The New York Mets' Amazing History
June 17, 2011
It all started as an innocent comment by Casey Stengel about the New York Mets' amazing ablility to lose in a variety of ways.
It would not take long before that comment took on a life of its own. Pretty soon the Mets were known as ''The Amazing Mets'' or just the ''Amazins.' Now all things in the Met universe are either amazingly good or bad.
Between 1962-65 it was amazing how the Mets lost 100 games per season, a dubious record that will likely never be broken.
In 1969, it was amazing how the Mets shocked the world without an established star on the team. (Naturally a couple months after man landed on the moon.)
In 1973, it was amazing how much every Met fan believed. "Ya Gotta Believe" still stirs emotion in Met fans, especially after Tug McGraw's passing in 2004.
In 1977, it was amazing how stubborn M. Donald Grant was. Trading Tom Seaver and Dave Kingman for next to nothing plunged the team into the abyss until the mid 80's.
In 1986, it was amazing how cocky, brash and successful they were. The Mets ended the year winning perhaps the most dramatic World Series ever.
In 2000, it was amazing how unknowns such as Timo Perez helped the team reach the World Series. Later, they were joined by the Yankees for the first "Subway Series" since 1955.
In 2007, it was amazing how the Mets collapsed, losing 12 of their final 17 games.
Now the Mets are coming back to Citi Field one game under .500.
Despite the Wilpon-Einhorn-Madoff mess, despite the mountain of injuries, despite their high-paid outfielder being anemic with the bat, despite their right-fielder having arthritic knees, despite all that the Mets find a way to scratch out wins.
No matter what they do the rest of the year, no one can deny their unexpected early-season success . Right when baseball insiders and fans say the're done, they come fighting back. And that might be the most amazing of all.