Sunday, July 02, 2006

The Wright And Wrong Report: Reconnecting With Some All-Stars

I’ve felt like a fan without a team the past six days. I couldn’t watch the Mets-Red Sox series because, well, I prefer to remain sane. Watching my two favorite teams battle is just too much for my brain to handle. (Dear baseball gods, please don’t have a repeat of the 1986 match-up, thank you.) Then the last of this interleague hell wraps up with the second batch of this year’s Subway Series. I ended up watching some of the first game at a Yankee fan’s house, and I don’t think I’ve ever had such a filthy mouth while in the presence of a couple of females. But then when the rain delay came, we somehow switched to The Muppet Show Season One DVD. I was amazed watching the female Yankee fan turn from a vicious rooter to a giggly little girl when Ralph the Dog was on screen. It was priceless, and totally made my anger dissipate. Saturday I went home to my aunt’s house and we never even turned on the game. (That birthday present of the Monk first season DVD went over very well.) So tonight I’m finally getting to reconnect with the Mets (via WFAN, screw ESPN and Joe Morgan), the same Mets team that’s got a double digit lead over the Phillies, the club that is sending a record six players to the All-Star game in Pittsburgh next week. And our entries namesake, David Wright, is going as a starter. After his stats and clutch play this year, I have the feeling that it won’t be his last start.

Of course, not everything is perfect with this team: Pedro is sitting out tomorrow night’s start; Tom Glavine has looked less than sharp recently; Billy Wagner has had his problems throughout; the back end of the rotation is still less than impressive; Cliff Floyd has been a shell of the player he was last year. But I’m not here to be another one of those yahoos calling into the WFAN wanting to fire Willie Randolph. Halfway through the season, I can’t help but like the way this team has come together. 95 to 98 wins seems to be a realistic goal, as does a division title for the first time in 18 years. And who knows what could happen if the team does make the playoffs?

Anyway you look at it, this is a fun time to be a fan of the Amazin’s.

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