Saturday, June 2, 2012

The 2012 Mets: So Likable, They're Erasing Bad Memories

It's fair to say that being a Mets fan isn't the easiest thing in the world, especially as a 12-14 year old between 2006 and 2008. Two collapses, a lost series to the far inferior Cardinals, lots and lots of tears; these are memories that I've tried to repress over the years. This 2012 Mets team, though, a group of very likable players, have gone some way to erasing those memories. They won't be totally erased until a World Series is won (who says that can't be this year), but it also has to do with the psyche one goes into Mets games with. Now, I'm excited for Mets baseball again; if they lose, well, there's another game tomorrow. If they win? Awesome.

Bit by bit, these Mets are replacing old memories with new ones. Miss Jose Reyes? No matter. Jordanny Valdespin, who could, one day, be as good as Jose Reyes, takes Jonathon Papelbon deep in Philadelphia for his first major league hit, and smiles the whole way around the bases, undoubtedly pissing off Shane Victorino. And then there's tonight; Johan Santana can't throw above 90 anymore. He's been out for a year and a little more with this shoulder surgery; yet, he comes back and pitches pretty damn well. And yesterday night, he threw the first Met no hitter in 8,020 games. It's no World Series, but it's the best night of my Met-supporting life. And it's pushed memories of 2007 just a little further away.