Most of you probably don't know this, as it's not the sort of thing I've had much occasion to crow about for about 30 years, but I was once upon a time a huge New York Mets fan.
I was born and raised about a half-hour drive from Shea Stadium, my family and I would watch the Mets games every night on channel 9 and hanging on the wall in our kitchen there was a picture of my brother, me and two friends with Mets legend Tom Seaver in the tunnel behind home plate at Shea. I mean, I was all about the Mets, despite being a godawful baseball player myself.
Where I grew up, in the shadow of the Big Apple, people were assigned baseball fandom at birth. For most people, that meant being a Yankees fan, but my father, who'd grown up there himself, was a Brooklyn Dodgers fan and didn't care for the Yankees. When his team fled for Los Angeles, my father kept his loyalty to the National League and was granted a team to root for, the Mets, in 1962.
So I was born a Mets fan, and now that I think about it, I just might have been conceived the night they won the World Series in 1969, which was almost exactly nine months before I was born.
Mostly, it's been a long slog for my 45 years. Oh, there have been some ups, like this year and, of course, 1986, but other than that, it's been a tough run -- not like the Cubs or anything, but not a whole lot better. It would be nice to see the Mets win a third World Series this year. The problem is that in order for them to win the World Series, I can't actually see it.
That's a bit dramatic, I guess. I can watch most of the series, but I have to miss the most important moment for my magic to work. I'd hoped this wasn't going to be the case, but apparently it is. I know this because it has now happened three times total and twice in one game at the biggest moments in Mets history.
I used to think it was just a coincidence, but now I have proof: The only reason Bill Buckner flubbed that grounder in '86 is because I didn't see it happen. I had already gone to bed in dismay after the Red Sox scored two runs in the top of the 10th inning, only to be awakened by my brother, who burst in to my room to tell me I'd missed the most incredible play in baseball history.
In 2000, the last time the Mets made it to the World Series, they didn't face an elimination game in the playoffs, and then they got clobbered by the Yankees in the series four games to one. There was no opportunity to utilize my magic.
This year, however, has been different. Just last week, the Mets found themselves in a do-or-die Game 5 against the Dodgers in Los Angeles, and I found myself sitting at the bar of a restaurant in Aspen watching the game on TV.
If you'll recall, a week ago, I'd just finished my seven-day Larabar cleanse. I had a big breakfast that morning that tasted so good, I just kept on eating. By the time dinner at the restaurant came around, I was already full, but we had a gift certificate we needed to use, so I had a steak and about three or four glasses of Coke.
Unsurprisingly, that brought on a serious attack of gastrointestinal distress, and I went to the men's room to relieve myself with the score of the game 2-1 in favor of the Dodgers and things looking bleak for my guys. When I came back, I learned that the Mets' Daniel Murphy had stolen third base and then scored on a sacrifice fly to tie the game.
Two innings later, my digestive issues flared up again, necessitating another trip to the men's room. This time, I got back to my seat just in time to catch the replay of Murphy's home run that won the game 3-2 for the Mets. I'd been sitting on the toilet; thus the Mets won. I guess you could say I was taking one for the team.
So I'm going to watch this year's World Series, but I want you Mets fans to know that if there's a big moment when the Mets look like they're cooked, I'm sure I'll find a reason to miss it. You can thank me later.
Todd Hartley is the top-rated over-45 MLB prospect in Basalt, Colorado, according to Baseball America. To read more or leave a comment, please visit zerobudget.net.
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
It's Another Trump-Biden Showdown — And We Need Your Help
The Future Of Democracy Is At Stake
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
The 2024 election is heating up, and women's rights, health care, voting rights, and the very future of democracy are all at stake. Donald Trump will face Joe Biden in the most consequential vote of our time. And HuffPost will be there, covering every twist and turn. America's future hangs in the balance. Would you consider contributing to support our journalism and keep it free for all during this critical season?
HuffPost believes news should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay for it. We rely on readers like you to help fund our work. Any contribution you can make — even as little as $2 — goes directly toward supporting the impactful journalism that we will continue to produce this year. Thank you for being part of our story.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
It's official: Donald Trump will face Joe Biden this fall in the presidential election. As we face the most consequential presidential election of our time, HuffPost is committed to bringing you up-to-date, accurate news about the 2024 race. While other outlets have retreated behind paywalls, you can trust our news will stay free.
But we can't do it without your help. Reader funding is one of the key ways we support our newsroom. Would you consider making a donation to help fund our news during this critical time? Your contributions are vital to supporting a free press.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you'll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.
Support HuffPostAlready contributed? Log in to hide these messages.