To the Editor:
Thank you for running such a great humor piece, "Rooting for the underdog: How the Mets shape my life," about the "underdog" New York Mets in the July 6 issue! It was great idea to have a funny, tongue-in-cheek article gracing the back page. I look forward to next week's article on the unsung New York Yankees!
With all due respect to Mr. Meyerson, the Mets are far from an "underdog." The squad boasts two championships in the last 44 years, a feat which only five other major league teams match or better. Additionally, the Mets payroll, just above $100 million for the 2006 season, is fifth in the MLB, making them more of a powerhouse than a plucky contender. Finally, the statement that Mets fans are the most loyal in baseball is completely ridiculous. In 2003 and 2004, the Mets ranked 16th and 17th in the majors in attendance, respectively. They also finished those seasons 34 and 25 games out of first place. This year, in first place, the loyal Mets fans rank fourth in attendance! Clearly they stick with the team through thick and thin.
Next time, before publishing an article about underdogs and cellar-dwellers, please consult Chicago, Kansas City, Milwaukee, Montreal, Cleveland, Philadelphia, San Diego and Seattle.
