Mets

I'm a life long Mets fan and as such I have suffered mightily in the world of sports fandom. I am really jazzed that they made the playoffs this season. I've read that MC2 is a fan also...anyone else?

I've had the long time dual displeasure of being a Mets and a Jets fan.  Not being able to suffer through 162 games a year of mediocrity year after year....after year....after, well, I just didn't follow the Mets as closely as I've followed the Jets through 16 games of futility most years.  But I still associate myself with the Mets.  Glad things came together this year.  Hoping the same for Gang Green!

I have always loved the Mets since I first started watching baseball in 1969, their first magic year. I haven't seen a single minute of pro-sports in the last year, but knew the Mets made the playoffs because I follow Mike Rogge on twitter. If anyone could scribble a paragraph or post a link on the 2015 Mets and how they did it, it would be very cool.

They have historic pitching this year and a real opportunity to rub the yankees noses in it if they do a big Yogi thing...

I'm a Yankee fan though and hoping for another Subway Series although I don't think the best team in NY is in the Bronx this year.

I'm also a Mets/Jets guy.

Here's the deal with the Mets: they have the best starting rotation in the Majors with DeGrom, Harvey, and Syndegaard. Harvey was out last year after Tommy John Surgery and the others are just young studs (Syndegaard routinely throws 99 mph fastballs with a 90mph slider, and DeGrom used his inning in the All Star Game to strike out the side on 10 pitches).

At the beginning of the year, they had no offense. After David Wright got hurt, they struggled to put any runs on the board and muddled around the .500 mark. Pitching was the only thing keeping them in games (I remember one game where .167 hitting John Mayberry Jr. was batting 4th and .176 hitting Eric Campbell batting fifth - enough for the Daily News to call them an embarrassment: http://m.nydailynews.com/blogs/baseballinsider/mets-total-embarrasment-thursday-blog-entry-1.2302753).

The low point of the season came when they lost to a crappy Padres team at home and their shortstop, Wilmer Flores was crying because he was scheduled to be traded that night (the Mets organization had found him in Venezuela when he was 17, and was the only team that he ever played for). But that deal fell through because the guy they were getting failed his physical.

Two days later, Flores hit a game winning home run in the 12th against the Brewers. And the Mets got real aggressive at the Trade deadline, picking up Kelly Johnson, Juan Uribe, setup guy Tyler Clippard, and, 17 minutes before the trade deadline, Monster home run hitter Yoenis Cespedes. Cespedes has gone on to power the Met offense, and since Wright came back, the offense has finally caught up to the pitching. They're looking really good, but being a Met fan, it's way too early to get excited.

mattchuck2 wrote

 they have the best starting rotation in the Majors with DeGrom, Harvey, and Syndegaard.

St Louis 1/2 run better

skimore wrote

mattchuck2 wrote

 they have the best starting rotation in the Majors with DeGrom, Harvey, and Syndegaard.

St Louis 1/2 run better

Okay, but I'll take the Mets over them in the playoffs. Especially after this: http://mobile.reuters.com/article/idUSKCN0RQ0RF20150926

That is a significant loss, but if wainright makes it back and is in form could be a wash. Mets going to have inexperience in pitching spot for playoffs.

Nice...OK, so who is your first round starting rotation and who do you put in the pen?

DeGrom 1st Game, Harvey Second, Syndegaard 3rd, Matz 4th. Colon and Niese to the pen (Colon as long guy, Niese as Left Handed specialist). Reed is the 7th inning guy, Clippard in the 8th, Familia 9th.

And I guess you could say they're inexperienced, but these guys don't seem intimidated. They're Bulldogs, especially Harvey.

mattchuck2 wrote

DeGrom 1st Game, Harvey Second, Syndegaard 3rd, Matz 4th. Colon and Niese to the pen (Colon as long guy, Niese as Left Handed specialist). Reed is the 7th inning guy, Clippard in the 8th, Familia 9th.

 I like that if we don't get home field otherwise I'm switching 2 and 3 so Syndegaard starts at home.

I like what Harvey said after his last start...maybe he doesn't have a mangina after all. That said he'll only pitch once a series so 2 or 3 would be good.

Niese coming out of the pen is nice. When things start going against him he breaks down mentally. Coming in for an inning there probably won't be time for that.

As much as I love the guy I'm leaving Colon off. He has pitched great against below 500 teams, but the Dodgers ain't that. I'm taking Hanzel instead.

Clip makes me a nervous reck cause he always seems to give up a double in the 8th, but then he usually gets out of the inning.

I'm a big baseball fan.  My team is out of it but this post season offers up some really interesting teams.  Lots of teams that are new to postseason.

I'm rooting for the Mets and Bluejays

Hello, I'm Marc and I'm a lifelong Met fan. Grew up near the train line that stopped at Shea.  I used to go to games all of the time.  I've only been to 2 games at Citifield, but, I'm not really into any professional sports these days.

When I was a kid, I was a Red Sox fan, and I still have lingering memories (nightmares) of the 86 series. Bill Buckner & Bob Stanley should always be heroes in the eyes Met fans.

nepa wrote

Bill Buckner & Bob Stanley should always be heroes in the eyes Met fans.

True Mets fans think that Mookie would've beat it out!

That's a great video.

I am a huge Mookie fan. He's one of my all time favorites.  Maybe not the smartest move but I love the way he's going for an in-the-parker when it was absolutely meaningless and actually potentially dangerous.

Back in the day the post-season was so important and profitable that there were at least a dozen cameras on every game. i never forget seeing an iso on Mookie when he is hurtling towards second and realizes it time to head for the pile at home plate.

I wish it was Mook who scored. Least favorite Met ever: Ray Knight.

mattchuck2 wrote

True Mets fans think that Mookie would've beat it out!

The funny thing is, you're probably right.  86 was the twilight of Buckner's career. He had bad ankles, and certainly wasn't known for his speed.  Although he stole a few bases that season, he was often referred to as Wheelchair Ball Billy.

Interesting thought.  Most people forget that that was game 6.  Imagine Buckner fielded ball cleanly, and Mookie did beat him out.  That could have changed the outcome of the series in favor of the Sox.  

To be honest, the 86 Series made me lose my passion for baseball.  I have since been totally fixated on riding snow, riding bikes, and golf.    

I'm a lifelong Met fan and Bill Buckner will always be remembered for letting Mookie's grounder go through his legs. But for me, he'll always be a Chicago Cub.  Back in the day when cable first came out, WGN was broadcasting Cub games nationally and Buckner was the man. Consistent and graceful with Harry Carey calling the games.