Reasons to be Thankful

Happy Thanksgiving! Consider a paid subscription for yourself or a loved one this holiday season!

And here we are: Thanksgiving Day. It always seems to come sooner than you’d expect, doesn’t it?

I’m fortunate enough to attend a dinner every Turkey Day with some members of my immediate family. 2024 was a mixed bag. On the negative side, everyone was bummed out about the bad football being played by the New York Giants. On the positive end, I didn’t feel like a weirdo shouting out the Mets when it was my turn to speak at the dinner table, considering they just concluded their fun 0-5 to OMG season. Also on the positive side: I didn’t choke on the turkey. I did that on Thanksgiving when I was 16. Not fun.

2025 wasn’t nearly as fun or good in Metland. That doesn’t mean there aren't some things to be thankful for as a Met fan. 

There’s Steve and Alex Cohen, two seemingly benevolent owners of the franchise. The monetarily compromised Wilpon (and Saul Katz) regime is a thing of the past. The scars remain however, so every day the Cohens are in charge with their generous wallet is a beautiful one not to ever be taken for granted. 

There’s President of Baseball Operations David Stearns, who had a rough 2025 but still, considering his resume, is trustworthy as the lead personnel decision maker. Say what you want about the Brandon Nimmo/Marcus Semien trade: Stearns is willing to make the tough call if it means it’ll improve the team in some regard. 

There’s the kiddos. Francisco Alvarez? When he’s right, his youthful exuberance jumps off the TV screen. Brett Baty finally figured it out, and he seems like a nice fellow, so good for him and for us. Mark Vientos is another guy that’s easy to root for - his Swaggy V persona is endearing, especially when he is hitting balls real hard. Jonah Tong is only going to get better. Same with Brandon Sproat. 

Nolan McLean gets his own paragraph. Every start of his was appointment viewing. I’m grateful he’s going to be on our side for a while. 

I’m grateful for Juan Soto. Lately he seems more comfortable in his own skin and with the team that employs him. I can’t wait to see what he’ll do in 2026, when for the first time in years he’ll be on the same team that he was the year before. 

There’s Francisco Lindor. He might not be an All-Star every season, but he’s a star to us. He’s entertaining as hell, and like us, loves ball. 

I’m grateful for Tyrone Taylor and his excellent center field defense. Plus he seems to be a happy-go-lucky dude. 

Jeff McNeil and Ronny Mauricio are still around. I’m grateful for that. 

And I’m grateful that there are fellow “sickos” out there who cheer on this bunch of folks. Especially the fans who read this newsletter. No words can adequately describe the gratitude I have for you. 

The New York Post reported that the Mets, in addition to Edwin Díaz, Robert Suarez, and Devin Williams, have been in contact with former Rays closer Pete Fairbanks. It sounds like the Mets’ goal is to bring back Sugar and sign another closer in free agency to set Díaz up. 

One big free agent starter is off the board, big time: the Blue Jays signed Dylan Cease to a seven-year, $210 million contract. Yes, you read that right. 

Justin Hagenman got married. Congrats!

On this day in 1967, the Mets acquired skipper Gil Hodges from the Washington Senators for Bill Denehy and $100,000. 

Exactly two years later, recent World Champions Tug McGraw, Ron Taylor, and Ron Swoboda appeared in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

Pending a big transaction, a Q&A with Mets radio broadcaster Keith Raad drops on Monday!