Calling All Mets Fans

Michael Borriello, Staff Writer

July 31st, 2015. That was the day everything changed. The Amazin’s dealt minor league pitchers Luis Cessa and Michael Fulmer to the Detroit Tigers for slugging outfielder Yoenis Cespedes. Immediately, the Cuban hitter became the savior of the team. He’s attracted the attention of Mets fans such as Chris Rock, Jim Breuer and Jerry Seinfeld. I can talk to people about a Mets hitter and they will actually know who I am referring to. Two months ago, we literally had the worst offensive team in our franchise’s history.

But, it’s not just Yoenis who is helping this team. If you’ve followed this team over the course of the season, you would know about the dominating pitchers this team has. Matt Harvey, Jacob deGrom, Bartolo Colon, Jon Niese, Noah Syndergaard and Steven Matz have all pitched very well to the point where last year’s Opening Day starter Dillon Gee is out of a job when he would likely be a #3 starter for teams like Philadelphia or Atlanta. The team could have squeezed into the playoffs without the aforementioned Cespedes, but he certainly has done a great deal to aid the franchise. And I didn’t even refer to the superb closer Jeurys Familia or the injured Zack Wheeler. MLB Hall of Famer John Smoltz has gone on record saying that this Mets pitching staff is better than the legendary Atlanta Braves pitching staff of the 1990’s that has three Hall of Fame arms. That is a definite sign that these Mets are being taken seriously across the baseball world.
At the time I am writing this, the Mets have a 6 game lead in the NL East and have a “magic number” of 8 (meaning that they require a combination of 8 Mets wins or Nationals losses). We can taste postseason baseball. After the horrendous heartbreak of 2007, 2008 and to a lesser extent, 2009, we have a chance to prove the Mets stereotype false. And that is why I ask you to show your fandom. Do not be afraid to wear a Mets jersey in public anymore. Contrary to popular belief, the Yankees’ 27 World Championships does not mean anything. We have to live in the now and experience the surreal feeling of the 2015 New York Mets season. Considering John Oliver being quoted as saying “Being a Mets fan is like lending someone a lot of money you just know that you’ll never get paid back”, this is a step in the right direction and one we have to take advantage of.