In 2002, the Mets tried to "catch-up" with the boys from the Bronx by bringing in big-name, high-priced talent, in an effort to derail the steamroller that is the Atlanta Braves. The Mets had finally begun to steal the back page of the New York tabloids, which is almost as important as winning the World Series. Hope began to flourish heading into spring training, as Mike Piazza finally had the talent surrounding him to make a run at the National League pennant, and more.
The problem is the all-star team put together was good enough to win on paper, or on "MLB 2003" for your video game console, but not on the field.
Then General Manager Steve Phillips did his best Brian Cashman impersonation in acquiring perennial all-star second baseman Roberto Alomar. In 2001, Alomar had an MVP season with the Cleveland Indians, batting .336, with 20 home runs and 100 runs batted in. Former Met reject Roger Cedeno headed back to Shea to be the speed on the base paths the Mets sorely lacked. Roger managed to swipe 55 bags in 2001 with Detroit. Jeromy Burnitz was the man designated to carry the big stick, coming off a 34 home run/100 RBI season in Milwaukee. Lest we forget big bad Mo Vaughn. I would supply you with his numbers from 2001, but there aren't any to report.
The buzz surrounding Shea Stadium was more deafening than the ringing in your ears after a Motorhead concert. Unfortunately, the feeling after the 2002 season left the same stomach pain after an all-night bender with Lemmy. The Mets finished the season 75-86, 26½ games behind the Atlanta Braves. As impressive as the stats were for the afore mentioned stars just a mere season ago, apparently their bizzaro persona stepped in and played the season for them.
Alomar finished the year with a .266 average, 11 home runs, and only 53 RBIs. Cedeno's stolen base total plunged to 25, while managing to bat only .260. Jeromy Burnitz did club 19 home runs, but he struck out a rather gaudy 135 times, while batting .215. Finally, Mo Vaughn played in 139 games, and struck out 145 times. The numbers could go on and on, but for a team that some projected to be the team to beat in the National League, something went terribly askew.
There's always next year, right? 2003 would be the year that Bobby Valentine would be given the pink slip, giving way to the anti-Valentine, Art Howe. Howe was coming off of back-to-back playoff runs with the "Moneyball" Oakland A's, and a four-year, $9 million dollar contract was certainly enticing enough to leave the Bay Area. The Mets managed to bring in left-hander Tom Glavine, and the pieces were still in place to take down the Braves.
A new season, a new attitude, maybe 2002 was just an aberration. That was certainly true in one aspect, the Mets really were not as bad as they were in 2002, they were worse. They finished the season 66-95, and reclaimed their spot in the basement of the National League East. By midseason, GM Steve Phillips was gone. Alomar and Burnitz would soon follow, and Operation Payroll Slash was underway.
Mike Piazza missed most of the year with a torn groin muscle, and Mo Vaughn's days of rallying up to any all-you-can-eat buffet that would admit him finally caught up. You can find Vaughn doing most of his rehabilitation work these days at a very popular gentleman's club in the city that never sleeps.
Determined to change the face of a franchise marred in disillusion, new GM Jim Duquette brought in center fielder Mike Cameron, and prized shortstop Kaz Matsui to sure up a defense that resembled a turnstile at your local movie theater. The team decided that it would be best to shift Mike Piazza from catcher to first base, in an effort to prolong his career, as well as to get the most out of his bat.
The difference heading into the 2004 season was no one expected great things from the Mets. Their once decimated farm system was now replenished, their defense looked much improved on paper, and their veteran arms could at least make this bunch a factor down the stretch.
The Mets were only a mere game out of first place two days removed from the All-Star Break. They acquired pitchers Kris Benson and Victor Zambrano at the trading deadline, shocking the baseball world. The Mets are now just two games out of last place, Zambrano is on the disabled list, and Benson seems more inclined to skip town then to wallow in the flood engulfing Shea Stadium.
Art Howe is the latest head to roll, with his termination scheduled for October 4th. Howe may not be the entire problem plaguing the blue and orange, but he is certainly not apart of the solution. Injuries, squandered talent, as well as squandered finances have buried this team into a hole they will not climb out of in the near future.
The Mets' blatant refusal to stop competing with the Yankees has hindered their progress as a club for the last three years, and it will undoubtedly continue for years to come. The rallying cry for the Mets has always been "ya gotta believe" -- well, believe this: the only smile gracing the face of a Met fan belongs to Mr. Met, and even he wants to go to the Bronx.
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