LOOKING BACK ON THE FIRST HALF OF THE METS ROLLER COASTER SEASON

The thing about roller coasters is that they’re master manipulators of time. You wait in line forever, usually baking in the sun and once you’re actually on it, time slows down. What in reality takes two minutes can feel like a lifetime. This is especially true when you’re halfway through and you feel like it should be over. You’ve already experienced a lifetime of twists and turns, but there you are, slowly climbing up that hill again. This is exactly how Mets fans feel at midseason. After a long and arduous offseason, the Mets proceeded to be pronounced dead and alive again numerous times. They’ve cycled through numerous gimmicks, mascots and general identities. They went from having the best bullpen in baseball to the worst. The ups and downs have been insurmountable and this season has frankly felt like several. And we’re still only halfway through the ride, metal clanking underneath our seats, dreading what it’s going to look like at the top of the slope. While we make our slow ascent, I’d like to take a moment to look back on the best and worst of the season so far. 

 

Best Offseason Acquisition - JD Martinez

His power may be diminished, but everything else has been “as-advertised” for the veteran slugger. Along with his consistent numbers comes an intangible presence. He creates offensive production just from being there. He has stepped up and become a locker room leader. When the team was at rock bottom, he maintained a cool disposition and inspired his teammates to play like nobody’s watching, as they’ve already been factored out for the season. It’s not a coincidence that the team did a complete 360 after he made those comments. 

 

Most Improved - Mark Vientos

It’s a shame that his lackluster 2023 campaign can’t be erased, or else he’d be challenging Paul Skenes for the Rookie Of The Year Title. After 199 at-bats this season, it’s clear that the real Mark Vientos has arrived. His power has surpassed expectations and at the mid-season mark, he’s hitting a cool .291. At the beginning of the season, he was seen as more of a placeholder in the infield. Now he’s a bonafide staple.

 

Most Cooked - Jeff McNeil

We’ve been skating around the subject for a while now, but it appears that Jeff is actually gone and won’t be coming back. His batting average went out to get some smokes last year and now it’s looking grim. He has spent all year lost at the plate and in the field, it’s hard to tell where this squirrel could fly to. But he needs to fly somewhere…

 

Best Ballpark Promotion - Dollar Dog Night

As I’ve expressed before, I’ve never seen a ballpark more united and fun-loving than I did on Dollar Dog Night. At a rocky point in the season, this was the bargain and gimmick that the fanbase needed to remind themselves that it’s just baseball. Having formewr Veteran Of The Game, Seymour Weiner, promote it was just icing on the cake. I’ve never seen a baseball crowd so excited for something that wasn’t happening on the field. 

 

Best Unofficial Mascot - Grimace

Frankly, they’ve cycled through a lot of mascots this year. We had a dance troupe, an unfortunately named veteran, a rally pimp, a weiner dog and probably a few others that I’ve already forgotten. But nobody captured lightning in a bottle like Grimace did. Although they were already on an upswing, his appearance in early June kicked off a legendary run that put the team right back into contention. Grimace fever is still running wild long after the winning streak ended. Costumes have been bought, tattos have been inked and there’s a little figurine on my mantle that will always sit there to remind me of how fun June 2024 was. Thanks, Grimace. 

 

Worst Loss - 5/18 vs The Marlins

Sitting precariously at 20-25, the Mets needed this win. And they definitely had it in their grasp, leading 7-2 going into the 7th inning. Then Luis Severino and Edwin Díaz had epic meltdowns and they found themselves losing a 9-10 walkoff to the worst team in the division. This was rock bottom and a lot of fans vowed to tune out afterwards. It wasn’t until the aforementioned Grimace appeared two weeks later that the sun started shining in Flushing again. 

 

Most Surreal Moment - Jose Iglesias’ post game concert

It was pride night, fireworks night, the Astros were in town and the Mets stomped them 7-2 to go over .500 for the first time in almost two months. The vibes were already immaculate. And then after the game, the Citi Field crowd and the viewers at home that forgot to turn off Apple TV+ were treated to a post-game concert by Latin pop sensation and backup infielder, Jose Iglesias. The crowd went nuts, the team joined him on the field, the dance squad provided backup and it all ended in a giant group hug. It was apparent in this moment that this team was unlike any Mets team we’ve seen before it. These guys actually LIKE each other. It was a perfect way to cap off a whirlwind month. They may have went on a cold streak afterwards, but we’ll always have that moment to look back on.

 

Most Clutch Player - Brandon Nimmo

I saw a stat the other day that blew my mind. This season, with 2 outs and runners in scoring position, Brandon Nimmo is batting .389 with 7 doubles, a triple and 21 RBIs. While it’s easy to succumb to the pressure, Nimmo has relished in it and it’s a trend that’s been going upwards with him for years. Getting him out of the leadoff spot has done wonders for the team.

 

Best Sandwich - Comfortland’s Coca Cola Brisket Grilled Cheese

This is also the only sandwich that I ate at Citi this year. Are there better sandwiches to be had within the confines of the stadium? Probably. Will I be thinking about how good this sandwich was well into the offseason? Probably.

 

Player With The Most Pressure - Pete Alonso

In a contract year, this is not going the way Pete probably envisioned. His .240 batting average is an improvement over last year, but not by much. He’s on pace to hit only 38 home runs, his second lowest total in a full season. His rizz is seemingly gone and now he’s facing a harsh reality. In this day and age, low 200 hitters that mash 35 homers are a dime a dozen.The pressure is on for him to make a case for a good contract, because right now it doesn’t seem great.

 

Team MVP - Francisco Alvarez

His presence alone has bred success. The Mets are 26-13 in games that he started and that includes the 6 game losing streak to start the season. At .296, he’s one of their most consistent hitters. Behind the plate the starting pitching has produced a lot better. You can tell that he has the makings of a captain. The dude just understands baseball and has become a huge catalyst to their winning ways. It should also be noted that he came back just a day before Grimace made his appearance. And they also haven’t been seen in the same place. Not saying it’s suspicious, but it’s totally suspicious.

 

Best Dumpster Dive - Luis Torrens

I don’t know why the Yankees threw this young catcher in the trash, but it’s a decision that they’re already regretting. Luis stepped up when Francisco Alvarez went down with an injury and he’s been a spark plug every time they’ve decided to use him. He’s hitting for average in clutch situations, which would’ve been really good for a team that actively employs Austin Wells.

 

Pitcher Who Needs To Get Thrown Into The Sun - Adam Ottavino

There’s nothing in the world less valuable than a relief pitcher that offers zero relief. We’re not sure who he’s blackmailing into keeping a job, but he should just drop it so the Mets can drop him. My heart rate goes up every time his hand touches leather. It’s even worse when he does well, because that only guarantees him more opportunities to screw up again. His 4.84 ERA is going to get worse, but because of ________, we have to personally watch it happen.

 

Biggest Trade Deadline Need - Starting Pitching

But sadly, this is the case for a lot of teams right now. If the Mets want to be buyers and make a push (fingers firmly crossed), they’re going to need a piece or two to bulk up the rotation. Because as of right now, you have Luis Severino carrying all the weight and cracking in real time. If they can target somebody like Garrett Crochet, great things could and would happen.

 

Halfway through the ride, the Mets are sitting at 49-46. After an easy hill against the Marlins this weekend, they are in for a scary plummet, facing the likes of the Braves, Yankees and Twins to close out the month. We’re strapped in, we’re at the peak, there’s no jumping off the roller coaster now. It’s best to just hold on as we fly, crash and screech into October. Prepare for bumps and thrills accordingly.