Unless you live under a rock, The 7 Line is something you’re all well aware of.
Darren Meenan has taken a hobby and a talent and turned it into a very successful business. Not only does he produce hats, shirts and other Mets-related products, he organizes various Mets-related get-togethers at visiting stadiums to bring the Mets fan base on the road.
The leader of the Mets Invasion has joined us for today’s edition of #9innings, giving us his thoughts on the upcoming season.
For previous editions of #9innings, click here.
Here are Meenan’s thoughts:
What do you make of this Mets’ team as currently constituted? Are they ready to contend?
I hope so. Feeling much more confident about the group than years past.
If they’re missing something, what is that piece? Who would be the guy you’d go out and get and why?
Everyone says shortstop, but I’m not totally sold on that until I see Flores can’t play there. Still too early to tell what he can become. At least run him out there in the beginning and see what’s what. He’s sounds confident he can do it and Backman is really high on the kid too. The defense up the middle might be a problem, but people said Murphy couldn’t play the infield either and that guy was an All Star last year. If he’s not cutting it, go out and get someone that will. Who? I don’t know. I make t-shirts not trades.
How do the Mets compete with the Nationals with that superstar rotation? Is the NL East title a distant pipe dream?
It’ll be tough. Baseball is weird though, anything can happen. Right now they look great on paper but we all know that can implode. The Mets had quite a few guys step up out of nowhere and contribute last year. Looking for repeat performances and a few new surprises as well.
David Wright had a career-worst year in 2014. Do you think we should expect a marginalized player moving forward or do you have hope in a resurgence?
Hoping he’ll be back to his old self. A career year probably isn’t likely, but don’t think he’ll be marginal. Nobody can predict baseball.
Who’s the guy who needs to step up to put the Mets offense over the top?
If you’re paid for your bat, you gotta use it. Granderson among others need to step it up. I’m pretty confident he will. Last year he had a really bad start, but was also coming from a full year off and on a new team. His boy is now the batting coach and I’ve heard good things about his approach with the players. Just a hunch, but I have a feeling d’Arnaud is ready to go off. We’ll see soon enough how the cards unfold.
What are your thoughts on the Yankees? Do you hate them?
I don’t hate the Yankees at all. They’re a business and do what they can to try and succeed. Hate is a strong word. Disliking their fans is another thing. I know plenty of super die hard Yankees fans and we get along just fine. We understand each other. We all love our team and love baseball. It’s the ones who don’t know anyone besides Jeter, A-Rod and the teams 27 championships (the majority of those won before the Mets were even a team) that bother me. That’s with any team in any sport though. A bandwagon comes following any team with success. That’s life. Look at the Islanders right now. Not saying they don’t have a loyal group of die hards, but that barn is rocking every night now. Good for them. We’ll have that same issue again in Queens soon. I’ve been saying TAKE BACK NEW YORK lately… the tides are turning.
If you could have one team as currently constituted, farm system and all, would you rather have the Mets or the Yankees? Why?
The Mets, because I’m a Mets fan.
What’s the best thing to eat or drink at Citi Field?
Bacon on a stick from Pig Guy NYC washed down with a Queens Lager from Queens Brewery. The Pig Guys are getting a better location this year with more options. Pretty sure they’ll be right across from The 7 Line kiosk. Pumped on that. Glad their first year was a success. The Lager is on tap around the ballpark and also in at McFadden’s.
Finish this sentence. By the end of the season, the Mets will be…
…playing ballgames past October 4.
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