I have been upset all week. You all know that the winter meeting and drafts are what I live for. This was always an exciting time for both a Met fans and a Mets writer. I didn’t expect much out of this week, and, in actuality, the team signed more than I thought they would, but I thought I was ready for the departure of Jose Reyes. I wasn’t. It didn’t hit hard as the fan I’m not anymore. It hit hard as the home-based writer, sitting behind a computer ten hours a day, begging for donations, and praying for 1,000 hits a day. Seeing Reyes in a Marlins shirt was like watching my close friend, Norman Shoemacher, buy a Colt 45 hat in 1962. I rallied when the Mets filled in their bullpen and actually had a smile on my face when the hits , err, hit 1500 yesterday. Then, my friend, Joe D, tweets that his site, Mets Merized had 1.2 million hits over the past 72 hours.
I think what upsets me the most is the fact that I turned out right about this team. I’ve studied this team against its competition and have never predicted them above third place in the past four years. I used to be slammed on Flushing University, New York Future Stars, and, my personal favorite, MOFO, for my opinions on the parent team.
At the same time, I’ve always had the minor leaguers’ back, though some do get confused when I criticize them when they get to Queens (hey, Josh… Tobi).
I’ve considered myself a Mets writer for seven years now and this is the first winter meeting that I write about a team that is inconsequential. I spent entire year telling you that the 2011 Mets were playing for 2012. Now, I’m telling you that the 2012 Mets are being built for 2014. Will this construction mirror a union contract on Belt Parkway?
The site has been a hoot these past few months. Readership has doubled and some great writers have joined the site. I’ve turned my back to the ownership of this team, the media department that doesn’t recognize me, the beat reporters that have hurt me, and Twitter which is nothing more than an amateur version of Deadspin.
The only good sign I saw this weekend was the lack of Rule 5 picks by the Mets. I’ve always considered this more of a cesspool of players. The Mets seem set with their 25-man direction (cough, Chris Young, cough) and I like it that way.
Mack’s Mets will never be a giant in this community. Hopefully, it will turn out some great writers that are someday paid a decent wage for their talent.
It’s Thursday, and I’m heading out to attend my granddaughter’s Holiday play. Then I’ll probably go get a pizza with my wife and watch that 10pm version of Anderson Cooper.
Most of what you will see on this site on Friday through Sunday is already written and scheduled. I am hoping for some of the writers to chime in, Michael Friere and Charlie T have posts on Sunday, and, who knows, there might even be a David Rubin sighting.
Me?
I’m getting some brain rest.
CYA Monday.
3 comments:
Enjoy it my man, its deserved.
Mack - enough with the sob stories. You and your website are appreciated by the many informed readers who seek the most comprehensive and thoughtful review of the Mets farm system - it's the only part of the Mets worth rooting for. But you have got to quit soliciting donations and subsequently complaining about that lack of support - you created a blog... in spirit, it's the written reflection of the 'state of the Mets.' If you want to get paid for your opinions, work for a publication and write reactionary pieces like how the Met's jilted Reyes. If you want to speak to your loyal readers who look forward to your thoughtful analyses, then more writing and less complaining.
just keep writing.
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