Walking the Line Between Fandom and Journalism

Also, Lucchesi rolls, Lindor, Pete, and Dom power Mets to win over Astros

Let’s preface everything with the fact that I’m admittedly flying by the seat of my pants in this equation.

No idea what I’m doing is probably a stretch, but I’ve certainly still got a lot to learn. 10,000 hours, right?

My only formal training in journalism came from the New York sports pages growing up and from the invaluable lessons I’ve learned along the way since putting pen to paper, er, finger to keyboard, in 2017.

I came into this fully aware that the line between fandom and journalism is a thin but bold one that, according to age-old prophecies passed down from the elders of publications past, must be adhered to at all costs.

I don’t totally buy that. Yes, I understand that unbiased coverage is a foundational tenet of this profession. No one wants or needs writers using their platforms as ego-stroking amphitheaters.

Every sportswriter you’ve ever read began their journey to the back pages with fandom tug-boating them out of the harbor. Then, at some point before stepping into the press box, that all has to be set aside.

So for someone like me, who is far from a professional sportswriter but began this journey as a fan and remains one, it’s a precarious position. The freedom of working without blinders is something I’m not entirely ready to give up.

Perspective is everything, and that's mine. The willingness to change is there, of course — adapt or die. Learning how to compartmentalize my work from the source of those thoughts is no simple task.

If that’s what the job entails, so be it. But does it have to? That’s not really for me to say. All I can do is continue to do what I do.

If and when the opportunity arises and I have no choice but to leave my blue and orange heart at the door, I’ll adjust accordingly.

Until then, the voice that I’m perpetually discovering — that process never ends, friends — is what it is; the voice of a fan. And I’m damn proud of that.

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The Mets beat the Astros, 8-3, in West Palm Beach on Saturday (box score), rolling behind Jacob Barnes opening for a clean frame and another strong performance from left-hander Joey Lucchesi, who allowed one run on three hits with four strikeouts and a walk over 4.2 innings.

Over 13 innings pitched this spring, the 27-year-old has struck out 15, allowing four runs on seven hits and four walks (0.85 WHIP), all but cementing his place in the Mets’ rotation to start the year.

Mets manager Luis Rojas seemed pleased with the opener experiment’s initial results, noting Barnes’ low pitch count could give him the ability to hypothetically be used in relief the following day or for a second inning to open a game.

“There’s just a lot of good things that happened here today with the Barnes and Lucchesi mix there,” Rojas said. “It could be other guys, as well. But that was a good first test. Lucchesi threw the ball really well […] That’s a tough lineup.”

Lucchesi mixed his pitches up very well, leaning on his fabled churve over 31 percent of his pitches (62 total; 43 strikes), picking up five called strikes and three whiffs (42% CSW rate) on the changeup-curve concoction.

His increased velocity on the sinker (89.9 MPH average in 2020; 91.2 average on Saturday) should — and has, apparently — increase the effectiveness of his secondary pitches.

Lucchesi spoke briefly on his outing following his exit and seemed more than keen on being used in whatever capacity the team sees fit.

“I’ll do whatever they tell me,” he said. “I like starting. If they want to do an opener, they can do that. I’m just out there to pitch and do my best to help us win ballgames. I just love pitching, man. I just love to be on that field.”

Francisco Lindor continued his torrid stretch since beginning the spring 2-for-16 at the plate, going 3-for-3 with three runs batted in, a walk, and a stolen base. He’s now hitting .388/.444/.586 with four homers and a double over 49 plate appearances.

Oh, and the 27-year-old dynamo made a handful of sterling plays in the field, as well. Give this guy all the money like, yesterday.

Dominic Smith hit two home runs — his third and fourth of the spring — and Pete Alonso crushed his fourth to power the Mets along.

Kevin Pillar went 2-for-5 with a double two runs scored, Luis Guillorme added a double and two walks, and Michael Conforto and Tomas Nido added a hit apiece.

The Mets head to Jupiter to take on the Marlins on Sunday at 1:05 PM EST. No television coverage today, but Miami’s radio feed will be available on the MLB At Bat app.

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