Your intrepid columnist is not ashamed to admit he’s a bit of a TV sitcom junkie. He’s seen ‘em come and seen ‘em go. All In The Family, M*A*S*H, The Cosby Show, Cheers, Seinfeld, The Big Bang Theory, both Bob Newhart shows…the list goes on. One of the best, though, is about to have the twentieth anniversary of its premier: Friends made its debut in September, 1994. That was a pretty quick twenty. It doesn’t seem that long ago that we met Chandler & Joey, rooted for Ross & Rachael and giggled at the quirkiness of Phoebe and Monica. It was a classic, and even had a cool theme song, all about the joys of lasting…uh…friendship. One line from that song rings true for Met fans: “It’s like you’re always stuck in second gear/Well, it hasn’t been your day, your week, your month or even your year.”
Or even your decade…plus.
It has been 28 years since the Mets won the World Series. It’s been seven since they’ve made the playoffs. Every year, it seems, they are only counted on for between 73 and 79 wins. In the New York Post yesterday, Joel Sherman encapsulated the feeling almost perfectly. The Met are mired in a cycle of non-success which has suppressed optimism, attendance and television ratings. The frustration building among the fan base is starting to take some ugly turns. There have been criticisms of Daniel Murphy, Juan Lagares, Travis d’Arnaud – players who are having notably good years – even David Wright, who is not having a good year, granted, but whom you would think would be somewhat above reproach, taking history into consideration. Matt Harvey, who hasn’t thrown a ball in anger in over a year, is hearing it about his “attitude.” Bartolo Colon still gets fat jokes, despite being the team’s most consistently successful starter. Zack Wheeler gets ragged on about his command. This doesn’t even take into account the venom directed at the few who’ve deserved it — the Ruben Tejadas, Chris Youngs and Curtis Grandersons of the world.
Something has to be done to break the cycle. Whether it’s a major trade, a managerial switch, a front office shakeup or an ownership change – hey, a guy can hope, can’t he? – the situation is crying out for a shift. The status quo is no longer good enough. We keep being told to hold out hope for the future, but when that future will arrive continues to be a moving target, a lengthening goal post. As has been said so often, this was supposed to be the year. Well, the year is almost over and the Mets have little hope of approaching even .500, let alone contention. It’s getting to the point where apathy has replaced anger, boredom has replaced sadness. It’s getting to the point where most fans refuse to say “I’ll be there for you.”
Instead, we keep wishing for an episode called “The One With The Pennant.”
Follow me on Twitter @CharlieHangley.
I think a managerial change is overdue, especially in light of the description Charlie has given. There appears to be no strong skipper protecting the hands.
I also think we could be on the verge of something great, even dominating, with our pitching, if ownership makes some moves this off season and then takes the squad and hands it over to someone who knows how to win. TC has not won.
I would like to see Sandy go, too. Curtis Granderson and Young were two very poor signings, with both based upon hitting home runs in Citi Field. It is time to Jason-Bay Granderson.
I like what D’Arnaud has brought to the game since his demotion. Was it Backman who said, “stop working counts, stop over-thinking and drive the ball”?
Perhaps.
I have not liked Backman’s antics in the minors, as they appear to be suited to catch the NY press, but if he knows how to get youngsters on track, I’ll take him.
We are a few moves away from excellence.
The problem Peter is we have a cheap ownership who is probably very upset at the thought of having to release Young and pay him for the remainder of the season. Now fast forward and I don’t think they’ll do it again since TC has 1 year remaining on his contract. Maybe the Wilpons will DFA him and send him to the instructional league where he can’t do to much damage. I last thought is SA does not have a contract for 2015 so perhaps he takes 2 sanity pills and doesn’t some back
You can’t take away my Bartolo Colon fat jokes Charlie!Colon fat jokes and jokes about TC’s inability to blink are all I have.
Can we send Terry to AAA and call up Wally to manage the team in N.Y.?
That could change the spirit of the Mets 🙂
[…] The Mets aren’t as bad as all that: more’s the pity. No. The Mets instead find themselves in a spin-cycle existence of 72-78 wins every year, coupled with ever-dwindling attendance figures. Even with some […]