Shaun Connolly

There sure is a lot to be thankful for this year. The Celtics won a championship, the Red Sox have one of the best rated farm systems in the Major Leagues, Patriots tickets are starting to become affordable again, and so much more.

While this is a regional sports column and I try to give that localized perspective I am going to use this column to be even more indulgent than I usually am. This year I am most thankful for something real special. It is a classic sports story. A team that was down and seemingly out, and then goes on an unbelievable run. There are symbols throughout the season that out of context seem absurd and obtuse, but when reflecting on the season you couldn’t imagine these games without them. Overall, what is best about this team and this season is watching these folks push the pressure away and have fun playing this child’s sport. The smiles, the goofs, and the joy these players all exude each game absolutely floor me and every other fanatic, casual and uninterested person.

I, of course, am talking about my New York Metropolitans Baseball Team. I love baseball and I have always loved baseball. Even when the Mets are playing their worst and the vibes are completely off I watch or listen to nearly every game. But this could be the most fun I have ever had watching baseball. 

For those unaware of the party that has been happening in Queens this year, Grimace, the purple McDonald’s mascot, threw out the first pitch at CitiField for a Mets home game. The Mets then won 9 out of their next 11 and from that moment on had the best record in baseball. Fans started to dress like Grimace at games, purple became an adopted official color of the team. Next Jose Iglesias, a long-time league veteran started this season on a minor league contract. He truly considered retiring from baseball this year because he didn’t think he was getting a fair shot. The Mets called him up in July, he also released a reggaeton-pop single “OMG” and performed it on the field after a game, while still in uniform. It became the official song of the team and the summer. Finally the Mets had to play 5 games in 4 days to reach and then play on in the playoffs. While the Mets were playing the Milwaukee Brewers, Mets slugger Pete Alonso picked a pumpkin with his girlfriend. It became a symbol for their strength while in the postseason, cradled by this massive man. 

By the time you are reading this you know where the Mets stand. You know if they beat the Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League Championship Series. You even know if they did move on who they are playing in the World Series. The day this issue comes out the Mets could be playing in Game 6! But anyway you look at it, I am very thankful for this season. It was great to learn to experience joy while watching the Mets. It feels like the Ghostbusters came in and got rid of all the negative ghosts that haunted the borough of Queens. I hope you dear reader, even feel a slice of this exuberance can slap it on whatever team ails you next.