Forging a Path...

In no mood to discuss the Mets, so we're going personal today...

The Mets lost on Wednesday. Jacob deGrom pitched beautifully. The bullpen showed up in force once again. And the offense fell flat against the latest opposing hurler to take on the form of a Hall of Famer when facing this sorely struggling Mets offense.

You watched it. As I intimated on Twitter last night, I have no want/need to write the same story I’ve written a half-dozen times already in this short season. But, as you’ve all learned by now, I’ve gotta write. So let’s rifle some stuff off.

I never put too much time or thought into these columns. I open the laptop. I write. It’s a refreshingly organic and therapeutic process if I’m being honest.

For years, the only people who read my words were my teachers. I should have known I had a knack for this when my fourth-grade teacher accused me of having my parents write my report on Paul Revere. Oh, Mama Ryder let her have it. Good times.

I could always gather and express my thoughts more effectively by writing them down, even just for myself. When I was at my worst, that gift was a godsend. Getting that stuff out is important for personal growth, and the outlet proved an efficient one.

I never had any intentions of blogging. Again, this was just a personal, private little outlet. I read Matt Cerrone’s MetsBlog in its glory days, but that world felt miles away.

That’s not to say it wasn’t always a little dream. I’ll have to dig out my Super Bowl game recaps from elementary school one day or the index cards from my class presentation on Earl Campbell.

Ten-year-old Tim was nasty with the stats, even back then.

In 2017, feeling a bit empty and more than a bit ambitious, I applied to contribute to a New York Islanders blog, Eyes on Isles. Michel Anderson and Matt O’Leary showed me the ropes and nudged me along when I went awry, but mostly let me be myself.

That experience was invaluable. Writing about hockey was great. I played as a kid, knew hockey’s inner workings well enough to expand on my thoughts, and rekindled a love for the game that hasn’t been extinguished since.

As the winter of 2018 came to a close, just weeks from Mets pitchers and catchers reporting to Port St. Lucie, I knew what my next move was.

I wrote a story about Matt Harvey looking to rediscover his form after thoracic outlet syndrome and sent it to Mike Mayer and Joe DeCaro at Metsmerized. Within a few days, I was writing about the Mets, and off I went.

Needless to say, I had a lot to learn. Not just about how to write, but how to behave as I created my “brand”. Truthfully, I didn’t think that far ahead until much later. I was simply having too much fun.

The jolts of confidence that came after each article — even after each news brief — were considerable. Out on my own, that feeling of pride in keeping an audience interested has increased tenfold.

“Holy shit, people are actually reading my words and enjoying them,” is still a phrase I mutter to myself on a fairly consistent basis.

I’m still floored looking through the words of support and encouragement I’ve received. Writers that I respect and revere have gone out of their way to tell me, in so many words, keep at it, good things will happen.

So, I’m doing just that. And I’m having a fucking blast doing it.

No matter how I got to where I am now, the trip here was well worth it. Where I am now is nowhere, but I know I’m going somewhere. Onward and upward, friends.

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The Mets are off on Thursday and head to Philadelphia for a weekend series beginning on Friday. Something’s gotta give. LFGM.

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