The New York Mets have been beaten and battered around like a girl after a night out with Chris Brown. The good news {I guess} is that the Mets DL is more formidable then some opposing teams actual lineups; however, it’s a sad state of affairs when it is actually better than their own squad. The players missing from the Mets everyday lineup includes Jose Reyes and both Carlos’s {Beltran and Delgado} who have a combined 9 All-Star appearances. They are also missing starting pitchers John Maine, Fernando Nieve, and reliever J.J. Putz. While the Mets have been notorious for choking in the month of September, this season they might not even field an actual squad come September. Of course injuries come with any sport, but losing 3 out of their 4 best hitters is something no team is able to withstand. Especially when David Wright looks more like David Wrong.{only 5 Home Runs} They currently sit below .500 as we enter the second half of the season. Winning the NL East now, would be as surprising as Angelina Jolie giving away one of her African babies.
One can make the argument, that these Mets are in fact the most frustrating team to root for in all of sports. Of course you have your perennial losers such as the Lions, Pirates, and Clippers, but there remains a key difference between these franchises and the Mets. These losing franchises have minimal hope and optimism before each year starts, and in their heart of hearts realize they are not going to win a championship. The Mets, at least in recent memory, are always predicted to do great things {Pre-Season Sports Illustrated Pick to win it all} but then always disappoint like a box office sequel.
Then you have the category that incorporates competitive teams that just fall short which consists of the likes of the Jets, Eagles, any professional team located in Cleveland, and most famously the Cubs. The major difference between this group of teams and the Mets are that their fan base while supporting and passionate about their club, is used to their team’s long history of losing. The Mets are close to being in this group, but they at least won a championship in the last 25 years.{1986}The other teams I just mentioned either won their last title in the 60’s, when American Bandstand rather than American Idol was popular, or never won it at all. The Mets have just slightly separated themselves from this category because they cannot use the excuse of “We have never won it before” or blame their losing because of a “Curse.” Instead their losing is a result of poor luck mixed with poor play though not poor talent because that is something they are rich in.
The average sports fan feels at least slight sympathy for Cubs or Cleveland fans who have never tasted victory while no one, other than Mets fans, seem to share their pain and frustration after losing. The New York Mets have an added disadvantage, and are treated more like second class citizens because the Yankees are in town. Even when they premiered Citi Field, it was overshadowed by the new Yankee Stadium. Maybe they should change their mascot from Mr. Met to Mr. Mess because it is extremely difficult to continually root for a ball club that always falls short. Trust me I share your grief Mets fans… because after all I love the Knicks.
