An MMO Fan Shot by Joe Mongognia
Sandy, Terry, Curtis, Wilmer, and even you Fred, I tip my Orange and Blue cap to you.
I want to say thank you to the New York Mets. The 2015 season thus far has been nothing short of amazing. From the dominance of our young pitching staff to the second half boom of our suddenly all-powerful lineup, this team has been incredible to watch every night.
I believe that this did not all happen by accident. Five years ago Sandy & Co. took over the team. They had a plan. Shed the bad contracts. Build the farm system around power pitching. Supplement the active roster with established major league talent when it was time. And create sustainable success in Flushing.
Many of us at times, myself included, doubted not only the plan, but the people executing it. We grew impatient waiting. We were critical of every move and motive. At times we took patience and inactivity for apathy. I’m not saying our front office is perfect. Not by any stretch of the imagination. It’s been a long, tough run and we as Mets fans have had every right to be critical and skeptical. However, I do believe it is a good time to appreciate what we have and all the people responsible for our first place New York Mets.
All the bad decisions, the bad moves, and the bad play have been well documented and well voiced. What I feel is long overdue is the acknowledgement and even gratitude for what our team has done right.
Cutting bait with Oliver Perez, Luis Castillo and Jason Bay. Not giving up on Wilmer Flores or Daniel Murphy. Lucas Duda over Ike Davis. Trading Carlos Beltran for Zack Wheeler. Moving R.A. Dickey (bless his knuckle-balling heart) for Travis d’Arnaud and Noah Syndergaard. Bringing in Curtis Granderson, Michael Cuddyer and Yoenis Cespedes. Keeping all of our top young arms. Giving Terry Collins a chance to manage a real major league lineup.
One could argue against or for (and I have) any of these moves, but without them I strongly doubt the Mets would be where they are now. And that’s a team playing the most exciting baseball I can remember watching in a long, long time.
Whether we ride this season deep into October or fizzle out at the end, it has been a hell of a good time. It’s brought excitement and optimism and pride back to being a Mets fan. And for that, I thank every one of my beloved NY Mets.
Let’s Go Mets!
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