In 1897, eight-year-old Virginia O’Hanlon wrote to The Sun asking, “Is there a Santa Claus?”
The Sun’s storied response in an editorial became the stuff of legend, “Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus.”
As an avowed seeing-is-believing guy, I never believed in this tale of a big jolly fellow who slides down chimneys on Christmas Eve and leaves behind a bounty of neatly wrapped gifts and toys under your tree. But maybe I was being too hasty… Maybe there really is a Santa Claus…
How else can you explain what happened on Wednesday, when the miracle of all miracles manifested itself in the name of Steve Cohen who agreed to purchase majority control of the New York Mets?
And no, the fact that Steve Cohen shares the same initials of that North Pole denizen was not lost on me.
For almost two decades, Mets fans have prayed for a Christmas miracle to rescue them from the dysfunction of a clueless and reckless ownership, and it appears that our patience has paid off.
My dear friends, we are at the dawn of a new era in Mets franchise history. Gone are the shackles that have kept the Mets from another championship for 34 years.
Not only will the Mets have a new owner, but once MLB approves the sale Steve Cohen becomes the wealthiest owner in baseball. That is not a typo, and neither is his desire to spend and spend big to bring another World Series title to Flushing. That has to be a miracle, right?
Photo: Wall Street Journal
Steve Cohen, who is worth $13.6 billion according to Forbes, has been a minority investor in the Mets since 2012 when the Wilpons sold shares of the team to raise capital to pay off the debt they incurred from the Madoff Ponzi Scheme.
According to the Mets press release, the Wilpons will continue in their roles for a further five years, but in name only. As majority owner, Cohen will now call all the shots, not Fred or Jeff.
Adding to this exciting news was something a source close to Cohen told Joel Sherman of the New York Post.
“He grew up a Mets fan in Great Neck. He went to games in the Polo Grounds. He has deep pockets. He is a passionate fan. If I were a Met fan, I would expect that means more money for payroll.”
“This is not a purchase you make at that amount to make money. You don’t make it to strip down payroll. You make it to enjoy the team you have spent your life rooting for. If I am a Mets fan, this is a big day to celebrate.”
So, yes Mets fans, I can firmly attest that there is a Santa Claus and this week he slid down the chimney at 41 Seaver Way with plenty of cheer to go around.
And I heard him exclaim as he drove out of sight, Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!
