I wanted to add some comments made by GM Sandy Alderson today at Nationals Park to this Fan Shot. You’ll see why.
“We played very well against the NL East last year, with one obvious exception,” Alderson said, referring to the team’s 4-15 record against the Nationals.
“It’s extremely important to establish a fighting posture against these newly constructed teams, and I think the first impression is critical, as is the last impression.”
An MMO Fan Shot by Dezzy
It’s time to fight. And I don’t mean some metaphorical, rah-rah fight. I mean fist to face fight. I mean 95 mph, 4-seam fastball between Bryce Harper’s numbers kind of fight. I mean Ray Knight cold cocking Eric Davis kinda fight.
Enough is enough. Talk about making the playoffs and being ready to win is just that: talk. As a group, the Mets need to shut up and play the game well, but more than that, they need to let the Nationals know they mean business in the first series of the year.
Let’s face it. The Mets teams of the recent past have been soft. Remember when Roger Clemens beaned Mike Piazza? The Mets response? Shawn Estes, whose fastball couldn’t break a pane of glass, missed Roger Clemens by two feet in his attempt to retaliate. Clemens threw his bat at Piazza in the 2000 World Series, and Piazza walked to first base, and I don’t recall any other Mets standing up to fight. When was the last Mets fight of any significance? Maybe Jose Reyes against the Marlins when the Mets where in the midst of their late season collapse. That fight made no sense and was an embarrassment born of Reyes’ frustration about his team’s epic choke job.
I cannot recall, for the life of me, the last time a Mets pitcher threw inside with clear intent. Can anyone help me here? Wonder why visiting teams seem to hit the ball out of Citi Field at a higher rate than the Mets? Maybe they are way too comfortable in the batter’s box.
I don’t care who does it, or when, or how often, but the Mets pitchers need to set the tone for the rest of the year when they open the season against the Nationals. Pitch inside and often, and if one or two pitches happen to send a Nats player to the dirt, or back to the clubhouse, so be it.
The Nats are talented, for sure. But guess what? They are soft, too. Matt Williams’ team is fragile. High expectations have not translated into playoff success. The pressure is all on them, and I am not sure they have the guts to win when things get tough. They talk a good game, too. See Bryce Harper’s recent comments about his “ring.”
I’m tired of the Mr. Nice Guy Mets, and you know what, I think the players are, too. David Wright seems to be developing an edge to him; Matt Harvey is a killer; deGrom has the gas to put someone on notice.
It is hard to say the opening series of a season is crucial, or season defining. But I have been watching the Mets for a long time, and I cannot recall an opening series, or even an early season series (maybe the Cardinals at Busch Stadium early in 1986?), that has more potential to shape a team’s identity and future success.
And this is not just taking 2 out of 3 at Nats’ Park. It’s about taking 2 out of 3 and letting the Nationals know the Mets are taking the fight to them, Ray Knight, hay-maker style.
Mets pitchers: Time for some 95 mph chin music. Time to show Bryce Harper where he can put his “ring.”
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This Fan Shot was contributed by MMO reader Dezzy. Have something you want to say about the Mets? Share your opinions with over 25,000 Met fans who read this site daily. Send your Fan Shot to us at [email protected]. Or ask us about becoming a regular contributor.
