Mets fans are entitled to gloat today. Blessed with faith that ensures “Good things come to all ye who wait” – a new day reigns in Metland.
If there’s a Mets fan who didn’t wake up today with a glance at the back page of the New York Daily News, do a double-take, releasing a long sigh of relief and joy when their eyes connected with their brain – they can only be imposter fans, just as the Wilpons were imposter owners.
Ironically, though it was Mets fans who doggedly fought through the years of decay and disappointment to drive the bastards out, it was minority Mets owner Saul Katz and his family who levied the convincing blow.
Katz’s family knew what we knew all too well. Jeff Wilpon could not be trusted as the caretaker of their investment when Fred Wilpon (83) dies. The difference is they had the power to do something about correcting the problem, even before it arose as an issue.
Steve Cohen: Enter and sign-in, please
Steve Cohen, when all the particulars are complete, will have an 80% control of the Mets in no more than five years. It can and probably will be less time, but for all practical purposes, Steve Cohen is the Boss of the Mets.
Cohen does have blood on his hands. Questionable business practices as an investment banker drew the attention of the U.S. District Attorney, and he is generally known to be “cutthroat” in his business dealings.
But you know what – who cares? Because the other side of Steve Cohen and his $13.6 billion value according to Forbes is he’s a Mets fan – and he’s been a fan since the day when he and his family grew up on Long Island.
Cohen has his toys that include an art collection reportedly valued at more than $1 billion. At his home, he has a skating rink large enough to support the need for a Zamboni. He makes money so he can spend money.
And spend he will – on his new toy – the Mets. A friend of Cohen explains:
What is there not to like?
Mets: Ripples in the pond
Well, that depends. If you are Brodie Van Wagenen or even Carlos Beltran, you might want to start looking over your shoulder to see who is gaining on you.
Remember, Van Wagenen’s ties are to the Wilpons and Beltran’s to Van Wagenen. Nothing says Steve Cohen can’t and won’t want people of his choosing in these sensitive baseball positions.
Unknown at this time is the degree of baseball acumen Cohen possesses. Is he a fan of the Mets, or a Fan of the Mets and a fan of baseball?
There’s a difference, of course. When we know the answer, we’ll see the degree Cohen will wish to be involved in baseball-related decisions, other than the financial liability attach to each.
Mets: A new day and a new way
Many of us are pushed to be giddy, telling the Wilpons, for instance, not to let the door hit them in the ass on the way out.
That would be petty, of course, but few outsides of the city of New York genuinely understand what it’s been like living under the auspices of cheap and baseball stupid owners.
And even though they acted in their self-interests, Mets fans owe a debt and gratitude to the members of the Saul Katz family who saw the light, pulling the plug on Jeff Wilpon, and opening a door for Steve Cohen.
There’s a shining light at the end of this tunnel, and I don’t know about you, but I still can’t believe it’s true.
Baseball, it is said, is only a game. True. And the Grand Canyon is only a hole in Arizona. Not all holes, or games, are created equal.
