Breath of Fresh Air

By Ryan “The Goose” Gosiker

Sitting back, watching the Mets just about every night was becoming an issue as they struggled mightily to start the season and then had maybe the worst May by a team in recent memory. They have blown 11 saves to this point in the season. Some teams don’t reach that total for an entire season. Then, on May 29th, reliever Jorge Lopez was ejected during a 10-3 beat down from the visiting Los Angeles Dodgers and promptly threw his glove into the stands. He was designated for assignment and off the team. The veterans in the clubhouse called a players only meeting. Those are used as ways for players to rally together before speaking to the media and moving forward. Since that meeting, the Mets are 15-6. Grimace is their new mascot. Francisco Alvarez is back and the team’s record with him in the lineup is absurd. Edwin Diaz has returned to the bullpen looking fresher although now he serves a 10-game suspension for a “sticky stuff” violation found on his hand before last Sunday’s appearance in Chicago. The offense has been a huge key for this team. They ranked in the top half of baseball over the last month or so. Francisco Lindor has found a home at the top of the lineup as the leadoff hitter. Brandon Nimmo is owning his role in the 2 slot. JD Martinez should have been on this team in 2022 but is a breath of fresh air now especially in the leadership category. Pete Alonso has started to find his swing again as his contract situation looms over him for the whole season. Alvarez has been terrific offensively but his defense and ability to work with the entire staff is admirable just a couple years removed from scouts telling fans he wasn’t a suitable defender. Mark Vientos has snatched the starting role from Brett Baty and is crushing baseballs lately. Starling Marte had been hitting the cover off the ball before he injured his knee. As we all know, the season is a marathon, not a sprint. This team has plenty of time to shape how we remember 2024. They have time before David Stearns and Steve Cohen have to decide to buy or sell at the trade deadline. The ball is in the player’s court. If they play well and remain in the Wild Card race which they put themselves front and center in with this recent run of wins or they go back to what May was and the Mets sell off their veterans for prospects. We would all choose the first because we need exciting baseball in NY that isn’t just blue and white pinstripes. The Mets have turned their season around and have fans believing again. Check out my sports show: “Game Time with The Goose” every Saturday from 8:00 to 9:00 AM on WTBQ AM 1110 FM 93.5 and on WGHT Radio with co-host Zach Kruk, Sports Director of WTBQ and WGHT!