I’m writing this post late Sunday night – about 31 hours after Familia struck out Jay Bruce to win the National League East.
Even typing that out it still doesn’t seem real.
I wanted at least a day to pass before I started writing about this team, this season, and this Division Championship. I thought a day would be long enough for it to sink in (as well as enough time for me to recover from a weekend spent seeing the Pope and attending my niece’s baptism). Was it enough? I’m not quite sure as it still doesn’t seem real.
This year started with our second Queens Baseball Convention. An amazing success, and an event I am happy and proud to be a part of with Shannon and Keith. I was lucky enough to spend that day sitting with Mookie Wilson, and then with Wally Backman. That alone would make this a great year.
Opening Day came and the year got better. Yes the Mets won (beating the Phillies 2-0), but even more important – this was my son’s first baseball game. Not only was his name on the scoreboard, but his picture got onto Citivision (I didn’t see it but a lot of others did). Wow, that makes a year.
Then the winning streak.
Then the stumbling.
Then inaction.
At that point I will admit my faith wavered. I think it was some time around the All-Star Game that I emailed Shannon saying I was close to being done with this team. They had squandered away a lead without making a move and I did not believe that they ever would.
But though my faith was shaken, like so many who read this blog, I can’t quit this team. I bleed blue and orange and I’ve stuck with them through far worse (I was there at the final home game in 1993, the year they went 59-103). So I continued to watch, and hope, and pray.
Then the trades, and the turnaround.
A drive to Baltimore meeting up with The 7 Line was inspiring.
A few games in Philly were breathtaking.
Then the magic number countdown.
Of course through all of this there were of course issues – Wilmer’s tears and Harvey’s innings. The Mets can never do anything easy of course.
And then, yesterday.
I’ve been lucky enough to be a part of MetsPolice since its inception. Yeah I don’t post much anymore (when I started writing here I didn’t have any kids – now I have two), but I still poke my head up occasionally, and I’ve been a bit active on Twitter which is fun (@dtwohig). I’ve made a lot of new friends through this blog and through the QBC. This Mets community that has formed over the last several years has been something special – and I have to wonder if it would be as strong, as loyal, and as friendly/close if the team had been successful. The old saying is that misery breeds company and I think we have seen that fully exemplified in this fan base.
Now after so long we can enjoy what we have all longed for. It’s only the first step, but after such a long road one step in the right direction means so much. We should enjoy this feeling, and let it soak in – I know I will over the next few days. But the playoffs are coming, and I’m reserving my true excitement for that.
And as Bruce said (something Shannon often quotes):
“Dreams will not be thwarted, Faith will be rewarded”
