Home Home Home……. On the Road?

By Deb McIver
Posted Saturday, June 9, 2007

So, I’m sitting here, having just finished watching the opening game of the Mets v. Tigers series at Comerica Park in Detroit, which of course, we won.

And I’m thinking -- what’s the deal with the Mets at home, in their very own park, Shea Stadium?

I don’t know about you, but the Mets’ less than stellar performances at Shea, with the exception of the one recent 7-3 homestand in May against the Brewers, the Cubs and the Yankees, kind of get me to wondering…..

I have a friend who thinks that Shea Stadium has to be cursed, somehow, that it MUST be cursed, it must be built on some kind of ancient burial ground or something. To that, I say yowza, holy cowza, that’s a stretch! Yet others think that it is the ballpark and its bloated non-hitter-friendly dimensions. If THAT’S the case, then how come OTHER TEAMS we’ve played this year don’t seem to have a problem scoring runs??!! So there goes that one -- buh bye!

Some are of the opinion, and I’ve heard Paul Lo Duca actually SAY, that the team just tries too hard to please its home fans. Well, guys, if this is the result of trying, do us all a favor – PLEASE STOP TRYING! Not that I really buy into this one, not for one, uh, New York minute!

I have my own theories. Anybody want to hear them? OK, I just KNOW you’re all waiting, patiently, staring at your screens, so I won’t keep you in suspense any longer. Here are a few of my most promising ones.

1. The David Wright Back Spasm Theory. I love this one. Somebody on our very own forum remarked one day that in HIS day, this problem would have been called a “hangover,” lol. Not that the guys don’t have, uh, “back spasms” on the road, but at home, where you’re all comfy and dug in and relaxed and have your own “posse,” well, you know what happens there! This one ties right in with:

2. The Gotta Dance! Theory. Do I even HAVE to explain this one? To steal a phrase from an old Cars’ song: “I like the nightlife, baby!"

3. The Carlos Delgado I Just Had a Baby Theory. Well, he did, right? Either I’m misinformed, or I remember him missing an entire week of spring training for his baby’s birth, not that the actual birth took a whole week or anything, but, well, you know. The only problem with this theory is that it fits all the games, not just those at Shea, since Carlos’ offense has been a problem pretty much all year.

So back to the drawing board with:
4. The David Wright “Hey, They Named An Airplane After Me!” Theory. Which is to say, too many off-the-field commitments and appearances when at home. It seems to me that every time I turn around, it’s here a Met, there a Met, everywhere a Met Met! Yeah, like Old McDonald’s farm, only this isn’t a farm, it’s a major league baseball team!

5. The Paul Lo Duca Overanxious To Please Theory. Oops, that one isn’t mine…. and I’ve already given my opinion on it, so no need to repeat here, unless you forgot of course, in which case, scroll up!

6. The Family Ties Theory. After all, they only get about five months a year off to spend quality time with their families……… aaarrghhhh!

7. The I’m a Major Leaguer Making More Money Than You Will Ever See Even if You Live to be 500 Years Old, So I Can Do Whatever I Want, and You Can’t Say Sh……. Theory. OK, so maybe they ARE nice guys. But let’s face it, in one year, lots of them make the equivalent of a small nation’s gross national product. And we all know, as Cindy Lauper once said, that “money changes everything.” So this theory is kind of a catchall one. It encompasses attitude, or lack thereof; discipline, or lack thereof; and the general willingness of managers and organizations pretty much everywhere to give players time off for….. stubbed toes, stinky socks, strained shoestrings, garden variety family outings, cousin’s kids’ christenings, sister’s husband’s friend’s bachelor parties, trying to prevent a divorce (which I call the Steve Trachsel Shore Leave) and that kind of stuff. I don’t know about you, but to ME, it’s starting to look as if homestands are the players’ country clubs……!!!!! Home of the rich and idle…… !

So what is it, folks? What’s their problem at home? Do you have a pet theory? Or do you have a comment about mine? Agree? Disagree? Want to shoot me? Well, take your shots on our forum!
 

Mommy Dean of Flushing University Forums, Deb McIver writes her debut piece for FU. She has an opinion for everything, most of which I agree with, so come on over and chat with her over there.