The Mets Police

April 15, 2008.

I was sitting in the basement watching the Mets game.  It was Jackie Robinson night and the entire team wore #42.

I am personally a fan of having no-names on the back, but as you know the Mets (and most teams) do have the names.

Except that night.

The one night you might actually need names on the back (as if you can see the names from the uppers, or as if the TV won’t tell you) they didn’t wear them.  25 guys wearing #42 and no way to tell them apart.

It was the straw that started the blog.  Since then Willie, another collapse, the end of Shea, a new park, obstructed views, Dodgertown, injuries, a great 1969 celebration, some great stadium modifications, a wonderful new Hall of Fame and Museum, and now the slow start of 2010 and the Jerry Watch.

I like the Mets and I like Sting’s band, hence the name.  I never set out to be the Capped Crusader (Blue) but here we are.

I know it’s a tough morning out there and people are ready to give up on baseball season.  Chin up.

Thanks for reading.  Let’s Go Mets.

Pete shared his “better than mine” pictures from Saturday’s game, said he saw graffiti in the bathroom (wow what is going on) and also shared this video from the museum.

I’m going to take a break from uniforms/colors/caps today, and also want to capture the moment and not throw out an idea/topic/suggestion when my readers are thinking about something else – so I bumped today’s planned statue discussion, and several readers have sent in mockups of pinless pipingless jerseys but I’ll save those too.

Today’s zeitgeist seems to be the slow start.

One of the interesting things I have found over the past three or so weeks is that I am now being criticized for not being critical enough.  That makes me laugh, but since I don’t want to be “the complaining guy” I’m fine with it.

I’m not ready to give up on the season on April 14th.

Give me until at least after Ron Hodges Day.

I think the 8-0 score  shocked the Metsoverse and send us all (me too) into a tizzy.  Twitter sure was feisty (@metspolice, I’m just shy of 1000 fans so follow me and stroke my ego)    A 4-3 loss would have stunk, but I think there would be far less panic today.

Maine?  I don’t know the deal – that’s what the beat writers are for, and I don’t know who would take his turn in the rotation.  That’s not what this site handles.

I’ve already heard “dismantle.”  It is April 14th.   Why can’t the Mets win the next two to go 4-5 and then come home say 5-7.   Is 5-7 really the end of the world and a hole they can’t climb out of?

Who are you trading?

Without getting too much into the reality of  contracts and clauses…

David Wright? See June 15, 1977.  Might as well order some Teixeira jerseys for every boy presently in grammar school in the tri-state area.

Jose Reyes? He’s at his all-time low value.  If he is hitting .300 and stealing bases come July 31 and the Mets are 27 games out….maybe…maybe…..and then watch Jose get a ring and win the 2011 MVP.  Won’t that be awesome?  Like Seaver getting a no-hitter for the Reds.

Santana? Aces are hard to come by my friend.

Francoeur? Last time anyone checked he gets you Ryan Church.

Beltran? Also at diminished value, and does have a full no-trade.

I know it’s trendy to blame Jerry, and I guess it was Jerry’s fault for not starting Tom Seaver last night (bad call Jerry, although Tom is 65).

So when to panic?

As calm as I am, the answer is soon.   People who know me from the Valentine days know I like to talk about “the math.”   Wins in April count the same as meaningful games in September.

Assume it takes just 90 games to win the east.  The Mets need to go 88-67 the rest of the way.

Do you think this team is capable of playing .567 ball for six months?  The 2008 Mets finished 89-73 which was .549, so this team already needs to play better than that bunch.

It may get late early, but I’m not ready to throw in the towel.

Discuss!