Fire Minaya? Break up the core?....Shut Up!!!!!!

by Major on May 2, 2009 12:08 AM EDT

I am a die hard Met fan and I've had enough. Enough of this team, enough of sports radio and enough of some Met fans. It completely stinks to watch a Met game because the pressure these guys feel is so palpable that every play they don't make is a "microcosm" of the psyche of the team. Give me a friggin break already! Gary Cohen has to go out of his way now to dissect every missed pitch and every missed play to placate the talking heads and the suicidal Met fanbase and I'm sick of it. For two days now all I've read and heard is "fire Omar" and "break up the core." This is, in my mind, the worst case scenario for the Mets and Met fans.

Lets really state the facts here...the Mets do not have great baseball history. They don't have a trail of great players that had great careers and entered the Hall of Fame, save Tom Seaver. We happen to be in a time where the Mets have two of the best homegrown players, with Hall of Fame potential, playing for them in Reyes and Wright. There is only one Met cap in the Hall and its on Seaver's head. Now are we supposed to watch the Mets trade one of the two players that could join him? Only one player in my mind would warrant a trade of either and that is Roy Halladay.

Now, fire Omar Minaya? Why? It was Ownership who told him he could not get Manny Ramirez and Ownership who told him the price for Lowe was too high. Is that his fault? Now lets look at what Omar has done. Beltran and Santana are two Hall of Famers that Minaya brought to Flushing. Frankie certainly could be another. In my book when your GM brings in 3 players that are so good that there is almost no doubt they will be in Cooperstown then that GM is doing at the very least a decent job. No other GM in baseball has done that and by the way who exactly replaces Omar? Well if you can't get Kim Ng from the Dodgers(they can't) or Theo Epstein from the Red Sox(LOL) then this would hurt the Mets more than help. Minaya has made some mistakes but nothing like Brian Cashman(Jared Wright, Carl Pavano, Kei Igawa, et al)who is still gainfully employed. Cashman should get canned WAY before Omar does.

The bottom line is that if the Mets lived up to their potential then all this controversy would be replaced with praise and adulation. This team just needs to catch a break. I realize that those 1980's Mets were one play away from being the biggests wastes of talent ever assembled but no one calls them chokers because they won in '86 and that overshadows the choke jobs in '87, '88, '89, and '90. That team shouldv'e won 3 World Series.

The most disappointing aspect of these past few seasons is that the cover has been rolled back on what Met fans really are. The borderline racist cries about there being too many spanish players, as if there is a historically proven white player quotient to win a championship, and the underlying accusation that spanish men are lazy just makes me sick. It would hurt for this team to not win a championship but guess what a TON of really talented teams didn't win the big one. This is sports and the Mets are down right now but I hate it when Francessa, and the other Yankee talking head Michael Kay, spew this garbage about breaking up the core and Met fans like sheep to the slaughter eat that crap up by calling these shows and agreeing with it.

Nothing would excite these talk show hosts more than to have the Mets trade Wright or Reyes and have them win a championship somewhere else. That is Mike Francessa's Utopian dream and you nuts out there need to get your head out of his bulbus rear and open your eyes! Francessa needs Met fans going nuts for his show to get ratings. Francessa like to jab at the Wilpons fragile psyche and to do all that Francessa needs Met fans going nuts about breaking up the core and trading David Wright.

Everything surrounding Mets baseball has gotten so rotten that it there can't be any enjoyment even when they win. That is what needs to go! Not Reyes or Wright.

This FanPost was contributed by a member of the community and was not subject to any vetting or approval process. It does not necessarily reflect the opinions, reasoning skills, or attention to grammar and usage rules held by the editors of this site.

Tweet Comment 51 comments | 1 recs |

Do you like this story?

Read More: ny mets, omar minaya, met fans, New York Mets

Comments

I agree, no reason to break up the core. They are ridiculously talented and very young still. I hope they go to Cooperstown and not Canton though…

by Fucilli5 on May 1, 2009 9:22 PM EDT reply actions

Agreed lol

by Major on May 1, 2009 11:53 PM EDT up reply actions

some good points

“Everything surrounding Mets baseball has gotten so rotten that it there can’t be any enjoyment even when they win. That is what needs to go! Not Reyes or Wright.”

I agree completely. You know, sports are supposed to be a fun diversion from all the other crap that’s going on, especially in times like this when the economy is down and pigs are killing humans or something like that. Maybe I just notice it more, but I feel like the sports media has become incredibly negative the past few years, especially in New York.

by cjmulrain on May 1, 2009 10:40 PM EDT reply actions

So your four arguments agaisnt firing Minaya

1. The owners didn’t let him get Manny or Lowe— I don’t think Manny would make a huge difference and that’s not true in Lowe’s case.

2. Beltran, Santana, and Rodriguez are hall of famers— Sorry to say, but I don’t think Beltran or Rodriguez have a shot at the hall. While he’ll always have the Beltran signing and the Johan trade to hang his hat on, he way overpaid for K-Rod.

3. You can name only one possible replacement off the top of your head.

4. Cashman is worse.

Yea…I’d fire him, sorry. I don’t think that’s an overreaction to this one season, either. I would have fired him last year.

King of the bling come to lay down the evidence//Not George Bush, L-Millz be da president

by Sam Page on May 1, 2009 11:27 PM EDT reply actions

I THINK the point is don't fire him for a weak start.

"I dunno. I never smoked any Astroturf"
-Tug McGraw

by squid92 on May 1, 2009 11:57 PM EDT up reply actions

Just a couple nitpicks

Beltran’s close to HOF caliber. I think it will come down to how much the BBWAA has embraced defensive metrics by the time he’s eligible, because that really should put him over the top, IMO, assuming he ages well and maintains reasonable offensive production into the twilight of his career.

I don’t so much think we overpaid for K-Rod. Saves record or no saves record, he is an elite level closer, and even with the economy down, the market fell pretty much in line with his signing value after he was off the board. Wood and Fuentes both got their two year deals with reasonably similar AAVs. The Mets pretty much paid the same price for Frankie that the Phils paid for Lidge, and Lidge wasn’t a free agent and he hasn’t been nearly as consistent year to year. And don’t forget that it was just a year ago that Francisco Cordero, the inferior Frankie, got a four year $46 million deal. Given all that, I think the amount paid for Rodriguez was fair. It wasn’t a steal obviously, but it wasn’t a gross overpayment or anything.

Everything else though, yeah I agree with.

by Mark Himmelstein on May 1, 2009 11:58 PM EDT up reply actions

re:Beltran

I hope he makes it, but I don’t really have a sense of if/when BBWWAA will pick up on defense.

and re:Francisco—It would be fine if there wasn’t a 17.5MM vesting option that will probably vest.

King of the bling come to lay down the evidence//Not George Bush, L-Millz be da president

by Sam Page on May 2, 2009 12:16 AM EDT up reply actions

Ah, good point on the option

As for the BBWAA, they just let Will Carroll and Christina Karhl in from BP. By the time Beltran’s retired five years, who knows who else they might let sneak in. I doubt he’ll be a first ballot guy, but I have a feeling he’ll be one of those guys that hangs around for a while and eventually gets in.

by Mark Himmelstein on May 2, 2009 12:31 AM EDT up reply actions

re. defense

I mean, the BBWAA does recognize its value on some level (they voted Ozzie Smith in, after all, and there seems to be some support for Omar Vizquel), it’s just a question of whether they’ll give Beltran enough credit for his

by JoshNY on May 2, 2009 8:28 AM EDT up reply actions

For whatever reason

I read a Gammons article from when the Mets signed Beltran the other day and Gammons talked about his defense like it was just good. I think that’s been the perception of Beltran, just good at everything.

King of the bling come to lay down the evidence//Not George Bush, L-Millz be da president

by Sam Page on May 2, 2009 11:46 AM EDT up reply actions

Yeah

I think that changed at least a little bit in 2006. It’s definitely not clear one way or the other as to whether or not he has a serious chance to get in, but I’ve also read plenty of articles that see him at least something like the way we do:

by Mark Himmelstein on May 2, 2009 11:57 AM EDT up reply actions

Thats your opinion and I respect that

In regards to Lowe, Minaya had a budget that would not be increased and that is Ownership and not Minaya.

Beltran and K-Rod could very well enter the Hall. If Beltran hits what he always does and gets 3-4 more Gold Gloves, he sure has a shot. K-Rod is what 26-27 and already has the single season saves record so don’t count him out.

Now Minaya overpaid for K-Rod? What? 3yrs 36mil or the 5yr 80mil he was expecting before the economy went bad?

Replacements are important. Why would you fire Minaya if a GM who is better isn’t available to hire?
You fire people to get better people for that job and if you can’t do that then what would the plan be exactly?

by Major on May 2, 2009 12:03 AM EDT up reply actions

There are people I'd rather have than Minaya

If I was the owner I’d fire him and interview DePo, Antonetti, Ng, Forst, and any other half-competent assistant GM that has a more modern grip on baseball analysis. Why couldn’t we get Ng? She’d be stupid not to take the job: generous owners (seriously), huge market, and lots of talent. The Dodgers already let her interview with the Mariners.

King of the bling come to lay down the evidence//Not George Bush, L-Millz be da president

by Sam Page on May 2, 2009 12:21 AM EDT up reply actions

Hey, I like Ng and I think she would do great here

but she left the Mets due to some kind of harrassment issue and I’m not sure if she would come back. But I think she would be the top candidate to replace Omar.

by Major on May 2, 2009 12:26 AM EDT up reply actions

I don't think she was a Met employee but she either harrassed or

verbally assaulted by a Met employee…..gotta check on that

by Major on May 2, 2009 12:34 AM EDT up reply actions

Yea I forgot about that

but she was still with the Dodgers then, I think. Good point though.

King of the bling come to lay down the evidence//Not George Bush, L-Millz be da president

by Sam Page on May 2, 2009 12:38 AM EDT up reply actions

I believe she was harrassed by that scout, Singer.

by Lunkwill Fook on May 3, 2009 1:19 PM EDT up reply actions

One of our “superscouts” made racist remarks about her heritage. It was a while back, though. Hard to say if she’d hold it against the franchise, considering the change in administration.

by BobbyV_Incognito on May 3, 2009 11:01 PM EDT up reply actions

I actually think Manny would have made a huge difference.

by SQUAD on May 3, 2009 1:08 PM EDT up reply actions

If we'd signed Manny,

we would probably have more than 16 home runs in 23 games. Also, the Gary Sheffield experiment probably wouldn’t have happened.

by BobbyV_Incognito on May 3, 2009 11:03 PM EDT up reply actions

Hold your noses.

I also think Manny would have been a great addition for the clubhouse. Manny is such a lightning rod that he would have taken some of the pressure/attention off of right. Plus, I love his approach to the game. He’s so laid back. Obviously he helped the Dodgers by crushing baseballs, but that clubhouse had been reportedly chaotic the past few years. When a guy like Manny comes in, he can have a calming effect. What he said during the 2007 ALCS against the Indians was brilliant, IMO.

by SQUAD on May 4, 2009 12:02 AM EDT up reply actions

I don't disagree with him being a help.

But if only for the pure batting aspects he brings.

"I dunno. I never smoked any Astroturf"
-Tug McGraw

by squid92 on May 4, 2009 8:47 AM EDT up reply actions

We can agree on this.

I honestly believe that Manny is the rare player in this “show me” era who is a bit underrated. I know, I know… his defense isn’t that great, but he is an amazing hitter, dare I say, transcendent. He is my favorite player to watch hit, because he never seems flustered and always looks like he has a plan up there. He trusts his skills and doesn’t let one atbat throw him off.

by SQUAD on May 4, 2009 11:31 AM EDT up reply actions

Eh I think the clubhouse thing could go both ways

Manny also attracts a lot of media attention/head aches constantly being asked questions about him probably wouldn’t have a great influence on the club house. That’s part of the reason the Sox finally traded him, I mean when you think of it they stilled paid his salary, got a lesser player AND had to give up prospects just to be rid of him because the constant media attention was affecting the club house negatively. In LA, for w/e reason, there wasn’t as much media attention on him, he mentioned hating the fishbowl atmosphere of Boston, so I imagine the NY media would be even worse to him.

by Gina on May 4, 2009 11:39 AM EDT up reply actions

I'm going to have to disagree.

I think they traded him only because he stopped playing hard in order to force a trade. They never really had a problem putting up with Manny while he was putting up insane numbers.

I really think Boston was a bit two-faced with how they handled Manny. Other than him not playing hard at times (which I will admit is a HUGE problem), he really didn’t act any differently. I don’t know how a team would expect a player to react when you’ve let him do whatever he wants for 7 years and then decide to pull the rug out from under him mid season.

by SQUAD on May 4, 2009 11:59 AM EDT up reply actions

My larger point.

I think management plays a bigger role than we realize in how a player is perceived. A few years ago, he was “Manny being Manny.” Last year he became “Clubhouse Cancer Manny.” I personally believe it was a bit of a PR push by the front office so the local media wouldn’t jump down their throats for not resigning the guy.

by SQUAD on May 4, 2009 12:00 PM EDT up reply actions

Please correct me if I'm wrong

but that wouldn’t have been the first time for Boston — didn’t Boston spend plenty of time slagging off Pedro in 2004 when they had no plans to re-sign him after the season?

'Oh yes, I know all about that duty-of-a-citizen stuff. It doesn't go. There are exceptions to every rule, and this was one of them. When a man risks his liberty to come and root at a ball-game, you've got to hand it to him. He isn't a crook. He's a fan.'

by Catsmeat Potter-Pirbright on May 4, 2009 12:13 PM EDT up reply actions

Precisely.

I know I have indicated otherwise, but I really don’t think one guy can affect the clubhouse chemistry all that much. You pretty much have to be an a-hole of epic proportions (see: Bonds, Barry… and even he made the World Series, and probably should have won it.) There was always talk about what a cancer Sheff was, but from every article I have ever read, his teammates love him. So what’s the real story?

So I’ll stick to my initial claim: I think when teams don’t want to sign an effective/popular player, they begin a subtle smear campaign so that the Scotties of the world don’t take to the internets and talk radio with messages of “OMG, I can’t believe they let go of _.”

What’s hilarious to note is how ineffective these tactics are when a player is perceived as “gritty.” I thought every post on Metsblog was going to be about Paul LoDuca last offseason. The guy had obviously declined and, IMO, was a total faker when it came to being a “gamer.” He knew how to get the fans on his side, so when he was mired in an 0-20 stretch, he would slam his helmet down and get tossed from a game.

by SQUAD on May 4, 2009 12:59 PM EDT up reply actions

Boston has a reputation for that

they did it to Wade Boggs, they did it to Clemens, they did it to Mo Vaughn, and they did it to Nomar. Some of them may have deserved it coughClemenscough, but it seems to be the MO in Boston, crossing over ownership regimes.

by cjmulrain on May 4, 2009 2:30 PM EDT up reply actions

But paying the rest of his salary

and giving up prospects just to trade him? I wouldn’t put it past them to let him walk and bad mouth him but I imagine when you pay his whole salary + give up prospects just to replace him with a lesser player then there’s more to it than that.

by Gina on May 4, 2009 3:03 PM EDT up reply actions

Prospects?

Who, Brandon Moss?

Obviously the relationship deteriorated to the point where Manny was better off elsewhere. My point is just that most people will point the finger at Manny, and he definitely beats a lot (if not most) of the blame. I think it’s important to note the Sox have a pattern of such behavior (see cjmulrain above) and deserve some culpability here.

by SQUAD on May 4, 2009 7:13 PM EDT up reply actions

I enjoyed this part

“every play they don’t make is a “microcosm” of the psyche of the team. Give me a friggin break already! Gary Cohen has to go out of his way now to dissect every missed pitch and every missed play to placate the talking heads and the suicidal Met fanbase and I’m sick of it."

Very true. Love GC, KH, and RD but they’re getting sucked into the leadership/grit/heart nonsense.

by James Kannengieser on May 1, 2009 11:56 PM EDT reply actions

Glad you wrote this, Major.

Major is not slightly, but exactly right. I love this team perhaps more than most bodily appendages, but I will be the first to say that Mets fans as a whole are NOT the greatest fans in the world (though a select few are). The majority have this what-have-you-done-for-me-today attitude that is sickening. Fire Minaya? Trade Wright? Hey let’s tear down Shea while we’re at it (oh too late). OK, let’s break down each obsurdity one-by-one (bet these stupid arguments don’t happen nearly as much in St. Louis):

1. – “Trade David Wright” Listening to this crap is why I moved to Florida. Ok just kidding, but Mets fans need to stop once and for all. Wright has been on this team for what, four and a half years now. Can you name 10 other Mets in the team’s history to deliver more clutch hits in that short a span? I’ll spot you Mike Piazza. He’s a two-time gold glover, one of which he actually did deserve. Add to the fact he is a consistent .300/30 HR producer, making the hitter in front of him that much better, and that he is a .400 OBP man, making the hitter behind him that much better. He did struggle in the clutch more than we’re used to from him last year, and from the start of this year he has looked awful, but I think Wright’s more than earned the privilege to have at least one .270/23 HR season before we grumble.

2. – “Fire Jerry Manuel” The second dumbest notion to come out of NY. Way too early to tell. You can’t blame last year on him at all. They played .591 under his watch, and let’s be honest, with the injuries that plagued them (Wagner, El Duque, Maine, Pedro, Alou, Church, and Tatis all missed substantial playing time) the Mets did not deserve to be called a post-season team. As for 2009, it’s too soon to judge this skipper, though it is fair to admit that maybe his style isn’t as polarized from Willie Randolph’s as we all thought.

3. – “Fire Omar Minaya” – He’s certainly not batting 1.000, but like Major said, go find better. He traded away Jim Duquette’s mistake Kris Benson (and his whore wife) for Jorge Julio and that “bag of balls” Anna referred to, John Maine. Julio became El Duque and low and behold Omar got 40% of our 2006 playoff team rotation from Kris Benson. What other complaints? Pedro, a waste? While certainly not worth every penny, without Pedro, there’s no Beltran, no swagger, no 2006 Mets team (which by the way was arguably the fifth most successful team we’ve ever had). Trading for Delgado and LoDuca? Huge points there. Resigning Reyes and Wright dirt cheap…. HUGER points. Milledge for Church (let’s ignore that Brian Schneider even is a baseball player)…. Church by a landslide. Duaner Sanchez? It’s not Omar’s fault Florida Taxi drivers wouldn’t have licenses in NY. Billy Wagner, even with the injury worth every penny. Heilman, was a top setup man for a year, then imploded on the spot. Alou was a solid mistake, but Tatis made up for much of it. What else? Luis Castillo? OK can’t help him much here, but who knows just yet. Keep in mind he did deliver on Jose Valentin. Oliver Perez….. He’s 35% awesome and 65% sucks and Lowe is easily better, but not enough to kill this GM. And 35% awesome will get you almost as many wins as Lowe, just in a more stomach ulcerating fashion. Omar’s worst move? Brian Bannister for Ambiorix Burgos. That one hurts a bit. But remember Met fans, he did not trade away Scott Kazmir. Oh wait one more move, Santana for Humber (the DFA’d Humber), Gomez (the pinch runner extraordinaire), and misc? YEAH that wasn’t the best Mets trade in 20 years.

4. – “Trade Jose Reyes” – I put this last because it’s the only outburst that can possibly make sense, though only under the most ideal conditions. He’s an immature baby, and needs to stop showing up the opposition, but he is the most essential component of the offense. When he slumps, the lineup does not score. When he streaks, we win game after game, regardless of who’s pitching. But his skills are more replacable than let’s say Wright’s. There’s plenty of speed out there winning games for other teams (ex. Bonifacio, Victorino, ENDY!), but his game is near the top of that group. However if a Halladay were to become available, it would not be insane to consider Reyes in a deal.

With this all said here are the solutions to getting this team on track this year: Bring back Rick Peterson! All three of our lovable knuckleheads (Maine, Perez, and Pelfrey) thrived much better under him. Dan Warthen simply put, SUCKS! Oh and us supporting the team we have wouldn’t hurt! Let’s go Mets!!!

by Met20 on May 2, 2009 12:49 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs

No need to make it a Fanpost, too

but welcome aboard.

King of the bling come to lay down the evidence//Not George Bush, L-Millz be da president

by Sam Page on May 2, 2009 1:05 AM EDT up reply actions

i'd rather it be a fanpost... can i switch?

by Met20 on May 2, 2009 1:14 AM EDT up reply actions

Well it's long enough to be a fanpost

so just go ahead, if you want.

King of the bling come to lay down the evidence//Not George Bush, L-Millz be da president

by Sam Page on May 2, 2009 1:27 AM EDT up reply actions

Good points all around

This team could use a little fan loyalty and support. They don’t deserve it but they need to feel that support.

by Major on May 2, 2009 1:14 AM EDT up reply actions

Re. Rick Peterson

I thought Pelfrey really only stepped it up last year after the Jacket got axed (though I know correlation does not imply causation). Am I wrong about that?

by JoshNY on May 2, 2009 8:37 AM EDT up reply actions

Pre-Peterson/Post-Peterson

Pre: 3-6, 76 IP, 4.62 ERA, 1.618 WHIP, 1.19 K/BB
Post: 10-5, 124 IP, 3.18 ERA, 1.208 WHIP, 2.25 K/BB

His last start before Peterson got fired he went 6 IP and gave up 6 runs w/o a strikeout. His first start after Peterson got fired he went 5 IP, gave up no runs, and struck out 5.

by cjmulrain on May 2, 2009 10:26 AM EDT up reply actions

I agree

Wright and Reyes are two of the most exciting things to happen to the Mets. The season is young! 162 games is a long time. We sweep the Phillies and get close to .500 and a couple games of first place and people will be talking about Wright and Reyes and how great they are. Do ya’ll not remember how long it took just to win the NL East crown? Wright and Reyes were a huge part of that. And I still am very positive about this season and the Mets chances of winning the NL East and going far in the playoffs. Plus, the past two seasons the problem has been pitching (bullpen especially) in September, Wright has killed in September the past two years. Plus, he’s playing great defense this year. He’s a ‘web gym’ every night. I say keep building around the core, don’t blow it up. That would be stupid and take years to find new players. Who’s available that’s better than Wright and Reyes? Especially for their age and overall quality of player. Blowing up the core would depress me more than game 162 of last season.

by angrybullmoose on May 2, 2009 1:13 AM EDT reply actions

you might think your dog food is better than little brown dog food...

well shut up! cause your wrong!

now on dvd.

HELLO HELLO MR WILPON. WE WANT THE MANSION NOT THE CONDO.

by kendynamo on May 2, 2009 1:25 AM EDT reply actions

I would be mortified if David Wright was traded…there is simply nothing out there better imo.
I think Reyes should be pretty untouchable too although if the right deal came along I’d be more open to trading him than Wright.
I dont understand all the talk of break up the core…when all that is needed is a better rotation…and there are quite a few good pitchers going to be availible at the trading deadline…which I would be open to trading ANY prospect should it mean playoffs.

The core of Beltran, Wright, Santana and Reyes…and even K-Rod now…should not be traded they should be built around.
If the Mets trade any of the above thats when I’ll be screaming Fire Omar!
How does trading any of the 5 HOF bound players that make up the core help the Mets in ANY way.
I say trade F-Mart and other prospects for pitching.
Oh and that they should have signed Adam Dunn for peanuts last offseason

by Ohpityme on May 2, 2009 6:15 AM EDT reply actions

I don't think theres any proof that ownership told him the price for Lowe was too high

Most reports at the time indicated that he actually preferred Perez to Lowe and would only sign Lowe if he signed cheaply.

by Gina on May 2, 2009 12:03 PM EDT reply actions

Yeah, I don't think Minaya makes great decisions either.

But he does enough right.

"I dunno. I never smoked any Astroturf"
-Tug McGraw

by squid92 on May 2, 2009 12:31 PM EDT up reply actions

I don't recall

reading where Omar preferred Perez. I do recall reading where Omar felt getting Perez at a lower price would give him more flexibilty financially, to get other players. That speaks more to what financial parameters Minaya had to work with rather than a decision Omar made based on who had the most talent.
Ownership sets the financial terms for free agents not Minaya.

by Major on May 2, 2009 4:34 PM EDT up reply actions

John Heyman reported that Omar prefer Perez

and the rest of the front office preferred Lowe.

by Gina on May 2, 2009 5:07 PM EDT up reply actions

Thats interesting because when Minaya talks about Perez on the radio

you can hear him holding himself back from ripping him to pieces. I’m gonna see if I can find that Heyman report.

by Major on May 2, 2009 6:56 PM EDT up reply actions

I'll 2nd this

don’t have time/motivation to find the links, but there were definitely reports from Heyman or Rosenthal or Davidoff saying Omar preferred Ollie while others preferred Lowe.

by James Kannengieser on May 2, 2009 8:59 PM EDT up reply actions

you read my mind

literally, you cited almost every qualm i’ve had about this season. like i honestly felt like i wrote this. i was saying this last night, even when they win i find myself angry or frustrated. and its almost completely because i’m so disappointed that the mets fanbase isn’t what i thought it was when i joined as a grade schooler. i now see most mets fans for what they are: yankee fans with orange shirts on.

and if this francesa-induced mob mentality actually succeeds in breaking up the core, it would test the limits of my fandom. and the sad part is, the “true fans” clamoring for the breakup would rejoice and then forget about all of this the minute baseball season ends. and if that unfallible, shiny new core fell short as well, those same people would say “oh well, they’re cursed” and flip the channel, not realizing what a catastrophic mistake had been made while those of us who actually care would be forced to live with it.

by Rob Castellano on May 2, 2009 12:50 PM EDT reply actions

Completely agree.

I know for certain that I am going to listen and read much less about the Mets than I have in the past. I know that a trade of Reyes or Wright would decrease my interest in this team no matter who they get in return because management would’ve crumbled under the pressure of wfan and the papers. The idea is to build around the core, not destroy it.

by Major on May 2, 2009 4:43 PM EDT up reply actions

If any of the core are traded...

Management is nuts. This team is one solid starter away from World Series contention. If Maine and Pelfrey can live up to potential then even that need is lessened. Calm down everybody, this is a very good team that just needs to catch a few breaks (like they did tonight against the fightin’ follies) and get on a bit of a roll. Winning breeds confidence, and confidence makes winning easier. The Mets are getting both together, and right now they have the same number of losses as the Marlins, who started 11-1 and who that great prognosticator Wes Helms said was the team to beat. One more win against the fightin’s tomorrow and the Mets (our beloved team) is within a half game of first place. Which means as much now as it did on April 4th. It only means something to the fans. When the Mets are in first place after game 162, that’s when it will have significance for the players. I am behind this team 100%, as I have been for every Mets team since 1967. Break up the core??!! Ridiculous nonsense.

by zmanmetfan on May 6, 2009 11:04 PM EDT reply actions