Ads
Spoiler alert: This article contains optimism for the 2022 Mets.
There is no game more iconic and American than baseball, and the New York Mets are the epitome of the American Dream. Formed in 1962 after the Brooklyn Dodgers and New York Giants moved to California, the New York Mets became a symbol of New York City unity. And against all odds, they won the 1969 World Series and were dubbed the “Miracle Mets.”
Since then, Mets fans have seemingly had their ups and downs every season. And over the past few decades, we’ve endured a series of bad luck, picky talents, and poor management. Despite all of that, Mets fans have remained steadfast in their support of the fickle New York team, and now, in 2022, it seems to be paying off (so far). Why are the Mets good this year? Is it luck or is there a reason?
Quelle: Getty Images
Buck Showalter
The 2022 Mets are different from previous iterations of the team and are clearly a good team.
In the past, the Mets have survived on good fortune, a few star pitchers (like Syndergaard and DeGrom), and a dedicated fan base that likes to compare their favorite players to superheroes. But that wasn’t enough to win the Mets the World Series. In 2015, the Mets came close as National League champions but lost the World Series to the Kansas City Royals.
Quelle: Getty Images
Noah Syndergaard, former Mets player
In 2000, a Subway World Series against the Yankees created an even more dramatic rivalry between Mets and Yankees fans. The last World Series the Mets won was in 1986. But now the Mets have the highest win percentage in the National League at .667 (while the Yankees have the highest win percentage in the American League at .722), and they’re consistently winning games.
What: Twitter/@mets
“Pistol” Pete Alonso on the west coast
After playing against the Los Angeles Dodgers and the San Diego Padres, there’s no question that the Mets are good or not this year. Up until that West Coast series, fans worried that the Mets would just win against “bad” teams, but now that they split the Dodger series and won the first Padres game 11-5, the Mets’ caliber stands 2022 out of the question.
The New York #Mets lead Major League Baseball with 2️⃣9️⃣7️⃣ runs scored. #LGM pic.twitter.com/0JIvZ5gwBx
— GENY Mets Report (@genymets) June 7, 2022 Thanks to an adaptable manager, solid offensive players, and a dependable pitching team, the Mets are proving to be really good this year.
We definitely don’t want to talk about it too soon. Just last year, the Mets were first in the National League East Division before suffering a 10-game losing streak to lose their playoff bid. And as Mets fans have learned, we can never set our hopes too high as we always find creative ways to lose. But now the Mets are finding creative ways to win.
“bUttTTtT BenNnN … How can you get the @Mets ahead of the Dodgers in your power rankings?! ????”… Well the Dodgers are getting carried away by the Pirates and the Mets are out here doubling the Padres on the street with half their team out. The Mets are LEGIT.
— Ben Verlander (@BenVerlander) 7. June 2022
New Mets manager Buck Showalter was hired by new Mets owner Steve Cohen last year. Not only does Buck have the perfect name to run a baseball team (his name sounds like a character from a 1940s movie), but he actually made solid gameplay decisions that influenced the outcome of entire series.
For example, when Buck faced the opposing lineup’s 1-2-3 batters in the 8th inning, he brought our star Edwin Diaz in close to face them, but took him out for the 9th inning. That way he wouldn’t rework Edwin before the end of the season.
A great shot from Buck Showalter and Francisco Lindor after today’s win. The Mets have now won exactly 2/3 of their games (34-17). pic.twitter.com/jwEOVQQM1x
– Metsmerized Online (@Metsmerized) 1. Juni 2022
In addition, Buck mixes up the batting lineup creatively. All of our regular racquets are hitting over .200, which is already better than in years past. Guillorme, a solid RBI batter, is usually in the second half of the lineup, which keeps the opposing pitcher busy. With the National League also using the designated hitter this year, the Mets have a chance to really up their offensive use and compete with American League teams.
What: Twitter/@mets
Francis Lindor
Even without our star starting pitcher, Jacob DeGrom, who is injured, the Mets’ pitching lineup has been reliable. Upstarts like Carrasco, who threw 10 strikeouts in the Mets’ opening game against the Padres, and Megill are taking the Mets to a new level. Add in the expertise and reliability of longtime Met Jeff McNeil and effervescent shortstop Francisco Lindor, plus the homerun punch of “Pistol” Pete Alonso, and it’s possible that 2022 could be our year.
Ads
