On the Mets beat

"FREE WILLIE" I have been saying for years hes terrible, I want to get shirts made up. Anyone in?

Met fans have deteriorated over the years. I used to be proud to be one -- not any more. When the Mets started, New Yorkers were grateful to have National League baseball again, so they were passionate, creative and PATIENT. Now they boo at the drop of a hat. Met fans invented the banners you often see held up at sporting events; they invented the "Lets Go ___" chant now adopted by other teams, and they invented the "K" signs when (Dr K) Gooden arrived, to count his strikeouts. Met fans now show their creativity by finding ways and opportunities to attack their own players. Any knowledgable baseball fan knows that the game is 90 percent confidence. So what's the result? Last year the Mets performed much better on the road, free from the contrived tensions at their home park. Nice going. Booing Santana the first month was truly ridiculous. If you want him to perform well, support him, root for him, help him feel confident. Today, Met fans act like envious theater critics who can't play themselves and resent those who can. I suspect these people have issues in other aspects of their lives, so they pretend to have control over the game. Unfortunately, they do, but it's a negative impact. When asked why they do it, they reply: I bought a ticket so I have a right to do it. NO YOU DON'T, because you're ruining it for the rest of us who bought tickets and truly want to see a winning team, not just hear our own voice. Fans often get the team they deserve. In 1969, the Met fans were totally supportive of their team and were rewarded with a "miracle" championship. Last year, in the era of boo-butts, we get one of the worst collapses in history. Take responsibility. You want to have influence? Then, take responsibility. Real Met supporters shouldn't tolerate this anymore. We should take back control from the selfish drunks who don't really understand the game. Stop thinking it's about you; it's about the team. Help them. Support them. Or else please start rooting for the Yankees! Who needs opponents when we have fans like you?

I don't boo the Mets, and I think this season has been way over the top. But who are you to tell a paying customer how to act and react? Thing about this squad is the gutless, heartless, sickening collapse of last season. Glavine's shugging reaction to ending the year summed it up. That the fans care more was obvious to all observers. Some are holding a grudge, childishly so, and couterproductive to boot. So what? Omar's mercenaries are going hear it until they put a string of wins together, it's like that, and that's the way it is.

Way off base their Mack. Would you prefer that Met fans become like the Atlanta Hawkor Florida Marlins fans who only show up to cheer their team when things are going well. New York fans are the greatest on earth because they care about their team win or lose and demand the best from their athletes. It is why the media market thrives so well here and superstars all flock to play here. It is also why the owners can charge just about anything they want and pay these guys crazy salaries. I don't think booing a guy who is doing poorly but trying hard is the answer but I would much prefer that to fair weather fans who only show up when their team is winning.