A Riddle Wrapped In An Enigma Wrapped In A Mexican: Why I Love Ollie

Oliver Perez is back in the Mets rotation and I couldn’t be happier. 

Before we get too far, let’s make a few things clear.  

Yes, I realize Oliver Perez is nothing better than a mediocre pitcher. 

Yes, I realize he is a walk machine. 

Yes, I realize he is overpaid.

But since when has talent been the only reason to root for a guy.  I have a long history of rooting for some of the worst Mets so if you’re going to try and convince me to dislike Ollie I wish you good luck. 

It will not be easy to convince a guy who has spent the last decade rooting for the likes of Matt Franco, Chris Jones, Jose Vizcaino, Carlos Baerga, Carl Everett & Tsuyoshi Shinjo to name a few.

So how could someone honestly like Oliver Perez?  Let me explain:

1) He tries

No matter what Ollie is doing, he is doing it at 400 mph with his hair on fire.  Even when he is imploding on the mound he is working hard at imploding.  There’s something to be said about that.  I’m not sure what that would be but there must be something to be said about that… right?

2) He’s got style

Whether it’s his delivery, his body language or his Mohawk, Ollie has style.  When he’s on the mound there is no mistaking him.

3) He’s got stuff

Ollie has wicked stuff when he’s not walking the ballpark.  Some nights, the hitters have no idea what his pitches are doing.  Unfortunately, on many nights, neither does Ollie.

4) He thinks he can hit

Watching Ollie at the plate last night was one of the rare happy moments of the season for me.  Watching him stand there all crouched over fidgeting with the bat just brought a smile to my face.  This guy wants to succeed.  He’s not going to, but he wants to.

So before I head out to Citi field tonight in my #46 jersey, I will leave you with this.

Ollie is flawed.

Ollie is overpaid.

Ollie is over-hyped.

Ollie is the Mets.

But…

Ollie does have talent.

Ollie wants to win.

Ollie will die trying.

Ollie is the Mets.

My name is Randy Medina, and I love Ollie Perez.