(exactly right) 72 (off by two) and 78 (off by one.) That's not exactly the work of Nostradamus, or even Cousin Sal, since those years weren't exactly laced with hope. However, my predictions did show that I am a realist when it comes to my teams and I don't let passion blind my objectivity. With that in mind, this year is a real challenge. Expectations are high at Citi Field with the team spending the winter talking about the playoffs, the return of Matt Harvey and an encouraging spring with the Mets sporting the best record in the Grapefruit League. Vegas has set the Mets over/under at 82 1/2. I think it's realistic to think the Mets can fall anywhere in a ten game range (77-87) of that line. So this year requires some extra work, some extra inspiration. It just so happens that last night I went back to Madison Square Garden for the first time since 1983 and found my muse... Billy Joel.
So without further ado, and with the help of the play list from a true New York legend, ladies and gentleman, your 2015 New York Mets.
Miami 2017 - The Marlins
"They said that Queens could stay, and blew the Bronx away"
A bit of an omen, this song has become. I imagine the Marlins will be pretty darn good in 2017, assuming they don't trade half the team by then. The Marlins have always been a hemorrhoid to the Mets, a real pain in the ass. Even in the Mets good seasons. These two franchises are both emerging right now, both expected to battle for 2nd place in the division. It should be fun to watch them battle this year and on into 2017.
For the Mets to be good this year, Curtis Granderson needs to do more than last year's .227/.326/.388, 20 HR, 66 rbi output. In order to help get that done (and to get the boo birds off his back) the Mets moved in the fences in right and hired Grandy's favorite hitting coach, Kevin Long. Even Viola Davis didn't give Emma Stone that much help. So far so good for Curtis as he's hitting .440 with 8 extra base hits this spring. We'll see if it carries over to the regular season. If it doesn't, Curtis may have to close up shop, sell the house and buy a ticket to the west coast.
Everyone goes south every now and then.
You’ve done it. Why can’t someone else.
You should know by now.
You’ve been there yourself. "
Blevins is an actual stranger to Mets fans as he was acquired just last week. They needed lefty relief help like Daryl Dixon needs his bow and arrows. So Blevins will be asked to get out the tough lefties in the division like Harper, Utley, Howard and Freeman. He'll probably go south every now and then, but he will play a big role in the Mets success this season.
Summer, Highland Falls (not played) - Jenry Mejia
(***at his concerts Billy Joel does a fan vote for some of the songs to play. the songs I've designated as "not played" were the losers when he did a fans choice." ***)
"For we are always what our situations hand us.
Its either sadness or euphoria"
Coney Island's roller coaster got off to a shaky start in 2015, let's hope 21 miles away Mejia isn't too much of a thrill-ride for the Mets.
Vienna - Noah Syndergaard
"Slow down you’re doing fine
You can’t be everything you want to be before your time"
Godot, Guffman, Syndergaard. It's an illustrious list of those we have been waiting for. But there's no need for the Mets to rush Noah. In a town where people like to say "Hit me!", Syndergaard did just that a little too much last year in AAA Las Vegas. The big, blonde righty phenom allowed an opponent's batting average of .293. Yes, it's a hitter league, but there was still not enough dominance or maturity seen to warrant a September call-up. So he starts this season back in AAA and his time will come. Noah, you got your passion and you got your pride... Citi Field waits for you.
Zanzibar - Duda
"Me, I'm trying just to get to second base
And I'd steal it if she only gave the sign
She's gonna give the go head
The inning isn't over yet for me, for me"
Big Lucas only has 5 steals in 5 seasons, so don't expect "she" or Tim Teuful to be sending Duda the steal sign very often. What he will get is a lot of green lights and a lot of chances to do damage. Duda's slash line with RISP last season was an impressive .301/.441/.659 with an OPS of 1.100. The Mets will sign up for a whole lot more of that this year. A scout told ESPN NY's Adam Rubin that Duda should benefit from Long's instruction as well (not to mention the shorter fences). He'll get a chance to prove he can hit lefties (just .180 last season) when the season starts, but it's realistic to think he can hit another 25-30 HRs for the Mets.
"What else have I got
That I'd be trying to hide.
Maybe a blind spot
I haven't seem from the sensitive side."
As we learned in the book about Alderson, Baseball Maverick, the Mets G.M. has no issue speaking his mind. We've actually known this about the former marine, but sometimes his radio interviews and press conferences are so stale, we forget that he is capable of being extremely blunt and occasionally funny. He has little to hide and doesn't seem like the sensitive kind. But make no bones about it, Alderson is the big man in the Mets organization and their success this season may be largely predicated on how he handles the roster. The trades for the lefty relievers were smart, tinkering type moves that can make a difference. How long will he keep Gee around? How long until he decides it's time for Matz or Syndergaard to come up? Will he deal d'Arnaud or Plawecki or a pitching prospect at the deadline if the Mets are in the hunt? Alderson strikes me as a guy who gets a little brasher as his teams get better.
An Innocent Man - Daniel Murphy
"But I've been there and if I can surviveI can keep you alive
I'm not above going through it again
I'm not above being cool for a while
If you're cruel to me I'll understand"
The Mets seem to like, but not love, Daniel Murphy. Kind of like how every girl in high school felt about me. The Mets will go through it again, having him man second base. Murph will be cool about it for a while, hit .290-.310 without a lot of pop. He'll play adequate second base. And in the end, Alderson will probably be cruel to him at some point, dealing him away and asking Muno, Reynolds or Herrera to take over.
"Baby all the lights are turned on you
Now you're in the center of the stage
Everything revolves on what you do
Ah, you are in your prime; you've come of age."
Juan burst on to the Citi scene last year playing arguably the best defensive center field Mets fans have ever seen. His non-dropped balls to dropped-jaws ratio was off the charts. He covered more distance in New York than the marathon winner. He robbed more guys than Butch and Sundance. He gunned down more dudes than Capone. He was great. This spring he looks thicker and extremely patient at the plate. The Mets have seen enough to give him a new deal. Look for the Lagares jersey/shirt to be among the Mets top sellers this season. It's spring... love is in the air and as we know, if it's in the air, Juan is going to catch it.
You’ve Lost That Loving Feeling - the fans
"Bring back that loving’ feeling
whoa, that loving’ feein’"
Billy broke into this in the middle of the show. The crowd loved it.
This is not a shot at the Mets fans, more of a plea. This season has a chance to have a "Mets in '84" kind of vibe. Citi should be rocking on the nights Harvey and deGrom pitch and if the Mets are winning, most nights as the season progresses. This team is ready to start winning games. Mets fans have been waiting. I'm taking my 12-year old to opening day this year. It'll be the first time he's been at Citi when it's sold out. Hopefully there are a lot of nights this year when Citi rocks the way Shea Stadium used to.
The Entertainer - Matt Harvey
"I am the entertainer
The idol of my age
I make all kinds of money
When I go on the stage
Ah, you've seen me in the papers
I've been in the magazines..."
He's back and damn if he doesn't look fantastic. One of the great mantles in sports is the New York City Studly Athlete Who Owns the Town mantle. Among the notables; Joe DiMaggio, Mickey Mantle, Frank Gifford, Clyde Frazier, Joe Namath, Ron Dougay, Pat Cummings, Derek Jeter, Henrik Lundqvist... and now Matt Harvey. If there is an awesome oyster somewhere, all the other oysters say "The world is his Matt Harvey." He has looked amazing this spring, almost too good. You know it can't be that easy for him to pick up where he left off after missing all of 2014. But man if it isn't great to have him back, to have a "The Man" on the team. From Seaver to Gooden to Pedro (in 2005) the Mets have had their share of "Alter your plans because this guy is pitching tonight" starters. Harvey has that mantle now too. He is our entertainer and his return has all Mets fans entertaining thoughts of the playoffs.
New York State of Mind - Michael Cuddyer
"Been high in the Rockys under the evergreens.
I know what I'm needin', and I don't want to waste more time.
I'm in a New York state of mind."
This one was a layup. He left the Rockies to come to the Mets. He traded in the evergreens for the blue and orange. Many people thought the contract was a bad one. I liked it because it gave the Mets balance in the lineup, another veteran in the locker room and what the folks like to call a "professional hitter." So far Cuddyer has looked great, hitting .293 with 6 homers in the spring. He can handle the outfield and play first for Duda against tough lefties. Cuddyer has more value for the Mets in the next two seasons than the draft pick they gave up for him. And there's this... Cuddyer is a magician. He does tricks all the time. The Mets slogan in 1980 was "The Magic is Back!" In 1988 there was a sign atop Shea Stadium that read "The Magic is Real - Catch it!" And...AND... in center field they have a big top hat, like the one magicians use. So if that doesn't mean Cuddyer will be a good fit, then I don't know what does.
This one was a layup. He left the Rockies to come to the Mets. He traded in the evergreens for the blue and orange. Many people thought the contract was a bad one. I liked it because it gave the Mets balance in the lineup, another veteran in the locker room and what the folks like to call a "professional hitter." So far Cuddyer has looked great, hitting .293 with 6 homers in the spring. He can handle the outfield and play first for Duda against tough lefties. Cuddyer has more value for the Mets in the next two seasons than the draft pick they gave up for him. And there's this... Cuddyer is a magician. He does tricks all the time. The Mets slogan in 1980 was "The Magic is Back!" In 1988 there was a sign atop Shea Stadium that read "The Magic is Real - Catch it!" And...AND... in center field they have a big top hat, like the one magicians use. So if that doesn't mean Cuddyer will be a good fit, then I don't know what does.
Downeaster Alexa - Dan Warthen
"I've got bills to pay and children who need clothes
I know there's fish out there but where God only knows
They say these waters aren't what they used to be
But I've got people back on land who count on me"
We are all counting on you, Dan. Our big fishes from little ponds need to be big fishes in a huge pond. You've done well so far, more success than failures. But with Harvey, deGrom, Wheeler, Syndergaard, Matz, Montero and others, you can be the leader of an amazing pitching staff for years to come. Besides, you look like you could be the Gorton's fisherman, so you get this song.
We are all counting on you, Dan. Our big fishes from little ponds need to be big fishes in a huge pond. You've done well so far, more success than failures. But with Harvey, deGrom, Wheeler, Syndergaard, Matz, Montero and others, you can be the leader of an amazing pitching staff for years to come. Besides, you look like you could be the Gorton's fisherman, so you get this song.
Where’s the Orchestra - Danny Muno/Matt Reynolds/Steve Matz
"I like the scenery Even though, I have absolutely no, idea at all,
What is being said, despite the dialogue..."
At some point this season of those guys could become significant players for the Mets. They'll get called up and find themselves in the middle of the Big Apple, with it's lights and sounds and distinct dialogues. Their heads will probably spin for a while, but hopefully they'll settle in and make an impact.
"For the promises our teachers gave
If we worked hard
If we behaved"
Niese is kind of the forgotten pitcher in the Mets rotation. Harvey and deGrom get the headlines, Colon gets the ridicule and Gee gets the "how do you handle the trade talk?" questions. Niese is a hard worker who may or may not have lashed out at Terry Collins last year. He got testy with the media last year during the Warthen/Dice-K controversy. He has a a little piss and vinegar in him, which I like. The Mets need him to be tough like a coal miner and not forgotten like coal mining towns like Allentown. I like Niese. I think he'll have a good season. As we know, it's hard to keep a good man down.
Niese is kind of the forgotten pitcher in the Mets rotation. Harvey and deGrom get the headlines, Colon gets the ridicule and Gee gets the "how do you handle the trade talk?" questions. Niese is a hard worker who may or may not have lashed out at Terry Collins last year. He got testy with the media last year during the Warthen/Dice-K controversy. He has a a little piss and vinegar in him, which I like. The Mets need him to be tough like a coal miner and not forgotten like coal mining towns like Allentown. I like Niese. I think he'll have a good season. As we know, it's hard to keep a good man down.
Running On Ice - Terry Collins
"There's a lot of tension in this town
I know it's building up inside of me
I've got all the symptoms and the side effects
Of city life anxiety
Sometimes I feel as though I'm running on ice
Paying the price too long
Kind of get the feeling that I'm running on ice"
Billy claimed last night was the first time they ever performed this song live. Who knows if it's true but it's on my list of favorite unsung Billy Joel songs.
By all accounts, this season is put up or shut up time for Collins. Alderson admitted in the book that he was closer to firing Collins than he publicly let on. Collins has admitted if the team doesn't improve significantly this year, he should be replaced. Fan favorite Wally Backman has been waiting in the wings like Kanye at an awards show.
Collins has had a run of "he did well considering all the injuries" seasons. You only get to play that card so many times. Collins is running on ice and it' may be pretty thin.
Billy claimed last night was the first time they ever performed this song live. Who knows if it's true but it's on my list of favorite unsung Billy Joel songs.
By all accounts, this season is put up or shut up time for Collins. Alderson admitted in the book that he was closer to firing Collins than he publicly let on. Collins has admitted if the team doesn't improve significantly this year, he should be replaced. Fan favorite Wally Backman has been waiting in the wings like Kanye at an awards show.
Collins has had a run of "he did well considering all the injuries" seasons. You only get to play that card so many times. Collins is running on ice and it' may be pretty thin.
Movin’ Out - Dillon Gee
"He's tradin' in his Chevy for a Cadillac"
Dillon Gee is a Chevy. 40-34, 3.91 era, 103 starts in 5 seasons (is that all you get for your money?) Syndergaard, Matz, Montero. Those guys have potential to be Cadillac-ack-ack-ack-ack-acks.
At some point this season Gee is will be movin' out.
Dillon Gee is a Chevy. 40-34, 3.91 era, 103 starts in 5 seasons (is that all you get for your money?) Syndergaard, Matz, Montero. Those guys have potential to be Cadillac-ack-ack-ack-ack-acks.
At some point this season Gee is will be movin' out.
She’s Always a Woman - Jacob deGrom
"She is frequently kind and she's suddenly cruel,
She can do as she pleases, she's nobody's fool,
But she can't be convicted, she's earned her degree,
And the most she will do is throw shadows at you."
Part of the reason he gets this song is the long hair, but the rest is about the words. deGrom is an easy natured person, but his sinker is suddenly cruel. There were many times last season the Rookie of the Year did as he pleased and certainly was nobody's fool. He did in fact earn his degree and the most he will do is throw fastballs by you. My biggest concern with deGrom is that as the league sees him more his strikeout rate will drop and he'll induce more grounders, which could be dicey with a Flores/Murphy middle infield.
Part of the reason he gets this song is the long hair, but the rest is about the words. deGrom is an easy natured person, but his sinker is suddenly cruel. There were many times last season the Rookie of the Year did as he pleased and certainly was nobody's fool. He did in fact earn his degree and the most he will do is throw fastballs by you. My biggest concern with deGrom is that as the league sees him more his strikeout rate will drop and he'll induce more grounders, which could be dicey with a Flores/Murphy middle infield.
Highway to Hell - Wilmer Flores
"Living easy, lovin' free
Season ticket on a one-way ride
Asking nothing, leave me be
Taking everything in my stride
Don't need reason, don't need rhyme
Ain't nothing I would rather do
Going down, party time"
Joel introduced this one as a nice "holiday song for the Easter and Passover weekend" and then brought out a roadie named Chainsaw who absolutely crushed Highway to Hell, much to the delight of everyone.
Flores is living easy and lovin' free. He's been anointed the new shortstop with no reason to look over his shoulder. Anyone who has seen him play this spring can see he has improved defensively. He's not Rey Ordonez or Jose Reyes, but he's not Todd Hundley in left field either. The Mets have had defensively adequate guys play short over the years. Kevin Mitchell and Howard Johnson come to mind. Flores needs to be adequate in the field and better than that offensively to have true value for the Mets.
We Didn’t Start the Fire - Familia, Carlyle, A Torres, Gilmartin, Black, C Torres, Parnell, Montero
Flores is living easy and lovin' free. He's been anointed the new shortstop with no reason to look over his shoulder. Anyone who has seen him play this spring can see he has improved defensively. He's not Rey Ordonez or Jose Reyes, but he's not Todd Hundley in left field either. The Mets have had defensively adequate guys play short over the years. Kevin Mitchell and Howard Johnson come to mind. Flores needs to be adequate in the field and better than that offensively to have true value for the Mets.
We Didn’t Start the Fire - Familia, Carlyle, A Torres, Gilmartin, Black, C Torres, Parnell, Montero
"We didn't start the fire
No we didn't light it
But we tried to fight it..."
As the 2014 season progressed, the bullpen became a strength. They moved on from Kyle Farnsworth and Jose Valverde and started giving the ball to Familia, Mejia and Black. The Mets are opening the season with an 8-man pen that will likely get plenty of work. Harvey is on a 90-pitch limit in April, Gee spent part of his spring as a reliever and is still working back up to starting, Bartolo will be a mystery and after their first day off on April 8 (the day after the opener) they only have 1 day off until May 4th. That's 25 games in 26 days. It's likely the bullpen will get a lot of work. Terry Collins will be rattling off names like "Sean Gilmartin, Shake Shack, both Torres, Vic Black,
Bobby Parnell, J Familia and Montero. We didn't start the fire.... "
(***by the way, Familia is a red flag to me heading into the season. I try not to get worked up about spring training, but he couldn't get anyone out. Something to watch here in April.***)
As the 2014 season progressed, the bullpen became a strength. They moved on from Kyle Farnsworth and Jose Valverde and started giving the ball to Familia, Mejia and Black. The Mets are opening the season with an 8-man pen that will likely get plenty of work. Harvey is on a 90-pitch limit in April, Gee spent part of his spring as a reliever and is still working back up to starting, Bartolo will be a mystery and after their first day off on April 8 (the day after the opener) they only have 1 day off until May 4th. That's 25 games in 26 days. It's likely the bullpen will get a lot of work. Terry Collins will be rattling off names like "Sean Gilmartin, Shake Shack, both Torres, Vic Black,
Bobby Parnell, J Familia and Montero. We didn't start the fire.... "
(***by the way, Familia is a red flag to me heading into the season. I try not to get worked up about spring training, but he couldn't get anyone out. Something to watch here in April.***)
"And I've been searching for something
Taken out of my soul
Something I would never lose
Something somebody stole"
In the middle of the night... I go walking in my sleep. Through the desert of truth to the river so deep.
Scenes From an Italian Restaurant - Bartolo Colon
"A bottle of red, a bottle of white
It all depends upon your appetite
I'll meet you any time you want
In our Italian Restaurant."
Too easy, I know.
In Tom Glavine's age 41 season with the Mets he went 13-8, 4.45 era, 219 hits allowed, 64 walks and 89 Ks in 200 IP. In Colon's age 41 season he went 15-13, 4.09 era, 218 hits, 30 walks and 151 Ks in 202 IP. Advantage, Bart. Colon is getting the ball on opening day, but he is their 4th most important starter behind Harvey, deGrom and Niese. If Colon can give them 180-200 innings and keep the implosion starts to a minimum (he had 5 last year) he'll be a big hit at the Parkway Diner.
Piano Man - David Wright
Too easy, I know.
In Tom Glavine's age 41 season with the Mets he went 13-8, 4.45 era, 219 hits allowed, 64 walks and 89 Ks in 200 IP. In Colon's age 41 season he went 15-13, 4.09 era, 218 hits, 30 walks and 151 Ks in 202 IP. Advantage, Bart. Colon is getting the ball on opening day, but he is their 4th most important starter behind Harvey, deGrom and Niese. If Colon can give them 180-200 innings and keep the implosion starts to a minimum (he had 5 last year) he'll be a big hit at the Parkway Diner.
Piano Man - David Wright
"Son, can you play me a memory
I'm not really sure how it goes
But it's sad and it's sweet and I knew it complete
When I wore a younger man's clothes."
Joel's iconic song for the Mets iconic player. All Mets fans want Wright to play them a memory, turn back the clock to 2012 when he produced a line of .306, 21 HR. 93 rbi. Wright has looked healthy this spring, driving the ball with authority to right field, a long-time indicator that his swing is grooved and he is feeling good. With Duda, Cuddyer and Granderson in the lineup there is the potential for protection around Wright like he hasn't had in quite some time. Wright is the only guy on the team who has experienced the playoffs for the Mets. He knows how exciting the city and Citi can and could be if the team is good. He also knows his clock is ticking. I think that urgency will benefit him and his teammates. If Wright can give the Mets a .280, 20 HR, 90 rbi season then John at the bar, Paul the real estate novelist, Davy in the navy and every other Mets fan will be singing his praises.
Joel's iconic song for the Mets iconic player. All Mets fans want Wright to play them a memory, turn back the clock to 2012 when he produced a line of .306, 21 HR. 93 rbi. Wright has looked healthy this spring, driving the ball with authority to right field, a long-time indicator that his swing is grooved and he is feeling good. With Duda, Cuddyer and Granderson in the lineup there is the potential for protection around Wright like he hasn't had in quite some time. Wright is the only guy on the team who has experienced the playoffs for the Mets. He knows how exciting the city and Citi can and could be if the team is good. He also knows his clock is ticking. I think that urgency will benefit him and his teammates. If Wright can give the Mets a .280, 20 HR, 90 rbi season then John at the bar, Paul the real estate novelist, Davy in the navy and every other Mets fan will be singing his praises.
Uptown Girl - whoever Matt Harvey is dating this month.
This song was written by Joel about his relationships with Elle McPherson AND Christie Brinkley. If you don't know who those people are, Google them. Interesting how you can't spell Google without the word Ogle, which is what you'll be doing at the pictures of McPherson and Brinkley and whatever girlfriend(s) of Harvey end up on Page 6 this season.
This song was written by Joel about his relationships with Elle McPherson AND Christie Brinkley. If you don't know who those people are, Google them. Interesting how you can't spell Google without the word Ogle, which is what you'll be doing at the pictures of McPherson and Brinkley and whatever girlfriend(s) of Harvey end up on Page 6 this season.
It’s Still Rock and Roll to Me - Travis d'Arnaud
"Don't waste your money on a new set of speakers
You get more mileage from a cheap pair of sneakers"
You May Be Right - Kirk Niuewenhuis
"You may be right
I may be crazy
But it just may be a lunatic you're looking for
It's too late to fight
It's too late to change me
You may be wrong for all I know
But you may be right."
Kirk has always seemed to have a little crazy in him. It's probably the football player in him. His fantastic beard this spring helps too. What about the Mets? Were they a little crazy for keeping Kirk over den Dekker? Maybe. It may have been the Nats didn't want Kirk. Regardless, Nieuwenhuis put up a solid .482 slugging percentage in 130 plate appearances last season. He's their 4th outfielder but will likely get a lot of the important pinch-hit appearances throughout the season and in those spots, it just may be a lunatic the Mets are looking for.
Only the Good Die Young - Zack Wheeler
"You know that only the good die young
Only the good die young
Only the good
Only the good die young
Only the good
Only the good die young"
Figuratively, of course. Wheeler's season died a few weeks ago when it was learned he needed Tommy John surgery. The Mets and their fans will have to wait another year-plus until they can have their dynamic duo of Harvey and Wheeler in the same rotation. So far they have been pitching for the Mets at the same time for a total of 17 starts. So Wheeler will have to wait and watch, just like Harvey did last year.
But what will he be watching? Will he be watching his mates play playoff baseball?
No more song and dance from me, it's time for the official prediction.
I've wrestled with this for weeks and admittedly, my passion may be creeping in here, but I'm going with 85 wins. That probably won't be enough to make the playoffs, but it will make September interesting. And it'll do this. It will help the Mets take a step toward taking back the city from the Yankees. A tall task to be sure, but even Billy Joel says it in a song,
"They said that Queens could stay, and blew the Bronx away"
Figuratively, of course. Wheeler's season died a few weeks ago when it was learned he needed Tommy John surgery. The Mets and their fans will have to wait another year-plus until they can have their dynamic duo of Harvey and Wheeler in the same rotation. So far they have been pitching for the Mets at the same time for a total of 17 starts. So Wheeler will have to wait and watch, just like Harvey did last year.
But what will he be watching? Will he be watching his mates play playoff baseball?
No more song and dance from me, it's time for the official prediction.
I've wrestled with this for weeks and admittedly, my passion may be creeping in here, but I'm going with 85 wins. That probably won't be enough to make the playoffs, but it will make September interesting. And it'll do this. It will help the Mets take a step toward taking back the city from the Yankees. A tall task to be sure, but even Billy Joel says it in a song,
"They said that Queens could stay, and blew the Bronx away"
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