We Laugh and We Cry

This weekend, Borat stampeded into our hearts. For those who didn't see it, I won't spoil anyhting.

But this movie did not disappoint and that's saying a lot considering that I was basically expecting one of the funniest movies ever.

The film grossed over $26,000,000 in less than 1000 theatres, a formula that normally just doesn't add up.

Two years ago there were two other things that didn't add up: the Mets and winning.

I laughed with Borat, I cried with Pedro. Not actually, but I make no guarantees for Happy will and his little bro Cheddar.

Pedro announced over the weekend that there is a chance that he will be forced to retire. That major reconstruction on his shoulder may be too much for a 5'11, 155lb man with a violent throwing motion to ever overcome.

This is not shocking. Pedro is old and he is tiny. He does not just reach back and throw. He does not just bend the knees on his 240lb body.

He almost defies human body physics to reach back and just dominate batters. And so it is that the task that lies ahead of him may prove too tall for even the most gifted of men.

When the Mets signed Pedro Martinez after 2004 for 4 years, $54 million, I was immediately skeptical.

He looked hittable in the second half of 2004 and was very hittable in the 2004 postseason. Say what you will about Game 4 of the World Series, but if Manny doesn't make that throw in the first on a foolish coaching decision by Jose Oquendo (or whoever their third base coach was then) the flood gates could have opened. Chalk that one up to excellent Red Sox karma.

But 4 years for a guy on the decline.

$54 mill for a guy who could break down.

As it turns out all my worst fears came to fruition. Pedro broke down around the 30% completion mark of his contract.

Even ultimate Mets pessimists did not see this one coming. After all, this was a man who for most of his career avoided serious injury. Instead, I thouhgt that Pedro might be good in '05, a little worse in '06 then a little worse in 'o7 until he platooed at around a No. 3 starter by '08.

But we only got Pedro for a year and around 2 months.

And in my opinion, the $54 mill was the smartest investment the Mets have made since they gave Jose Reyes $20,000 and a pack of gum to sign with them however many years back.

So many of the arguments have already been made, but they are all universally true. Pedro changed the Mets.

He brought excitement to Shea. He brought the Mets their first true superstar since Mike Piazza, who had been on the decline for a bunch of years by the fall of 2004.

He brought the Mets their first dominant starting pitcher since Mike "I hope you step on a rusty screw driver" Hampton, 4 years earlier at the time.

But most importantly he gave the Mets a face. He gave the Mets a smile. And he gave the Mets an ambassador to the rest of the major leagues.

What was fortunate was that Pedro's arrival coincided with the emergence of budding stars, David Wright and Jose Reyes.

But the thought of playing with two great young players is not what attracted players to Shea.

Yes, we gave Beltran the most money, but I still don't believe in my heart that he comes to Shea without Pedro.

With Pedro, Beltran and year 2 of Wright and Reyes we were competitive. The rest is now history.

Pedro deserves praise for what he has already brought us. '06 was the first excitement at Shea in 6 years, and the first time we fielded a team good enough to win its own division in 18 years.

So Pedro did more than just deliver us some stars. He changed the culture at Shea. Pedro made the Mets fun.

His energy and excitement, even while leading an 83-win team, was unmatchable. We all wanted to see Pedro pitch in September '05 and we all wanted to see his face on the jumbotron.

Pedro allowed us to "catch the energy" that our awful slogan makers had been pushing for so long.

He made next year now.

He allowed us to buy one Carlos, and get the next one free.

Pedro made the Mets who they are today.

Not enough is mentioned of the Mets clubhouse. We read from time to time how much players love playing for this team though, and that will only attract more players to want to be a part of this group.

When you're the superstar of the team, the high profile guy, as Pedro is, you steer the ship. Pedro steers the ship with jokes, smiles and clever one-liners. His teammates then follow.

Then you can take a look at the Bronx. Derek Jeter and A-Rod competing to see who can fold their socks better and look more perfect. Two guys competing for the spotlight when there are 10 other guys in the room who think they are the star.

If the Yankes were smart, they would trade for the injured Pedro now. He would do more for those stuffy assholes than the $100's of millions of dollars they plan on throwing at other pitching this winter.

While I hope Pedro comes back, I am prepared for him not to. Still, as a diehard like the rest of you, I am personally indebted to Pedro.

As AFOMG and my other buddies can attest, I always viewed the Mets with a sense of negativity. Even in '99 and '00 when we had a shot, I did not think so.

But something happened over the last couple of years. All of a sudden, my smile was just a bit bigger and I felt that the Mets could actually win.

Sure, they didn't. But I thought we could. And it's a lot better to live happy then to live cynical.

For that, a big thanks to Pedro.

Vaya con dios,

Sip