Mets Fans Forever

The Day the Music Died

Author: Clare Lafferty

Jane Jarvis died over the weekend. For those who are not familiar with Jane, she was the organist at Shea from 1964 to 1979 and as much a fixture there as the NYC skyline sign, the 410 center field marking and Lindsay, Murph and Kiner.

When I used to go to games as a kid, the music was a big part of the whole experience. Not only did Jane play the traditional tunes (National Anthem, Meet the Mets) but she played jazz tunes. Her background was in jazz and she knew many famous jazz icons, like Lionel Hampton. She also worked for Muzak (you know, the elevator music people) composing songs that were also jazzy in nature.

Jane Jarvis brought a happy and uplifting attitude to Shea through her music during many years of bad baseball and sparse crowds. I'll never forget feeling so bad when the Mets announced they were going to canned music and Jane would no longer be playing the organ live there. A piece of Mets history was gone in an instant replaced with "progress".

Thank you Jane for the joy you brought me and many, many Mets fans throughout the years. You played for the Mets for 15 years and made Shea better because of it. Rest in peace, Jane.

Till Death Do Us Part

Author: Clare Lafferty

All little girls dream about their wedding day. Even though I was a tomboy, I too thought about my wedding and how it would be. But, I had a Mets frame of mind on my big day presented to me courtesy of my dad.
My dad was the one who got me liking all sports, but especially baseball. When I told him at age 8 that I wanted to follow the Mets, he was all for it. You see, my dad, aside from his full time job as an advertising executive in NYC, was a writer for our small home town paper and wrote little stories with a bit of wry thrown in. He decided to write a story about me and my wedding day with a Mets twist. 
Here's how it was supposed to play out. First, the wedding would be between games of a doubleheader. The two families would come out from the dugouts - bride's from the home dugout; groom's from the visitors. The bride and groom would be brought to the field by the bullpen cars (you see, in 1968 we had bullpen cars still - I really miss that). 
The cermony was to be held at home plate of course. And the bride would wear white -the white home Mets uniform naturally. When the ceremony was done, instead of that first dance as husband and wife, how about a run around the bases with a slide at home plate for good measure?  
The reception would be held at the Diamond Club at Shea and then the couple would be off on their honeymoon - to Cooperstown. 
The coolest thing about the whole article was not just that all my friends saw it, so did someone from the Mets. A few weeks after the article was published, I received a letter from the Mets and some tickets for a future game. I was so thrilled! 
My dad has been gone now since 1998 and I didn't get married at Shea. But I always remember that time in my life with special meaning. I was just starting my love affair with the Mets and have my dad's article to look back on with great fondness. 
I have a daughter of my own now and she is also a Mets fan. Hmmm.. a future wedding at Citi Field perhaps??
   

The World Series - Do I Really Need to Choose?

Author: Clare Lafferty

Everyone that I know has asked me in the last week "Who are you going to root for in the Series?", knowing full well that I am a die-hard Mets fan. First of all, my friends should know that for me, that is like asking " Electric chair or gas chamber?". Both decisions would kill me, wouldn't they?

Let's see - Yankees or Phillies? The hated other team in New York or the Philadelphia rival team, the team who has put down the Mets in the last couple of years and then gone out and backed it up? And, since I live right outside Philly, it makes the Phils an even worse choice for me.

In all good conscience, I can't root for either team. Since I live near Philly, having the Phillies win would be unbearable for about a month after they win, like it was last year. Horrible!  And not liking the Yankees since I am a Mets fan would be unbearable as well. What choice do I have?

Well, I could just say " Phils" to the Yankees fans and "Yanks" to the Phils lovers, just to get their ire up. That could be fun. I could root for the Yanks because I love NYC. I could root for the Phils because the rest of my family (with the exception of my brilliant 14 year old Mets-fan daughter) loves the Phils. I could say " I don't care" knowing that it will eat at me until the Series in completed. Seems like all I have are lose-lose scenarios.

So, when someone asks me " Who do you like in the Series?", I have decided to say " It's football season for me. Go Giants!"

Thoughts on the 2009 Season

Author:Clare Lafferty

With only 3 games left to play (thank goodness!), I was thinking about this year How do you sum it up? Here are some of my observations on this year:

1. With everything that happened this year, just chalk it up to a lost season. We all suffered through it and we made it to the other side. After all, at least we had an excuse this year for not winning the division. And Mets fans are still the best in baseball, having drawn over 3 million despite our terrible season.

2. David Wright - yes, his numbers were way down this year. But, look at what he had to bear this year virtually by himself. He is still a .300 hitter and he will get his power back next year, now that he has one season at Citi Field under his belt.

3. Daniel Murphy  - is he a work in progress or will the Mets go in another direction for 2010? I think Murph played OK but he has a lot to work on and I just don't know if the Mets will want to wait next year on him or just move forward with a legitimate first baseman.

4. Pedro Feliciano - in a season of forgettable things, Pedro was one of the bright spots. Not only did he seemingly pitch in every game, he was terrific in most of them. Great job, Pedro!

5. Luis Castillo - another bright spot in an otherwise dismal season. Castillo should be the comback player of the year in the NL. He had a great season and it is nice to hear the Mets fans cheering for Castillo once again. Thanks, Luis!

6. Our pitching - beside Johan Santana, our pitching was quite suspect this year. Will Oliver Perez ever become the pitcher the Mets overpaid for? How about John Maine? Will he be OK for 2010? What do we do at the back of the rotation? The Mets really need to have  a much different 2010 rotation and need to make some tough decisions. I hear that Jason Marquis wants to be a Met...hmmmm.

7. This team needs to get back to basics. Our defense at times was laughable and we need to execute on the fundamentals, like base running and decision making. If we want to compete, we need to be a sound team on all levels.

 8. Finally, our new home Citi Field - I really loved the stadium and can't wait to come back in 2010 for more games. They need to keep installing more Mets things for the fans. I just loved the experience - although I do miss ol' Shea.

Just my two cents worth on this season from someone who just celebrated 41 years as a Mets fan. I wouldn't have it any other way. 

Have a great off-season everyone and Let's Go Mets in 2010!!

Thoughts on the 2009 Season..

Author: Clare Lafferty

With the Mets loss last night to Atlanta 6-0, they are guaranteed their first losing season since 2005. We all knew it would be a lost season and with the Mets being  eliminated on Sunday and now this, it is official.

But, it could be worse. Imagine being a Pirates fan and having now 17 consecutive losing seasons. How about the Nationals? They are 31 games out and actually save the Mets from being in last place. Baltimore and Kansas City also have worse records than the Mets at this point.

Yeah, I know - it doesn't sound promising. But, the 2010 schedule was released yesterday and hope springs eternal. The Mets will take care of business during the off-season and we will be back in 2010.

What do you think? Will the Mets be back in contention in 2010 or will it take some more time? I am optimistic that the Mets will be competitive in 2010 and I can't wait to quiet the critics.

See you in 2010!

Why?

Author: Clare Lafferty

As I sat and watched another meaningless September game, I got to thinking. Why am I still interested? Why do I still watch, even though  I know these games mean nothing? Why do I still care if Carlos Beltran makes it back in time to play a few games this year?

I have been a fan since 1968 and have sat through many bleak September games. But, I always watched every game I could even when the Mets were mathematically eliminated. Why?

I love the Mets. Yes, love of the Mets and of the game keeps me coming back. When you love something  or someone, you are there for them no matter what. You support them and try to be optimistic even when the boat is sinking. When someone puts your team down, you defend them to the end.

Loyalty to the Mets is also a reason I keep watching. For every bad play and lost season, there are great memories of 1969 and 86. I know that those years are long past, but they were times in my life that brought me great joy, pride and happiness. 

The 2009 season has brought us little to cheer about. But there are some bright signs ahead. Now that Johan Santana has had his surgery and is expected to be fine by the spring, we can look forward to great games in 2010. Luis Castillo has had a comeback player of the year-type year. David Wright always gives 110% and I love our new players, Jeff Francoeur and Cory Sullivan. And with Beltran coming back in 2010, our team will be ready to compete with any other.

And, our young players are fun to watch. I love Angel Pagan's hustle and play in the outfield. Daniel Murphy is getting more comfortable at first and I like the way Omir Santos plays catcher.

Overall, 2009 will be a seaon to forget. But, I will still  be watching until October 4th hoping to hear those words "put it in the books". No matter how bad a season is, I will always be a Mets fan.

Let's Go Mets in 2010!

Phillies beat Mets 9-7

Author:Clare Lafferty

The Phillies and Mets played a game on Sunday - where do I start?

Oliver Perez started the game and didn't get out of the first inning. He was atrocious. Ollie gave up two 3 run homers and was taken out in the middle of a 3-0 count to Pedro Martinez.Embarrassing doesn't even describe this.

But, to the Mets credit, they battled all game. Angel Pagan hit the first inside the park homer in Citi Field history to lead off in the bottom of the Mets first. Pagan would hit a legitimate homer in his next at bat. Luis Castillo continued to swing a hot bat, getting on base 4 times. The Mets scrapped and clawed and made it a game going into the 8th.

Jeff Francoeur made a spectacular catch in the 8th that was first ruled a hit but then overturned. Which lead to the 9th.

Pagan hit a ball that went through the legs of Ryan Howard at first - Pagan ended up on third. Castillo hit a ball to Eric Bruntlett (remember that name, folks) that he booted and Pagan scored. Then Daniel Murphy hit a ball up the middle that Bruntlett again misplayed.

OK, Mets on first and second, no one out, losing by 2. This had all the makings of a great come from behind Mets victory.  Then, it happened.

With the runners going, Francoeur hit a ball to Bruntlett, who caught the line drive, stepped on second and tagged out Murphy. An unassisted game ending triple play. Incredible. If I wasn't there in person, I never would have believed it. But, then again, this is just typical of the Mets season in 2009.

I did enjoy my first visit to Citi Field - a beautiful park for our Mets. I wished the outcome could have been better, but at least it will be a game I will always remember.

All Those Years Ago

Author: Clare Lafferty

There has been a lot of talk this summer about several events that occurred in 1969. I am old enough to remember the moon landing, Woodstock and of course, the Miracle Mets. As I relive those days 40 years ago, I have fond memories of all 3 events.

               I was too young to go to Woodstock, just old enough to remember the moon landing and just young enough to enjoy the Mets. I became a Mets fan in 1968, so to see my team do so well in only my second year was great for me. There are some comparisons that can be made between that team and the current Mets.

               The 1969 Mets had one star pitcher in Seaver; we have Santana. The ‘69 team was really young; the current Mets are probably a little younger in some positions. The Miracle team had Cleon Jones who batted .340 that year; we have David Wright currently batting around .320. The fans in 1969 were loyal as are the current fans. New Yorkers are the best fans in all of baseball – no doubt about it for me.

               I wish that our current team had a shot at the postseason, but being realistic, we need to use the rest of the time to see what we have for the future. All teams go through rebuilding years and we were forced into one this year due to all the injuries. In my 41 years of following the Mets, I have never seen any team decimated by injury as our Mets. But, to their credit, the players keep playing hard and have not given up. That trait was also one that the Miracle Mets had as well.

               On August 22, the reunion of that ’69 team will take place at Citi Field. My bad luck – I have tickets for the next day! But I am looking forward to seeing the Miracle Mets and reliving a great time in my childhood. No matter what happens, I will always be a die-hard Mets fan. No bad season can make me bleed anything but orange and blue.

What is there left to write about?

Author: Clare Lafferty

I am supposed to write once in a while about Mets stuff but lately I have had trouble thinking of what to write about. What is there left to say?

I have been a fan as most of you know since 1968. I have seen a lot of good and really bad baseball in those 41 years. But, I don't quite know how to characterize this year.  I don't ever recall a year when the Mets have been decimated with so many injuries. And injuries to backups already playing because of injuries. It has been a strange season.

As I listened to the game last night, I kept thinking " If one more Met grounds out weakly to second base, I will flip out".  Not only are we not producing any offense, even our outs are weak. No line drive outs, not even a deep fly ball to center field. All strikeouts, weak ground balls and first pitch swinging foul outs.

I hope that when the regulars get back, we can do something productive before the season is out. And maybe, just maybe, Omar Minaya will make some kind of deal before next week. I am not giving up hope - there is still a lot of baseball to be played. But, time is quickly running out.

What makes it worse for me is that I live right outside Philly, so I have to hear their nonsense every day. Come on Mets - - please, win some games!

NIce Article about the '69 Mets in SI this week

Author: Clare Lafferty

There was a nice article in this weeks's SI about the 40th anniversary of our Miracle Mets. It gave an update about what a lot of the players and coaches are now up to. It was a nice spread with some pictures and warm memories of that great team. After all that has been said and written about the Mets lately, it was nice to read something positive. Even Tom Seaver and Nolan Ryan are on the cover! Boy, wouldn't it be nice to have pitchers like that today!