Last season the Mets started off well. On June 2, 2007, the Mets were at 35-19. It really looked as if they were poised to run away with the division for the second consecutive year. But as we know, that did not happen.
After that day last season the Mets started to spiral losing 9 of 10. Over the next couple of months the Mets were like a seesaw, win a few then lose a few. They stayed around 10 to 14 games over .500 but never could get away from the rest of the struggling division. However, through it all they managed to maintain first place. In late August the Mets moved to 18 games over .500, their high water mark for the year. But then September came and I refuse to relive that again in writing.
So far this season, after 30 games now, we are seeing similar results from this Mets team. From last June 2nd, including last night’s loss to the Dodgers, the Mets are a ho-hum 69-69. That’s right, a .500 team. You know what they say, you are what you are. Sure, there was a winter between then and now. There was also a deal that brought in Johan Santana. We have a feel good story in Nelson Figueroa and Omar Minaya, now it appears, made a great deal in obtaining Ryan Church from the Nationals. So tell me, why can’t the Mets move forward? So far, this season is like last season. Its two steps forward then two steps back.
The one thing that is different this year, and this is major, is that the Mets are not the team in first place. The Phillies are and they won big last night in
The talent is there. There are good hitters in the lineup, good arms in the rotation and in the pen. They are, for the most part, all good defenders and the guys off the bench are pretty darn good too. So what’s the matter? If I’m asking these questions then other fans are asking too. And so is Mets management. Omar Minaya has some leeway. If we agree the team is talented then how do you fault the general manager?
As I stated, it looks as if the Ryan Church/Brian Schneider deal is a real good one for the Mets. Church has been one of the Mets most solid players this year. Schneider has the potential to have the same impact if he can stay healthy now. He calls a great game and he works with the pitchers well. The Santana deal was a steal, at least for now. Even though the talented lefty has not pitched tremendously, he has shown what a battler he can be. It’s a deal that had to be made. But yet it’s the same old story with the team.
One word defines this Mets team, its inconsistency. The Mets cannot sustain momentum. They did win 5 in a row in April but since then the Mets are 6-8. You just don’t get the feeling from this team that things will change. But things will change and it won’t be the kind of change that we want. If the Mets continue to play .500 ball into the summer, you can bet that some heads will roll, maybe even Willie Randolph’s. Mets management has invested heavily in this team. They are opening a new stadium next April. Jeff Wilpon and company are tired of playing second fiddle to the Yankees. The Mets have simply got to step it up or soon the headlines they will be making won’t be of what’s happening on the field.
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