I remembered that the Mets had taken part in the Little League Classic before, though in my recollection they’d been walloped by the Phillies, which is further evidence that this woeful baseball summer has been bad for my mental health: In fact, back in 2018 it was the Mets who did the walloping.
Maybe it was that I was remembering the dopey softball uniforms they wore back then, complete with not trying very hard player nicknames such as NIMMS and VARGY. Aesthetics definitely took the L back in 2018, even if the Mets did not.
This time around, the Mets were in their classic pinstripes (for a home game in the middle of Pennsylvania, which has got to be a first) while the Mariners were in perfectly tolerable green and gray. Various Mets and Mariners slid down the hill at Williamsport’s Lamabe Stadium atop cardboard sleds, talked baseball with Little Leaguers, and generally conducted themselves admirably before commencing a relatively genial version of hostilities at night.
We got to see some of the pregame pomp, marveling at the teeny tiny stands and the suburban houses tucked beyond the outfield fence. But then it was off to a fancy family dinner, the runup to spending tomorrow wandering around Acadia National Park.
Put three Mets fans at a dinner, though, and they’ll get curious — and forgive each other some peeking at Gameday. Our peeks kept yielding the kind of good news we haven’t been used to of late: There were the Mets actually enjoying good sequencing, with four straight hits and a sac fly transmuted into a three-run second, and against George Kirby no less. There was Clay Holmes, surviving a fourth inning and even pitching a fifth. There was Mark Vientos, the most notable missing piece in this strange season, connecting for a three-run homer that both he and we badly needed.
Maybe we shouldn’t watch more often, I thought to myself.
We got back to the hotel with the Mets up four and Ryan Helsley in the game, which was at least a blinking yellow light on the vibes display. But Helsley wasn’t terrible; both he and fellow underwhelming acquisition Tyler Rogers made their way through minor to moderate trouble to secure a victory. The only sour note on an otherwise heartening evening was Francisco Alvarez jamming a thumb at second on a double; he’s bound to New York for an MRI.
With the game concluded, the Mets and Mariners stayed with the Little League theme by lining up to shake hands after the game. Did they say “good game, good game, good game” in that “grownups told us we had to” monotone I remember from my own childhood? Oh, let’s assume they did.
It really was a good game, at least for us. Kinda makes me wanna slide down a nearby hill.
It was a good game indeed!
The “coverage” on ESPN was vile.
ESPN always seems to forget there’s a game going on.
I had no idea what this game was, and was duly aggravated that the Mets were on national TV and had to play another “gimmick” game, e.g., a “home” game not at Citifield, but I found myself somewhat enchanted by it.
I loved watching the players from both teams interact with the Little Leaguers, the parade of LL teams , the young woman who performed the best rendition of the national anthem I have heard in years (without the usual unnecessary trills and shouting, not singing, that accompany most versions), the interviews with the LL players, etc. I enjoyed watching the big boys slide down that hill (but was holding my breath when some of them didn’t seem too sure of how to do so). The good vibes were such that I was not even bothered by ESPN, except…
…it is only a matter of time before a player makes a key, possibly game-determining, error while being “interviewed” while playing the field during live action, or worse, suffers a major injury. (Should it happen to the Mets, I will be beside myself with rage). MLB, please put an end to this practice in the new TV contracts, whatever other silly network ideas you may agree to.
But the Mets played well, won the game, and a few hours later I realized that I had not heard a single boo all evening. Like most of the players on both teams, I found myself smiling contentedly during the game and afterwards. It felt like a palate cleanser.
“…makes me wanna slide down a nearby hill”
If Alvarez did that he’d get injured. Seriously, this is the second time he’s injured himself sliding. Apparently he’s not very good at it, so maybe don’t do it like that anymore? Just a thought.
I was less than enchanted by the coverage. For one thing, it seemed like the KidCasters came from very privileged, very connected locales. For another, could there have been a little more noise among those in the crowd—it had the energy of a game played in 2020.
Nice seeing Holmes with 1 walk vs 5 the last time out.
The lineup the last few games has been interesting. Baty at 2nd instead of McNeil is the big thing. His metrics must be better. But as weak as Vientos is in the field DHing him with Baty at 3rd would seem to make more sense. But what do I know.
Hope Alvarez isn’t really hurt. He’s been coming on.