Granted, the Nationals have pretty much had the division on "lock down" for a while and it is true that the Mets have largely underachieved during the same time period. I guess one of the unwritten rules in sports is that "you don't talk the talk until you have walked the walk", or something like that. In short, the Mets haven't earned the "right" to put themselves in the Nationals "league" so to speak and it may be insulting or disrespectful to do so.
For lack of a better term, that is a load of crap in my opinion.
What would you want Sandy to say when asked a question like that? If he had indicated that the Mets were clear underdogs and the division was already wrapped up by the Nationals, he would have been crucified as "weak". Instead, he was honest in his assessment and he firmly believes that the Mets can contend this year (with a few breaks and MUCH better health, factored in).
When I was a bit younger (OK, quite a bit younger), I played all of the normal team sports in high school, to include basketball during the winter sports season. In our division, we had a team that would usually run roughshod over everyone else, including our own squad and this took place year after year for as long as anyone could remember. We ended up with a new coach after my freshman season and he was a big believer that you are only limited by your personal expectations and beliefs. If you think you are the underdog and that you cannot beat another team, then you probably won't.
Instead, a culture change was needed and it started with each individual player and what they thought was possible. Our new coach was not impressed with our crosstown rivals and he said as much, while challenging us to change our way of thinking and to BELIEVE that we could beat anyone. Over the next three years (sophomore, junior and senior seasons), we actually split six games with our previously unbeaten rivals (two match ups per year), to include one time on THEIR court which had NEVER happened before. Perhaps mindset was a big factor in this measured "success" or maybe we were just a bit better then normal and it was bound to happen anyway. I like to think that the change in mindset led to increased confidence and eventually to success. By the way, moving forward, my old school (with the same coach, by the way) is now the crosstown team that usually runs roughshod over everyone else, to include a State Championship (long after I left), which is pretty cool.
Anyway, bringing this around to the Mets and the Nationals, I think the Mets are in need of a culture change and it may have already started with a new manager in Mickey Callaway and a different public perspective from our GM, as stated above. They are also in need of better luck and much better health, which has less to with mindset and more to do with better preparation and training (also an off season focus for the Mets' new staff).
So, that begs the two part question of how big is the gap between the two teams and how do we close it this year?
Last season, the Mets (70-92) finished 27 games behind the Nationals (97-65). which is a LARGE difference. I think some of that difference can be discounted by
the complete health related melt down that occurred in the Mets' clubhouse in 2017. I find it hard to believe a healthy Mets roster would have finished that far back, especially when you look at the standing from the year before when the Mets (87-75) were only eight games back of the Nationals (95-67). So, better health should lead to a much more competitive race, for starters.
Another factor is the head to head element and the "underdog mentality" that it has bred in past Mets' squads (see above). During the 2017 season, the Mets and Nationals played each other nineteen times and the Mets had a 6-13 (.316) record in those contests! If that isn't bad enough, over the past five seasons, the Mets and Nationals have played each other ninety-five times and the Mets have a 35-60 (.368) record in all of those match ups! That is simply UNACCEPTABLE and it is the primary driver in the Nationals recent success and the Mets' lack thereof. The Mets have to find a way to play better against their rivals, or nothing else will change.
The first step is to believe that things can change, followed by going out on the field and proving that it will change. So, as the 2018 season unfolds, pay attention to how the Mets fare against their recent "boogeyman" in Washington.
Stay healthy and play at least .500 ball against that team and I think they have a realistic shot.
9 comments:
First of all, the improbable isn't always so improbable.
For instance, a co-worker and I in mid-2016 discussed the sudden plummet in Netflix shares all the way down to slightly below 80. We were both spooked and, at the time, thought about but did not buy Netflix stock. After all, look at that recent poor performance.
Less than 2 years later, Netflix is over 320 - doubt at your own risk.
Mike, besides your injuries note, the Mets were about 6 games below .500 at the end of July in 2017 and then did the massive sell-off of players and were 16 more games under .500 in August and September as a result.
So, were the team left alone to finish out 2017, without that fire sale, they conceivably could have won 80 games in 2017. Hence, the gap is not that great as the 27 games behind the Nats that they finished. Also take away some of the Mets' rash of 2017 injuries, which were clearly worse than what the Nats experienced, and they were likely more like 5 to 10 games worse, much like in 2016 - and that is within hailing distance of the Division title, especially if they did not get taken to the woodshed in head to head games with the Nats so often.
A lot has to go right in 2018, but a healthy Mets team DOES have a shot.
I hope they are - a Post headline compared Gary Sanchez's bat to a young Manny Ramirez - that Bronx team's hitting (and pitching) looks ultra-dangerous, frankly, and I am hopeful we won't be humiliated by them all season long by being the weak brother of NYC. We NEED to be healthy in 2018.
We don't have to spend any time looking back on this team.
There is plenty of talent here to make it to the playoffs and even finish ahead of the "Gnats".
Three things will accomplish this.
1. Good health
2. Solid rotation pitching
3. ++ defense
A positive blog-what a concept! If you are a coach or were an athlete, what you describe is exactly the mindset one should have. When I read some of the posts and blogs it becomes evident to me that those "experts" have never been in the arena or, as Teddy Roosevelt put it "... is one of those poor and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat." Congratulations on a great piece-I only wish there were more like this one in blogosphere.
The culture of losing under the previous manager stemmed from a disdain for younger players, misuse of the bullpen and a lack of emphasis on the fundamentals. Thus far Mickey Callaway has been a breath of fresh air. Just as Billy Martin got players to believe in themselves and play somewhat above their heads, hopefully Mickey Callaway can do the same. Some of the battles are incomplete as Dom Smith has not been able to log time anywhere.
Thank you Richard and welcome to the Mack's Mets family.
Please join in (or become a writer here) often.
Mack
Victor Black liked your reply 13 minutes ago
Mack @JohnMackinAde
@Vic_Black_2 - welcome back to baseball - Mack
Tom-- Despite a terrific 2017 and the addition of the NL MVP, the Bronx team for somesreasonswassdeclared underdogs by their GM. Everyone has their own style, but I prefer Sandy's challenge to his players.
Reese--what is the over/under on the year you tire of kicking the dead horse? I'm guessing 2025, and betting on the over. 😩
Mack, what is Vic Black doing now, pitching? Who for?
Tom -
He signed with the New Jersey Jackals of the Can-Am league.
http://njjackals.pointstreaksites.com/view/njjackals/news-media/news_500730
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