I’ve been an avid Yankees fan my entire life. My family roots for the Bronx Bombers, and my dad went to many games at the old Yankee Stadium as a kid. The pinstripes are in the Casey blood.
But it’s a different story for my three best friends. They’re all Mets fans.
For years, I’ve questioned their leanings, and admittedly, I have often found myself laughing uncontrollably at their team’s fate.
From the most bizarre injuries you could ever think of in baseball to the famous Bobby Bonilla day to the recent Wilmer Flores trade saga, I’ve found myself feeling bad for my friends time and time again. Through all of this, I’ve learned there’s no way I can ever root against the Mets.
Consequently, I couldn’t be happier for the Mets’ success in the regular season and their National League East crown. Mets fans truly deserve it. David Wright, although breaking, deserves it. Even Terry Collins and Sandy Alderson deserve it. They’ve endured so much criticism in the toughest city in the world to succeed, and they’ve now shown that they truly belong.
Citi Field, not Yankee Stadium, was the place to be this summer in New York City. And trust me, it wasn’t just for Shake Shack or the unique promotions. When an organization makes win-now roster moves, even if it’s still not in the best financial shape, it’s more than encouraging to fans.
Furthermore, when the changes pan out successfully, the conversation turns to one of even more promise. Can the Mets win the pennant and their third World Series?
Three weeks ago, when the Mets won eight games in a row, I would have answered with a definite yes. But after losing five of their final six regular season games and only scoring two runs in their last four games, I’m not so sure.
It hurts me to say it, but the Mets picked the wrong time to go ice cold. Their brand new season starts Friday in Los Angeles, and there is next to no margin for error.
With the Mets’ youth and chilled bats, it doesn’t look good. Matt Harvey, Jacob DeGrom and Noah Syndergaard are the most promising trio of young starting pitchers in the league, but no one can argue against the fact that they are seriously inexperienced in the postseason.
If the Mets are taken out by the Dodgers without a fight in the NLDS, will it be even worse for Mets fans? Yes, the team won 90 games and captured the New York media world, but if it’s all for nothing, I suspect it will hurt that much more.
To be honest, I’ll be devastated with all Mets fans if this dreary speculation comes true. I really hope it doesn’t, but Zack Greinke and Clayton Kershaw won’t be easy to top nearly 3,000 miles away from home.
If this is simply just incorrect speculation, then this could be an Amazin’ start to fall.
