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Greg Prince and Jason Fry
Faith and Fear in Flushing made its debut on Feb. 16, 2005, the brainchild of two longtime friends and lifelong Met fans.

Greg Prince discovered the Mets when he was 6, during the magical summer of 1969. He is a Long Island-based writer, editor and communications consultant. Contact him here.

Jason Fry is a Brooklyn writer whose first memories include his mom leaping up and down cheering for Rusty Staub. Check out his other writing here.

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Have It Their Way

“Number Twenty Twenty-Two!”
“I’m Twenty Twenty-Two.”
“Your order is ready.”
“What’s this supposed to be?”
“It’s the baseball you ordered.”
“I asked for it by March 31. You made me wait an extra week. I suppose I should be happy you didn’t make me wait a week or more beyond that!”
“It’s the baseball you ordered.”
“Hell, I suppose I should be grateful you bothered to make it full-size.”
“It’s the baseball you ordered.”
“You apparently screwed around all winter before getting it ready.”
“It’s the baseball you ordered.”
“Do I smell universal DH? Because I have serious trouble digesting that.”
“It’s the baseball you ordered.”
“And it has these extra playoff teams I specifically mentioned I’m allergic to.”
“It’s the baseball you ordered.”
“Does it at least come without the seven-inning doubleheaders and unearned runners in extra innings? I swear I still have a bad taste in my mouth from the last time I waited longer than I should have. No, I don’t see it. Like you taking out what shouldn’t have been included in the first place constitutes some kind of bonus.”
“It’s the baseball you ordered.”
“What the…uniform advertising? Well, that’s just gross someone would even think to put that on there.”
“Look, pal, you want the baseball or not?”
“Of course. Gimme.”

The Lockout apparently couldn’t end until the latest episode of National League Town took MLB to task. You can listen to Jeff Hysen and me kvetch effectively here.

17 comments to Have It Their Way

  • Seth

    Happy new year! :-)

  • Rachel

    Hey Greg,

    Hope all is well. Now that baseball is back, is there any information about the Mets having a day to honor Gil Hodges?

    LGM!

  • Eric

    I’m not happy about the NL DH. I’m willing to give the extra play-off teams and new play-off format a chance. But we’re getting a full 162 and the April 7 opening day is reasonable. Let’s go.

  • BlackCountryMet

    It’s BACK Baby! checking out flight and hotels as we speak

  • Bob

    Universal DH–BAD
    Ads on Uniforms-worse
    Manfred-speak on rule changes MLB can make during the season-
    “will enhance the entertainment value of the product..”
    Total Corporate/Marketing horseshit.
    No mention of the integrity of the game or the fans…
    But to expect Manfred to even grasp the concept of integrity or traditions of Baseball is a waste of time.
    BUT we do have GKR for another season!
    So I think it’s better than NO baseball at all!
    LET’S GO METS!!

  • Dave

    There are several “yeah, but…” details in this; I can’t stand the DH (who replaces deGrom’s bat in this lineup?), I thought the playoffs were over-expanded already, I already don’t like when they have a giveaway shirt or shirsey or cap that has a corporate logo on it, let alone players having to wear them…but still, yesterday’s announcement felt like the best news from the outside world in quite some time. The state of the world may have been a reminder of how important something like baseball is – it isn’t life or death stuff, let’s be honest – but we still deserve a diversion now and then, it’s good for our mental health.

  • Seth

    Are the broadcasters finally going to travel with the teams again?

  • eric1973

    Great Sign!
    Just not the same otherwise.

  • open the gates

    Ok, so here we go:

    1) I’m always fine with the players making more money. They’re the best in the world at what they do, and the owners can afford it.

    2) I do not love the expanded postseason. I think that playing practically into the winter is stupid and dangerous for the players. On the other hand, if the Mets ever have a mediocre season, barely make the playoffs, then get hot and win the World Series, I’d take that in a second.

    3) I hate, hate, HATE the universal DH. But I guess I’ve come to accept it as inevitable, and I have to admit that the Mets, as presently constructed, will benefit from it.

    4) I’m glad they’re implementing rules to discourage service time manipulation. I always thought that was the most penny wise, pound foolish thing for owners to do. Let’s see the standout rookies on Opening Day, please.

    5) Ads on jerseys? Really? Yeccchhhh.

    6) Seven inning doubleheaders and unearned baserunners would have been even ickier. So a slow clap for getting rid of what shouldn’t have been there in the first place.

    7) Baseball’s back!! Yay!! LGM!!

  • With the universal DH this year and the and the total blending of the two leagues next year we can (in addition to the other changes) say league play is dead forever..
    You dedicated fans have your game or rather a game reshaped to reflect I suppose the needs and habits of players umpires media and the MLB in general..The fans are really not factored into this..The old school just got a little older..

  • eric1973

    Baseball, as we knew it, died a bit when the Cubs, Cards, and Pirates were transferred out of the NL EAST.

    • Seth

      So true — those were memorable rivalries for the Mets, and now completely non-existent. And what did we get in return? The Braves… oy.

  • open the gates

    Of course, there were those who believed that baseball died when the ball was juiced in the ’20’s. That’s the nineteen-twenties, for those of you keeping score.