They say that every great run of success usually had its roots in a turning point. Looking at Mets history you can say we’ve had quite a few turning points – both good and bad.
Gil Hodges and Tom Seaver were certainly turning points for the Mets – when they went from lovable losers to a team to be reckoned with and one that shocked the world in 1969.
I always felt that the day we acquired Keith Hernandez was the turning point for what would be another Amazin’ run of success culminating in a remarkable 108 win season and our second World Championship.
On June 12, 2009, when second baseman Luis Castillo dropped that popup against the Yankees, it all began to go bad for the Mets. That was one of our “not-so-good” turning points, and one that has led to four straight losing seasons and possibly five.
Anyway, the more I think about it, the more I am beginning to feel that we’ve recently experienced another significant turning point…
Mark the date June 18, 2013 in your Mets journals…
That was the day that Matt Harvey and Zack Wheeler helped the Mets sweep the Atlanta Braves at Turner Field on what we now refer to as Super Tuesday.
That was the night that the Mets future was on full display. We saw an overpowering Matt Harvey strike out a career high 13 batters in the first game, and then Zack Wheeler made his MLB debut by tossing six shutout innings with seven strikeouts in the nightcap.
That was also the day that something dramatically changed in the Mets clubhouse. There was a wonderful metamorphosis taking place…
Suddenly, the entire team started to elevate their overall level of play. Their defense was crisper… They were scoring runs again… They were playing loose and having fun… Most of all, they were winning.
Maybe it’s just a coincidence, but maybe not… Maybe something clicked internally that day as if someone had finally and mercifully flipped that switch.
This team has been fun to watch again. They are far from perfect and there’s still plenty of work to do, but I sense a definite shift in the force. I’m seeing hope and optimism back on the upswing…
That tiny glimpse of the future we all saw on that fateful Tuesday, has become a game-changer for this franchise.
I could be dead wrong on this, but I don’t think so. There’s something happening with the Mets right now… And for a change, this feels good.
