Memo To Mets Fans:
JERSEY TURNPIKE – As most of our readers know, I’m a hockey-first fan but when your team sucks, as the Boston Bruins do, having failed to qualify for a second consecutive postseason, my heart is now gladly filled with the New York Mets. I’m making my re-engagement to baseball with a verve not seen for the other major sports. And today, some issues surrounding the Blue & Orange need addressing!
Panic: The panic surrounding the Metsies sluggish 4-6 start, abetted (it’s criminal) by one putrid at-bat after another, was quelled all of one game after a fourteen-hit, six-run outburst against the Cleveland Indians on Friday. But… they followed the effort up with yet another dud on Saturday afternoon, not long after another beleaguered local team wearing blue – the New York Rangers – plugged their leaky ship with a win over the Pittsburgh Penguins. So rest easy and r-e-l-a-x… it’s a long season!
Matt Harvey: Let it be known that I’m not a big Matt Harvey guy. “Put up or shut up,” is all I’ll say about the so-called ace of the staff. I don’t want to hear about the run support he doesn’t receive. Put up more zeroes than usual to give your squad a chance at a “W.” Four and two-thirds yesterday is a far cry from the seven or eight innings expected of you. I’ve been a Mets fan for all of two seconds compared to most of you, but gimme Syndergaard or deGrom any two games out of five and I’m happy.
Bartolo Colon: Big Bart, or “the fatness of finesse,” as I like to call him, is a pleasure to watch on the mound. Weather doesn’t matter so much as commentators will have you believe, but the mercury means little to this 250+lbs guy who worries and relies more on location and guile. Bart is a bargain for whatever management is paying him as the #5 starter in the rotation.
Middle Relief: It sounds like what you run for after the appetizers are served at a Mexican restaurant but if the Mets want to improve the roster somewhere, this would be the place. Far from a Old Dirty Bastard-o, Antonio just doesn’t seem like an effective middle man or does Reed or Blevins. Jim Henderson intrigues me but he is a surprise journeyman so far and I don’t think the modest success lasts too long.
Mets Souvenirs: What is a staple for a new fan to any team to purchase? A cap, jersey, shirt, or batting helmet? They don’t call me Cheesy for nothing, as I’ve opted for a 100% polyester black polo shirt with the circular Mets logo on the breast. In 5-7 business days my baseball metamorphosis is complete when I don the official merchandise from the MLB shop.
Promotion/Giveaway Days: I’m all about value at the ballpark. Did I mention they don’t call me Cheesy for nothing? When a freebie is being handed out, I’m there. Except for free rag (shirt) Friday. The “shirts” given away on these dates are made from baby wipes, or so I think. As a member of the shaven-head club, I’m leaning toward attending bucket hat day or fedora day or de Grom hairhat day – but all are to the first 15,000 fans, so I don’t know if I can secure these ducats.
Speaking of securing ducats, come back tomorrow for West Coast Craig, who has the Dodgers and Los Angeles Rams in his backyard. L.A. is almost a city now!
