Looking Forward

One of my biggest complaints over the last couple of years has been the Mets lack of any overall plan or philosophy. I have consistently said that this team's problems are so much deeper than what we have been forced to watch on a day in day out basis from the big league mess. The reality is that the Mets are not a one big signing away team and they have refused to acknowledge that, instead just plodding along year in and year out acting as everything would be OK. The awful truth is that there has been a flaw in not only the make up of this team but with the entire way the organization is run; and watching the front office refuse to acknowledge it has been just as frustrating as watching the team's dreadful play. It is for that reason that I am excited about the hiring of Sandy Alderson. While I know I will not be ecstatic about his manager and do not anticipate a premium product to grace the filed at Citi Field in 2011, it is extremely refreshing to hear things like "building from the ground up", "a focus on player development", and "the implementation of an overall organizational philosophy." I have said all along, that I have no problem if the Mets don't spend money this year, as long as I believed they were going to focus on fixing the fundamental problems and rebuild their infrastructure; something that I had no hope for up until a week and a half ago.

Unfortunately, it is hard to even share in that small sense of enthusiasm with fellow Met fans, many of whom have become so negative that they choose to rip down any sense of optimism that I wish to express. While I completely understand where these fans are coming from in their stances of "refusing to ever go to a game again" or their criticism of everything even this new, one week old regime does or says, the fact is that I am finding it to be trying on my soul. For five years my baseball life has become stapled with devastation, disappointment, and just an overall tainting of my soul. What has made this even worse is that these feelings are compounded by CONSTANTLY reliving these emotions in conversations with my Met fan brethren. Frankly, I just can't take it anymore. So, as we begin this new era, I choose to look forward and hang on to something positive. I choose to be hopeful.

Being Blue

Below is a brilliant analysis of the political equivalent of being a Met fan. It is a guest post from "Marms" who is one of only a small handful of real under 40 year old fans of the team from the Bronx fans- meaning he has a sense of his team's modern day history pre 1996, which is rare for most of his brethren, nor does he support the marketing of pink hats.

Following these last elections I began thinking that being a Democrat must be a lot like being a Mets fan. Both "teams" are constantly assaulted by corporate rival who run a tighter more efficient ship. Both teams have a history of being unable to build upon their success. Both teams are filled with lively characters who often can't get out of their own way. As I ruminated on these similarities I came up with the following comparisons:


Obama / Omar:

Both came into power riding a wave of feel good optimism at a new and brighter future. Once in office, both men did some positive things but ultimately failed after a series of miscalculations and half measures undermined the bases confidence in their leadership. In addition, both men have been unfairly accused of making decisions based upon their ethnicity and country of origin.

Bill Clinton / Bobby V.

The charismatic, seasoned veteran whom the base loves and would love to have back. Kept at arms length by a front office that resents his charm, intellect, and ability to get things done.

David Wright / Harry Reid

Skilled, polished, dull, predictable, corporate insiders who tries to maintain cordial relationships with all his opponents. Although in a position of leadership he is seemingly incapable of lighting a fire under his fellow teammates or base.

Jose Reyes / Nancy Pelosi

Do they help? Do they hurt? Are we better off with them, or does their baggage come with too high a price? There is no denying that when they are on, they are productive, but no one riles the opposition more and questions linger over how much heart they truly have.

Blue Dog Dems / Jeff Wilpon

The meddling interference with the overall plan, the total lack of understanding of what the base wants, the constant need to “play it safe”, the grandstand “pay attention to me” attitude, all present in Jeff-W and the BDD.

Joe Biden / Fred Wilpon

The elder statesmen have done great work on the fringe (fighting to end the war / Building Citifield) but both still cannot escape controversy, have been accused of having lost touch with the base, and have put their foot in their mouths on multiple occasions.

Alan Grayson / K-Rod

Competitive, hot tempered, tough on enemies and teammates, passionate. Both men have exhibited erratic and foolish behavior that has (and may have) cost them a place on the team.

Jimmy Carter / Keith Hernandez

Both of these former leaders are clearly unimpressed with the current regimes and have been known to offer straight and unfettered criticism, while at the same time reminding the base of what it was like to play real hardball back in the day.

Ted Kennedy / Carlos Beltran

Once great titans, the impact of their deaths has been felt deeply by their respective teams.