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Meet the Mess
2008-06-12 16:46
by Alex Belth

Two days ago I saw a guy in a suit talking on his i-phone. It was 8:15 in the morning on the northeast corner of 7th avenue and 50th street.

"Hi, the is Willie Randolph," he said smiling, "I'm looking for a new job."

It's just about come to that for the Mets who lost another game today that can be safely described as pure agony. It's been like Groundhog Day for Met fans only each day brings new and horrible twist. I mean only a nihilist, an absurdist, sadist or a true Met-hater could take pleasure in what's happened, really ever since Yadier Molina hit that dinger a few years ago. Otherwise, there isn't much funny about what's going on with this team.

These Mets aren't as bad as the worst team money can buy, they've got some great stars, but they've also been a constant letdown for a year now. If there has been anything funny about them it's been the steady stream of caustic, often furious commentary that I've heard from my fellow New Yorkers, the Met fans. They are self-knowing in their suffering and they roll with that quality during the worst of times. They aren't funny because they are suffering, they are funny because they are just funny as they are suffering. And I mean that as the highest of compliments.

I'm left thinking, "Whew, at least that's not us."

2004 and 2001 aren't that long ago. Reminds me of Eddie Murphy's old routine about getting hit by a car in Brooklyn. "Damn, that looked like it hurt too."

Our team has it's own problems but there isn't the same degree of angst in the Bronx, is there? It's maybe not happy but it isn't rock bottom. Girardi's job isn't on the line. Whether the Yankees officially recoginze this as a re-building season or not, it is considered just that by a sizable part of their fan-base. And the team will provide pleasure regardless of the final record--watching A Rod hit, Joba start, Jeter strut, Jorgie, squat, Mariano close. Giambi's Porn Stach of Doom. If they aren't going to be great the least they can be is fun.

Comments
2008-06-12 17:45:46
1.   long time listener
Count me as a true Met-hater, because I still find this funny. I feel bad for Willie, though. He probably doesn't have much time left, and it's not like it's his fault that Wagner blew 3 straight, or that Delgado's washed up, or that they've had so many injuries.
2008-06-12 17:45:46
2.   long time listener
Count me as a true Met-hater, because I still find this funny. I feel bad for Willie, though. He probably doesn't have much time left, and it's not like it's his fault that Wagner blew 3 straight, or that Delgado's washed up, or that they've had so many injuries.
2008-06-12 17:46:46
3.   Just fair
I have absolutely zero long standing hatred towards the Mets. Nor am I a nihilist, absurdist, or sadist. But I do kind of chuckle at what is happening in Queens. Maybe I am some sort of trainwreckist or something. But defintitely a betterthemthanusist. And in case you didn't know
Mo > Billy. : )
2008-06-12 17:47:28
4.   mehmattski
There definitely have been some fun moments this year for the Yankees. But they're definitely not common, and there's usually a lot of disappointing, "why am I watching this game again?" moments as well.

At least I have the Banter to hang out in, that eases the sting some!

Here's to hoping that we see Good Pettitte for the first time in over a month. His Game Scores this season:

4/5 TBR- 36
4/10 @ KC- 59
4/15 @ TBR- 49
4/20 @ BAL- 74
4/25 @ CLE- 33
4/30 DET- 40
5/6 CLE- 60
5/12 @ TBR- 29
5/17 NYM- 51
5/23 SEA- 57
5/28 @ BAL- 42
6/2 @ MIN- 41
6/7 KCR- 15

2008-06-12 18:04:51
5.   Dimelo
I just think Met fans got success a little too quickly, they started claiming territories in NY and saying how this was a Met town.

When and IF you ever get to the top again, Met Fan, try and act with a little more humility.

But for now....WAAAAAAAAAA....I want Willie Gone!!!!.....WAAAAAAAA.....WE B4 I!!!!

I wish I could feel some ounce of sympathy.

2008-06-12 23:09:52
6.   bartap74
I grew up a Yankee fan in Queens during the 80s. The Mets were perennial contenders, the Yankees got knock out every year by the Blue Jays (or that's how it seemed to me at the time). I remain a Met-hater to this day, but it's not as intense as it was. I still root against them, but I manage to feel bad for my Met fan friends and especially for Willie Randolph, who's being set up as a scapegoat for a franchise that has a lot of problems much bigger than who's managing.
2008-06-13 04:30:21
7.   ChuckM
1 Agreed. I definitely feel bad for Willie but am also enjoying the mess in Shea. I think there's less of a panic over here because we know there are reinforcements on the way from the minors. The Mets, not so much-and that ain't Willie's fault...
2008-06-13 05:46:27
8.   rbj
I'm not a Mets hater -- why waste the energy on that team. Feel bad for Willie, maybe he can come back to the Yankees in some capacity.

Pretty funny Tank McNamara comic today:
http://news.yahoo.com/comics/uclickcomics/20080613/cx_tm_uc/tm20080613

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