N.Y. Mets: The Upcoming Season Is No Joking Matter

From the desk of:  HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

Settle down, settle down.  Our next comic has a degree from Harvard, 

but sometimes he's not too bright.

NEW YORK METS: This is the time of year when Sandy Alderson rehearses his comedy routine in preparation for his drive down I-95.

Pardon me for my confusion, but didn't Sandy Alderson (internally) aspire to win 90 games last year, and now, in a season when it's believed the Mets can finally, realistically contend for a Wild Card, Alderson only set his sights on winning 89 games?

This is why the relationship between club and fan continues to have more problems than a math book.

Why say anything at all?

We're still not seeing eye to eye, are we?

Had the club been listening, they would have heard the growing appreciation for this team's young talent.  Had they been paying attention, they would have picked up on the growing optimism circulating throughout the blogosphere.  And had they been in touch, they would have sensed the growing grassroots buzz regarding this team's present and future fortunes.

His best play was to just shut up, have the team take the field, and let the chips fall where they may.

But, aspiring for 89 victories isn't necessarily my problem.  He was merely saying the team can improve by 10 games.  It's coupon math, but otherwise, fine.

However, many things the general manager says do fly in the face of a tired audience, and this is the time of year when he starts to uncork his best one liners.

He got an early start this winter.  Instead of projecting outward confidence in Wilmer Flores, Sandy Alderson quite literally mocks the situation at shortstop, by invoking Cal Ripken?  By saying fans have been waiting all winter for him to make an announcement regarding shortstop...?

It's clear then, Sandy Alderson is fine tuning his annual Spring Training comedy routine.

That would be a shame, because there's more fan optimism heading into this upcoming season than any other during Alderson's regime.  There should be no room in the 2015 season for that; not anymore.

Therefore, if he insists on payroll being commensurate with attendance, then I suggest he stop poking the bear!

The work being conducted by Paul DePodesta has not gone unnoticed, nor unappreciated by the fan base.  We're starting to truly enjoy the fruits of his labor, and we understand the long term benefits of his work to date.

The major league club, however, still seems to be the butt of jokes - many times, Alderson's.  Having to interpret his doublespeak is already enough to deal with.

Therefore, I have but one warning to shoot across Sandy Alderson's bumper, prior to him getting behind the wheel of his rental on his way to Spring Training.  Please spare us the jokes and stay off Twitter on your drive down I-95.

That's officially a tired act.

That said, if you want to be a contender, start acting like a contender.



Mike