Switching Sides

The latest issue of Sports Illustrated hit newsstands this week. In it are the 2009 baseball season predictions. The reputable ‘zine has the New York Mets meeting the Anaheim Angels in the World Series. Not only that, the writers chose New York to win the whole darn thing. SI’s prediction convinced me to convert to being a Mets fan. It was unsettling at first, but I decided the Mets are the more fascinating and fun team to watch in New York. After listening to a plain pre-season game against the Marlins last night, my pro-Mets jitters vanished.
I’ve blogged blatantly about my passion for the Yankees and they do have the richer and deeper history. But I have been questioning my fandom for the Bronx Bombers lately, especially after the Arod steroid allegations and fallout last year. The team didn’t even make the playoffs. At least the marquee Mets took their season down to the final game before being officially eliminated from the post-season. As a yearning Yankees fan growing up, I expected success. They cake-walked through the regular season during the 90’s and took it to most teams in the post-season. More often than not, I saw winning Yankees teams win championships. It was easy to always root for the best. But after last season, I was let down big time as a Yankee fan.
The Mets are amazing contenders who play in the senior circuit. Their scrappy style and special stars of today give rise to admiration. The Mets depict rising heroes to a generation of faithful following fans. It’s hard not to root for players like Johan Santana and David Wright. The bullpen will be an exciting entity to follow with the addition of Krod and J.J. Putz. Already, fans of the sport are considering the marvelous Mets a favorite to win the division because it looks as if the Phillies are not as strong as they were in 2008. I too am jumping on the New York Met bandwagon now. I suspect many sports fans change their favorite teams from time to time throughout their lives. I’ve changed my mind and will no longer pull for the Yankees over the Mets. I am tired of rooting for the team with the highest payroll and greediest owners. I remember being a little kid cheering for the Mets. Those days, the Mets played in Shea Stadium and guys like rudimentary Howard Johnson, charming, Kevin Elster, Gregg Jefferies, Wally Backman, and David Cone were a part of the franchise. Later on, I found myself silently pulling for Mike Piazza, Todd Hundley, Edgardo Alfonzo, and Robin Ventura. I’ve read recounts of the 1969 and 1986 championship teams, delved into biographies of Keith Hernandez, Tom Seaver and Ron Darling. Bobby Valentine is one of my all-time favorites and it’s impossible to forget Mookie Wilson’s game winner through Bill Buckner’s legs. Lee Mazzilli and Willie Randolph belong to the Mets, not the Yankees. I smile seeing Ron Darling on Sportsnet NY and love listening to the lucid and logical voices of Gary Cohen and Howie Rose on the radio. Words cannot describe the implausible peace of mind brought about by hearing Mets games being broadcasted.
Controversy and miracle plays have long been a part of the organization. Even with the mental meltdowns of the past three years, the Mets continue to conjure coolness and class. Jose Reyes can fly around the bases, Carlos Beltran’s defense is worth the price of admission to Citi Field, and Carlos Delgado is the real deal with exuberant ability. Santana is an artist with the baseball, painting the corners and firing flames with a fine feel. There are young players waiting to refine their skills in the big leagues and new pitchers possessing promising pitching ploys. Omar Minaya and Jerry Manuel work better together than Brian Cashman and Joe Girardi. The Yankees do not have a clubhouse that exudes the camaraderie of the Mets’. The Yankees may have the record for World Series appearances and victories and I have spent many dollars and hours following as a fan. It’s time to turn in my pinstripes. I am not giving up on the Yankees, but I cannot be a fan of the team anymore. The Mets are my new team. I hope they break the SI curse and do win the World Series. They are long overdue, and so is this fan’s conversion. It is time to trade in my #21 (Paul O’Neill) and #51 (Bernie Williams) for #31 (Mike Piazza) and #41 (Tom Seaver) jerseys. I can hardly wait to create picturesque memories with Ryan Church and Daniel Murphy radiating in the backdrop of my mind. David Wells may have pitched a perfect game on my birthday, but Wright is the latest David in my life. I am going to hide my inner tomboy and confess Wright is an incredibly adorable man.
Rooting for the Mets is like riding a roller coaster, and I am ready for the riveting thrill. Who wants to remain in the stone age and be a Yankees fan anyway?

Parting points: A song for my mom- “My Life Would Suck Without You” by Kelly Clarkson. She’s partially responsible for prompting this alteration by buying me a Mets polo shirt last weekend.