We will be posting multiple remembrance pieces to honor MMO founder Joe DeCaro.
Mojo Hill
My first interaction with Joe was seeing a DM from him asking for my shirt size.
I joined Mets Minors in 2018 as a junior in high school, mostly for fun and not really thinking it would ever branch into a career. I felt I wasn’t qualified or ready for Metsmerized, considering the site said they preferred writers with a degree in journalism. But I submitted a fan shot one day, in the hopes of at least getting something published. (For the record, it was a post about how good Brandon Nimmo is, which seems fitting with how well he’s doing recently.)
It’s funny; I never heard a “yes” or “no” on whether my fan shot was worthy of being posted. I found out that it was being published when I saw that it had been posted on the Metsmerized Twitter. The next thing I knew, I got a DM from Joe “welcoming me to the MMO family” and asking for my address and T-shirt size. I was slightly confused, but I wasn’t going to say no, obviously.
Joe was super nice and open from the beginning, which made me feel comfortable with the Metsmerized community really quickly. Despite living on the west coast and having no in-person interaction with anyone at the site, I felt almost immediately at home with the MMO staff. Joe’s words of encouragement and praise made me realize that I might actually be decent at this whole sports writing thing, and that maybe I wasn’t giving myself enough credit.
Shortly after graduating high school, Joe asked me if I wanted to learn about the editing sign of journalism. He took it slowly with me, since I was still young, and brought me on as an associate editor before eventually promoting me to one of the main editors of the site.
Joe gave me two huge opportunities, which were especially important at the time because I doubted whether I was even qualified for them. I’m now about to graduate college, pursuing a career in sports writing. I’ve written for the sports section of my school newspaper for nearly all four years of college, and edited for more than two of them. I’ve become one of the main beat writers for Oregon Ducks baseball. When thinking back to what kickstarted my interest in this field, nearly all of it traces back to Joe and the initial opportunities he gave me.
Plus, he was just a fun guy to work with. He was a big movie fan like me, and would often — at random points in the middle of the night — message me to ask if I’d seen some random movie, or if I’d seen anything good recently. We had some fun movie conversations, even when we completely disagreed. It feels fitting that I’m writing this right after seeing the wild new Ari Aster/Joaquin Phoenix movie “Beau Is Afraid.” If he had still been here, I’m sure I would have told him all about it. That would have been a really fun conversation. I know he was a fan of Phoenix.
The site isn’t going to be the same without Joe, but we’ll always be able to keep it going in his honor.
John Jackson
As I remember Joe D, my memory goes back to my time in college as my passion for writing was just beginning to take off. I began taking on some writing responsibilities in January 2016, and a year later I reached out to Joe about joining the team at MMO. I was excited by the prospect of combining my newfound passion for writing with my love for the New York Mets. Joe took a flyer on me and gave me a platform with plenty of opportunity to refine this craft in front of an audience of hardcore Mets fans.
Along the way, he provided support and encouragement. I began working with him closer during the fall of 2017 when I edited for the site. During that time I got to see firsthand how much he truly cared about the Mets and Mets fans. He enjoyed starting conversations about his beloved team through his writing and fellow fans appreciated that. Joe was a pioneer in the sports blogging world, and what he has built at MMO is a special place where many fervent fans visit to get their Mets news/commentary and to share their thoughts on their favorite team.
Mathew Brownstein
I wrote a Fan Shot for Mets Merized Online back in early 2016. Having been a fan of the site for several years, I took a shot and submitted an article in hopes of seeing it published on the website. What I didn’t expect was for Joe DeCaro to personally reach out and express how much he appreciated what I wrote, along with praising my writing and baseball acumen. He offered me the opportunity to be a staff writer for the site, a position I immediately jumped on.
Throughout my time writing for MMO, Joe and I would check in with one another and keep in contact about interviews I had in the pipeline. I would always ask Joe about how his health was doing, and while he’d offer a brief update, he’d always redirect the conversation back to what I was working on or the status of the Mets.
He was a strong-willed and proud man that developed a beautiful community where Mets fans could congregate and share their love and frustrations for the ball club. Joe aided and helped develop so many great writers and editors throughout the years on his site. He took great pride in that. He always came off as someone that took great satisfaction in others’ success than his own.
Every time I shared a new interview that I secured for the site, Joe had a way of making that an even bigger deal with how he responded and his genuine appreciation for my small contributions.
I wish I had one more time to thank Joe for believing in me. I would thank him for creating a site that has brought so much joy to so many people. From the outpouring of love and respect I’ve seen for Joe over the recent days, I only hope he knew how much he meant to so many people.
Rest in peace, my friend.
John Flanigan
I don’t even know where to start. Mike and Joe took a chance on me and gave me my first opportunity to write about the team I love on a bigger platform. I am beyond grateful, not just for the opportunities, but for the kind words and endless support along the way.
I remember the first time Joe D put in for me to get credentials down in PSL, the Mets declined it and he was so ticked off. The next year we reapplied and this time it was approved. He was so excited and proud for me. It’s the little things like that that made him the best. Joe D was a terrific boss and an even better person. I wouldn’t be where I am today without him.
Andrew Steele-Davis
I’m still at a loss for words days after the fact that we’ve lost Joe D. It doesn’t seem right and I know for at least the next few Saturdays when I edit the site I’ll be expecting to get a message from him asking how everything is going, do I need anything and are we all set for the day. Because that was Joe. He cared deeply. He cared deeply about the Mets, he cared deeply about the incredible site he built from scratch and turned into an absolute essential outlet for all Mets fans, and he cared incredibly deeply about his staff and his readers.
I’ve spent many hours scrolling through the plethora of wonderful and heartfelt tributes to Joe over the past few days, and the common thread was his kindness and his passion for others. Once you had Joe in your corner, anything was possible because he would strive to ensure you had every possible tool at your disposal needed to succeed.
I can attest to that firsthand. Born and raised in England, I knew from the age of 23 that America was where I belonged. It truly felt like home – more than my actual home – and I set out from that day to build a career as a sports writer in the States. Of course, that was easier said than done. Being from England, I found opportunities hard to come by and while I got my foot in the door covering hockey, trying to land a gig writing about America’s favorite National Pastime proved a little bit harder.
Thankfully, Joe, along with Michael Mayer, gave me an opportunity and they gave me everything needed to learn my craft and become a better writer. Joe let my writing do the talking and allowed me to be me. I wouldn’t be where I am now if that wasn’t for that support and care. I still remember the absolute high you’d get when Joe would randomly pop up in the group chat with a compliment about a piece you wrote that day. You could tell he meant every single word and you walked away feeling ten feet tall after an interaction with Joe.
MMO is an incredible legacy to leave behind and I hope Joe realized just how special he was, and how much he was loved and respected by so, so many. I owe so much to Joe and I will never ever forget him, or the impact he has had on my career and on so many others.
Rest in peace, Joe, and thank you for everything.
Dilip Sridhar
Like many others, Joe gave me my first real chance at writing and he always stood up for me regardless of what I wrote about. I would not be where I am today without his guidance. Over the years as I wrote less, Joe still always checked in on me. I’m glad to say that we became friends more than anything over the years as Joe and I would often have a back-and-forth banter. I’ll miss him dearly and will forever be grateful for the experience he’s given me.
Teddy Klein
Joe was a hero to me. There is no hyperbole in what I am saying- he was a hero. An older man with a heavy New York Accent, whom I spoke to over the phone quite a few times, with the heart of a saint. I was recruited in 2013 after requesting to write an article that I thought would be fun and controversial on defending Gavin Cecchini’s profile as their first-round pick. Joe called and spoke to me over the phone, a shy college kid with interning backgrounds with the Mets and a well-known Journalist dad. He was thrilled to add me and kind. From there, I formed a community and many lifetime friends.
Joe was the type of person that would always root for you. Sure, he made a few mistakes, but no one ever thought for a moment that he would hate you. Hate from him was impossible, a four-letter word. The type of person who would give and encourage, and reassure. He mentored many, he was like a 2nd father to one of my closest friends. That earned a lifetime of loyalty. If your computer broke, he would offer to send you one, if you had a child, “Hey, what’s your address, I want to send you some MMO stuff.”
That was Joe. A kind man, one I only spoke to by phone. He loved and gave, even though he suffered. His health problems got worse and worse over time, and he deserved better after getting these health problems from serving his country. Little known fact was that at the same time that he was being Mr. Met, and running an amazing Mets community, he was also helping his fellow veterans who were suffering from Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. I say again, a kind man. I’m glad he’s at peace, but this world isn’t better without him.
Joe Spector
The year was 2009. I was slowly recovering from rotator cuff surgery. During that stretch, I was driving myself mad. I couldn’t work. I was in constant pain. I wasn’t sure if it was the operation or the Mets that were gnawing away bit by bit at my diminishing sanity. My usual go-to in the morning was Metsblog for a recap of the past game but it was always Metsmerized that drew me in with its eclectic band of writers. One morning I read an article from Joe DeCaro, the owner/operator of Metsmerized, who wrote a piece searching for writers to add to the site. I was intrigued but I had never written for a blog and wasn’t exactly internet savvy. I had the time on my hands and I needed something to get my mind off the pain so what would one do, write about the Mets of course! When someone tells you that Met fans are sadists, take them at their word.
Joe was gracious and patient with me with the hundreds of questions I had. I don’t think I would have made it through that period of my life without MMO or without Joe D’s influence. As time passed my writing on MMO began to wane. I became a father and time became more precious than ever. Joe predicted that would happen and in a way gave me not so much a warning but an awareness that time is a gift and to spend it wisely because no matter how rich you may be, you’ll never get it back no matter how hard you try. The Mets tend to make me think of my dad who passed away when I was 18 and how I wish I had more time with him. Joe, I’m spending my time, whatever much I have here, pretty damn well. Thank you Joe for making me realize that. May you always have fair winds filling your sails and calm seas my friend. Until we meet.
Satish Ram
An oft-quoted Jackie Robinson phrase goes something to the tune of a life not being important except in the impact it has on other lives, and I can think of no better example than Joe D.
The Joe D. developmental system was on par with any of the best organizations in baseball today. He was dedicated, respectful, caring, intelligent, funny and he pushed you to be the best version of you. One just has to look up and down between all the people who undoubtedly took a moment with heavy hearts to speak on his behalf here, and you can see how vast his influence was.
Taking a chance on me the way that Joe D. did led me to meet some outstanding people and changed the course of my life. He gave me a platform, a voice, and an entry into a community that I still hold dear to my heart: the New York Mets fandom. I may not have had the luck of being adopted into the fandom by family like some others, but Joe D. kept me a Mets fan, and made it all worthwhile for me. As everyone navigates through this beautiful web of stories of Joe, you will probably hear every compliment in the dictionary – so I just want to take a moment to say thank you one last time, old friend.
From a grateful son, enjoy every moment of the peace you have earned.
Brian Devine
When Joe asked me to become a regular contributor in 2013, I wasn’t sure if I was ready for the challenge. But Joe always believed in me and taught me so much about writing and journalism. I will always be grateful for all his help. He was a great friend, a terrific mentor, and the biggest Mets’ fan I ever knew.
Joe’s family has asked us to share this link for donations to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
