By Charlie Hangley November 14, 2020
We are Mets fans. We aren’t used to this.
No, this isn’t yet another “Woe is us, we can’t ever get a break” article. This isn’t yet another lament about the hardships of being a Mets fan. This is not about being snakebit, baby. The Mets currently sit near the top of the shabby chic of Major League Baseball, filling the void that used to be occupied perennially by the Boston Red Sox, Chicago Cubs and Cleveland Indians – though in this last case, they keep hanging onto the top spot, not having won a title since 1948. No, this is a look to the future, minus a lot of the apprehension that would accompany such a foresight in years past. The Mets officially have a new owner and almost immediately, there is a different feeling around this ballclub: it feels pretty damn good.
Earlier this week, new Mets’ owner Steve Cohen introduced himself to the fans and media in a Zoom press conference that blew the dust off this stodgy franchise and vivified the fan base – not only the fan base, but some of the players, as well. Pitcher Marcus Stroman was extended a qualifying offer during the interregnum between the exit of former owners Fred and Jeff Wilpon and Saul Katz and the approval of Cohen by the other owners. It was widely believed that Stroman would certainly test the waters of free agency and get a larger deal than the $18.9 million qualifying offer would afford. The day after Cohen’s inspiring presser, Stroman accepted the qualifier, noting that he was looking forward to playing for the new ownership and that what Cohen had to say played a big part in his decision.
Meanwhile, we also have a new team President, a familiar face who needed no introduction – or should I say re-introduction? Sandy Alderson let us see that he is healthy and eager to finish the job he started as GM back in 2010. He looks ten years younger. Freed from the financial shackles imposed by the cash-starved Wilpons, Alderson appeared to glow in the prospect of finally being able to run the team the way he wanted.
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