☀️ Good Morning:
The past calendar year could have gone a lot different for the New York Mets under Steve Cohen.
They could have kept their veterans last July; they could have signed bigger names during the offseason; they could have started the current year with a win in the first five games; hell, they could be better than 40-39.
When Steve Cohen bought this franchise and proved he was willing to spend into a new stratosphere, it was supposed to signify the arrival of a new big market team on the block. It was supposed to mean the Mets of old were gone, replaced by an image that appears closer to the Yankees or Dodgers.
I’m writing this newsletter on a Saturday morning to tell you, Thank God that hasn’t happened.
In fact, the very reason the 2024 Mets have become the most lovable team in baseball is because of where they came from. A team that resurrected the nickname The Worst Team Money Could Buy and appeared destined for another fourth-place finish has used a purple mascot from a fast food restaurant and a rally song by a backup veteran infielder to catapult them into the playoff race.
Only in the movies would you find a scene like we witnessed at Citi Field on Friday night. The Mets beating yet another top pitcher and breaking Houston’s 7-game winning streak before one of their players took the field to perform a concert of his new hit single.
Did I mention the struggling veteran, a character an aging Kevin Costner would surely play, finally picking himself up to deliver a breakout performance?
Or how a fan made an OMG sign that found its way into the dugout?
Are there Angels in the Outfield?
Whether you found this team when they first became Amazin in the late sixties, or around when Mookie Wilson was hitting a dribbler down the first base line, or when Daniel Murphy turned into Reggie Jackson for one October, you fell in love with them for their ability to prove that even lovable losers can get it right once in a while.
We wouldn’t have the 2024 Mets without the journey they took to get here. Would you have it any other way?
The Mets Fix Podcast
In our latest episode, Blake, Peter and JB celebrate the Mets’ return to relevancy by discussing the reasons (beyond Grimace and OMG) for their success.
Make sure you’re subscribed to the Mets Fix Podcast on your favorite platform (Apple, Spotify, SoundCloud).
🤯 The right moves
The biggest OMG might belong to David Stearns for the roster moves he made at the genesis of this turnaround. It was easy to overlook at the time. Only the diehard fan reading this newsletter would even recognize all of the names.
On May 31, after losing eight of 10 games and designating Jorge López for assignment, Stearns did the following:
Designated Omar Narváez for assignment;
Added Jose Iglesias to the 40-man roster and called him up as a backup middle infielder;
Recalled Dedniel Núñez;
Traded for catcher Luis Torrens;
Optioned Brett Baty and Christian Scott.
Those six roster moves put in motion a kinetic energy that allowed Mark Vientos to take off in an everyday role, Núñez to prove he is a legitimate bullpen piece, Torrens to showcase his backup abilities, and Iglesias to become the spark plug of the clubhouse.
I’ve always said there’s nothing like following a New York team on the way up. On a night Jalen Brunson stared down Tyrese Haliburton in a WWE event, Jose Iglesias put on a concert after a Mets win.
Tell me a better time to be a New York sports fan.
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What a great Saturday treat…LGM!
LGM!!