The mascots of Major League Baseball all hold a special place in the hearts of all baseball fans. Some of them, however, should be shunned from society because they are either too strange, too dumb, too creepy, or too uncomfortable to comprehend.
Here are 10 Major League mascots that stand out among the rest for all the wrong reasons.
In the end, it may seem more fitting to refer to this list as “The Top 10 Different-Colored Blobs in Major League Baseball.”
For some teams, a relationship with the fans can be strictly based on winning games.
Other teams are more defined by the character of the team.
Very good teams maintain a balance between these two aspects, creating an organized team that may come across as very likable.
If the Mets can build off of their potential feast on weakling road teams like the Orioles and Indians, the team could be well on their way to achieving a strong balance between the ability to win and the ability to maintain excellent character.
Pleasing the Mets faithful is tough but a balance between gameday performance and personality will always win the fans over.
There are plenty of specific examples of what may make this current Mets team attractive to Mets fans.
For starters, the players that do not belong in the spotlight have no part of it, for the moment at least.
With Oliver Perez and John Maine on the disabled list, the Mets rotation has blossomed with consistency from knuckleballer R.A. Dickey, solid pitching from young lefty Jon Niese, and even a couple of quality starts from Hisanori Takahashi.
There are also those Mets fans that are more satisfied without second basemen Luis Castillo in the lineup.
It may be for the best in some respects because 20-year-old rookie Ruben Tejada is getting more regular action on the big league roster.
Speaking of Tejada, the likability of a team can stem from the integration of highly-touted rookies.
Guys like Tejada, first basemen Ike Davis, and reliever Jenrry Mejia represent just that.
Ike Davis is a perfect example. Whenever he stands in at the plate, he maintains an air of maturity. He isn’t just a rookie at bat, he’s a major leaguer. For that, the fans love him, and his power potential.
Mets fans are seeing some of the players they want to see take the field—that is an easy way to win over a fan base and quell the booing crowds.
The Mets also have big name players.
There are the high profile names of homegrown talents in David Wright and Jose Reyes, in addition to added talents like Jason Bay and Johan Santana.
The homegrown players are the guys that Mets fans have a special bond with, and Reyes and Wright in particular have turned up the dial on their performance recently.
Wright has already eclipsed his 2009 home run total and Reyes definitely seems to have his swing back, driving the ball and slapping line drives into right field.
There are also the names that just stick out.
It is nearly impossible for the name of R.A. Dickey to not be memorable in the minds of Mets fans.
Dickey has exceeded expectations that probably did not even exist before he went out for his first of five starts to this point as a Met.
Chris “Animal” Carter adds a more youthful and less recognizable punch off the bench and many Mets fans have gotten into the habit of referring to starter Mike Pelfrey as “Big Pelf.”
Many entertaining teams have that sort of gimmicky aspect to them and right now,
on every fifth day, the Mets have a rare one. R.A. Dickey’s knuckleball has been effective through five starts as he has posted a 4-0 record and 2.78 ERA.
The Mets certainly have plenty of the “good guys” in baseball too.
Jeff Francouer is an example.
He loves the city he is playing in and it is noticeable in how he conducts himself in interviews as well as how he always has a smile on his face. It helps his case that he has lifted his batting average out of the doldrums too.
To top it all off, the Mets are getting outstanding All-Star caliber performances out of both their pitching staff and lineup.
Mike Pelfrey, heading into today’s start against Kevin Millwood and the Orioles, is 8-1 in 12 starts with 2.23 ERA and 1.17 WHIP. He’s getting more attention, and it is becoming clear why the Mets drafted him in the first round in 2005.
Even free agent product Rod Barajas is putting up All-Star numbers as the Mets catcher.
Barajas has more home runs than any catcher in baseball with 11 and has kept his batting average above .250 in 50 games played—something he rarely does.
Plenty of positive individual performances have Mets fans crazy about their standout players.
Team effort and cohesion can channel this energy into more wins.
Combine all these aspects of what the Mets have going on right now and toss in some more home runs from Jason Bay, who is still hitting well otherwise, and the Mets have a that likable, lovable roster that the fans can easily develop a bond with.
The bottom line right now is that the Mets are exceeding expectations with the players and an unlikely supporting cast the fans have grown to love .
The Mets are developing a winning mentality to make a run and take advantage of their struggling division rivals while exhibiting a positive energy.
And, most importantly, they are fun to watch.
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Roughly two months into the regular season, it seems like a good time to review what the Mets have developing down on the farm. The Mets are often criticized for not developing homegrown talent that is up to par with the rest of baseball. However, there does appear to be a core of young prospects experiencing the necessary growth required to reach the big show.
These young guns will indeed be necessary, because looking at this team, some fresh young potential will need to surround core leaders like Johan Santana, Mike Pelfrey, Jose Reyes, and David Wright.
In January, www.minorleagueball.com listed 20 prospects as the Mets top prospects for 2010.
1. Jenrry Mejia, RHP
2. Wilmer Flores, SS
3. Fernando Martinez, OF
4. Ike Davis, 1B
5. Jon Niese, LHP
6. Reese Havens, 2B
7. Kyle Allen, RHP
8. Jeurys Familia, RHP
9. Brad Holt, RHP
10. Ruben Tejada, SS/2B
11. Kirk Nieuwenhuis, OF
12. Eric Niesen, LHP
13. Jefry Marte, 3B
14. Cesar Puello, OF
15. Josh Thole, C
16. Juan Urbina, LHP
17. Steve Matz, LHP
18. Brant Rustich, RHP
19. Tobi Stoner, RHP
20. Dillon Gee, RHP
Mejia, Davis, and Niese have all seen action with the New York Mets this year. Niese has several stints as a starter under his belt, and is no doubt major league ready. Coming off hamstring problems, Niese will look to bounce back from the injury, and he will likely remain a fixture in the rotation, providing it with the youth that it truly needs.
Ike Davis also had his big league ticket punched earlier this season. He likely will remain a fixture at first base as a definite upgrade over anyone else at the position. He brings solid defense to the field and has some power, evidenced by his six home runs.
Mejia has been in the Mets bullpen since opening day, a move that may not benefit him the most. He needs to develop as a starting pitcher in the minors. Instead, he is relieving on the big league club where the emphasis is placed on winning rather than building up quality pitching.
Fernando Martinez was batting a lowly .244 through mid-May before he was placed on the disabled list with a hamstring strain. He needs to bounce back and showcase the plate discipline that gave him his highly touted rating.
Another capable outfielder is Kirk Nieuwenhuis, who has speed and some pop. He has bit the free swinger bug and has been striking out much too regularly. Either way, he has the makeup and defense of a future pro outfielder.
Depending on how things shake out in center field, Martinez and Nieuwenhuis could be in the running for next year’s starting job. However, Angel Pagan looks comfortable in that role and is the logical choice to stay, and who knows where Carlos Beltran will end up when he regains his health. Needless to say, both prospects possess the ability to have definite futures with the organization.
The Mets middle infield will likely see Wilmer Flores and Reese Havens in the future.
Havens will jump to the Mets quicker than Flores, as he’s older and has the ability to draw walks.
Ruben Tejada is the most major league ready of all the Mets prospects in the middle infield, and he’s in the mix as well.
The Mets don’t seem to have any plans for the future at second base, unless they sign a free agent. Either way, expect the left-handed hitting Havens to get time at the position in 2011.
Flores is only 18, so he has more time to develop. His path to the major league level is still blocked by Jose Reyes. Flores is definitely his fail-safe, and he could slide in at second if Havens doesn’t stay healthy.
Flores doesn’t have the power or fundamentals to play anywhere but the infield. If the Mets ever need to package a prospect in a trade, he would be the likely candidate. He does have a bat with a little bit of pop (.300 average and five home runs with the Class A Savannah Sand Gnats).
Josh Thole is the Mets leading prospect at catcher, and the organization seems to have plenty of confidence in him. He has little to no power, but he is a smart contact hitter. His defense has been questioned as well. He is currently batting .254 at AAA Buffalo, a number that has been slowly rising.
Thole may or may not be the answer for the Mets if they’re looking for a starting catcher. He can certainly provide insurance at the position, and his hitting could develop to the point that it is worth seeing every day. His ability to lead a pitching staff may not grow much more.
With the current state of the Mets bullpen and the back end of the rotation, Mets fans would probably be enticed by the name of any pitching prospects. Jeurys Familia and Kyle Allen are each only 20-years-old and are two pitching names that stick out especially.
Familia and Allen are both experiencing control problems at Single A Port St. Lucie this year, an area each pitcher has looked strong in.
In 2008 and 2009 as a starter, Familia’s WHIP sat just under 1.20, indicating excellent control. The same can be said for Allen. Each pitcher possesses the ability to strike men out and could find themselves in the mix for the Mets rotation and bullpen in 2013 if they regain the control they’re known for.
Righty Brad Holt has struggled as he has advanced through the system and has posted a 9.38 ERA through eight starts at AA Binghamton this year. He has a strong arm, but he has consistently given up big hits. He will remain a commodity in the Mets system, as long as his numbers don’t plummet anymore.
Additionally, Dillon Gee and Tobi Stoner are two major league-ready right-handed arms capable of starting games at the big league level. If injuries continue to pile up, they’ll be up sooner rather than later.
It is evident that the Mets have a handful of decent options in the farm system. If they struggle any more in 2010, some of these names will gain some more recognition. More names will also be added to this list come Monday in the 2010 MLB Draft.
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