Note: Hazing, just like Every September
The Mets, like most every team, do their ritual hazing of rookie in September, usually prior to their final road trip of the season.
Following yesterday’s game, the team’s youngest players, from Daniel Murphy to Nick Evans to Argenis Reyes, had to dress up as Olympic swimmers, wearing Speedos, swim caps and goggles, while waving an American flag, on 
their trip to Washington, D.C., for a four-game series with the Nationals that starts tonight.
In the New York Post, Bart Hubbuch describes the event by writing:
“Fresh off a ninth-inning bullpen meltdown yesterday that shrunk their NL East lead and woke the ghosts of last September’s collapse, the Mets couldn’t stop laughing afterward as they held an elaborate rookie hazing ritual.”
If they’re serious and quiet, they’ll be painted as being nervous, tight and showing no emotion – and that’s why they’re losing.
If they’re laughing, having fun and trying to be loose, they’ll be considered disconnected, blind and not caring enough – and that’s why they’re losing.
Pick a storyline and go with it, guys.
