Good morning, Mets fans!

Opening Day this year was historic from a fan engagement standpoint. According to MLB Communications, Opening Day was watched for 172 million minutes by MLB.TV viewers, the most watched day in MLB.TV history by 42%. Additionally, online merchandise sales on Opening Day were the highest ever by 10% and social media views were up 83% from Opening Day 2022. Ben Cafardo of ESPN noted that MLB Opening Night on ESPN had 20% more viewers than last year’s MLB Opening Night and was the most watched cable program on March 30.

The Mets lost their first game of the season on Friday, 2-1 to the Marlins. The team will look to rebound as they take on Miami again on Saturday at 4:10 p.m. ET.

Latest Mets News

Ronny Mauricio was listed in Baseball America‘s list of seven prospects primed to bounce back in 2023.

The Mets tweeted about their new $15 ticket program geared towards college students. Eligible individuals can text “COLLEGE” to 48593 to get notified when these tickets are available.

Pitching prospect Joel Díaz had Tommy John surgery and will miss the 2023 season. Díaz is just 19 years old and is ranked as MMO’s own Michael Mayer as the No. 11 prospect in the Mets’ system.

Latest MLB News

The MLB Players Association released an official statement demonstrating minor league players’ overwhelming support for their first collective bargaining agreemenet.

Per MLB, 269 players on Opening Day rosters were born outside of the United States which is third highest total ever. The Dominican Republic ranked first on the list with 104.

Gary Sánchez signed a minor league deal with the Giants on Friday. According to Anthony Rieber of Newsday, Sánchez nearly signed a deal with a different team recently but the team backed out due to reduced revenue from the collapse of TV RSNs.

Latest on MMO

Ariel Cohen shared Average Total Cost (ATC) projections for Mets players this year.

Michael Mayer looked at the Syracuse Mets’ roster as their season gets underway.

Alexis Farinacci recapped the Mets’ loss to the Marlins on Friday.

On This Date in Mets History

Birthdays: Daniel Murphy (38), Willie Montañez (75)

The post Morning Briefing: MLB Boasts Historic Opening Day Numbers appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

Mary Holt-USA TODAY Sports

The calendar has turned to February, which can only mean one thing: spring training is right around the corner. The Mets are coming off a 101-win campaign, their first playoff berth since 2016, and are aiming to make the playoffs in consecutive years for just the third time in franchise history.

The Mets had a busy off-season, handing out more major league deals than any other team in the league, but also dealing with an abundance of departures. The winter was full of highs, lows, and an array of emotions in between. But with all of that in the rearview mirror, the attention of Mets fans turns to Clover Park in Port St. Lucie, Florida.

There are tons of names, dates, and stories to know heading into camp, so here is a Mets Fan’s Guide to Spring Training 2023.

Old Faces in New Places, and New Kings in Queens

The Mets entered the off-season with a good chunk of their 40-man roster slated to hit the open market, 15 to be exact. No one expected the Mets to return all 15 players, but it was a major question as to how many would return. The Mets wound up bringing three of their impending free agents back to Queens: CF Brandon Nimmo, RHP Edwin Díaz, and RHP Adam Ottavino.

However, that does mean that several key Mets from 2023 have departed: Jacob deGrom (Texas), Chris Bassitt (Toronto), Taijuan Walker (Philadelphia), Seth Lugo (San Diego), Joely Rodriguez (Boston), Trevor May (Oakland), Trevor Williams (Washington), Mychal Givens (Baltimore), Dominic Smith (Washington), and a few remain on the free agent market: Tyler Naquin and Terrance Gore. The Mets also shipped James McCann to Baltimore in a deal for minor league outfielder Luis de la Cruz.

The Mets signed Jeff McNeil to a four-year contract extension this winter as well, locking the reigning batting champion in for two additional seasons in Queens beyond his arbitration years.

However, with all the departures, comes a wealth of new talent dawning the orange and blue. Headlining the group is 2022 AL Cy Young winner and future Hall of Famer Justin Verlander. Verlander comes to Queens for his age 40 and 41 seasons, but is coming of his best season in years. Much like a bottle of GTS, Verlander is getting better with age. Following Verlander into the Mets’ rotation on guaranteed Major League deals are two other names: RHP Kodai Senga and LHP Jose Quintana. Senga comes over from the NPB on a five-year deal with an opt-out after year three, and Quintana returns to the team that signed him out of Colombia in 2006.

In the bullpen, the Mets did a lot of heavy lifting. They started with every reliever aside from Drew Smith hitting the open market, there was a ton of heavy lifting to be done. The team locked up Edwin Díaz for five years, brought Adam Ottavino back on a deal with an option for a second, brought in David Robertson on a one-year deal, traded for Tampa Bay’s lefty Brooks Raley, and selected Zach Greene from the Yankees in the Rule 5 draft. They also added several depth arms: they claimed RHP Stephen Ridings, RHP Sam Coonrod, and RHP William Woods. They traded for RHP Elieser Hernandez, and RHP Jeff Brigham, and reached minor league deals with RHP Jimmy Yacabonis, LHP TJ McFarland, the returning RHP Sean Reid-Foley, and RHP Tommy Hunter.

On the offensive side of things, the Mets got some more work done. They brought back Nimmo, signed catcher Omar Narváez to a one year deal with an option, had a deal in principle with INF Carlos Correa before he wound up going back to the Twins, signed OF Tommy Pham to a one-year pact, brought in utility man Danny Mendick on a one-year deal, although he carries a few more years of club control, and also signed a few notable names to minor league deals: INF Jose Peraza, OF Tim Locastro, OF Abraham Almonte, OF DJ Stewert, and C Michael Perez. The team cut former outfield prospect Khalil Lee while he is in the midst of a domestic abuse investigation by both Major League Baseball and legal authorities.

The Spring Training Roster

The Mets are bringing a host of players to Port St. Lucie. Below, the roster will be broken down into three categories: Major League guaranteed deals, 40-man roster with minor-league options, and Non-Roster Invitees (NRI). However, there are some obvious locks for the initial 26-man roster who have options, meaning the “40-man With Options” section does NOT imply some sort of roster bubble. Here is how it all breaks down:

Major League Deals Without Options
Pitchers – Justin Verlander, Jose Quintana, Edwin Díaz, Adam Ottavino, Brooks Raley, David Robertson, Stephen Nogosek, Max Scherzer, Carlos Carrasco. Additionally, Greene must be on the active roster or IL all season or be returned to his original team.
Position Players – Brandon Nimmo, Omar Narváez, Starling Marte, Francisco Lindor, Daniel Vogelbach, Mark Canha, Eduardo Escobar, Darin Ruf, Thomas Nido.

40-Man With Options
Pitchers -Kodai Senga, Drew Smith, Eliezer Hernandez, Sam Coonrod, Stephen Ridings, Jeff Brigham, Bryce Montes de Oca, John Curtiss, David Peterson, Joey Lucchesi, Tylor Megill, Jose Butto.
Position Players – Danny Mendick, Jeff McNeil, Tommy Pham, Pete Alonso, Luis Guillorme, Brett Baty, Francisco Álvarez, Ronny Mauricio, Mark Vientos.

Non-Roster Invitee (according to Mets.com)
Pitchers – TJ McFarland, Connor Grey, Grant Hartwig, Tommy Hunter, Zach Muckenhirn, Eric Orze, Denyi Reyes, Josh Walker, William Woods, Jimmy Yacabonis
Position Players – Nick Meyer, Kevin Parada, Michael Perez, Hayden Senger, Jose Peraza, Jonathan Araúz, Abraham Almonte, Lorenzo Cedrola, Tim Locastro, Alex Ramirez, DJ Stewart

Coaching Staff

For the most part, the Mets’ coaching staff looks the same as it did last year. Manager Buck Showalter is returning for his second season at the helm, pitching coach Jeremy Hefner is back for his fourth season, and base coaches Wayne Kirby and Joey Cora are back for their second campaigns as the Mets first and third base coaches respectively. Assistant Major League coach Danny Barnes is returning as well. Finally, longtime bullpen catchers Eric Langill and Dave Racaniello are both back with the Mets.

However, the Mets did make a few changes to their coaching staff this winter: Eric Chavez was promoted to bench coach, Jeremy Barnes to hitting coach, and Glen Sherlock was assigned to catching and strategy coach. The team hired Eric Hinske as the assistant hitting coach, and Dom Chiti as bullpen coach.

The World Baseball Classic

The Mets will have an abundance of players representing their home countries in this year’s World Baseball Classic. The following players made official rosters that were announced on February 9th: Alonso, Díaz, Escobar, Hernandez, Lindor, McNeil, Narváez, Ottavino, Quintana, and Raley. Additionally, five Mets minor leaguers made a WBC roster: P Dominic Hamel, LHP Cam Opp, RHP Claudio Scotti, RHP Humberto Mejia, and INF Jonathan Araúz.

While these players will all be absent from camp, some will briefly return to camp as the Mets play scrimmages Team Nicaragua and Team Venezuela on March 8th and 9th respectively.

The WBC will run from March 8th through March 2oth, with a winner being crowned at LoanDepot park in Miami. The US won the last tournament in 2017, and will look to defend its title this year. Players on WBC rosters will return to their respective team’s camp after their national team’s play wraps up in the tournament. Expect some Mets to trickle back into camp as some teams, like the United States or Puerto Rican team, are expected to make deep runs, and others are expected to see quick exits.

Spring Training Schedule

The Mets schedule for spring training is already released and times have been assigned. First, however, pitchers and catchers report on February 15th, with full team workouts beginning on the 20th. Several players have already reported to camp, however, with many more to come.

The Mets will play 16 games at Clover Park, 14 road games, four-night games at home, two split-squad games, and two World Baseball Classic scrimmage games. Games begin with a split squad on February 25th, with the home half being played at 6:10 EST. In total, the Mets play 30 games and have two days off: March 6th and March 21st.

Games will start on the 25th, and wrap up with home game on March 26th against the Marlins. The TV and radio schedule for Mets games has yet to be released, but it should be expected in the coming days. Expect SNY to carry most of their home games. Any televised game this Spring, whether it be the Mets’ broadcast or the opposing team’s broadcast, will be available for MLB.TV subscribers.

F(ake)quently Asked Questions

Q: Is Carlos Correa a Met?

A: No. Next question.

Q: What happens to Brett Baty, Francisco Álvarez, and Mark Vientos?

A: The Mets called up the trio of top prospects at various points in the late stages of the 2022 campaign. Baty got the most run of the group, but his season ended with thumb surgery in early September. Baty should have the best chance to break camp, especially with Escobar away from camp for a while in the WBC. He doesn’t seem to be the third baseman as of today, but things can change.

Vientos got some DH reps, but is still blocked by Darin Ruf on the Major League roster. Reading between the lines, Álvarez figures to be the Opening Day catcher… in Syracuse. There are two catchers with guaranteed MLB deals ahead of him, and the Mets are said to not believe his defense is Major League ready just yet. However, that does not mean he can’t take over the full-time catching gig at some point in the season.

Q: Wait, Darin Ruf is still a Met?

A: Yes! Ruf remained on the 40-Man roster throughout the winter and is a strong bounce-back candidate for the Mets. If he is able to return to his prior form as a lefty-mashing DH, the Mets could have a strong campaign from the number 0 position on the scorecard.

Q: So did the Mets just return the same lineup from last year?

A: From the end of the year, yes, However, the offense was far from their issue down the stretch. Expect Vogelbach and Ruf to split DH reps to start the year, but don’t expect Ruf to have a long leash. Between him, Vientos, and the possibility of Escobar if Baty pushes himself into 3B plans, there are a handful of options to be the Mets’ LH DH. Mark Canha and Starling Marte will once again man the corners in the outfield for the Mets. However, unlike last year, the Mets will go into camp with their 4th outfielder already decided in Tommy Pham, something they did not do last year.

Q: Well… will they be good this year? Is it even worth paying attention to spring training?

A: By all accounts, the Mets should be one of the best teams in baseball again this year. 101 wins is a tough act to follow, but this team will give that a good run for its’ money. If it is at all possible to get to St. Lucie County, do it! It is always worth going to spring training. One could argue it is the most candid and down-to-earth environment that a professional athlete is ever in. Camp in Port St. Lucie is a great place to be, and who knows, maybe you could say you went to spring training the year they won it all!

Q: Will Keith Hernandez still be calling games?

A: Reportedly, yes! Hernandez and SNY were said to be far apart on contract terms during the winter, but as time progressed, reports on the future of the Mets’ Hall of Famer grew more and more positive. On early Monday morning, WFAN’s Morning Show with Boomer & Gio reported through their Twitter account that Hernandez had agreed to a new deal with SNY, ending what had become a winter-long saga that started to worry some Mets fans.

Spring baseball is right around the corner for the Mets, and for the first time in a long time, there is a feeling going into camp that the Mets are a legitimate title contender. Their hopes were dashed last year in a quick one-and-done, but can they reconcile that this year and bring a Commissioner’s trophy back to Queens for the first time in 36 years? Well, the journey starts this week in Port St. Lucie, Florida.

The post A Mets Fan’s Guide to Spring Training 2023 appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

Steve Cohen. Photo Credit: USA Today

It is no secret that Steve Cohen has made such a large impact over the two-plus years as the owner of the New York Mets. Notably, he had spent billions of dollars in ensuring the product on the field is as strong as possible. Well, now he is turning his focus off of the field. Namely, on the surrounding area of Citi Field.

It is well known the area surrounding Citi Field is wasteful and unpleasant. There is tons of empty space just waiting to be inhabited. If you’ve never been to the ballpark, a simple search on Google Earth will show you just that.

To echo just how much room for opportunity there is, Tom Grech, president and CEO of the Queens Chamber of Commerce explained the following, “Those 45 or 50 acres, whatever that parking lot consists of, truly is wasted and underutilized space.”

Well, to get the ball rolling, billionaire Steve Cohen hosted what is being described as a ‘visioning session’ on Saturday. He welcomed the surrounding public, Mets’ fans abound, and community leaders – including the likes of the aforementioned Tom Grech – to discuss and make their voices heard on potential projects concerning the surrounding areas of Citi Field.

Steve Cohen. Photo by USA Today.

At the event, Cohen posed the question, “How do we connect it to the waterfront and how do we create parkland and opportunities for people to come down and have a good time after the game and before the game?”

Well, given what was discussed at the ‘visioning session,’ the options seem limitless. Of the potential additions, one of the most common is a casino. Reportedly, the state of New York is going to start accepting proposals for three downstate casinos. Could one be coming to Queens?

Other mentioned enhancements are shopping centers,  high-end restaurants, ferry services across the river, green spaces, bike paths, among others. The options are really limitless, and in adding, would not only make Citi Field and it’s surrounding area one big attraction, but also bring countless jobs and help further stimulate the surrounding economy.

As has been well documented, the reign of Steve Cohen as Mets’ owner has been nothing short of spectacular. Not only has he made the team on the field a contending product, but he’s continuing to address areas not on the field as well.

From the Tom Seaver statue, or the surprise retirement of Willie May’s number, to the new scoreboards and the pavilion coming to right field, the off-of-the-field enhancements and recognition of Mets’ greats have been terrific. Now, add a potential whole re-design of an area around Citi Field that desperately needs it, Cohen is cementing himself as the best owner in all of sports.

The post Steve Cohen Asking For Fans’ Input On Future Project appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

Before Steve Cohen and the Mets went on their big spending spree, star pitcher Jacob deGrom decided to sign a five-year, $185 million deal with the Texas Rangers.

DeGrom, 34, had spent his entire career with the Mets organization, ever since he was drafted in the ninth round of the 2010 MLB Draft. He had a tremendous career in the orange and blue from 2014-2022, posting a 2.52 ERA in 1,326 innings. He won Rookie of the Year in 2014 with a 2.69 ERA in 22 starts. He also won back-to-back Cy Young awards in 2018 and 2019, and received votes in four other years. He was named an All-Star four times.

DeGrom made only 11 starts this year after being delayed by an injury, but he still posted a 3.08 ERA and 14.3 K/9, with his only struggle coming in the home run department.

On Thursday, the former Mets ace took out a full-page ad in the New York Post.

“I can still remember the exact moment I stood on the Citi Field mound for the first time after getting called up in 2014,” deGrom wrote. “It was a moment filled with so many wonderful emotions that will always be etched in my mind.”

“My family and I are forever grateful to the Mets for an incredible last 12 years and, most importantly, for believing in me. For giving me the opportunity to play the game I love at the highest level for all these years. There are so many people that I want to thank and recognize:

“Steve Cohen, Billy Eppler, the entire front office, managers, coaches, players, both past and present, bullpen catchers, trainers, clubhouse personnel, security staff, family room workers, kitchen staff, PR staff, photographers, stadium personnel, New York City police officers, TV personalities and journalists. Each and every one of you played such a vital role in our lives in New York. Beyond a working relationship, many of you became true, life-long friends to Stacey and me.”

“To the New York Mets fans – your passion, devotion and unwavering support for me, from the very beginning, has been incredible. It is humbling and appreciated beyond words. Thank you for your dedication and for how kindly you embraced me and my family. It has been a true honor to wear a Mets uniform all these years. The New York Mets, the fans and the city will always hold a very special place in our hearts.”

Signed by Jacob deGrom and family.

The post Jacob DeGrom Thanks Mets Fans in Full Page Ad appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

New York Mets owner Steve Cohen has made it clear that he will do whatever it takes to keep his promise to Mets fans, no matter the price.

In a wide-ranging and eye-opening interview with Jon Heyman of The New York Post, Cohen spoke about missing out on star free agent shortstop Carlos Correa, spending a boatload of cash this offseason and being in play for other big name free agents further down the road.

Perhaps the biggest nugget to emerge from the interview was the fact that blowing through the luxury tax threshold and having to deal with the so-called “Steve Cohen Tax” doesn’t faze him one bit. Rather, Cohen made clear he will continue to spend whatever he has to in order to keep improving this team and keep his promise to Mets fans, which is to win and win big.

“I made a commitment to the fans,” Cohen told The Post. “If it means I have to spend money to fulfil that commitment, so be it. My team is good. But it isn’t that much better than last year. If you want a team that’s good, this is what it costs. What are you going to do?”

The Mets made a huge splash this offseason by signing three-time Cy Young Award winner Justin Verlander to a two-year, $86 million deal, and they followed that up by signing José Quintana to a two-year, $26 million deal, Kodai Senga to a five-year, $75 million contract, David Robertson to a one-year $10 million deal, and veteran catcher Omar Narváez to a one-year, $8 million contract. The front office also re-signed star closer Edwin Diaz to a five-year, $102 million contract, and outfielder Brandon Nimmo to an eight-year, $162 million deal.

As a result, the payroll for the 2023 season is at around $350 million and the total tax is past $70 million. But, with Cohen himself wanting to add more offense, the spending may not be done yet for the Mets who have been the biggest and most aggressive spenders this winter. And Cohen continued to double down on not being worried about making a personal loss.

“It’s OK, it’s not the end of the world,” Cohen said about losses. “The tax was 70 cents. Now 90 cents. It’s only another 20 cents. It wasn’t like all or nothing. You have to decide. You either pay it or you don’t. I’ve been dealing with big numbers for so long these numbers don’t scare me at all. It’s not like I’m not respectful about what these other teams have to deal with. I’m making money. I have this other job that generates a good living. It’s not like it’s a zero-sum game.”

Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Perhaps the biggest indicator that Cohen isn’t worried about the steep personal cost that comes with blowing through the luxury tax thresholds is the fact that he was all in on Correa. Our very own Michael Mayer reported on Tuesday that the Mets had made contact with agent Scott Boras about the potential of signing Correa. Ultimately, the free agent shortstop signed a 13-year, $350 million contract with the San Francisco Giants.

Heyman notes in his article that Cohen was willing to go to the $300 million mark for Correa, but it didn’t help the Mets joined the party late with Correa already way down the line in negotiations with the Giants by the time Cohen made contact. Cohen’s love of Correa as a player shone through in the comments he made to Heyman.

“We thought maybe he might fall to us,” Cohen said.” “We got there late. He’s a great leader and a good guy. He could play third-base. And he’s a great defender. We would have gotten a good ballplayer, and it would have given us a great ball team.”

While Cohen ultimately missed out on Correa, he told Heyman that “we’re definitely trying” when it comes to the Mets becoming a perennial winner. Plus, Cohen also stated in the interview that there will “always be another free agent.” With that in mind, don’t be surprised if the Mets and Cohen are all in on two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani next year. Because, as the interview makes clear, Cohen will spend whatever he has to in order to bring unprecedented success to Queens. Just as he promised Mets fans when he gained ownership of the franchise.

Check out the full New York Post interview by clicking HERE.

The post Steve Cohen To Keep Promise To Mets Fans No Matter The Cost appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

Fanshot by Marc Epstein (Mystere2417)

“When Willie stepped on the field, it was like going to see Michael Jordan, Muhammad [Ali].”

That is the quote from the opening montage of the feature-length documentary “Say Hey, Willie Mays!” that stays with you as you become immersed in the life and career of the 91-year-old living baseball legend. The film, now streaming on HBO Max, will be of interest to baseball fans of all ages.

Lending credence and gravitas to the film is Willie himself, who appears in past and present interviews throughout the one hour and thirty-eight minute retrospective. Photos and videos of Willie shown In the film date back to his childhood, the Negro Leagues, his army days, his prime with the Giants, the team’s move from New York to San Francisco, and his trade to the Mets, which provide insight into his personal life and showcase his incredible baseball career. What comes through is his love for the game, his immense talent, his incredible power which yielded 660 home runs and yet was curtailed by his stint in the army and by the swirling winds during night games at Candlestick Park, and the purity of his exuberance during every play, AB, and base-running opportunity.

Viewers will hear from his son, Michael, as well as many famous players strewn throughout the film, including Juan Marichal, Orlando Cepeda, Tito Fuentes, and Reggie Jackson, as well as baseball announcers Bob Costas and the late Vin Scully. Some of the honors bestowed upon him after his career was over are covered, from Willie Mays Night at Shea Stadium back in 1973 to receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Obama in 2015.

But the most frequent, insightful, adoring, and enduring perspective comes from another all-time baseball great, Barry Bonds, who is prominently featured in the film and is also Willie’s godson. Barry’s father, Bobby Bonds, a Giant star himself, was Willie’s teammate, outfield partner, and friend. Barry grew up idolizing Willie and running around the clubhouse at Candlestick Park as a young boy. He was even mad at his father for hurting Willlie when the two collided in one of Willie’s greatest defensive plays.

Speaking of great defense, viewers will be treated to an analysis of the most well known defensive play of all-time, simply known as The Catch, made by Willie in Game 1 of the 1954 World Series at the Polo Grounds. With the score tied 2-2 in the 8th inning between the NY Giants and the Cleveland Indians, Willie raced deep towards the centerfield fence and made an incredible over-the-shoulder catch with his back to home plate in 6.5 seconds to rob Vic Wertz of a tie-breaking, bases clearing, extra-base hit, and his twirling throw back to the infield immediately afterward prevented the runners from advancing on the play. It was an early turning point which set the tone for the Giants winning that World Series

What the film unfortunately does not do is attempt to elicit Willie’s thoughts about modern baseball. It seems completely incongruous with Barry Bonds so prominently featured in the narrative that the topic of performance enhancing drugs and the steroid era of which Bonds was so prominently linked, would not come up even once in the film, apparently pre-determined by director Nelson George as off limits. Adding to the dichotomy is the video of Barry hitting his 660th career home run and the video of Willie asking to speak unscripted at the Giants ceremony retiring Barry’s number, pleading for Barry’s induction in the Hall of Fame.

Beyond Willie, the athlete, the documentary does an effective job contextualizing Willie, the man, within the times in which he lived. It gives viewers insight into how he approached his own super stardom, his role as a leader on and off the field, the prejudice and racial slurs he endured as a black man in segregated America, his unique and understated approach to advancing equality and helping minority ball players, as well as his controversial reticence to participate publicly in the Civil Rights movement.

A notable element of the film is that it doesn’t shy away from controversy even as it pays significant homage to his incredible five-tool talents. It delves into the discrimination he famously faced when he was denied the purchase of a house in San Francisco because neighbors didn’t want a black family living in their neighborhood. Willie was adamant about purchasing that home, which he eventually did after much drama, but the very public controversy exacted a personal toll on his marriage leading to divorce.

Willie was harshly criticized, and most notably called out by Jackie Robinson, the man who broke the color barrier four years before Mays was signed by the Giants, for not lending his fame to the Civil Rights movement. The documentary does a good job showing how Willie, in his own way, helped black and Latino ballplayers and contributed to public acceptance of racial tolerance and equality in a more personal and less public fashion.

Mets fans will not be disappointed when the story of Mays’ career switches from San Francisco back to New York due to the Giants inability to pay Mays’ salary any longer. Mets owner Joan Payson, former part-owner of the NY Giants and a huge Willie Mays fan, steps in and takes care of all the arrangements, giving Willie a veritable blank check to finish his career in NY after the 1972 trade, and even lured him back for one additional season, in 1973, which ended up extending all the way to Game 7 of the World Series. NY fans fully embraced his triumphant return to NY in the twilight of his career.

Images of Willie as a Mets player in the Game 2 of the World Series ranged from his troubles losing the ball in the sun and stumbling in the outfield, to pleading on his knees with the home plate umpire that he was wrong to call Bud Harrelson out trying to score, to his last hit, a game-winning RBI-single in the 12th inning, to his final speech on Willie Mays Night when he told Mets fans that “it was time to for Willie to say goodbye to America.”. The documentary ends fittingly with #24 being retired by the Mets at the first Old Timer’s Day at CitiField in 2022 (a game I attended with my son just as I had attended Willie Mays Night with my father almost 50 years earlier).

I give the documentary 4.5 out of 5 stars, deducting for the omission of steroids and the modern game from the narrative. But say hey, the focus is where it belongs, on Willie Mays himself, and that makes it a home run.

The post MMO Fan Shot: A Mets Fan’s Review of “Say Hey, Willie Mays!” appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

Oct 7, 2022; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets starting pitcher Max Scherzer (21) hands the ball to manager Buck Showalter (11) in the fifth inning during game one of the Wild Card series for the 2022 MLB Playoffs at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

The Mets season is over.

Now, what the hell am I going to talk to my dad about for the next five months?

A season that seemed destined for greatness crashed and burned in a way only the Mets can muster.

The Kafkaesque franchise built for moments like the last two weekends managed to come away with nothing. And in their final game, they added one hit, one ear massage, one uninspired playing of Narco, and no World Series victory for the 36th year in a row.

It’s a disaster. All they had to do was not get swept by Atlanta. All they had to do was not lose with the two best pitchers of a generation starting. All they had to do…

Another offseason of questions approaches us. They spent $313 million on a team that couldn’t advance past the Wild Card. That couldn’t win the division. That couldn’t put up more than one hit in an elimination game. Where do they go from here?

The Mets won 101 games this season yet this year still feels like another failure. Steve Cohen’s five-year timeline to win the World Series is closing and the reality is this could’ve been the team with the best chance to do it. Now they’ll approach an offseason with the possibility Jacob deGrom, Brandon Nimmo, and Edwin Diaz aren’t on this team next season.

It hurts. They went all in and it was all for nothing.

So get out your same-old Mets jokes because at the end of the day it sure seems like they’re the same old Mets.

The Mets get to sit at home and watch their two division rivals battle it out in the NLDS when it should be them. But they didn’t show up. They proved they didn’t deserve to be there. The performance throughout the Wild Card round was unacceptable.

Who had the putrid performances? Max Scherzer – the man you pay $43.3 million a season to pitch in that moment -, Chris Bassitt – who you traded for to be the best No. 3 option in baseball -, Starling Marte – who you signed to a four-year deal -, then two other guys you brought in with Mark Canha and Daniel Vogelbach went hitless. All of them will be Mets next season.

You can’t base all your judgment on those players because of a three-game series. Yet someone needs to take blame for the collapse of a 10.5 divisional lead and losses in the two most important series of the season.

It’s frustrating. Nothing ever seems to come easy with the franchise. Yet we still pay attention to 162 games in the regular season and maybe once every eight seasons we get to watch them in the postseason. But we still love them.

You and I will still tune in. We learn nothing from our trauma. And that’s what makes baseball and this loss hurt so much. Now we wait until pitchers and catchers report. We will get out hopes up again. We will cheer for the Mets once again. And inevitably we will get our hearts broken. But one day when the Mets raise that trophy we’ll say it was worth it.

Until next season. Let’s go Mets.

The post There’s Always Next Year Mets Fans appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

Mrs. Payson spearheaded the return of National League baseball to New York.

A Fan Shot by Gregg Hopps

A Happy Mother’s Day to the original Mets Mom…

Of course I’m talking about our New York Mets founder and the first female owner in Major League Baseball, Joan Whitney Payson.

One SNY feature, the only one I consider to be worth watching, is Mets Yearbook. In one particular episode, the year was 1963, they showed the final game at the old Polo Grounds, with Mrs. Payson and Casey Stengel on the field.

As I watched, I thought of how remarkable a woman Mrs. Payson was a woman clearly ahead of her time, and how the Mets will never have another owner as good and as wonderful as she was.

Just watching all the video clips of her it was so apparent that Mrs. Payson truly loved her Mets, and it was just as apparent that Met fans loved her back.

The First Lady of Shea has roses for a tearful Willie Mays during his farewell.

When was the last time we saw a Mets owner sitting in the stands with the fans, rooting for our team? Whether eating a hotdog or enjoying a box of Cracker Jacks, there she was sitting with the rest of us and rooting for the team. She wasnt isolated in an owners box, but instead enjoyed being with her people, Mets fans, and enjoying the game with them.

Before taking ownership of the Mets, Mrs. Payson was a shareholder of the New York Giants. In fact, Mrs. Payson tried all she could to talk Horace Stoneham out of moving the Giants to San Francisco. Mrs. Payson, and M. Donald Grant both voted against the Giants’ move. When the National League finally agreed to expansion and awarded a baseball team to New York, Mrs.Payson becoming the first woman ever to own a baseball team, and they couldn’t have made a better choice.

Mrs. Payson then went about the business of hiring the best baseball people available at the time. She also didn’t meddle and always allowed all of them to do their job.

With 50 years of hindsight, the early Mets were a stroke of genius. New York was starving for National League baseball and Mrs. Payson and some other key people brought it back to us.

The Mets also brought back as many former Giants and Dodgers as they could to bring a hometown feel and familiarity to the team. They scooped up the most successful manager in the game in Casey Stengel. They then let the stars of the past play, while beginning the work of assembling a strong farm system.

A night on the town with Tom Seaver and Art Shamsky.

Then came Tom Seaver, Jerry Koosman, Tommie Agee and the rest of the 1969 Miracle Mets, led by manager Gil Hodges. What an amazing time for all of us. In just seven years since inception, and all as cellar-dwellers, the Mets became World Champions in a pre-free agency era. Incredible.

I became a Met fan in 1973. Sadly Mrs. Payson died in October of 1975, so I have very few memories of her. But to me, the thing that was so striking about her was her genuine, heartfelt love for all the Mets players, coaches and fans. I doubt we’ll ever see anything like it, or anyone like her, ever again. That my friends, is too bad.

* * * * *

This MMO Fan Shot was originally written by Gregg Hopps on April 10, 2015.

The post MMO Fan Shot: A Mets Mom For The Ages appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

Happy Baseball Day (so the start time moved, we will adjust)! After a lockout that lasted more than three months, a delayed spring training and a delayed start of the regular season, baseball is finally here. This will be full season unlike any other since 1972, when both the American and National Leagues did not have the Designated Hitter. Yes, the DH is in the National League now, and it’s permanent (unlike the 2020 pandemic-shortened season).

I do not like the DH rule, and I never have. No, I’m not a traditionalist, in fact, I think the game has to innovate to re-generate fan interest. I’m not opposed to the “ghost runner”, I think it adds an element of strategy and excitement to extra innings. I really like the new schedule that we will see in 2023, in which every team will play every other team each year. And I like seven-inning games. The stakes are higher in every inning, and I think it makes the game more exciting (as well as two and one-half hours long, which it what it should be).

The DH is being employed for several reasons, some of which are reasonable. First, there has to be  the same rules in both leagues to implement the new scheduling format. The DH helps prevent injuries to pitchers (see Jacob deGrom), and it may allow starting pitchers to pitch deeper into games.

However, there is an inherent beauty of nine players against nine players in baseball. Every player plays a position, and bats. The concept is elegant in its simplicity. Player removal decisions have to be carefully contemplated and timed. That conjures up the “strategy” word. For 50 years, AL fans would say that no one goes to the game to see strategy. I would say “nonsense”, the NL plays chess while the AL plays checkers. The NL games was always more interesting, at least to me.

The days of nine on nine are now gone. We have to accept it. Some (maybe many) will like it. In an article for ESPN.com, Tim Kurkjian recaps some of the moments that pitchers taking their swings have provided over the years, the likes of which we will never see again:

We will never see a pitcher hit two home runs on Opening Day, as Madison Bumgarner — the only pitcher ever to do that — did in 2017. Adrian Beltre hit 477 homers and Johnny Bench hit 389, but neither hit one on Opening Day; Bumgarner hit two on the same Opening Day.

We will never have a competition within a pitching staff like the one on the 2021 Brewers. Bench coach Pat Murphy bought a 4-foot-tall wooden statue that was awarded to any Brewers pitcher who drew a walk without swinging his bat. The honorary statue was placed in that pitcher’s locker until the next pitcher accomplished the feat. “It’s in my locker now,” said Brewers pitcher Adrian Houser proudly. “It’s very competitive. As soon as it happens, the statue is moved immediately. It might be in my locker forever.”

We will never see a pitcher hit like George Brett‘s older brother, Ken, who hit a home run in four consecutive starts, a major league record. George always liked to say that Ken was the best hitter in the family.

And of course, there’s this one:

Indeed. In 2016, the overweight, underestimated, unforgettable Bartolo Colon, at age 42, became the oldest player ever to hit first major league home run, which featured one of the slowest, most joyous trips around the bases in baseball history, and it triggered one of the wildest dugout celebrations we have ever seen. “When we get back to the dugout, it’s just me and Bartolo; everyone else is down hiding in the tunnel,” said then-Mets catcher Kevin Plawecki, who was on base at the time of the home run. “I didn’t know what to do, bear hug him again? And then, everyone comes shooting out of the tunnel. It was unbelievable. Every guy on the team went over and gave him a big hug. It was absolutely nuts.”

It was nuts. It was magic. Now that magic is gone.

Current day pitchers have varied opinions on no longer digging in to take their swings. From the ESPN.com article:

“I’m going to miss it,” said New York Mets pitcher Max Scherzer, who loves hitting and running the bases as much as any pitcher in the game. “It bothers me as much as it should bother me.”

“I’m not going to miss it,” said Atlanta Braves pitcher Charlie Morton. “I don’t think anyone wants to watch me strike out on three pitches and walk back to the dugout 98 times out of a hundred.”

Baseball will now have uniformity, that’s true. But if that’s so important, why aren’t all the ballparks using the same dimensions? Anyway, I digress.

The National League held out for 50 years. Thank you to league presidents Chub Feeney, Barlett Giamatti, Bill White, and Leonard Coleman for sticking with original baseball from 1973 through 1999, then to the National League team owners for keeping the game nine versus nine for twenty two more years (save for the pandemic season).

Let’s play ball, even if the rules have changed. It’s still baseball, it will still be in our midst for seven months, and it’s still the greatest game on the planet.

The post For National League Fans, It’s a New Ball Game appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

Photo Credit: Ed Delany of MMO

Jacob deGrom and Max Scherzer gave fans quite the treat on Sunday at Clover Park. DeGrom got the start and threw the first three innings before handing the ball over to Max Scherzer, who threw the last six innings of the game to close out what was dubbed Cy-Young Sunday.

DeGrom (1-0) pitched three innings, giving up just one (earned) run on four hits. He struck out five on 52 pitches (38 strikes). His ERA so far this spring, after two games, is 1.80, with a total of 10 strikeouts. He was credited with the win in today’s game.

DeGrom started strong in the first, striking out the first two batters he faced. After giving up a two-out hit, he retired the fourth batter of the inning with his third strikeout of the day. In his second inning of work, he collected his fourth strikeout of the day and retired the two other outs via a groundout and fly-out. He gave up two-out hits in both the first and second innings but worked his way around them.

The third inning started strong for deGrom as he struck out Kramer Robertson for his fifth strikeout. He then gave up a one-out double by Dylan Carlson, who was driven in by Harrison Bader later in the inning on an RBI double for the only run deGrom gave up. He got out of trouble with a pop-out to end the inning.

Scherzer, as scheduled, threw six innings. He gave up just two (earned) runs on five hits, one walk, and one home run. He struck out seven on 90 pitches (63 strikes). His ERA this spring is 2.45 after the two games he’s pitched in, and he has 12 total strikeouts. He was credited with the save. He averaged 93.8 mph on his four-seam fastball and had a 43 percent whiff rate.

Scherzer looked dominant in his first inning of work, retiring the first three batters he faced in a perfect fourth inning. Strikeouts dominated the fifth inning (Scherzer’s second inning on the mound). He struck out the first two batters of the inning and lined out the third to end the inning, retiring the first six batters he faced. In the sixth inning, Scherzer collected his third strikeout of the day. He did get into a pinch with a two-out hit-by-pitch and a walk but retired Brendan Donovan to get out of the inning.

The seventh inning is where Scherzer got into a jam. He gave up a lead-off single to Alec Burleson, followed by an RBI double by Ali Sanchez to give the Cardinals their second run of the game. However, he retired the next three batters to get out of the inning before further damage was done.

Scherzer settled back in in the eighth inning (his fifth inning of work). He struck out the first two batters of the inning for his fourth and fifth strikeouts of the day and retired the third batter of the inning via a pop-out.

Scherzer returned for his sixth inning of work in the ninth inning. He gave up a quick lead-off home run to Anderson Tejeda. Still, he settled right back down, retiring Burleson on a groundout and striking out the last two batters of the game for his sixth and seventh strikeout of the day to close out a very dominant day of work and a special Sunday at Clover Park.

Both deGrom and Scherzer spoke to the media after their outings this afternoon.

DeGrom said it was “definitely cool” to pitch in the same game as Scherzer, but he would’ve liked getting to watch Scherzer. Instead, he had to do extra work and talk to the media after he got done throwing in the game.

In talking about throwing his curveball, deGrom said the first two he threw well, and then after that, he was trying to bounce one and wasn’t able to. After that, he wanted to see if he could throw it as a strikeout pitch, but the first two were better than the strikeout attempt. He plans to continue working on it and hopes to be able to use it more this season.

Max Scherzer spoke with the media as well. He said he talks a lot to deGrom about what they can learn from each other.

Together deGrom and Scherzer combined for 12 strikeouts and gave the fans at Clover Park a show and a taste of what they can look forward to this upcoming season.

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