Here are some final thoughts on the 2024 season from the entire Just Mets staff…
Linda Surovich
There is one thing that connects every generation of Mets fans and that is heartbreak. It has now been 38 years since their last World Series championship so there are new generations of Mets fans who have only known pain at the end of every season.
But, there is also that one magical team that makes you fall so deeply in love with the game that you realize the heartbreak is worth it. When those rare magical moments happen the joy far surpasses anything that should come after it.
For me, that was the 1999 team. For this next generation of fans I suspect it was this 2024 team. There will be articles written about what is to come on the field and within the organization but I think this is more of a turning point off the field. The 2024 season was a shared joy between the team and the fans that has reinvigored an already passionate fanbase. Humor, whimsy, and joy was celebrated and encouraged from the top down and everyone bought in. So who knows what next year will bring and what decisions will be made but there is little doubt the fun is here to stay.
Justin Mears
The Mets season obviously came to a disappointing conclusion on Sunday night in Los Angeles, but to me, the ending was not nearly as upsetting as past postseason finales.
I can’t totally put my finger on the reason why that is, but the one thing I keep coming back to is that this feels like the beginning of a competitive window, not the end of one. In David Stearns and Carlos Mendoza, it truly feels for the first time in a long time that the Mets have their long-term answer at both leadership positions. The Mets roster was clearly undermanned against a stacked Dodgers team, but they never gave up, didn’t roll over, and gave it one hell of a fight.
I fully expect this team to be active in the offseason to address some of the shortcomings that were exposed in October, and it really feels to me like this club will be back, and I can’t wait to see how the future will unfold.
Andrew Steele
The overwhelming emotion for Mets fans should be pride.
Of course, to have not reached the World Series after getting so damn close is heartbreaking. And the flaws of this team were exposed time and time again in the NLCS. However, let’s not forget that the Dodgers were built to win the World Series this year and have built up for this moment for many years.
The Mets were not.
But, after the dark days of May, how can you not be anything but proud of this team? To not only get the train back on the tracks after a house of horrors start, but to morph into the best team in baseball for an incredibly long stretch was beyond remarkable.
I remember panicking about what we were going to write about when the season was lost going into June. The situation appeared to be that bleak. Then, in a Grimace minute, everything turned around and everybody who writes for Just Mets got the absolute pleasure of covering the funnest Mets season we’ve had in a very, very, very long time.
What this team was able to do in the postseason alone will live long in the memory. Countless comebacks. A plethora of jaw-dropping late innings heroics. A magical ride that united all of us and left an indelible mark on generations of Mets fans. So, with all that said, the only right way to feel as the dust continues to settle is proud. And thankful.
And hopeful too. After all, the 2024 season taught us a couple of key things. The Mets really do have a legit superstar and respected leader in Francisco Lindor. Pete Alonso was able to deliver when it mattered most, which was a season-saving home run in the NL Wild Card Series followed by many big moments in the NLDS and NLCS. Mark Vientos established himself as this team’s third baseman, in addition to quickly becoming one of the most dangerous young stars in baseball.
Oh, and this organization finally has the right guys leading the charge in David Stearns and Carlos Mendoza.
Plus, the best is yet to come. After coming so close, expect owner Steve Cohen to give Stearns the green light to be uber-aggressive this offseason. Needs will be addressed. Flaws will be rectified. Pieces will be added that will hopefully help take this team to the next level. Having Juan Soto on the roster would certainly help to bridge the gap with the Dodgers.
This team gave us one hell of a special summer. And this looks to be just the start of a true awakening for this franchise. Bring on Hot Stove season!
Rich MacLeod
I wrote about it more extensively on Tuesday morning, but the true magic of the 2024 New York Mets is that they let this jaded, beaten and broken fan finally believe again.
After the 0-5 start and being 11 games under .500 in May, we were all preparing ourselves for four months of meaningless slogs that we call baseball games, selling off some of our favorite players at the deadline and preparing to start over – again. But this group of men did not allow that to happen.
From the moment Francisco Lindor called a team-only meeting, the Mets went from being a source of dejection and apathy to a source of joy, hope and, ultimately, great pride. They were the best team in baseball for over four months, went on a run that saw them slay demons in Atlanta, finally best the Milwaukee Brewers and exercise some 2007-08 ghosts by dominating the Phillies in the NLDS. It took them all the way to Game 6 of the NLCS before they eventually were bested by baseball’s super team in the Dodgers.
It was an unbelievable ride that I will remember for many years to come, and the only source of pain for me is that it’s finally come to an end. We’ll get to it in the next few weeks, but we’ve got a massively important and exciting offseason ahead of us. I hope you’ll all continue to follow along.
LFGM.
Michael Baron
The Mets have absolutely nothing to be ashamed of.
This was a team that was going nowhere fast in May. At that time, we were talking about the Mets being sellers at the trade deadline, how much they might be able to get for Pete Alonso, and how long it was going to take David Stearns to get the Mets right.
As it turns out, he had it right all along.
The Mets were the best team in baseball from May 30 through September 30. In between, they played with electricity, fire, determination and character. They roared their way back into the conversation by July, going from sellers to buyers and most of Stearns’ moves paid off in one form or another through the end of their playoff run.
And that playoff run was both magical and unforgettable.
I couldn’t be more excited for what lies ahead for this franchise. I can’t wait to get started talking about the hot stove, followed by the winter meetings, and then starting the rollercoaster ride again in Port St. Lucie in just a few short months.
Great job by the entire staff.Thank you for the outstanding writing capturing this wonderful season.I truly hope that everyone fully enjoyed the magical moments because it is so difficult to get back to the postseason especially in the National League East.Stability at the top is my biggest takeaway as well as changes to the entire organization which will reap the benefits in future years.The winter will definitely move a lot faster and before you know it we will be back in Port St.Lucie.Thanks again for your efforts this season and let’s hope the stove stays very hot this offseason.😊😊😊
Great job by the entire staff.Thank you for the outstanding writing capturing this wonderful season.I truly hope that everyone fully enjoyed the magical moments because it is so difficult to get back to the postseason especially in the National League East.Stability at the top is my biggest takeaway as well as changes to the entire organization which will reap the benefits in future years.The winter will definitely move a lot faster and before you know it we will be back in Port St.Lucie.Thanks again for your efforts this season and let’s hope the stove stays very hot this offseason.😊😊😊
A star (the Mets) is born. The Mets after many frustrating years are a rising Phoenix, up from the ashes. (Wilpon years)
Was this season really only one? It felt like at least three in one.