“There are few hurts in life as crushing as your favorite team losing a championship.” – Eli of Coach Daddy
I have let some time lapse since post season baseball ending before writing my thoughts down here.
See I am a Mets fan.
There I said it.
I grew up on the chants of “You Gotta Believe!” and “Let’s Go Mets Go”.
Still, there was a dark period where I fell in with the Yankees lovers and even found myself at a Yankees Ticker Tape Parade in downtown NYC during the late 1990s.
Yes, in my early twenties I was what my husband still reminds me every so often, a front runner.
But that is a story for a different day and have promised if I do share my reasoning behind that decision to give the exclusive interview to Eli.
However, for all intents and purposes, I have been and still a Mets fan despite that brief respite for over 30 plus years and somewhere even have baseball cards from the great ’86 Mets, plus a kids Jersey that I wore to home games back during that hailed time.
On a side note, I tried that Jersey on (my mom actually kept it) and it still fits (a little snug, but still) as I am only a few inches taller and pretty narrow on top.
So this year truly brought back that spark and vigor from my youth, when the Mets were on top and the likes of Darryl Strawberry and Doc Gooden were Mets, not Yankees playing in the Fall classic in 1986 and won against the Boston Red Sox.
Earlier this past year, we even took our girls to their very first ever baseball game at Citi Field and they loved it so much that we keep getting asked every so often for a repeat performance.
It was their first Mets Game this past year…
This only brought me back that much more, as I still will never forget my first baseball game only being a bit older than my oldest at Shea Stadium.
Then the post season arrived. Low and behold the Mets not only won their division, but the NLCS, too.
I priced tickets for the post season games and not going to lie as much as I love this team couldn’t justify the exorbitant price tag for these coveted seats.
So, I did what any fan would do and watched from the comfort of my home holding out hope by once again believing into the wee hours of the night for these games.
The Mets were on fire during those NLCS games and swept the Chicago Cubs in 4 straight forward and easy games.
The youthful, four pitchers in rotation seemed unbeatable, including Matt Harvey, aka The Black Knight and Noah Syndergaard aka Thor.
OK, so I may have been heard saying I think Thor is a bit of a hottie. Sue me I am married, but not dead. Trust me, I may look, but would never touch. Still, I got a bit of a shock when I was told to look up his age and found out I was a junior in high school when he was born!
This is the photo that shows up now each time, I get a text or call from my husband!
Still, my punishment for that statement came when I wasn’t looking and my husband programmed Thor’s picture on my phone to show up every time he texts or calls me now. Fair is fair, I suppose!
But I digress and back to the NLCS games.
The MVP, Daniel Murphy, even broke a record for home runs batted in post season games. The offense, in general, was on hitting streak.
Seriously, he and the team were a force to be reckoned with.
It appeared that nothing could stop them.
The stage was set.
And then the first pitch of the World Series silenced them and fans like myself with the in the park home run hit by the Kansas City Royals, Alcides Escobar.
Just like that the post season became real and also pretty hard to watch and swallow if you were a Mets fan from that point forward.
But I continued to watch as much as it hurt to through 14 innings for that game, plus the 4 more that followed with a brief interlude with the one winning game the Mets had in the series with Thor at the mound.
My own husband, even though a Mets fan, pretty much busted my chops for my reaction to how they played most of this series.
He even told me to write this article, because as much of a Mets’ fan as he is, he truly didn’t get it. See according to him these guys get paid the big bucks and would still get those hefty paychecks even after losing.
So why should the lose matter or get under my skin – just a lowly fan?
I know I sound like a spoiled kid that is a bit of a sore loser, too.
Yes, at 38 years old, I pretty much had to turn off my TV once Game 5 went into extra innings, because I knew even still trying to believe that in my heart of hearts that the Mets would lose that game and ultimately have to watch the Royals party and whoop it up celebrating at Citi Field.
That alone was too painful of a thought and a memory I truly didn’t want to have etched in my brain.
But that is exactly what happened. To the victor, went the spoils.
So with that the series, the post season and this baseball season was over and outta here!
I woke up last Monday morning to that cold realization and as much as I hate to admit it, the plain simple truth is the Kansas City Royals were just the better team in this series and the Mets got outplayed by them.
It is what it is.
I also woke to Coach Daddy Eli’s response (the first line in this article) to one of my earlier comments on his article from a few days prior.
I read it and completely concurred then and days later, I still do.
Like I said to him, it is does get less as time goes by, but the residuals are still there.
Can’t wait until next season with The Mets….
Still this year’s Mets team played one hell of a season for 2015 baseball even having lost the World Series and helped this Mets fan remember to believe again.
This season is definitely over, but there is also one silver lining in being a Mets’ fan. Spring training will be here before we know it to launch a new season with new dreams and hopes for me and all fans once again.
And with that, “You still gotta believe and let’s go Mets go!”
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Seana Turner says
Ah yes, e are loyal to our teams! I’m a Phillies fan, so no excitement for me this year. Sorry to say, my husband spent his impressionable years in Kansas City, so he was thrilled. What do we all have in common? We stick with our teams, no matter what:)
Janine says
Totally agree that we most definitely stick with our teams through and through, Seana 😉
[email protected] says
When you enter into arenas of great promise, you accept the possibility of great sorrow. So it is with love, and baseball. I can still see Troy Tulowitzki watching the Red Sox celebrate a World Series sweet in Colorado. You can’t unsee such travesties – you can only hope to inflict them on another club. Next year, preferably.
Janine says
Never were more wiser words spoken and again thank you Eli for the inspiration on this one once again.
Bill says
No whining from Met’s fans. My Seattle Mariners have never been to the World Series. Can you imagine our pain? LOL Happy Monday, Janine.
Janine says
Aw, feeling your pain just reading that, Bill! Happy Monday to you, too 😉
Erin Dwyer Dymowski says
Loved this and I just didn’t get into the World Series this year.
Confessions of A Mommyaholic says
Thanks Erin and trust me there have been years I haven’t either, but this year just felt that magical feeling from then I was younger. So, I couldn’t resist.
Jen says
Oh your husband is awesome! Having that be his programmed picture is genius and something my husband would totally do too! Looking forward to spring training as well! We always try to take the kids out to a few practice games that happen here!
Janine says
Jen, I was even told by him to blog about it. Seriously, hope he read and can’t wait to see what he has to say at dinner time tonight! 😉
Diane Roark says
Janine,
At least the Mets made it to the world series. We are big Atlanta Brave Fans. They looked ugly this year for sure!!!
I love that you are a baseball fan. What a great way to make family memories to last a lifetime at a baseball park.
Blessings,
Diane
Janine says
Diane, I still remember how classy the Braves were when I was a kid and they played the Mets at Shea Stadium, even signing autographs for us. So, I felt your pain reading your comment here today. Here’s hoping next year now.
Jack says
I thought this was going to be a repeat of ’88. My Dodgers would take out the lowly mets and win the whole thing.
Damn, it should have happened, but it didn’t. That is the joy and pain of sports. Still, I wouldn’t ever give up on it all, way too much fun.
Janine says
I agree way too much fun and cannot give up either .
Robin (Masshole Mommy) says
Now you and I can no longer be friends 😉 LOL. Actually, being a Mets fan is A LOT better than being a Yankees fan!
Janine says
Aw, I could never stop being your friend and I am most definitely not a Yankees fan LOL! 😉
Marilyn says
My sisters and I are Met fans[also Baltimore Oriole fans,too.] We were so happy to see the Mets go almost the whole way. It will be a little less fun next season if the Mets do not sign Daniel Murphy ,he is our favorite player.
LETS GO METS IN 2016!
Marilyn and Family
Janine says
Aw, I know I am a Murphy fan and got my fingers crossed that he will return. We shall see though. Thanks Marilyn 😉
catherine gacad says
my husband is a crazy mets fan!!! so i have been watching all the games. the world series was so painful! i’m not even a mets fan, but i was getting angry at all the mistakes that kept on happening. it drove me crazy.
Janine says
I know truly drove me crazy, too Catherine and definitely was on edge for those few weeks here to be honest.
Bev says
My dad and my sister were at that last game. They were so sad! My dad has been a Mets fan for a long time and I know this year was such a bummer for him. It’s hard to see your team come so close and have it all fall apart at the end!
Janine says
Aw, Bev I am so sorry for both your dad and sister, too. Seriously was awful how they self-combusted at the end!
Tamara says
My first baseball game ever was a Mets game. They won! I remember it well.
You’re not going to believe this but I asked Cassidy last night who won the World Series. And he told me and also told me it happened ages ago. See how up on things I am?? (not)
Janine says
Tamara, not going to lie when the Mets weren’t in it years’ past, I totally had a similar reaction as you did with not knowing when it had even ended and the actual outcome either.
Nellie @ Brooklyn Active Mama says
As a Yankee fan, I still have to respect what the Mets did this year, it was pretty magical!!
Janine says
Aw, thanks Nellie and I know it truly was 😉
Dana says
Sorry about your team, Janine – my team was out long before, so it was not an emotional experience for me! I enjoyed watching baseball as a kid, but I will admit I’m not really a fan anymore. Now we are a football family, although it’s not a good year to be a Ravens’ fan…
Janine says
Aw, sorry about the Ravens’ too for you and your family, too Dana. 🙁
Aunt Gloria says
I am not a baseball fan but it was very exciting to have the Mets in the World Series. The atmosphere in NY was electric and it felt good to have something positive to root for! Sorry they didn’t make it…..there’s always next year, as we say to soothe the wounds. Your article here was great! xxoo
Janine says
Aw, thanks so much Aunt Gloria and to next year now! Xoxo 😉
Aunt Gloria says
Yes,,,,we have to keep the faith!
Janine says
Totally agreed!! 😉
April says
Not a big baseball fan but I kinda wish I was a lifetime die hard fan. I’ll watch UCLA football, not like I used to. Happy Tuesday!
Janine says
Aw, April I wasn’t for a bit myself, but this year found me back into being a fan for sure 😉
Allie says
Janine! I feel you, I do. I’m a Red Sox girl – remember that long dry spell we had?!?!?!? And the role the Mets played in 1986? Yeah. You’ll have your day again, I know it. All the sports casters are predicting the Mets will be back next year. Keep the faith!
Janine says
Aw, Allie thanks for commiserating with me and here is to next year for us all now! 😉
Terri says
This was such a cute post. I am not a sports fan by any means, but my husband. is As I read this post, I smiled the whole time because it’s exactly how my husband feels- though he’s a Philadelphia sports fan. In a way, I am like your husband, because I like to point out to my Philadelphia fan that even if his team loses they’ll still be rich and it has no affect on us. But I guess, as a non sports fan I’ll never get it. I do agree however, that no matter how bad it may seem you must continue to believe.
Janine says
Terri, I loved your words of advice and you do sound quite a bit like my husband here. Also thank you for sharing with me, too 😉
Rabia @TheLiebers says
My husband is a Giants (football) fan while I am a Cowboys fan. It can make for a few awkward games each season. I don’t really follow baseball except when my dad’s around and I root for the Cubs. LOL
Janine says
Thankfully Kevin and I root for the same team, but could imagine how uncomfortable that could get around here if we didn’t! LOL!
Chris Carter says
Oh Janine, I had no idea what a baseball fan you were and with that- I must say how sorry I am that you had to forge through this end of the season loss! I love how you concluded the win with Kansas…
“I woke up last Monday morning to that cold realization and as much as I hate to admit it, the plain simple truth is the Kansas City Royals were just the better team in this series and the Mets got outplayed by them.”
Spring is around the bend, my friend! New hope awaits!!
Janine says
Aw, thanks Chris and truly hope Spring and baseball is here once again before we do know it! 😉
Gingi says
I really wish I could get into sports.. I’ve tried, but I just can’t seem to get interested.. maybe I just need to give a live game a try sometime??? lol…. great post my friend!
Janine says
Gingi, baseball is the only sport I can truly watch and follow. That said, thank you much, too my friend!! 😉
Ginny Marie says
I’m sorry to disappoint you, but next year it’s finally going to be the year the CUBS win! 😉
Janine says
Lol, not so sure about that but time will tell! 😉
Kristen says
LOVE this! And yes it’s hard to be a fan of any team, especially when they are so close!! And btw try interviewing those young kids every night – I feel So OLD!
Janine says
Oh man, I can only imagine what it must feel like to interview these young guys. Seriously, I feel old just thinking about it now!
Leslie says
So, I don’t know much about baseball…or the Mets, but I know what it’s like to have an emotional attachment to a losing team. For the last 13 years I’ve seen my husband hope that this would be the year for the Redskins, just to be disappointed in the end. Granted, some years weren’t too bad. But the bad ones were ugly. I feel for you! Here’s hoping for next season!
Janine says
Thanks Leslie and here is definitely to next season now for all of us! 😉