Mets reach new low with fans

Red Sox broadcaster: "An effing disaster"

Good morning, all and happy Thursday!

Once the masters of public relations with their loyal fan base, the New York Mets have reached new lows. Expected to contend for a playoff spot this season, the Mets have been a huge disappointed, buried in last place in the NL Eastern Division.

Yesterday in the first game of their doubleheader against the Chicago Cubs, a 10-3 defeat - the lower bowl at Citi Field was empty, though the crowd was announced as 31,951. That is not a good look, especially on television. So those who ordered tickets to the game via the MLB app, were sent a notice with an invitation to sit in the lower section. There was only one problem. Once the fans got there, they were informed they would have to pay the difference between the cost of the lower bowl seats and where they were sitting. It’s like being invited to dinner and being told to bring your own food.

The public relations snafu was the topic of conversation on WFAN radio, once the flagship station for the Mets. FAN host Chris Carton also raked the Mets over the coals for waiting until 40 minutes before Monday’s game to postpone it, as rain pelted the area.

No need to worry though. If the Mets keep playing the way they have this season, there will be no fans to turn away or “invite” to the lower bowl, no matter what the “announced” attendance is.

‘An effing disaster’

If you had said on Opening Day, the Boston Red Sox and Colorado Rockies would have the same number of wins on the third full day of summer, you would have answered: “Wow. The Rockies are having quite a season.” It turns out, the Red Sox are having quite a season; an awful season. After Wednesday’s 8-6 loss at Colorado, both the Red Sox and Rockies each have 32 wins. Boston is 32-46 and Colorado 32-49.

The Rockies rallied in the ninth inning against Aroldis Chapman with three runs to win Monday night’s game, 3-2. Yesterday, down 6-3 in the seventh, the Rockies scored three to tie and added two in the eighth to beat Boston, 8-6. Red Sox radio announcer Will Middlebrooks called the defeats “the two worst losses of the season.” But it was the outspoken play-by-player, Will Flemming, who provided the icing on the cake, after the last out. “This is an effing disaster,” he told his audience.

Having broadcast thousands of professional baseball games, I can honestly say I have never used that phrase - on the air.

But here is a note to Middlebrooks, who said on the postgame show: “…to lose to that (Rockies) team? I have news for Middlebrooks, and yes I broadcast for the Rockies AA affiliate in Hartford: I would take “that” team over your team any day. The Rockies are improving with up-and-coming players in Colorado. And more are on the way.

More college football changes

It appears more changes are on the way for college football. Earlier this week the eligibility rule was expanded to five years. Now the FBS Oversight Committee is proposing to shorten the transfer portal window and also change the offseason and preseason practice schedules. If approved, the changes would start in 2027. Stay tuned.

That is going to do it for today’s newsletter. Thank you so much for subscribing and have a terrific Thursday!

DAN