Good Times, Bad Times You KNOW We've Had Our Share!

By Tom "Mr Star" Starita
Posted Friday, September 21, 2007

We won yesterday. If we win today, that's two-in-a-row. If we win tomorrow, that's called a winning streak; it has happened before - Lou Brown, Major League II

To say things have been a little tense here, at the World Famous APT would be an understatement. Following Tuesday night’s debacle I put up this away message, and have kept it up ever since:

"Some people might think it's overly dramatic and immature for a 29 year old to go absolutely mental over a baseball game. I say to some people. Name one thing you have loved since you were seven years old. That boy/girl crush you had is now either married or a drug addict Your favorite doll was thrown out years ago and your Grandma is most likely dead. I still have my Mets. Of course they're going to give me a heart attack or a stroke but I accepted that long ago."

At first glance the natural reaction is, “Wow, Tom is a drama queen”, and granted there have been plenty of times in my life where I was accused of such behavior.

But this is different. Why?

Because sports matter.

There is a reason why the tri-state area has two sports talk radio stations, besides the numerous newspapers. There is a reason why sites like Metsblog can get an obscene amount of clicks per month, and why I can’t walk the streets of Staten Island without being asked if I really am that guy who writes for Flushing University (ok maybe that isn’t entirely true but who knows six months from now).

People love sports.

This week’s column isn’t for the usual reader, because you already know why you get so angry when the Mets lose five in a row. You don’t need to be told why Wednesday’s win allowed you to have a peaceful night’s sleep.

This is for your spouse/girlfriend/boyfriend/mom/friend that listens to emo and wears black eyeliner who wonders why you get so crazy when it’s “only a game”.

These are the same people who will pay money to call up and “vote” for their favorite singer on “American Idol”. These are the same people who get emotionally involved with the characters from “Grey’s Anatomy”. They talk about the women on “Sex in the City” like they are real people. They watch the "Hills" and obsess over the lives of teenage girls. Or watch Prison Break, wondering what will happen when the name of the show kind of gives away the plot!

Now compare that to being a Mets fan. We are following real people playing a real unscripted sport. What’s more dramatic, the main character of Grey’s Anatomy being put in a life or death situation, knowing she’s the main star and could never actually be killed OR a rookie pitcher with a 2-7 pitching in an absolute must win game?

I have my answer.

I had spent this past week growing more and more nervous/agitated after every loss. There was no way I was turning on the FAN to listen to the negativity, or in the case of Mike and the Mad Dog, enjoyment. It was hard enough reading the box scores, forget about visiting Metsblog. My hair is going gray(er), my stomach is in knots and I have nightmares of my closet doors opening and seeing Bill Mota come into my bedroom.

Is it worth it?

Damn right it is!

As I keep telling myself, it could be worse. Art Howe could be managing the team and I could be focusing more on my New York Giants right now. (in a word GOO) Instead it's late September, my playoff tickets should be arriving some time on Thursday and every game means something. Do I want things to be easier? OF COURSE! But given the choice of being two and a half games up or trailing by two and a half games I have my answer.

I led off this column with the away message I’ve had up for over a day now, and while very crass the point remains the same. How many people can say they have something in their life since they were a kid? If life teaches us anything, it’s that things eventually go away. Whether it’s a loved one, a pet, boy/girlfriend, friends, television shows, rock bands, at some point there is a definitive ending. They cease to be a part of your life and you continue living knowing there will be new things to fill the void.

The exception is being a sports fan.

I have been in love with the blue and orange since 1985. At that time I was seven years old and in second grade. Since then I have graduated college, taught for four years at an all girl’s high school, (much love to my favorite softball catcher of all time – OLSEN!) worked at the Associated Press, been engaged, seen my sister get married, a real good friend, Mike Saccenti get married, my two cousins Greg and Matt get engaged, one of my best friends JoJo engaged as well buried two grandparents, made countless friends and throughout that time, the only true constant has been the New York Mets.

Sure the players change, the manager change, the uniforms have slightly changed, hell the stadium is changing in less than two years. But the team remains constant. Over the course of twenty two years they have provided me with moments of ecstasy and moments of pure heartbreak. But the comforting notion is there is always tomorrow, or next year, depending on how things are going.

When people don’t understand why you get so emotionally involved, what they are really telling you is they have no conception of what dedication and loyalty truly are. They can’t grasp how the game links parents to their children, and their children to their grandparents. And it’s sad, because they will never know the joy in an embrace during a walk off hit. They can never appreciate seeing your team; the team you have followed forever clinch the division title. They will never experience the delirium of celebrating with fifty six thousand strangers when your team wins the pennant. Finally, they will never know that moment of pure happiness when it’s your team that finally wins the World Series.

On second thought, don’t try and convince the people who think your crazy. Pity them for their ignorance.
 

Tom knows for certain that the Mets will be the official cause of his death one day in the far future. He is content with this and simply asks instead of sending flowers to just throw yourself into the coffin when they are lowering it into the ground. If that is too much to ask what about emailing him at MrStarita@yahoo.com, or unlike Bill Mota, visit the reliable forums found below