NO NEED TO PANIC, METS FANS

(May 29): I find it amusing the way pro baseball is covered by the national media, as if the only teams that matter are based in New York or Boston.

Take, for example, the furor surrounding the New York Mets and their embattled manager, Willie Randolph.

You would think the Mets really, really stunk. But a look at this morning's standings reveals that the Mets are one game under .500 and 4.5 games out of the first place in the NL East. Not very good. But not truly awful, either.

By comparison, there are any number of other teams around the major leagues that are suffering through equally or more disappointing this season than the Mets. But from watching Sportscenter, listening to this radio station or surfing the net, you wouldn't know it.

The list of under-achieving teams, actually, is fairly long.
Cleveland and Detroit both have performed under expectations. The Tribe's is 24-29. The Tigers are struggling on the mound (which was expected) and at the plate (which was not).

After acquiring pitchers Erik Bedard and Carlos Silva, many felt Seattle had the goods to challenge in the AL West.
Instead, the M's are tied for the worst record baseball at 20-34.

In the NL West: Colorado, which made a Cinderella run to earn a spot in the World Series, is next to last in the division --- just a half game ahead of San Diego, which at 20-34 has the worst record in the NL.

So, take heart, Mets' fans. You are not alone.

________________________________________________________________
Sent via the WebMail system at mail.pacificradiogroup.com