The Mets didn’t make the National League baseball playoffs. They should have. I’m a Mets fan, and this year has been great, with the Mets leading their division…up until last Friday.
Earlier this month, they were ahead seven games, with just 17 left to play. But they were in meltdown mode, losing games to the Nationals and Marlins, teams they had tromped all season. In all, they lost 12 of those last 17 games.
Fans can deal with their team losing, after all there can only be one World Series champion. But this was different. It was gut-wrenching, with more than one fan referencing ‘watching an accident unfold in slo-mo’.
To me, it was obvious that something mentally toxic was going on. I don’t have to go any farther than the start of yesterday’s (Sunday) game, when star pitcher Tom Glavine got pulled in the first inning, after seven runs and just one out. He got pulled after hitting Dontrel Willis with a pitch.
The amazing thing, in the middle of this toxic environment, was the absolute zen of pitcher John Maine, who struck-out a personal best of 14 on Saturday, shutting-out the Marlins. I use the word zen because I think he sensed the toxic conditions and put his brain in a different spot.
Why share this with you, other than get some of the pain and emotion out of my system? Well, its a life and management thing. Toxic vibes spread. I even think it made for a rather crappy September for me. Be aware of the vibes. Find the zen to rise above them.
Must be why I found this story of men pursuing weightlifting in Afghanistan so inspiring.
Dave: Too true. I was spared when all I did is just see the scores and avoid the highlights.Something about not looking at the Mets when this happens just helps. The kind of thing that you hope never happens to your team. Ah well, along with never pitching a no-hitter – we may be pseudo cursed.
Dave: Too true. I was spared when all I did is just see the scores and avoid the highlights.Something about not looking at the Mets when this happens just helps. The kind of thing that you hope never happens to your team. Ah well, along with never pitching a no-hitter – we may be pseudo cursed.