On June 16, 2008, the Mets were 34-35. In the early hours of June 17, Willie Randolph was fired. On June 16, 2011, the Mets were again 34-35, and Terry Collins is being showered with praise. Expectations have certainly changed.
Collins deserves the praise, and I agree with his comments after last night’s game that we should look at it less as a brutal loss and more as the conclusion of a winning road trip (6-4) and the end of a series in which the Mets took two of three from the Braves.
But I miss the days when the Mets were expected to win. When simply getting to .500 wasn’t viewed as an achievement.
When there was no question that the Mets would keep their stars. When the only question was which new stars would they seek to acquire.
At least I’m still able to yell at the TV when the Mets lose on a balk. I still have hope for this team.
Things haven’t yet gotten to the point they were in late August of 2009 when the Mets lost to the Phillies when Jeff Francoeur hit into an unassisted triple play. By then, it was just the latest in a season-long string of indignities.
This year, at least the management still believes in the team. We’ll soon find out if ownership shares that belief.
Add The Sports Daily to your Google News Feed!
