The Many Mindsets of a Mets Fan

As a huge fan, I was excited to watch the Mets beat the Phillies last night, the first of a 3 game series against the NL East leader, bringing the Mets to within 4 games of first place. It is obviously still early in the season but this is a critical series against almost everyone’s pre-season pick to win the NL East. At the same time, I remain cautious.

The Emotional Roller Coaster of Baseball

In only 47 games this season, the Mets have had one 8-game winning streak and one skid where they lost 8 of 11. At times I have believe this group of guys can make it into the playoffs, like when they won their 8th straight game against the Phillies and at other times I have trouble believing this is a major league team, like when they lost a game on a wild pitch. Because of this extreme inconsistency, which is not at all uncommon for the Mets, I have over the years (since becoming a Mets fan in 2001) developed many different mindsets that over the course of the season I’ve see the Mets through.

1. The “This Year Is Different” Mindset

This mindset usually begins during the off-season when the Mets go out and sign some big name free-agent (e.g. Calros Beltran). This also happens at some point during the season when we begin to see a top prospect start to play really well (e.g. David Wright, Ike Davis). We begin to believe that the Mets newest moves made during the off-season and the growth of their youth is enough to make this year different, taking the Mets to the playoffs.

2. The “Cautiously Optimistic” Mindset

This occurs when we realize that this year’s team really isn’t that different but for some reason they are playing better. We can’t really explain it and so we are cautious about getting too excited but are still optimistic. I felt this way during the 8-game winning streak earlier this season, believing that maybe this team could actually be competitive.

3. The “I’m a Believer” Mindset

This mindset, which I have slowly lost over the years as a result of some tough seasonal endings (think ‘07 and ‘08), occurs when the team is playing poorly and everyone is saying the Mets are through. Yet, us fanatics don’t listen. We just respond with “Ya Gotta Believe.”

4. The “This Team Is Over-Performing and I’m Scared” Mindset

This is when every Mets fan knows the team doesn’t have what it takes and yet management is still dreaming (and has high hopes for potential September and playoff ticket sale revenues). So the management decides that it is worth compromising the teams future (e.g. trading top prospect Scott Kazmir for Victor Zambrano) to make a run at the title. Compromising the future makes sense when you have a real chance at making the playoffs but makes little sense when the team is over-performing. I hate to say it but at times I have hoped that the Mets would lose realizing that they aren’t a good team and worried that management is going to compromise their future. This attitude by management is made worse by the fact that the Mets are in New York and there is a sense that we need to compete every year. At times, I wish that the Mets would just realize they need to rebuild and get it over with instead of putting out mediocre teams every year.

5. The “Thank God It’s Over” Mindset

This sets in after management finally realizes it’s too late to make a run at it. It is somewhat relieving to know that it is finally over with and we won’t have to go through more emotional turmoil for at least 6 months.

What do you think? Can you relate? If you believe this year is different or you are cautiously optimistic, or even if you are rooting for the Mets to lose, you should head out to see the Mets-Phillies game tonight or tomorrow night for what should be some very entertaining baseball. If you can’t make it to one of those games or you want to go see your own team, don’t worry. SeatGeek also offers great deals on tickets for all teams.