesses closing, employees calling out sick in droves, and over-burdened hospitals. A large part of my prayers tonight will focus on the timely end or at least control of this terrible virus very early in 2022.
To the first responders of the world, stay safe in 2022 and well beyond.
To those currently stricken, quick healing and speedy recovery to you all.
To those who are caregivers, thank you for what you do and G-d bless you.
To those who serve our country, let’s hope you’re back with your loved ones early in 2022.
To those associated in any capacity with the New York Mets, have a great, productive and winning 2022.
To the editors, writers and staff at MMO, thank you for all you do. You quite simply put out the best baseball blog there is on a daily basis. Thank you for everything and let’s knock it out of the park in 2022.
To my online family, only the best.
To my real family, health and love to you all.
To all Mets fans, Let’s Go Mets!
Bless you all in 2022 and beyond.
