A team with young potential, veterans hungry for a World Series title, a manager on the hot seat, and fans who have struggled enough and want their team to win now. The previous statement can be connected to two surprisingly similar teams: the 2014 Kansas City Royals and the 2015 New York Mets. While the two teams seldom come up in the same sentence, they actually have a lot in common. The two teams both got off to similar starts to their season, and had similar Spring Trainings, as well. All in all, the connections that can be made through these two teams are uncanny…and it may not be a coincidence.
In 2014, the Royals led the Cactus League in winning percentage, and many people wondered if they could keep the magic going, just like the Mets this season. Both teams won their leagues through their young talent, who are both ready and not ready for the Major Leagues. However, as baseball fans now know, the Royals were in fact able to continue their magic, while the Mets’ season is still young.
The first two series the Mets played this season were on the road, and the ball club went 3-3, winning one series 2-1 and losing the other 1-2. In 2014, the Royals also went 3-3, winning one series 2-1 and losing the other 1-2. Also, the Royals had a promising pitching staff last season, with a young ace in Yordano Ventura. This season, the Mets also have a promising pitching rotation, headed by their returning ace Matt Harvey.
To finish off the comparisons between the two teams, the average age of the pitchers and batters is extremely close. Both teams’ average team-age was less than 30 years-old, and both teams have a veteran over the age of 40 (Raul Ibanez on the Royals and Bartolo Colon on the Mets).
The future of Major League Baseball is a large part of today’s game, and both the 2014 Royals and the 2015 Mets put large focus on that. Both teams are young, have future potential, and attract fans to come to their ballgames. Therefore, maybe it is time for the Mets to take after the Royals, promoting their fans to “Party Like It’s 1986!”
The differences are pretty stark too. What’s the point?
I think that both teams do have some similarities, however most organizations seem to be in this shape. I think a lot of magazines and people are trying to discuss who is the next 2014 Royals, but in all honesty, I do not really see the Mets being in a similar position. The Royals had a tremendous defense, which the Mets are lacking.
These are some interesting stats you brought up Dan, and I hope the Mets are like the Royals from last year, but we will have to wait and see!
Similar sure, but wholly unrelated. Whatever the Royals did last year has zero connection to what the Mets do this year except by anecdote.
Some interesting parallels but the Mets would need a few more Legareses to match that defense. That and the bullpen was why the Royals overachieved.
It’s a tough comp. The Mets rotation is better, the Royals bullpen and defense are better. It’s also hard to compare lineups due to the presence of the DH.
I think it a fairly weak parallel. I guess we can say these are up and coming teams trying to be good with modest payrolls.
The Royals have as their signature the fact that they can turn even the smallest lead over to their bullpen after six innings and expect to come away with a win.
The Mets are nowhere near being able to do that.