End of an Era

So today is my last day as a New Yorker. Come tomorrow I'll be on my way to California to pursue my baseball dreams, clear my head, potentially get a license, get healthier with all that soy shit and tofu that they have, and probably hang out with a ton of Asian people. And of course, there's all the good times ahead with Upper West Side/76th street courts legend Maciej Lampe. Looking forward to it, pal.

So there's a lot to look forward to. But that said, there's a ton of things I'm going to miss. Luckily, the bad that is leaving everyone in New York behind is mixed with the good that has been these last three days, which have been some of the better ones of my life.

Sunday at Blondies with the crew followed by our night at Scores with Randy Milligan.

Monday with the folks, two people that don't get enough credit, except in this blog.

Yesterday at Benihana with friends from the U.

So I leave New York with a ton to be thankful for. This being a baseball blog, you know I gotta start the love-fest with some talk on my beloved New Mets.

I couldn't be more excited for the season to come. Maybe it's just all the time I've been spending with Happy Will or all the moves they've been making, but there is a real excitement brewing from Queens that I haven't seen since, uh oh, 2001.

Hopefully things will be different. Next Year is 2006.

The current rumor, Kris Benson for Jeremy Affeldt and Mike MacDougal, is both extremely intriguing and very scary.

Two years ago these guys were gold. They are both young and hard throwing and both have experience closing games.

But last year they both spent a ton of time on the DL. Granted, I am no Dr. James Andrews, but it's my memory that when pitchers get hurt, they seem to always get hurt. I guess I gotta put my faith in team brass with this one, but I do like this trade, and assuming it is a precursor to picking up Javier Vazquez or Barry Zito, I like it more. God do I love pitching.

These New Mets have gotten a ton better while the rest of the division has gotten a ton worse. As I've said, the division remains the Braves' to lose, but the fact that the often overly pessimistic SM sees some light says something.

After baseball, I'm going to miss my homies. It brings me back to the 1998 Master P hit, "I Miss My Homies". Truth is, I have a bunch of really great friends and it will be tough to say goodbye.

I'm going to miss the Upper West.

I'm going to miss Blondies, the greatest sports bar in the world and an official sponsor of Yankees2000.

I'm going to miss my DVR filled with 90210 reruns, the second season of Lost, "Point Break", and PTI.

Cousin, the greatest cousin of all time and his Butabi brother side kick, cousin Jeff. These two are both the present and future of the great state of New Jersey. One of very few moments that changed my life came in a diner in Jersey when Cousin told SM to get his shit together. I appreciate it, Cousin.

As for the Girl, the one that I took out to iced tea and cake a while back(Whoop!), well, she has slowly replaced the two early favorites as the future Mrs. Sippy Momo.

So now I'm headed out to Cali. Now look, I need a change of scenery for a while, I gotta try something new, but there's more to this move than new faces and sunshine. There's baseball. There's the A's. And there's the dream of being GM of the Mets by the time I'm 28.

See, it's been my philosophy that in order to become a GM you either have to be a ballplayer or you've gotta start out in one of the better organizations. The better teams in baseball over the last five or so years have been the ones who adhere to the "Moneyball" philosopy.

Whether you like the philosophy or not, that's just the way it's been. It's a new and creative way to think about baseball, and it's had it's share of success so far. One way or the other, that's where all the GM jobs are going. Guys like Theo, Paul Depodesta, J.P Riccardi all come from it. Now some of the new guys like Josh Byrnes and Jed Hoyer, both disciples of Theo, are getting their due.

Well I figure, why not go out to the bay and try and get a job for the A's? Along with the Indians, the A's are the best team in baseball going into next year, and I'd like to be there for that.

(Editor's note: the smart money in the pool for how long Sippy Momo lasts in San Francisco currently rests on late March/early April. That would put him back in New York for Opening Day at Shea. Next Year is 2006. Have a different prediction? That's why we've got a comment board.)

I honestly don't think the Mets are there yet. The organization has been in shambles for the last 5 years and while they are clearly showing signs of getting their act together, I don't even think they can be considered one of the best-run franchises in baseball. As a matter of fact, I don't even think they're close to being one.

Still I love them and I'll be back. It's the dream to take over the Mets someday, bring a championship back to Shea, and watch little Willie Momo run the field with AFOMG Jr., Nails Jr. and co. Knock on wood.

But heck, I'm a kid with a dream and while being unemployed is sweet, it is time to turn it around.

To all those I am leaving behind, take it easy. This blog with still be alive and kicking until the day that it is "not in the best interest of the team".

But until that day comes, keep your ear to grindstone.

To my humpday crew, I am truly looking forward.

And Pops, as the great Angelo Pappas once said, "You better not be trying to pick up any babes."

Well all, (thanks Delaney for this), let me leave you with this:

May the road rise to meet you
the wind be always at your back
the sunshine warm your face,
the rain fall soft upon your fields
and may the wings of destiny carry you aloft
to dance with the stars

No reason for that, I just always liked it when Ray Liotta said it in "Blow" and feel it is as good of a sendoff as there is out there.

Other than, of course...

Vaya con dios,

SM