Talk About Wiping the Slate Clean...

The Mets and I can learn a little something from one another

Everyone has a tough day, a tough week, a year they’d like to forget. It happens. What’s most important is what we do to pick ourselves up the next day.

On Saturday, the Mets made the most of an unexpected three-day break to start their weekend, taking the first game of a doubleheader in Denver and looking every bit the part of a resurgent force.

Following a sporadically mediocre first two weeks (sporadic games, mediocre performances), a quick turnaround was imperative. A sweep of Philadephia at home set the stage for a hopefully pivotal road trip.

Mission accomplished in the first set.

The Mets backed Jacob deGrom’s nearly historic performance — one punchout shy of Tom Seaver’s MLB record of 10 consecutive strikeouts, with 14 total over six innings of work — with timely hitting and a shutdown inning from Edwin Diaz to close things out.

I just checked the box score again to be sure, and yes, the Mets’ offense actually stepped it up for their future Hall of Famer and the bullpen didn’t blow it. Who says miracles don’t happen in April?

In the nightcap, a combination of malaise and German Marquez kept the Mets at bay. Can’t win them all. But geez, that was lifeless. That brings us to the point of today’s story.

Wipe that slate clean and get back to work. I can relate. Sunday is a new day and a new opportunity to make headway in a long, arduous journey.

On Saturday, I had what some would call a rough day at the office. Multiple typos in my first game recap (check your emails; just atrocious) were followed by a Leon Lett-level gaffe on my part.

Eno Sarris of The Athletic was kind enough to groove one for me on Twitter, practically putting the ball on a tee for me when he asked me why none of the three runs that deGrom allowed in the fifth in Game 1 were earned.

The answer was clear. The first run was unearned due to Jeff McNeil’s throwing error and Yonathan Daza’s sacrifice fly should have been the final out of the frame, wiping Ramiel Tapia’s two-out solo home run off deGrom’s ledger, as well.

I’m no official scorer, but this wasn’t a trick question. Still, I froze, I panicked, and I shanked it into the woods. These things happen, but oof.

In these situations, all we can do is turn the page and keep it moving forward. I know my capabilities, as do the Mets (no comparison, just a parallel).

I’d list all of my fuck ups since jumping into this particular game, but I don’t have three hours to blow this morning.

Errors are a part of the game — blips on the radar. But making up for those transgressions is what the game is all about. Adjust and adapt. Bob and weave, baby.

Subscribe to the free email list or become a paid subscriber below!

Just $2.50/month for the year to support independent journalism ($0.19 a game over a full season)! We appreciate your patronage!

---

IBWAA members love to write about baseball. So much so, they've created their own newsletter about it! Subscribe to Here's the Pitch to expand your love of baseball, discover new voices, and support independent writing.

Original content six days a week, straight to your inbox and straight from the hearts of baseball fans. Click here to subscribe and see what they're all about!