The Mets Police

Last night on twitter (@metspolice) Mets fans seemed a little jittery.   The Mets are still only 5 back, but those dang Phillies have jumped over them.

Are you guys calm or starting to worry?

I’m going to keep the season threat alert on yellow – but Mr. Santana on too much rest makes me fear an orange alert.

In case you’re wondering – “Guarded” is a 7 game lead with 17 to play and “Low” means that it’s the day after the Mets win the World Series.

Randy’s fake logo got me excited about the All Star Game coming to Flushing.   I thought I’d take my 100% lack of knowledge and wildly speculate.

Traditionally the game rotated between the two leagues, although the 2000’s got a little funky with that – mainly because of new stadiums.   Now that everyone who is destined for a new park will be in a new park, let’s assume the AL-NL pattern continues as it has since 2007-08.

Here’s the logic:

1.  Bud Selig says the Mets “deserve it.”

2.  The Mets’ stadium is new.

3.  New York = cool.

4.  Mets haven’t hosted since 1964.

5.  2013 is the NL’s turn

and most importantly let’s look at the other teams:

ATLANTA:  had it in 2000.   13 years.   Atlanta’s not that cool.  We should be ok.  (We being New York fans, I’m not a Met)

PHILLIES:  had it in 1976 and 1996.   ’96 will be a 17 year gap and their new park is kind of cool.   Could happen, but NYC is cooler than Philly and the park is new.   However remember that “New York” just hosted.

FLORIDA:  never hosted.  New stadium opening.  Franchise needs a boost.  Miami is a town where it’s fun for sponsors to hang out away from their wives.   VERY DANGEROUS.   VERY VERY DANGEROUS.

WASHINGTON:  new stadium.  Hasn’t had the game in over 40 years.  Does MLB want or need anything from the feds?   Any potential investigations coming soon?  DANGEROUS

REDS:  had it in 1988 so it would be 25 years.  New Stadium.  Worth worrying about but the teams above are scarier.

CARDS: had it in 2009.  Back of the line pal.

CUBS:  1990.  New owner.  Cool park.  Not this time but they’ll get it this decade if they want it.

BREWERS:  2002.  Ain’t happening.

ASTROS: 2004.  Nope.

PIRATES: 2006.  Nope

PADRES:  1992.   New stadium.  Great weather.   Next two games are in Arizona and KC (if geography matters) and this one in Anaheim.   I think Mets are safe.

ROCKIES:  1998.   Been a while but you have to understand executives will want to HANG OUT after a year in KC.  Colorado ain’t it.  Another reason to fear Miami.

DODGERS:  1980.  It would be very easy for me to say “Anaheim just had it” and dismiss them.  That makes it just as easy to dismiss the Mets doesn’t it?   Dodgers won’t get it in 2013 but should get on line.

GIANTS: 2007

ARIZONA: 2011

FAT GUY’S PREDICTIONS:

2013:   Miami is a tempting choice:  new park, South Beach, desire to keep franchise afloat, New York just had the All-Star Game.     However, the Marlins president is talking about 2015. In the first draft I had girls and beaches beating a city that just hosted – but with Miami talking 2015 and maybe Bud wanting to hit NYC again before the Super Bowl and not after…..Let’s Go Mets!     I think Flushing will happen.

This will also help the Mets with merchandise.  2011 jerseys can have a “50th season” patch and the 2013’s can have the All-Star logo.

2015:  Miami.   Girls, beaches, new park, iffy franchise.

2017:   Dodgers.   Washington is going to have to wait.  LA has been on line for a long time.  I don’t know if they even want the All Star Game but by 2017 they will have been waiting the longest, except for Washington which didn’t have a team.

2019:   Washington.   Everyone else will have had a turn.

On the AL side – figure the Twins are due.   The Rays have never hosted and that franchise needs a boost.    Awful park though.  The A’s haven’t had it since 1987 which is longer ago than it used to be, and actually the 6th longest wait.

Of course if this Arizona controversy ever heats up maybe the Mets get the 2011 game….and then Miami and Washington slot nicely into the next two.

Sometimes ideas get floated and get repeated enough that they stick.  People get used to the idea (like the NYC Super Bowl).  Let’s all keep talking about this until it’s a reality.  1964 was a long long time ago, in face 2013 will mark 50 seasons since the ASG was in Flushing.  Fifty.