Whatever your rituals and superstitions are for when you're faced with important moments in your (sports-fan) life, take great care to observe them on Sunday.
For those of you who didn't watch the Mets-Marlins game on TV on Saturday (I know a few who were in attendance), one of the best moments of the broadcast was when Kevin Burkhardt showed how the Mets placed a picture, in fact, the picture that adorns the top of this blog, in the walkway from the clubhouse, with instructions to tap it before entering the dugout.
I'm a big believer in that kind of stuff, as silly as it sounds, making a difference. I have things that I do in certain circumstances and resorted to a few on Saturday morning. I know, in my brain, that they had no impact on what happened on the field, but in my heart, I felt like I was contributing to the effort. Believing that I matter is silly and in some ways, ridiculous, but it's important. It's part of being a fan and in fact, it's probably my favorite part. If I'm going to commit to living vicariously through the lives of 25 strangers for 180 days, it's a necessity.
And you can be sure I have a few things in mind for Sunday too.
It's worth noting that the Mets don't exacty have it easy with this pitching matchup. Dontrelle Willis is 5-0 in his career at Shea Stadium and the Marlins have only lost once in his starts there.
Might I remind you, it was via walk-off.
True MetMaine know...John Maine is the first Mets pitcher since Rick Reed to strike out 12+ and allow no runs, in a game taking place in September/October. Reed did so on the final Saturday of the 1999 season, a day before a rather famous contest in Mets history, one that you can read about at the link below.
http://metswalkoffs.blogspot.com/2005/09/i-want-my-turn-at-bat.html
For those of you who didn't watch the Mets-Marlins game on TV on Saturday (I know a few who were in attendance), one of the best moments of the broadcast was when Kevin Burkhardt showed how the Mets placed a picture, in fact, the picture that adorns the top of this blog, in the walkway from the clubhouse, with instructions to tap it before entering the dugout.
I'm a big believer in that kind of stuff, as silly as it sounds, making a difference. I have things that I do in certain circumstances and resorted to a few on Saturday morning. I know, in my brain, that they had no impact on what happened on the field, but in my heart, I felt like I was contributing to the effort. Believing that I matter is silly and in some ways, ridiculous, but it's important. It's part of being a fan and in fact, it's probably my favorite part. If I'm going to commit to living vicariously through the lives of 25 strangers for 180 days, it's a necessity.
And you can be sure I have a few things in mind for Sunday too.
It's worth noting that the Mets don't exacty have it easy with this pitching matchup. Dontrelle Willis is 5-0 in his career at Shea Stadium and the Marlins have only lost once in his starts there.
Might I remind you, it was via walk-off.
True MetMaine know...John Maine is the first Mets pitcher since Rick Reed to strike out 12+ and allow no runs, in a game taking place in September/October. Reed did so on the final Saturday of the 1999 season, a day before a rather famous contest in Mets history, one that you can read about at the link below.
http://metswalkoffs.blogspot.com/2005/09/i-want-my-turn-at-bat.html
Comments
About two weeks ago, I was on the receiving end of a horrible haircut. After receiving said haircut, I had to buy a hat immediately to cover the damage. I bought a replica classic Mets hat, as it was the only one Mets hat at the store. I've been wearing it exclusively since then & we know how those two weeks have gone.
Yesterday, I reverted back to this year's BP hat, which I've worn all season. Needless to say, that hat, along with my Mookie '86 jersey, will be worn today.
LGM!