This September Smells Different
In recent years September has become synonymous with collapse around Met land, but this year it just feels different.
Hard to put my finger on exactly why but instead of having a lead and feeling it slip though our fingers, or just going into the final tailspin that makes the season another complete embarrassment.
But all of a sudden the Mets are winning, it looks like we’ve got a legit young star and things ain’t so bad.
In fact things are looking pretty damn good if you ask me. Wright is back, it feels like Reyes will return, Duda blossomed, Tejada is maturing, Thole too, and we’ve got young arms in the pen and the ro’.
The skipper is competent, intelligent, and a good motivator.
The GM is a professional, well respected, and doesn’t get bullied by Jeffy Boy Wilpon.
The only thing NOT looking up is our ownership situation as it looks like the Wilpons just kicked Einhorn to the curb.
Oh well, can’t have everything go perfectly at the same time right?
September 3rd, 2011 at 8:58 am
I don’t think the problem was the Wilpons not spending $, because they spent plenty in the past and if Madoff damage is minimal not an issue. The problem has been GMs making awful deals for players either too old or already declining. Alderson seems too smart for that so with money I expect he will make moves that will bring this team back to a contender.
September 3rd, 2011 at 9:20 am
I don’t really put to much stock into how the team plays in Sept when the games don’t count. Does anybody remember the Baltimore Orioles last year, and look at them now. I think alot of times you get a false reading.
It alot easier to win games when there is no pressure on you and the games don’t mean much.
However, I am glad that we are winning those games and beating the Fish and Nats. It doesnt look as though we will finish last.
It seems like we are starting to stockpile pitchers on the farm and I really think that makes sense. Just lets keep doing what we have been.
What makes this Sept. different is that we are heading in the right direction and it seems the future looks brighter.
LETS GO METS!!!
September 3rd, 2011 at 11:03 am
While I enjoy seeing them win in September, I’m not going to read much into it. The only way I’m going to get excited about what happens this September is if it carries over to next year and the up & comers continue to produce.
I think its great they are only 2 under .500 now and the fact that they’re playing the Nats makes reaching .500 a realistic goal. With Aldserson at the helm, I can only see the team moving up.
Here’s to hoping this September (so far) really is a sign of (good) things to come!
LETS GO METS GO!
September 3rd, 2011 at 11:24 am
I would also love for them to win 80 games so Common Sense loses the bet he claims to have made on the under.
September 3rd, 2011 at 11:55 am
“I would also love for them to win 80 games so Common Sense loses the bet he claims to have made on the under. ”
+1000
An 80-win season, while nothing to get excited about in the grandest sense, would also be fairly impressive when you consider how much went wrong this season, and even the effect of those thing that did go better than expected (Beltran, Reyes, and Murphy) was mitigated because of injury and or trade.
Also completely agree with the thought that spending money was the problem. The Mets have had a top-5 payroll the last 5 years, and all that has produced is two collapses, and 3 losing seasons. Omar was good at landing the top-FA prize on the market, but he was terrible when it came to building a team/organization. I’d be thrilled if Alderson ends up being the exact opposite.
September 3rd, 2011 at 12:40 pm
Agree with BMF, it certainly does smell different. Also some love for Nick Evans and his Ike-like defense.
September 3rd, 2011 at 1:01 pm
Well, we still don’t have power back upstate post-Irene, so FGMF is back in FG. I can’t believe I missed winning 6 of 7! Sucks to not even get AM radio. Very happy to hear about Duda’s emergence and WOW about the Einhorn deal! I am feeling good about the future of the team under TC and SA and like seeing them pull things together for a strong finish. Proud of our boys in blue and orange.
September 3rd, 2011 at 1:05 pm
FGMF,
Sucks to hear. My parents are in Ulster County, and the pictures and videos they’ve been sending me have been beyond shocking (they were among the fortunate who only lost power for 4 days). I hope you didn’t suffer any other damages.
September 3rd, 2011 at 1:11 pm
“Wright is back…”
An interesting stat to support this is SO%.
2007: Wright SO in 16.2% of his PA.
2008: Wright SO in 16.1% of his PA.
2009: Wright SO in 22.6% of his PA.
2010: Wright SO in 24.0% of his PA.
This year, in 39 games to start the season, his SO% was 25.0%
In the 38 games since coming of the DL (and moving closer to the plate), his SO% is 16.0%. Not surprisingly, his OPS/OPS+ have gone from .741/109 to .923/150 (2007 they were .963/149; 2008, .924/141).
September 3rd, 2011 at 1:26 pm
Thanks, LC, that’s where I was—Woodstock. Town was pretty much ok despite lots of trees down everywhere. But Shandaken, Phonecia, etc are just terrible. The county supervisor said it’s the worst natural disaster in the history of Ulster County. Of course up there everyone is super-cool about it, no divas, whiners or neurotic complaining, just patience and grit. Kinda nice!! Maybe we should recruit some Ulster County folk for this website, hahaha!
Interesting stats about Wright. Can we get Bay to stand closer than the on deck circle too? I’ve seen a lot of actual deer in the headlights this past month upstate, and the resemblance to Jason Bay looking in to the pitcher is unmistakable.
I remember seeing Evans knock a ton of balls out in pre-season BP a couple years ago. That doesn’t mean much, but he does have some power. Glad to see him find some success at the big league level.
September 3rd, 2011 at 1:49 pm
Can Evans play LF if they move Bay to CF?
September 3rd, 2011 at 2:19 pm
Jake,
I could be wrong, but isn’t that the first position he played when he got called up the first time?
Otherwise, every time I saw him play against the Chiefs, he was at 1B for Buffalo.
AA for the B-Mets?, I have no idea.
September 3rd, 2011 at 2:26 pm
FGMF
Even though deer (the common white tailed) have BROWN eyes, perhaps they too need sunglasses to wear at night so they don’t give you that “BAY in the Headlights” look.
September 3rd, 2011 at 3:09 pm
CowCrusher, I do seem to remember Evans playing LF in his first stint with the big club. Hopefully he can do it again because there’s no need to keep Dumb As A Box Of Pagans.
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