The unorthodox poet e e cummings once wrote a poem that begins, “i thank You God for most this amazing day . . .” I think of this poem every year on the first day of Spring Training. As the best three words in the English language are “pitchers and catchers”, the return of baseball brings the same joy to life as the first warm day of spring. The beginning of Spring Training is the renewal of our friendship with our companion baseball. It is, as cummings said, everything that is infinite, everything that is yes!
The jubilation of a new season oftentimes fools us into irrational exuberance. Even when the Mets were an awful team, die-hard fans convinced themselves that this could be our year. When I was in college, my friends and I convinced ourselves that George Foster in Left, Mookie Wilson in Center and Ellis Valentine in Right was the best outfield in Major League Baseball. My college days are long gone, but my optimism is still with me. This year my belief is grounded in the quality of the players on the roster and the ability of the front office to supplement the current team with reinforcements where needed. Reports that the team is considering Zach Britton as an additional bullpen arm is just one example of the willingness to protect against every contingency. One computerized projection (PECOTA) has the Mets winning 97 games – a few games off last year’s 101 wins, but enough (says the computer) to win the NL East. For now, at least, we’re in First Place.
The first two televised games will be next weekend – first against the Marlins on Saturday (an early evening 6:10 start) and then a traditional Sunday afternoon game against the Nationals at 1:10. Thankfully, the squad in the booth (Gary, Keith and Ron) will stay together for the foreseeable future as Hernandez just signed a new three-year deal to continue to entertain us with his wit and wisdom.
It is too early to analyze the strengths and weaknesses of the pitching staff or to configure the batting order to squeeze out the most runs or to strategize over the best combination of starters and relievers. For now, it’s all about the joy of the possible.
When Steve Cohen purchased the controlling interest in the team, he promised that he would do what he could to make the Mets perennial winners. Sustained success. It sounded too good to be true. Yet here we are: a franchise to be reckoned with – a team baseball stars want to play for: Lindor, Scherzer Marte, Verlander. A team with young stars on the horizon: Francisco Alvarez, Mark Vientos, Brett Baty, Ronny Mauricio, Alex Ramirez, Kevin Parada. A Major League core of homegrown talent: Pete Alonso, Brandon Nimmo and Jeff McNeil.
For the next several weeks the giddy anticipation of a new baseball season will fill real fans hearts with the delight of an ice cream on a hot summer day.
Enjoy everyone!
Mookie Wilson held up his end in 1982, and if Foster and Valentine had produced at their peak rate, it would have been the best outfield in the majors. Good article, although I think you should have done lower case all the way
At age 68, I’ll be attending my first ST games; thanks to the generosity of my (slightly) younger brother. We and our wives will be seeing the Mets at Port St. Lucie for there final weekend games (March 25th & 26th), against the Marlins. We’ll also get to see our Cuban aunt, who is now the matriarch of the family. Good company, good food, and relaxing ST games. Life is good!
Outstanding! Have a great time