Ideal Hoops and distracted by the New York Mets. This is despite the instant classic WNBA Game 1 Final, whereby the Minnesota Lynx upset the New York Liberty in Brooklyn. Game 2 is today.
The New York Mets (NYM) are the Muse’s favorite sports team of all time since their 1962 inception as a franchise. As a kid we watched WOR on Channel 9. Summer days were spent at a nearby park on asphalt developing individual basketball skills. Too young for work or a job. Evenings were spent listening to the Mets original broadcast team of Lindsey Nelson, Ralph Kiner, and Bob Murphy. They each called three-innings, then passed the TV broadcast baton and called radio for three-innings, then rotated again. We played outside all day. Hoop, swim, hoop, dinner, walk to the Ice Cream Parlor (that in fact was its name) and get a pint to go for $0.49. Then tune into the Met game and Channel 9, WOR TV broadcast for the evening. We ate the whole pint during the game. We tried all of the ice cream flavors too. My Father declared that we were a National League household, so there was no viewing the Yankees or Red Sox. The next day, repeat the above.
We stayed up for Kiner’s Korner. Where postgame, Ralph Kiner interviewed two players from the winning team. It was a tiny room with wood paneling, bar stool chairs, and bright lights. The Muse never saw Ralph play, but my Dad told me how great he was for the Pittsburgh Pirates. A home run king on a mediocre team. Ralph was a gentleman. Players were always polite, thoughtful, respectful, and accommodating to Ralph’s questions and easygoing way. Gifts were Longines’ watches, or gift certificates from Manufacturer’s Hanover or Beefsteak Charlies. Guests seemed truly appreciative of the gifts and opportunity to appear on the program. The theme song to Kiner’s Korner was “Flag of Victory Polka.” The Met’s wrap up show was truly a precursor to ESPN’s SportsCenter.
Attending college in New Jersey during the late-70s with students from all over the country and the world, someone at an icebreaker asks the Muse “What is your favorite TV program?” Without hesitation, I said “Kiner’s Korner.” The worldly classmate was confused and befuddled. They had never heard of such a show. No clue what is was about. As a woman, I was not embarrassed either by blurting out some obscure, local sports, post-game interview show. As a freshman, the Muse had 11 other roommates. One, who remains a very special friend, was from Jamaica, NY, a Met’s fan, and loved left-hand pitcher, Jerry Koosman. She also knew about and enjoyed Kiner’s Korner, the Mets’ post-game TV program. A secret club of NY Mets fans was now formed at school. We reveled in the 1969 World Series championship memories. We cried at Tom Seaver being traded to the Cincinnati Reds. Spitting nails at Chairman of the Board, M. Donald Grant for orchestrating the 1977 Seaver move at the trade deadline. Blasphemy!
Fast-forward to this week 2024 with three (3) NYM champagne celebrations in 10-days. Future Hall of Famers (HOF), Jacob deGrom, Max Scherzer, and Justin Verlander wanted out of New York over the last 1.5-years. As NYM owner, Steve Cohen said “2024 will be a rebuilding year. Not a win now team or year is expected.” The future HOF pitchers all left NY. Sigh. Each for different reasons. They ALL spent considerable time during the 2024 season rehabilitating from chronic and new injuries. None were on a 2024 playoff roster. None were reliable starters in 2024 or in a regular pitching rotation for their new teams. Oh well. Their loss.
But the current roster of NYM rookies, cast-offs, journeyman, plus steady veterans have jelled and yielded the best Major League Baseball (MLB) comradery, winning baseball, and success. They are going to the National League Championship Series (NLCS) to play the Los Angeles Dodgers (LAD)! This group feels like the 1969 team. David Stearns has avoided top-tier free agents, and made 13 waiver claims. The roster is intentionally cultivated. Who would have thought it possible?
In April and May the NYM lost a bunch of games. On May 14th, the Phillies’ Aaron Nola pitched a complete game 4-hit shutout against the Mets. The Muse was in attendance. Oh boy (9 Mets that played that day are not on their current playoff roster). At the end of May, their top player and MVP, Francisco Lindor was batting in the 0.100s. At the end of May, some Met pitcher with known personal and pitching control problems, threw his glove over the high backstop netting and into the stands. Saying, “Here, take this. Everything here $ucks, including me.” He was released immediately following the incident. The MLB parlance is DFA or Designated for Assignment. This means one is let go from the team. The wheels were coming off the NY Mets’ bus. A rookie Manager, Carlos Mendoza, a new President of Baseball Operations, David Stearns, a team playing poorly and making news for all of the wrong reasons. By Memorial Day, there would be no reason to keep following along.
Then on June 12th with a record of 28-37, a McDonald’s character, Grimace threw out the first pitch and the Mets win seven (7) straight games. The Mets then have the best record in baseball from that point forward (61-38)! Grimace becomes their good luck charm. Fans dress up as Grimace and attend games. The wins keep coming. The Mets installed a commemorative purple seat at Citi Field to recognize Grimace’s contributions this season.
A journeyman infielder, Jose Iglesias from Havana, Cuba is on his 7th team over 12 seasons. He was toiling in the minors, and didn’t make the NYM’s opening day roster. Iglesias is also a Latin pop-singer as a side hustle, with his hit OMG-Candelita (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xRzHD9i6CKQ). He was brought up in July and a major contributor with his bat and defense. OMG has become a Meme for this team. The party is never ending at Citi Field. What a group!
The come from behind heroics from Francisco Lindor and Pete Alonso reminds the Muse of Tug McGraw’s “Ya Gotta Believe!”
Now the Mets are playing the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NLCS. Maybe a Subway Series with the New York Yankees is possible. For now, Ideal Hoops must wait, while the Muse actively follows and is distracted by her lovable Mets.
image is from Wikipedia. No copyright infringement is intended.
