Mets: What we missed most about the Amazins during the endless offseason

With nothing more than memories of our favorite moments of New York Mets baseball, here’s a look at five Amazin’ things that fans have missed most this year.

With baseball returning in late July, Opening Day in Flushing, Queens will be upon us at last, providing New York Mets fans something to look forward to after a long three-month absence.

Anchored by a strong pitching staff led by two-time Cy Young award winner, Jacob deGrom, a dynamic lineup of talent and unique personalities, and a retooled bullpen ready to nail down wins – the 2020 season was previously hailed as the year for many who root for the orange and blue.

Building on the continued excitement of fans after last summer’s near-playoff run, this year also teased us with new and ongoing storylines to follow, including the prospect of Luis Rojas’s debut as skipper, deGrom’s campaign for a historic Cy Young three-peat, Pete Alonso’s sophomore year, and more thrilling performances from their young core of players.

But aside from a potential playoff run, or the dream of becoming world champions, being left without Mets baseball highlights many and more aspects of the game that fans in the Big Apple anxiously wait for all winter long.

So while the 2020 baseball season draws closer, here’s a look at five key things Mets fans have missed about baseball that only those of us in the Big Apple could possibly understand: The Booth, The Players, Watching our New Skipper, Citi Field, and the 7 Line Army.

The Booth – Gary, Keith, and Ron (and Steve Gelbs)

Without SNY’s award-winning ensemble of baseball commentators, Mets baseball isn’t the same. And when it comes to play-by-play, no one else compares to the best booth in baseball. Period.

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The widely respected broadcast trio of Gary Cohen, Keith Hernandez, and Ron Darling (or as we refer to them: Gary, Keith, and Ron) have called every classic Mets moment since 2006. Gary’s electric play-by-play commentating has enhanced numerous Mets classics throughout the years, including his most notable catchphrase, “It’s outta here!” when a player hits a home run.

Together with his color-commentators and 1986 World Champions, Keith and Ron, the notable trio has become an integral part of Mets baseball, and a defining aspect to New York baseball.

Their preparation for each game, analysis of current Mets and league-wide news, along with their participation on SNY’s sports and entertainment programs (like the annual Kidcaster Contest and playing Beat the Booth by going head-to-head with Mets trivia against Gary Cohen and Radio play-by-play-announcer, Howie Rose), keep fans tuned in with their ability to connect with their audience.

Even during the dog days of summer last season when the Mets were knocked out of playoff contention and in past seasons during the team’s lackluster years of rebuilding, they kept us tuning in.

Since 2015, Steve Gelbs has joined their ranks with his stellar on-field reporting and entertaining rapport with the current roster. Boy, have we missed them since listening to them during spring training games.

The radio broadcast team of Howie Rose and Wayne Randazzo also makes listening to Mets baseball a one-of-a-kind experience.