The Mets and Marlins lost last night, while the Nationals, Phillies and Braves won.
Matthew Cerrone: The Mets blew it' for this season. Now, I understand and agree with the long-term vision, and I bet Sandy Alderson and his staff have been mostly focused on 2014 this entire year (despite their record), all 'looking over 2012,' as one person familiar with their situation recently told me. But, this year, when presented with a team that was 45-38 and tied for the Wild Card lead, the situation should have changed a bit.
I'm not saying the Mets should have traded top prospects and sacrificed all of tomorrow for today, but sometimes things change ' and, looking back, seeing how chaotic the division is, it's becoming clear they missed the opportunity to at least continue and secure what was shaping up to be a fun season in 2012. Instead, for whatever reason, be it principles, the future, a strict budget, or a lack of options, they sat on their hands ' or worse, they didn't recognize the flaws on their roster ' and now we're left with the season everyone predicted at the start of the year.
The Mets are in a tough situation. I know they want to rebuild a franchise and better brand for tomorrow, even if it means sacrificing today. I get that. I know spending sprees don't work, just ask the Marlins. I know the long-term goal takes patience, persistance and a thick skin. But at what cost? Is it worth disappointing your players, who probably bought in to 45-38 more than the fans? Is it worth putting your manager in the position to have to repeatedly answer questions from his players and media about what management is doing, or not doing? Does toeing the company line now hurt his credibility for tomorrow? Also, is having a laser-like focus on tomorrow worth repeatedly disappointing your most loyal fans?
Personally, I feel embarrassed for allowing myself to think this team could make the Wild Card this year' and that sucks. Worse, during the July 4 holiday, I had Yankees fans asking about the Mets, being almost supportive, talking up RA Dickey and David Wright, and acting more interested in my team than theirs. Today, they're laughing at us. Again. Not that I care what Yankees fans think, but the point is: in the time between today and 2014, which may or may not ever pan out by the way, Mets fans need to remain and deal with being Mets fans in a city full of active, thriving sports franchises and other passionate fans. And, man, it's not always easy' and sitting pat on a 45-38 season (which was getting headlines, making us smile and felt like it could be special), only to have it ripped from our hands like a misbehaving child, doesn't make being a Mets fan any easier.
To read about last night's loss to the Nationals, check out this post on MetsBlog, as well as beat reports from MLB.com, the Wall Street Journal, Star-Ledger, Bergen Record, Journal News, ESPN New York, Newsday, the Daily News and New York Post.
The Mets will finish their three-game series with the Nationals this afternoon at 12:10 pm when Jeremy Hefner (1-3, 5.85 ERA) takes on Stephen Strasburg (10-4, 2.85 ERA).
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