Happy Thanksgiving From Rising Apple

From all of us over here at Rising Apple we wish you and your loved ones a very happy Thanksgiving (and a Happy Thanksgivukah to my Jewish brethren and sistren as well.)

(Sidenote: How awesome is that picture?)

It’s so easy to be cynical these days, and I have certainly been guilty from time to time. This holiday helps strip that down, and make us come together to say what we are thankful for, as opposed to what we despise.

So, here are some things us here at Rising Apple are thankful for on this 2013 version of the holiday.

Danny Abriano, Site Editor:

This Thanksgiving, I’m thankful that – regardless of what the current mood is – the Mets appear poised to take the next step.

Matt Harvey may be out for a while, but Zack Wheeler, Noah Syndergaard, and Rafael Montero are prepared to pick up the slack.

I’m also thankful that I became a Mets fan. It’s certainly not easy, but the reward will be that much sweeter when the club finally returns to prominence.

Rich Sparago, Staff Writer:

I’m thankful for being a Mets fan. Being a part of the Mets community, whether it’s Twitter, blogs, or in-person, is truly a unique experience. From talking to fans of other teams, they don’t have the same sense of connection. Maybe it’s “misery loves company”, but I would not trade it for any other fandom. Also, I’m thankful that in my lifetime, I’ve seen 2 World Championships and 4 pennants. I was a little too young for the first round of these, but the 1969 season created the Mets buzz that led to my becoming a fan. Yes, truly a lot of reasons to be thankful.

Andrew Battifarano, Staff Writer:

It’s obviously been a trying off season and one where it looks like the Mets might not make a significant move. While things do look bleak at the moment, there are some things to be thankful for.

For one, I could not be more grateful for the pitching prospects. Yes, the ace is out for the season, but the rest of the young guns are looking promising. Whether it’s Zack Wheeler, Noah Syndergaard or Jack Leathersitch, the prospects look good for the Amazin’s on the mound. Even though they lack some strong bats on the farm, pitching will be the key in the long-term, and the Mets have it.

The offense has been largely bleak over the past few seasons, but you can’t help but appreciate what David Wright does for the Mets. He’s consistently one of the best third basemen in the game, if not the best in the National League. He continues to produce in the lineup despite having minimal to no protection around him. Despite having the chance to leave the Mets last year, he signed an extension to say, and was eventually named Captain. His leadership ability coupled with his skills on the field make him one of the greatest to ever grace the orange and blue, something I could not be more thankful for.

Will DeBoer, Staff Writer:

I am thankful for Gary, Keith, and Ron, the best broadcast team in all of baseball, who become members of the family for six months out of the year. I am also thankful for David Wright and a cast of characters who are fun to root for.

Shannon Finkel, Staff Writer:

This Thanksgiving, I am thankful the Mets are finally headed in the right direction, with the contracts of Johan Santana and Jason Bay off the books and Frank Francisco no longer wearing a uniform. I am appreciative that we got to see a dominating 2013 season from Matt Harvey — and although he hurt his elbow, I am thankful his injury is one pitchers have proven they can come back from. I am also thankful I was able to see many great moments at Citi, like Matt Harvey’s first career complete game shutout, the 2013 All-Star Game, and the Mets’ sweep of the Yankees. I am grateful that I finally broke my losing record curse when I attend Mets games, too! I am happy about the abundance of young pitching within the organization that will hopefully dominate the league for many years. Lastly, I am thankful I will get to watch David Wright play in orange and blue until I am 28 years old.

Mike Lecolant, Senior Staff Writer:

I’m thankful to know, and work with the great staff at Rising Apple, and to all those who ever took the time to leave a comment. Despite recent hard times, I’m always thankful for the Orange and Blue. Nothing they do can ever take away my childhood memories. For those, I’m ever thankful. Let’s Go Mets.

Me:

I am thankful I chose the Mets and this great community, or more fittingly, fate allowing the Mets to choose me. I am a Converted Mets Fan, formerly a Yankee fan, and have a crazy history getting to this point. New York City was where my appreciation for the game went to a much higher level, and I am thankful to have met so many wonderful people through it. I am thankful that even in the losing years, baseball affords the time and space for so many excellent memories. It is easy to focus on the bad parts, but there’s something about this game and the Mets that make you appreciate the little things in life. I am so thankful they give me this perspective, and I look forward to a lifetime of enjoyment.

Happy Thanksgiving to all of you and your loved ones. May it be a blessed and safe one. And of course…

LET’S. GO. METS.

Thanks for reading! Be sure to follow @RisingAppleBlog on Twitter and Instagram, and Like Rising Apple’s Facebook page to keep up with the latest news, rumors, and opinion. Also, you can visit Sam Maxwell’s personal Mets Blog here. And for the latest on a Brooklyn Baseball TV Series Sam is developing, Like the Bedford & Sullivan Facebook page,  follow on twitter here, and listen to the research process here.