Ya Gotta Believe: New York Mets '09

(Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

With the New York Mets 10.5 games back of the Phillies in the NL East heading into August, there is reason to doubt that they will make the playoffs this season. Shy of the Wild Card by six games, things are looking pretty bleak for the Mets right now.

Plagued by injuries, the Mets have lost Reyes, Beltran, Delgado, Maine and Putz; many of their best performers. Jerry sends out a AAA lineup every day, doing everything he can to produce with the lineup he is granted. Somewhere in the system there is something going wrong. Will the firing of Tony Bernazard spark success for the Amazins'? Will a hot streak bring back memories of the Miracle Mets of '69?

There is reason for hope.

So many Met fans have given up on the season already. It is easy to say that they are far below expectations this season, considering all the hype around them when the season began. We, as die-hard fans, always look for someone to blame.

We cannot blame anyone until the Mets, hypothetically speaking, are mathematically eliminated. I feel like so many fans get down so easily. Yet, if the Mets find a hot streak, we will suddenly believe they are the future world champs.

My only advice is to stop making assumptions. There are many things wrong with the team right now, but there are also many great things happening every day. Francouer has already proven himself, Tatis comes through with a pinch-hit grand slam, and Niese delivers a stellar performance.

Part of what makes the Mets so special is their ability to make us fans go crazy. They are a rollercoaster ride every season. Perhaps this is the year where they get hot in September and the Phillies collapse. You never know.

In the words of the great Tug Mcgraw, "Ya gotta believe."

I feel like so many fans are losing faith but we must hold on until the end. You never know what could happen, right? Never Shea die.

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