Opinion: Flipping the 33 percent
Over the past couple of weeks, I keep seeing what I believe to be new lows for the Mets.
The latest bottoming out to me was yesterday’s comedy of errors in the sixth inning, when the Mets dropped two fairly routine pop ups on the infield, in foul territory, endured an errant throw from their latest center fielder, and that errant throw was not able to be cut off by their latest first baseman.
Like I said last night, losing is one thing. It is fine to lose games playing the best they can possibly play or when the pitching gets hit really hard.
But from what took place last night, and a series of games dating back to the Luis Castillo dropped popup at Yankee Stadium, I am forced to believe that the club has not emphasised and exercised fundamental play dating back to February and play like that disappoints me and pains me.
The old adage in baseball is that a team will win 33 percent and lose 33 percent of their games. The fate of the team lies in what they do with the other 33 percent. The teams that can get the bunts down, catch and throw the ball consistently, and are good situational hitters win that 33 percent in my opinion.
Over the past week, we have seen what the Mets are doing with that other 33 percent. The inning in Milwaukee last Tuesday and of course last night are indicators.
It doesn’t take a superstar or even a regular player to avoid problems like this, and that is what gives me such heartache. The plays that the Mets have failed to execute, such as not being able to consistently lay down sacrifice bunts and the defensive lapses, specifically Nick Evans failing to cut the ball off yesterday in the sixth inning, are things that our coaches made us run miles for.
It is really hard to feel confident right now, and as the disappointment mounts, even I feel pessimistic even with the return of their regulars getting closer.
That said, I am very hopeful that the issue today is that the youth and professional inexperience is the cause, and that this group is learning as they go, and therefore the Mets can begin to win that “other” 33 percent of their games.
I am going to be patient with this current group and not ask Omar Minaya to do something hasty, despite the need for more offense and the need for more consistent starting pitching…I know I am in the minority but too many times have I seen this organization make bad moves in what seems to be a desperate situation, only to fall flat in the end.
The reason for that is I too watch these games and say “Jose Reyes would have beaten that out” or “Carlos Beltran would have caught that ball” but if I have to say things like that twice in one game I know that bringing in one guy like Adam Dunn, Alex Rios, or Matt Holliday will not solve their problems today and while I believe the Mets are able to make a move, they can only bring in one player of that caliber.
That said if a player is available that fits the teams mold for Citi Field and their long term goals, I am all for it, even if it means that the team won’t win in 2009.
