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Leff: The Night Before Christmas |
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Written by Mark Leff
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Monday, 24 December 2007 |
‘Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the city,
The Yankees and Mets fans were weeping in pity.
New Yorkers are used to success from their teams,
But 2007 had shattered their dreams
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The collapse out of Queens was a terrible sin:
Just a few weeks to go and they still couldn’t win.
The Yanks started rough and made a rebound,
But lost to the Tribe in the very first round.
The fans have high standards in Gotham, you know,
So they simply could not let such happenings go.
They called for improvements for 2008,
Wanting trades for big pitchers, using prospects as bait.
The first was Santana, and the Yankees tried hard,
While the Mets couldn’t get him, so they went for Bedard.
But the Yankees bailed out from the Santana game,
And the Mets didn’t have enough to land a big name.
So the winter moved on and the teams barely changed,
While the fans wanted them to be all rearranged.
They grew angry and bitter, frustrated and cross.
They already thought that next season was lost!
Wherever you turned, you could hear someone scream,
“We’ve ruined our chances! I’ve lost faith in my team!
We haven’t improved since our losses last year,
So we won’t have a chance in ‘08, is my fear.”
The Mets fans felt their starting pitching was weak.
“We need an ace pitcher,” was their most common shriek.
The Yanks’ fans looked north, where Boston pride loomed,
And were fully convinced that their season was doomed.
So they ranted and raved, they bawled and they yelped,
They howled and they hollered. They couldn’t be helped.
The Phillies and Red Sox would win their divisions
If the Mets and the Yankees didn’t make some revisions.
Some reporters joined in with the ill-tempered crowd,
Condemning the teams with their voices heard loud.
When a single reporter (that’s me, by the way)
Stood up from the pack and had something to say.
“Hey people, I know that last season was tough,
But have some perspective and don’t be so gruff.
The Mets and the Yankees are still two great clubs,
But you’re acting like they’re just a whole bunch of scrubs.
“The Mets may have lost a starter of late,
But they’ve got Pedro back and their offense looks great.
The Phillies lost Rowand; the Braves, Andruw Jones.
You’ll still be competitive. Stop with the moans.
“And Yankee fans, Boston’s the favorite, it‘s true.
But you’ve got a great roster, so why be so blue?
Your hitting is stellar and you’ve got three young guns.
Your season’s not over before it’s begun.
“In 2008, these teams won’t often lose.
There are fans that would kill to be in your shoes.
Gotham is still the world’s best baseball town,
And it’s got two great teams, so just calm the heck down!”
In New York, fans will rarely listen to reason.
They’ll condemn their teams throughout the offseason.
But consider my words as you live through your plight.
Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!
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Last Updated ( Monday, 24 December 2007 )
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