Category: mets

Our 78th Average Mets fan is Mike.


1. When did you start following the Mets?


I’ve been a Mets fan “my whole life” (Born in 1978), but I really started following them (meaning, following/caring about players other than the superstars, really caring about wins and losses) around 1995, when I got my drivers license, and was able to go to games whenever I wanted. I’ve consistently been to around 15-20 per season since, and catch at least a portion of every game on TV or the Radio.




2. What is your favorite Mets memory? 


My Grandmother passed away on October 1^st, 1999.  She had been sick for a while, and we all knew it was coming, but it still hit me like a ton of bricks.  The Mets run to the Wild Card that season was the only thing that gave me and my family some sort of escape from what was going on with her.  She always told me how she didn’t follow baseball much but rooted for the Mets because “When they win, it makes you (meaning me) happy.” If I had to single out one moment, it would definitely be being at Shea for Todd Pratt’s walk-off homer in the NLDS.  He was my favorite player at the time, and I still remember the 3 seconds of silence between the ball (barely) eluding Steve Finley’s glove, and everyone realizing the that ball went out.




3. What is your worst Mets memory or experience? 


Being at Shea when Beltran watched that wicked Adam Wainright curveball pass him by to end the 2006 NLCS.




4. If you could change one off-field thing about the franchise what would it be? 


Just the fan’s overall perception of the Mets as a franchise.  If they miss the playoffs, most react like they’re the Pirates, and have been losing for the past 15 years.  They were in the World Series less than a decade ago, and were an inning or two away from the World Series (which I think they would’ve won) in 2006.  Some teams don’t even sniff the playoffs for decades at a time.  Combined with the fact that (in fans and media’s mind) they constantly have to be compared to the Yankees.  You can’t compare ANY team to the Yankees.


5. If you owned the team starting tomorrow, what is the first thing you would change?  


Build the team around the strengths of Citi Field.  Fly Ball pitchers in the rotation.  Young, speedy, gap hitters in the lineup.  And I’d retire Keith Hernandez’ and Ed Kranepool’s numbers.  Sorry Jose, #7 should’ve been hanging on the wall long before you put it on.

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Remain calm Mets fans, there’s no reason to be alarmed.  This is the medical team from 1982 not 2009.

What’s with that white jacket?

I posted this on New Years Eve in the teaser post but it’s still fun.  What kind of jersey is Neil Allen wearing?  I like it, but since it’s Yankee-like and I don’t want to listen to Yankee fans I won’t vote for it to return.

From the back page, here’s some Active Sportwear you could have purchased way back when.   I guess white was all the rage back in ’82.

More tomorrow…then I’ll either post the 1983 yearbook or the 1977.  Not sure yet.

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Finally got Osh41 to start digging.  Here’s one of what hopefully will be a frequent series.  Here’s Osh.

This is a circa 72-73 Mets road jersey – Shannon and I dreamed of the day the Mets would reintroduce these jerseys, we would watch 1973 World Series films during rain delays and call each other to discuss how cool the road jerseys looked and hoped they’d make a return. 

 

The Mets introduced polyester jerseys in 72 and got rid of the classic ‘New York‘ lettering beginning in 1974 so this specific jersey existed for only 2 years. 

 

Mets road jerseys did not display ‘New York’ from 1974 through 1986.  In 1987 New York returned to the road uni’s in the form of the script New York (we’ll talk about them in future posts)

 

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With the new year I thought I’d roll through another series of alternate Mets caps, this one recalls the days of our youth when Doc and Darryl wore green and orange caps with a Mets logo on it.  What?   Available here.

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This week I’m looking back at some of my favorite posts – this from February of 2009 with some suggestions for New Traditions for a new stadium.  So far I’m 1 for 15 (Seaver) but I think the Castillo thing will stick.  Who knew he’d drop a popup?

New digs, let’s start some new traditions (and bring back some old ones).

I offer the following to the Wilpons and invite you to add suggestions.

1.  Bring Back Oldtimers Day.   Our ’86 heroes are in their 50’s now.  Have them play those 2000 Subway Series guys, and have the 69ers and 73ers come and wave.  Sprinkle in some Youngblood and Stearns action and you have something.  Think the Shea closing ceremony with a game and without a depressing loss beforehand.  The Mets might also want to add 40 to 1969 and see what number they get.

2.  Banner Day.  An actual unique Mets tradition.  Bring it back.  If you don’t want to have a doubleheader just do it at noon some Sunday, maybe even on a Mr. Mets dash day.   Just make sure ESPN keeps their hands off (no 8:05 starts).

3.  Rusty’s Ribs.  Enough with the designer Pop Frites stands.  Rip off the Orioles and have Rusty cook up some ribs.

4.  Meet Me At The Apple.   There was never any cool place to meet at Shea.  Meet me at the Apple.  The real one not the phony shiny new one.

5.  Seaver Always Throws Out Opening Day.   Don’t mess around.  Pay G.T.S. the money.   Tom should be at every opening day until he dies, then Keith gets the tradition.

6.   Hang a 17 on the fence.

7.  Wear Pinstripes and blue hats six days a week.  Wear whatever they want to sell on Sundays.

8.  Bullpen cars with cap-tops.  Even if they are never used, have the bullpen cars.  They were cute and kids like them.

9.  The new sign man.    But not a shill-job.  Pick one of the honest bloggers out there and let them have the job.

10.  No wave.  Let’s just collectively decide we don’t do the wave.

11.  Organ music.   Real organ music.  Less techno-pop and loud rock songs.  Live organ music.

12.  The traditional Take Me Out To The Ballgame recording.  The one from the guy that was the PA announcer in the 80’s.

13.  The Curly Shuffle.  This stopped because the curly folks wanted to be paid.  Just pay them.  It can’t cost any more than Enter Sandman did.  Just play it.

14.  Lady met returns.

15.  The traditional booing of Luis Castillo.  Inspired by commenter Thomas….after I booed Castillo on Wed for going oh for one, he then knocked in 4 runs.  We Met fans will boo him during his first at bat, all season long as he wins the MVP and the Mets win a ring.  It will be our version of roll call.   For years when Luis shows up at Old Timers Day we shall boo him.

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