I’ve heard way too many Mets fans these past few weeks talk about how uncomfortable they are with expectations this high for the second year in a row, and before I counter that point, I’m going to defend it to a certain extent. I mean, this really is a foreign feeling for us as a fan base. It’s one thing to walk into March with high hopes and prayers, it’s another thing to roll out the highest payroll in MLB history and have a target on your back from today-October. This is all part of adapting to change. For most of our lives this franchise has been treated like a small market, mom and pop type organization, with zero direction. Look at the two World Series titles this franchise owns: 1969, The “Miracle Mets” who upset the Orioles in 5 games. Nobody expected this team to be in a World Series that year, let alone win it, hence the name “Miracle”. So obviously expectations were not high for those guys. And the beloved 1986 Mets. Undeniably the best team in franchise history, full of characters, egos, personalities, and plenty of extra curriculars. As great as that team was, overall they most certainly fell short of expectations outside of 1986. This was a group of men expected to be a dynasty, only walking away with one title, when if you ask anyone paying attention to baseball between the years of 1983-1988, they would tell you the New York Mets should have walked away with a minimum of 2 rings that decade. That was just a reminder to fans of this franchise that nothing good could ever last for us. Here today, gone tomorrow.

On October 31st, 2020, Steven A. Cohen, and his wife, Alex Cohen, changed the trajectory of this franchise, forever. There’s no crystal ball here and yes, spending money does not always equal championships. But there is certainly something to be said about an ownership group that believes in investing directly into their product. We may not see a championship in 2023, but you cannot argue that the front office is not exhausting every option to make that happen. The Cohen’s are literally putting their money where their mouth is. So to bring this point home, expect great things from the Mets this year…and next year, and the year after that! Steven and his wife, Alex, are creating a standard here in Flushing. A winning season isn’t good enough, neither is a playoff appearance. The expectation is to be the last ones standing in early November, and when you roll out a payroll of roughly $370 million dollars after the luxury tax (source: Spotrac.com) that’s a fair expectation. When people expect a lot out of you, that means you’re probably pretty good at something and you command respect in your field. This roster is loaded with talent and players on MLB’s top 100 list (8, to be exact)! That fan base across town that we’ve criticized and feuded with for decades, this is what they feel like year after year. World Series or bust! And honestly, this feels a whole lot better than watching Rick Porcello take the ball every 5th day or Robinson Cano bat second, just trying to convince yourself that everything is fine, and maybe, just maybe Bartolo Colon can come back at age 40 something and resurrect a dead franchise.

At the end of the day, it is the fear of the unknown that keeps us up at night. How will Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer make it through a full season? Will Senga’s “Ghost Fork” be as devastating in the MLB was it was in Japan? Can Edwin Diaz recreate the incredible season he just had? Will we have the DH position hit over .260 this season at least? All fair questions, no doubt. But that’s professional sports! Nothing in this world is guaranteed, so enjoy what is presented in front of you. You have an owner willing to spend big and promising to win, a manger that actually knows how to manage, and a group of guys that are not only talented, but bought in to what it takes to win in this league. That is truly all a fan can ask for. So for now, keep the expectations high, enjoy the ride, and LFGM!