Mets chief operating officer Wilpon seems to have given up on the season
New York Mets fans have suffered through four consecutive sub-.500 seasons, and they’re headed for a fifth straight year with more losses than wins, sporting a 20-29 record. With the exception of some bright pitching stars and David Wright, Mets fans don’t have much to give them faith. In case that wasn’t tough enough to swallow, Mets fans learned Tuesday that the ownership doesn’t have much faith, either.
Mets chief operating officer Jeff Wilpon was at Citi Field Tuesday night for the pregame ceremony honoring Yankees closer Mariano Rivera, who was throwing out the ceremonial first pitch in his final game at Citi Field. Wilpon chatted with Rivera, but things took a turn for the awkward, with Wilpon essentially implying that he, too, has given up on the season.
“Wish we could see you in the World Series,” Wilpon said to Rivera. “But I’m not sure that’s going to happen.”
Well then.
“You never know,” Rivera said, attempting to salvage the uncomfortable situation, but Wilpon’s comments couldn’t be unsaid.
It’s probably safe to say that most Mets fans aren’t expecting a pennant race this year, sitting in fourth place in the NL East, only ahead of the Miami Marlins (13-39) and having only a 3 percent chance of making the postseason. But hearing that a team executive doesn’t have much faith either is a bit of a crushing blow.
If it were September, it would be more acceptable to rule out the playoffs. But it is May. The Mets proved last night that anything is possible in baseball, with a 2-1 walkoff win over the Yankees — Rivera’s first blown save of the season. But when the only thing drawing fans to the ballpark is Matt Harvey every fifth day, you’re going to need to be more positive than a flippant “not sure that’s going to happen” if you want to fill seats. If the ownership doesn’t believe in the team, why should the fans?
