The Passion of a Mets Fan

As many of you know, I am a long-suffering, devoted New York Mets fan. I have been a fan since before the first game was played on April 11, 1962. For years, my mantra has been "Orange and Blue Since 62."

I am proud of it.

The history of my Amazing Mets is rich, probably more so than that of the team which plays across the Whitestone Bridge in another part of the City. Yeah, their fans can brag about all their pennants and the 27 World Series wins they possess. But other than 2009, they all occurred in the last Century, in another Millennium.

What makes our history rich is this: The Mets were born of a combined franchise, as attested by the colors of the team. After 1957, when the Giants and Dodgers left for the Coast, the National League had no representative in the "Greatest City In The World". The colors are Giant Orange and Dodger Blue, in tribute to those great franchises. No other team can make that claim.

The first seven years were losers for our heroes, but we loved them anyway. Right from the start, the cheer, the rant "Lets Go Mets" could be heard loud and clear in the canyons of the old Polo Grounds, the home of the Giants for years and for our guys for two. Then in 1964, Shea Stadium opened, which for the time was considered a modern day wonder. It was baptized with the waters from both the Harlem River and the Gowanus Canal, which were the bodies of water next to the Dodgers and  Giants homes. After it was closed after the 2008 season, it was the third oldest non-updated ballpark in the US, after Wrigley and Fenway. Oh, and the rant went with them.

To this day, that rant can be heard loudly in Queens County, in Cirifield on game day, whether the boys are winning or not.

In 1969, the totally unexpected happened. The Mets, the perennial basement dwellers, our beloved losers, won it all. The Miracle Mets consumed the City the entire summer, like nothing ever did before. Namath guaranteed a win and delivered. Men walked on the moon. The greatest music festival ever was held near Woodstock, NY. Nothing at all compared to what the Mets did.

We have won just one more World Series since then, in 1986. We won pennants in 1973, 1988, 2000, a dramatic Wild Card playoff in 1999 and the Eastern Division Championship in 2006.When you can name them all, just know they each are treasured. Especially when you have witnessed them all.

In 1970, we finally won our first Opening Day game and since then we have won 34 of the next 44 openers. Yes, we lost on Monday, but I feel it’s a glitch in a season that will be filled mostly with happiness and excitement.

Tom Seaver (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

We have retired just three numbers in our 53 year history, two managers and a pitcher, Stengel, Hodges and The Franchise, Tom Seaver.  With all the great players who have passed through our portals, I can think of several others deserving of their numbers affixed permanently on the Left Field wall: 7 - Kranepool, who played his entire career here, 8 - Carter and 17 - Hernandez, both of whom lead the great teams of the 84-89 era, 15 - Grote and 31 - Piazza, two of the three greatest catchers, along with Carter, in the team's history, and 45 - McGraw/Franco, our greatest relievers. I am sure there are others, but this would be a good start. In 10 years or so, 5 just might be retired after David Wright hangs up the spikes.
Yes, these great players are recognized in the Met Hall of Fame, but greatness in our history should be displayed while we are sitting in the stands, too. With the unveiling of the Ralph Kiner Memorial, this could be the start of a new tradition. Leave Ralph there at the end of the season. Then, next year, add a memorial for Bob Murphy and retire the players I listed above. That would be great!

As I said, the Mets have a rich history and I have but scratched the surface. When you really look deeply, there is so much more that exists, which a true Met fan could bring out for many more commentaries.

I love my team, always have, always will, win or lose. Deep within my heart, the Mets will always reign supreme. So, as we begin a new season, yell with all your might, until your voice is shot, letting those around you know where your baseball passion is. Join me as we all cheer:

"LETS GO METS!!!!!"