Jordan RappaportCaution: New Mets Season Ahead
December 26th 2008 17:04
So after a long time off, its time that I give the Mets offseason update. The angst and anger from another blown season has almost slightly warn off, allowing the newly thawed feeling of hope to return for the 2009 season. A new stadium, a new manager (no longer interim), and a new bullpen will surely lead to a division title.... right? Well all Mets fans hope so.
HISTORY
The 2006 season, "The Team, The Time", was to give Mets fans their world series title. All of the pieces were in place, and the Mets 97 win season set them up perfectly for a run at the championship against a weak field. The inexperience and some bad bullpen play out of the One and Only Aaron Heilman led to a crushing game 7 defeat. Despite the loss, Mets fans were left with the feeling of hope and the thought that the organization had turned the corner.
2007, "Your Season Has Come", started off reassuring those feelings, but a late-season collapse, which I have repeatedly tried to erase from my memory, took away all of those good feelings. Willie and Shea Stadium, along with Aaron Heilman, became reminding faces of the epic collapse that should have never happened.
2008, "The Final Season" was surrounded by feelings of anxiety and depression from the past collapse, and only after the firing of a manager, could the Mets get on track. It wasn't enough, as despite another heroic effort in game 161 (John Maine in 2007 and Johan in 2008), the Mets could not win the final game, and such sealed their fate to watch their rivals, the Phillies, win the Championship.
PRESENT
With a new season ahead of us Mets fans are hoping that a change of stadium will remove all of the horrific and painful memories of the past 3 years. The suffering has been a result of a poor bullpen, poor managing, and a serious case of the Blame Game.
Last year's new additions of Church and Schneider were huge in adding to a solidified defense and some hits in the lineup, but the true gem of Johan was what gave hope for the next 7 years (and $135 mil). One pitcher, it showed, was not enough to account for the late inning struggles the Mets faced (as Johan's empty Cy Young 2008 case shows).
This offseason, the Mets have addressed this issue, by getting rid of Heilman, the true face of the collapse (deserving or not), and adding two of the best closers in the game to command the 8th and 9th innings in KRod and JJ Putz. Both have seen 40 save seasons consistently and will surely allow Johan to leave comfortably in the 7th without having to watch his win be lost.
2009 will be a new season, without construction beyond the outfield, without the cringing of fans once a call to the bullpen in made, without disappointment, without an incapable and very culpable manager, and without another late season collapse.
These are the wishes of a Mets fan, whether they be ignorant or accurate.
2009 should have a new slogan, as the past 3 years have given us::
2009: "A Fresh Start", as it truly will be a new beginning for this team, that will hopefully finish off with a new end.
HISTORY
The 2006 season, "The Team, The Time", was to give Mets fans their world series title. All of the pieces were in place, and the Mets 97 win season set them up perfectly for a run at the championship against a weak field. The inexperience and some bad bullpen play out of the One and Only Aaron Heilman led to a crushing game 7 defeat. Despite the loss, Mets fans were left with the feeling of hope and the thought that the organization had turned the corner.
2007, "Your Season Has Come", started off reassuring those feelings, but a late-season collapse, which I have repeatedly tried to erase from my memory, took away all of those good feelings. Willie and Shea Stadium, along with Aaron Heilman, became reminding faces of the epic collapse that should have never happened.
2008, "The Final Season" was surrounded by feelings of anxiety and depression from the past collapse, and only after the firing of a manager, could the Mets get on track. It wasn't enough, as despite another heroic effort in game 161 (John Maine in 2007 and Johan in 2008), the Mets could not win the final game, and such sealed their fate to watch their rivals, the Phillies, win the Championship.
PRESENT
With a new season ahead of us Mets fans are hoping that a change of stadium will remove all of the horrific and painful memories of the past 3 years. The suffering has been a result of a poor bullpen, poor managing, and a serious case of the Blame Game.
Last year's new additions of Church and Schneider were huge in adding to a solidified defense and some hits in the lineup, but the true gem of Johan was what gave hope for the next 7 years (and $135 mil). One pitcher, it showed, was not enough to account for the late inning struggles the Mets faced (as Johan's empty Cy Young 2008 case shows).
This offseason, the Mets have addressed this issue, by getting rid of Heilman, the true face of the collapse (deserving or not), and adding two of the best closers in the game to command the 8th and 9th innings in KRod and JJ Putz. Both have seen 40 save seasons consistently and will surely allow Johan to leave comfortably in the 7th without having to watch his win be lost.
2009 will be a new season, without construction beyond the outfield, without the cringing of fans once a call to the bullpen in made, without disappointment, without an incapable and very culpable manager, and without another late season collapse.
These are the wishes of a Mets fan, whether they be ignorant or accurate.
2009 should have a new slogan, as the past 3 years have given us::
2009: "A Fresh Start", as it truly will be a new beginning for this team, that will hopefully finish off with a new end.
| 32 |
| Vote |
Shared on
Add Comments
Read More
Comments (2)
