Let me preface this by saying that Shannon and I have known each other for about 20 years, and we’ve been friends for about 15 of them (the first 5 we know each other though a mutual friend). In general we agree on more things than not – we both know Han shot first, we don’t wear tan suits, we don’t like smoky bars, and we bleed blue and orange.
But like all good friendships over the years we have found things that we don’t see eye to eye on. Yesterday’s post where Shannon called many people “front-runners” for not showing up for Banner Day is one of them. I told him so in an email and to his credit he said I should post my thoughts.
Look, I will be forever grateful to Shannon for leading the charge to bring back Banner Day. When I was young (1970’s) I always wanted to go to Banner Day, but Dad worked 2, sometimes 3 jobs back then. With a double header, Banner Day was a full day commitment – assuming he wasn’t working that day anyway. We went to maybe 2 or 3 games a year when he could get off – but Banner Day wasn’t one of them.
This past Sunday I finally was able to walk the field with my Dad. I’m now 46 and he will turn 76 this week, but for that 20 minutes or so that we walked around the field I might as well have been 6 and my Dad 36 (wow, that would have been 1973 – now that would have been cool). Baseball is about sharing moments from generation to generation and this was a moment, a feeling, that I will always treasure, and I thank Shannon for that.
With that said, I think Shannon was completely off-base yesterday in his accusations to fans who didn’t participate in Banner Day. Forget for a moment how bad the team is and how much people dislike the Wilpons. Sunday’s forecast called for rain most of the day right up til Friday evening. I can’t blame people, especially those with kids, who saw the forecast and elected not to come. I almost didn’t participate. People seemed to love my sign. I made it late Friday night and if there was even a drop of rain it was staying in the car. In other words, I came very close to not participating – and I write for MetsPolice!
One other thing. It was the day before Mother’s Day and I know for many families one major outing a weekend is enough – again especially with kids. So given the choice between doing something for Mother’s Day or Banner Day? No contest.
Banner Day is something that is very special to Shannon. I get it, and I’ve got his back in doing what I can to keep it going. But 99 groups (say about 250 people) participating on a dank and potentially wet day, for a crappy team, on Mother’s Day weekend? I think that’s pretty damn good.
And to those who didn’t participate? So what. It doesn’t make you less of a fan. No single event can do that. Sure, it would have been great to see more people Sunday, (in fact if there is anyone to get pissed at its those people who said they were coming and then backed off). But rather than complain about those who didn’t come, we should revel in and thank those who did. So thanks for the passion folks.
As for Shannon – I do think he was wrong for calling people front-runners. But that’s what you get from a passionate fan sometimes. And this site has always been about passionate fans – from the writers to the readers. We have never pretended to be anything but fans, and we write from a fan’s perspective. And like the fan base itself, we aren’t always in agreement with each other at times. But in the end, we all bleed blue and orange.
Your comments are nice, but you’re not Shannon. He’s the troublemaker here. He should speak up — and not hide behind sending a “peacemaker” out there.
Shannon won’t hide behind his comments nor send a peacemaker out there either. Dan is expressing his thoughts just like in a later post I am expressing mine. Trust me on this, Shannon won’t shy away from what he says.
You are right, I’m not Shannon, nor am I his “peacemaker.” I fully disagree with his generalization and I don’t make any apologies for him.
One of the great things about MetsPolice is that Shannon and I can openly hold differing views on things, and post on them. I actually think it enhances the value of this site that we can share different viewpoints and still not lose focus of being a fan.
Dan sent me a personal email saying he thought I was harsh. I encouraged him to post his take. Dan, Goon and Mike are free to write whatever they feel.
Dan, you have a point… “But in the end, we all bleed blue and orange.”
Sometimes there’s gonna be disagreements on what it means to bleed the colors. (I did not participate in the Banner Day parade, but my brother & I were in attendance for the game.)
Dan,
Great article. It’s good to know that someone at Mets Police can offer his view point in a mature, professional way without alienating whose who dare to have a different view.
HA! Since when have any of us claimed to be professional?
Touche.