Terrific essay on sports fandom! I once knew someone who was a big sports fan who gave it all up because he didn’t want factors beyond his control affecting his mood.
I really want us to get the 6th seed, but it’s looking unlikely now. If we win 2 of 3 against the Braves it’s unlikely we finish behind AZ.
The only sensible move is to play a doubleheader Wednesday. Even if you can sneak Thursday in, do you want a capacity crowd driving home in a hurricane? And with 3 teams closely bunched, it’s not likely that the game can be canceled and not made up.
Great intro. I’ve been a diehard Mets fan since I was a little girl, when my family moved to NY from Chicago in 1969. Over the years, I’ve experienced every heartbreaking series with Atlanta, and call me a cockeyed optimist, but I’m feeling good about this one. This team is unlike any Mets team that I can remember. Let’s gooooooo!
PS. Jeff, I sang the anthem at that amazing comeback game you were at in 2000 w/ Piazza’s HR. It was Fireworks Night, so that’s why no one left early when we were down 8 runs!
Yes, it was fireworks night! Part of the reason it was so electric in the stadium during the comeback. Nobody left early, you are right! That’s amazing you sang the anthem that night. And now we connect all these years later with yet another Mets x Braves series
I remember the elation of that game so well. Our two babies playing in the floor in the foreground as I went from low to high over the course of that rally. What a game. Indelible memory!
13 hrs ago·edited 13 hrs agoLiked by Jeffrey Bellone
I've been a fan since 97. All I know is heartbreak from the Braves. To say im worried about them is an understatement. I hope things will be different with this Mets team, but I remain skeptical and concerned.
As for the pitching matchups, I agree with JB. I prefer Q over Peterson for his experience alone. These are playoff games. Q has pitched in the playoffs, Peterson has not...
I hate to bring up this scenario, but its entirely possible the Thurs game gets moved to Monday and we have to face Sale twice, while the Braves would miss Manaea entirely. The Mets can not let that happen.
Really wrote a downer today. I have refused to get sucked in with this team all season but this weekend the Phillies series broke me. This team feels to me different and I’m not sensing the fear of Atlanta this year. I think we go in and handle business going to Milwaukee with playoff clinched. This team feels like it’s ready to roll deep into the playoffs and from what I’ve seen around the league I see no reason why a championship can’t come to Queens this year. It’s crazy thinking I know but I’ve seen the light. I see you’ve been Mets fan for some time but I go back even further. To when there was no wildcard and you had to win your division to get in. Being 2 games out in ‘85. The euphoria of ‘86 and the words dynasty being thrown around with the heartbreak of ‘87. I’ve experienced a lot with these Mets and dammit this is our year to put the hurt on the Braves
I was in 3rd grade and watched Game 5 of the 1969 World Series from the very last row. They were losing 3-0 and I was very, very sad. Things worked out! The three Braves starters for this series have me very concerned.
Loved your intro. I always thought Chipper Jones named a daughter Shea. Maybe that’s Kevin James. And Raisel Iglesias’ perfect streak ends during this three game set. This is IT. This is the DINNER. Be bold, Metsies, and get into the playoffs on enemy turf. LFGM!
The writing is amazing this morning, JB. You are something else.
You may want to give the Kiley guy a tip or two. He’s forcing the narrative. Ottavino has been solid? How about “ in a year of constant change and substitution, Ottavino has been the only to be on the active roster for the entire season”
And give a tip to Martino too. If you are writing for Mets fans, best to avoid insulting them with phrases such as “Mets aren’t Metsing. “
Haha I know who actually read to the end of the newsletter by the people who emailed or commented about that Ottavino line. Thanks for the kind words about the writing. Let’s Go Mets!
O-M-G! That is your Mona Lisa of Blog Posts! The Intro and than a jumping and fist pumping Mike Piazza got me ready to fly to the ATL and beat the m*therf*cking Braves all by myself! LFGM guys, LFGM!
I can’t fucking believe this shit. Sevy can’t get to 5 and Stinkek gives up lead off homer. How quickly they revert back to the Braves factor. WTF with this curse!!! DAMMIT!!!
Terrific essay on sports fandom! I once knew someone who was a big sports fan who gave it all up because he didn’t want factors beyond his control affecting his mood.
I really want us to get the 6th seed, but it’s looking unlikely now. If we win 2 of 3 against the Braves it’s unlikely we finish behind AZ.
The only sensible move is to play a doubleheader Wednesday. Even if you can sneak Thursday in, do you want a capacity crowd driving home in a hurricane? And with 3 teams closely bunched, it’s not likely that the game can be canceled and not made up.
The opening gave me goosebumps... YOU GOTTA BELIEVE
Great intro. I’ve been a diehard Mets fan since I was a little girl, when my family moved to NY from Chicago in 1969. Over the years, I’ve experienced every heartbreaking series with Atlanta, and call me a cockeyed optimist, but I’m feeling good about this one. This team is unlike any Mets team that I can remember. Let’s gooooooo!
PS. Jeff, I sang the anthem at that amazing comeback game you were at in 2000 w/ Piazza’s HR. It was Fireworks Night, so that’s why no one left early when we were down 8 runs!
Yes, it was fireworks night! Part of the reason it was so electric in the stadium during the comeback. Nobody left early, you are right! That’s amazing you sang the anthem that night. And now we connect all these years later with yet another Mets x Braves series
I remember the elation of that game so well. Our two babies playing in the floor in the foreground as I went from low to high over the course of that rally. What a game. Indelible memory!
I've been a fan since 97. All I know is heartbreak from the Braves. To say im worried about them is an understatement. I hope things will be different with this Mets team, but I remain skeptical and concerned.
As for the pitching matchups, I agree with JB. I prefer Q over Peterson for his experience alone. These are playoff games. Q has pitched in the playoffs, Peterson has not...
I hate to bring up this scenario, but its entirely possible the Thurs game gets moved to Monday and we have to face Sale twice, while the Braves would miss Manaea entirely. The Mets can not let that happen.
I say we all eat a bucket of Kenny Rogers chicken tonight…
Kenny? KENNY! 🐓
Really wrote a downer today. I have refused to get sucked in with this team all season but this weekend the Phillies series broke me. This team feels to me different and I’m not sensing the fear of Atlanta this year. I think we go in and handle business going to Milwaukee with playoff clinched. This team feels like it’s ready to roll deep into the playoffs and from what I’ve seen around the league I see no reason why a championship can’t come to Queens this year. It’s crazy thinking I know but I’ve seen the light. I see you’ve been Mets fan for some time but I go back even further. To when there was no wildcard and you had to win your division to get in. Being 2 games out in ‘85. The euphoria of ‘86 and the words dynasty being thrown around with the heartbreak of ‘87. I’ve experienced a lot with these Mets and dammit this is our year to put the hurt on the Braves
I was in 3rd grade and watched Game 5 of the 1969 World Series from the very last row. They were losing 3-0 and I was very, very sad. Things worked out! The three Braves starters for this series have me very concerned.
Loved your intro. I always thought Chipper Jones named a daughter Shea. Maybe that’s Kevin James. And Raisel Iglesias’ perfect streak ends during this three game set. This is IT. This is the DINNER. Be bold, Metsies, and get into the playoffs on enemy turf. LFGM!
Love the positive energy!
Chipper did.
The writing is amazing this morning, JB. You are something else.
You may want to give the Kiley guy a tip or two. He’s forcing the narrative. Ottavino has been solid? How about “ in a year of constant change and substitution, Ottavino has been the only to be on the active roster for the entire season”
And give a tip to Martino too. If you are writing for Mets fans, best to avoid insulting them with phrases such as “Mets aren’t Metsing. “
Haha I know who actually read to the end of the newsletter by the people who emailed or commented about that Ottavino line. Thanks for the kind words about the writing. Let’s Go Mets!
O-M-G! That is your Mona Lisa of Blog Posts! The Intro and than a jumping and fist pumping Mike Piazza got me ready to fly to the ATL and beat the m*therf*cking Braves all by myself! LFGM guys, LFGM!
Thank you sir! This might be the rare series it’s better to watch from afar given the forecast. Let’s Go Mets!
Just win today's game.
"worry about tomorrow - tomorrow" Today's game in the most inportant - go win it ! Lets Go Mets !
7 words: #YaGottaBelieve & #LGM
I can’t fucking believe this shit. Sevy can’t get to 5 and Stinkek gives up lead off homer. How quickly they revert back to the Braves factor. WTF with this curse!!! DAMMIT!!!