Ya Gotta Believe...ugh they have been breaking my heart since I was a kid. The 'they' here are the New York Mets. You can't have a NY centric blog and NOT talk sports - not in this town. We are born fans, some rabid - some fair weather but everyone at one time gets the bug. I have been a Mets fan since birth. Hey - it isn't easy being a Mets fan - not when every single male friend of mine is a YANKEE fan, except thankfully, my husband. It would have been easier for me to marry a Republican than a Yankee fan but I digress. There are those here that say it is easy to be a Yankee fan - it just takes money and no guts. On the otherhand, Mets fans are everyday people-the working class, those with heart, and heartbreak since they always seem to come 'this' close , or blow it by the first week of July thus ruining summer ball. I always remind my fellow fans that we have the second highest payroll in major league ball but hey - who listens to me? I know families split right down the Yankee - Mets line including mine. My little sister is a rabid Yankee fan having been at Yankee stadium for both Cone's and Well's no hitters - lucky girl.
I cannot explain how my love of this team was born - it just always has been. I have wonderful memories of walking to Shea Stadium with my dad, and even watching the 1969 Miracle Mets sitting on his lap - toddler that I was at the time. Happier memories include 1986 when the best playoff and world series ever was played - at least in my opinion. Who can ever forget that ball going through Bucknor's legs in Game 6?? I don't think I have ever whooped so loudly. AND, I refuse to talk about the subway series of 2000, yes - I am still that bitter.
Every year the Mets make September interesting for their fans and this year is NO different. Heaven forbid the Mets actually enter into September as the outright divisional lead - that would be too Yankee-like, although not this year :) Currently, the Mets are playing a 3 day series with the Phillies who share in the crazy ride that is the wild card chase, along with Florida and Houston, and Arizona. Tuesday night the Mets moved within a half game of the lead with a resounding win thanks to a 3 run homer by Castro. Mike Cameron made a brief appearance and it was great to see him standing after his head-on collision with fellow outfielder Beltran. Beltran continues to be in the line-up and productive although Piazza is out again until mid-September. Wednesday night we gave back the game with Pedro Martinez giving up 4 homeruns - the first time in his career, aren't we the lucky ones? I am sure someone in Boston is laughing. It's all about the timing...today is the last game in the series, then it is on the road for us to battle for the wildcard in the playoffs.
I have promised to focus at least one post a week to sports and will follow the pennant race for the near future (although the US Open will get some time, as will the start of the NFL) and I suppose I will have to do some writing on the Yankees although I am sure a "Go Boston" will get me FLAMED!!! Do come back and share our ride as we once again...believe. For the latest standings go to: http://www.newyorkmets.mlb.com. A great fan website is: http://www.ultimatemets.com
