The Mets and the curse of years ending in 3

The New York Mets sold their souls to make it to the 1973 World Series. At 82-79, their win total is the lowest of any pennant winner of the World Series era. It was a strange National League season dominated by the National League West. The National League East teams weren’t nearly as strong. Someone had to win it.

Now in their seventh season with a year ending in a 3, it’s clear someone sold their soul to make 1973 happen.

The Mets and the curse of years ending in 3 lives on

The 1963 Mets aren’t held in the lowest of esteem simply because they have the 1962 Mets to reference as the worst club in franchise history. Still, the second year for the Mets wasn’t all that good. They were 51-111. It’s their third-lowest win total in franchise history among full seasons.

A decade later came the outlier of a season in 1973. The Mets came a win away from pulling off a World Series win. Ever since, they’ve failed to secure a winning season.

The 1983 Mets went 68-94. They were springing forward. The Keith Hernandez trade assured fans that despite all of the recent losing, things were looking up. The rest of the decade was a success, capped off by the 1986 World Series win.

All good things come to an end. After 1990, the Mets went downhill again. It was in 1993 when things reached a new low. At 59-103, the Mets put together their most miserable year outside of the 1960s. A year later when they played just 113 games due to the player’s strike they nearly won as many games at 55-58.

The curse wasn’t ready to lift. The 2003 Mets went 66-95 and signaled a rebuild for the ball club. They did bounce back quickly. By the time we got to the 2013 Mets who’d go 74-88, they were already at the tail end of several losing seasons. Nevertheless, it was a year ending in 3 and a losing campaign.

We’re now living through the end of what appears to be another season fitting the theme. The 2023 Mets were supposed to be so much better. They would end the curse. Genies, wizards, and djinn couldn’t be paid off.

Cancel your season tickets for 2033. While you’re at it, let them know you’ll be skipping baseball altogether in 2043 and 2053 as well.