What do the 1969 Mets and the 2009 Mets have in common?

Both teams had a record of 9-12 after 21 games. So far, that's about the only thing the current Mets club has in common with their distant ancestor.

A major difference is that the Mets of 40 years ago were never expected to win the World Series. Most Mets fans, back then, would have been happy if the '69 team simply finished above the .500 mark, something they had not acheived before. The '69 Mets became incredible overachievers while the current group are fast becoming dubious underachievers.

On paper, it would be easy to conclude the 2009 offense is superior to the one from 1969. But what the '69 team had the current team does not is an incredible ability to build runs. Plus they had fabulous starting pitcher. No question, Johan Santana would have slotted nicely in with Seaver, Koosman, and Gentry. But given the choice between having Perez and Maine or McAndrew and Gentry, I'll take the rookies from 1969.

The 1969 Mets had the advantage of playing under the radar because of little to no expectations. There were no talk radio loud mouths, a 24 hour cable station devoted to the team, or overly opinionated bloggers like me to add unncessary pressure on them. Back then it was so much simpler and innocent.

Today, the Mets must function in front of a weary and angry fan base after blowing the opportunity to get to the playoffs the last two seasons in a row. After 2006, we Mets fan thought going to the post season would become an anual event. More and more, it seems like it will not happen for many seasons to come.

The '69 club also had a brilliant manager in Gil Hodges. He knew how to motivate his team and make all the right calls. Jerry Manuel has looked foolish in some of his in-game strategy like pinch hitting for Ramon Castro on Wednesday or the way he has handled the bullpen of late.  

Can the Mets win it this year after such a dismal start? Of course they can. If a team of many castoffs surrounded by inexperienced but talented rookies could win 91 more games after its first 21, there is no reason the multi talented 2009 New York Mets can't achieve the same result.

The questions everyone asks are many. Can the Mets turn it around? When will the Mets turn it around? Why can't they turn it around? I wish I could answer these questions. I wish someone could answer these questions. The talent on this Mets team is very good. They have the best starting pitcher in baseball. The 2009 Mets have the potential of being as good as the Mets that won the Worlds Series four decades ago. Perhaps the pitching was better then but this year's pitching could be very good too.

The baseball season is long. There are plenty of games left to correct what has started out so wrong. The 2009 Mets share a 21 game record with one of the two most successful teams in Mets history. What it will take for it to turn around is anyone's guess. I just wonder if Donn Clendenon is available in a trade.