Top Five Reasons Why the Mets 2011 Season Wasn’t a Total Waste.

The New York Mets finished their season 25 games back and eight games below .500, which isn’t what the fans had envisioned in February. Even the most optimistic of fans had to realize that a playoff run would require nothing short of a miracle, but with new management there was hope of finishing the season above .500. The more the season progressed, the less likely it seemed that the Mets would reach the .500 mark by the end of September, and so another less than mediocre season came and went for the Mets. 

However, unlike 2009 where injures sucked the life out the team or 2010 where lackluster playing led even the most positive fans to grow weary, this season had moments of promise. Some decisions made this season show promise for the future, and some moments lead to Mets fans going home from the ballpark with the rare feeling of pride.

Over the next few days, I will share the top five reasons I believe the Mets season was not 162 days flushed down the drain. 

Reason #5: The End of the Grand Slam Drought. 

On June 28, the Mets had gone 299 games without a grand slam. 299 games. The bases were loaded up plenty of times, but no Met could ever seen to get the job done. 

Two Mets decided to change that this past June. Jason Bay and Carlos Beltran both hit grand slams in the same game, leading to a 14-3 win over the Tigers. 

Considering that Beltran finished the season as a Giant and Jason Bay had another upsetting season behind the plate, this game does not have a direct impact on the future of the Mets. However, it did give fans with reason to hold their head high and got rid of the whispers of another “Mets curse”. 

Now, if only the Mets could get rid of that No-Hitter drought… 

1 October 5 Permalink

Jose Reyes

Photo taken by me, Laura.

When Ike Davis went down after colliding with David Wright, Mets fans were upset. He was the best hitter on the team at the time and lack of offense isn’t something the Mets, or any team, ever needs. When David Wright went on the DL, Mets fans were worried. He wasn’t hitting well all year, and we need our third baseman to be at his best. When Chris Young went down, fans we’re not as surprised since they knew of his injury plagued past, but they were disappointed. With “ace” Mike Pelfrey having the highest ERA on the team, Mets fans are anxiously waiting the return of Johan Santana. 

However, despite all of these injuries the energy at Citi Field remains high, and a lot of that has to do with Jose Reyes. 

Any Mets fan will tell you what an amazing sight Jose’s triples are. One man behind me at a game this past May yelled, “I blinked and I nearly missed it!” just after Jose slid safely into third. Fans love him, and they don’t want to see him in any colors besides orange and blue next season.

The “Don’t Trade Reyes” movement has been sweeping through Queens. Fans have created specific “Don’t Trade Reyes” nights to bring signs and cheer for Jose, which have turned into fans bringing signs and wearing t-shirts to just about every game.

If Reyes is out for an extended period of time (although David Lennon of Newsday doesn’t believe he will be) the impact will not only be felt on the field but in the stands as well. 

Yes, it stung with Ike Davis and David Wright went down, but they will be back next season. Jose Reyes’s next season is a mystery. The optimistic fans say he’ll be back in Queens next spring. The pessimistic fans say he’ll be gone by August. In reality no one, not even Reyes, knows what is going to happen.

We can all only hope that the MRI will come back negative, and he’ll be back out there stealing bases for the Mets in no time. Because whether we want to admit it to ourselves or not, the time for Reyes as a Met may be running out. 

2 July 3 Permalink

Around the League: A Giant Step in the Right Direction

In the midst of Kobe Bryant’s gay slur controversy, the San Fransisco Giants reminded us that sports are a safe and welcoming place for everyone, including the LGBT community.

The Giants became the first professional sports team to create an “It Gets Better” video in support of LGBT youth. The It Gets Better project is a serious of videos, made by everyone from Lady Gaga to President Obama, that offers support for for bullied teenagers by reminding them that they are not alone.

Players Barry Zito, Matt Cain, Sergio Romo and Andres Torres are featured in the video that sends support to bullied teenagers. ”We speak for the entire Giants organization when we say that there is no place in society for hatred and bullying against anyone,” Zito said in the video.

Sure, it would have been alright to see the Giants ownership in the video, but having the players in the video (along with the Giants hitting coach) makes the message much more personal. The same guys that fans see on the field for 162 days are sending out their support and love to everyone who needs it and looks up to them. Kids hold athletes up as role models and seeing their role model speak out against bullying may have a lasting impact. 

With gay slurs being thrown around in sports, it is a much welcomed change to see a professional sports team taking a stance in support of the LGBT community. 

Last year, baseball legend Willie Mays was asked if baseball is ready for an openly gay player. His response was simple. “Can he hit?” 

Is this video a step closer to having an openly gay ballplayer? Who knows, but if this video can send support to one kid struggling and feeling lost, than the Giants have done a magical thing. 

More information about the It Gets Better project can be found here, and the Giants video can be viewed here. 

2 June 3 Permalink

Jose Reyes placed on the Bereavement List.

After the death of his grandmother, Jose Reyes was placed on the Bereavement List today. As of right now, no one has been named to take his roster spot. 

Here is the lineup for tonight:

Harris 3B
Turner 2B
Beltran RF
Murphy 1B
Pagan CF
Thole C
Pridie LF
Tejada SS
Gee RHP

Nick Evans still can’t seem to work his way into the starting lineup despite having Wright, Davis, and now Reyes out. It seems pointless to have him on the roster when he could be down in Buffalo getting more playing time at first base only to be called up to play LF. 

30 May 1 Permalink

Citi Field Adventures: May 27 vs Phillies

All photos taken by me, Laura.

This past Friday I hopped on the 7 train and ventured to Queens for my second baseball game this season. As a Mets fan, buying tickets to a game against the Phillies is always a bold move. On the one hand, you want to see the Mets beat their biggest rival. On the other hand, the Phillies are one of the best teams in the NL, the Mets didn’t play well against the Cubs let alone the Phillies, and they have four aces while the Mets have none. 

Murphy struggled with his fielding and grounding into a double play to end the game. 

Like all Mets games, you walk up to the ballpark hoping for the best but expecting the worst. I wanted better, but I didn’t quite get the worst. 

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28 May 4 Permalink