What year is it? 1999? It has been almost ten years since the New York Mets fan base has a catcher that provides such a spark to a very underwhelming team. It was 13 years ago when Mike Piazza helped lead the New York Mets to World Series. Since the Piazza era, the Mets have been lackluster at best behind the plate. None of them have been able to capture a stadium… until the 2013 season. The Mets acquired John Buck as part of the R.A. Dickey trade to the Toronto Blue Jays.
While most overlooked Buck as a temporary catcher until prospect Travis d’Arnaud was ready for the major leagues. However, with the 2013 season entering its first full week, it seems that Buck was more than anyone had ever expected. Mets fans have not had a power hitting catcher since Mike Piazza and while Buck might not be that guy yet, he is fitting very well in the Big Apple.
He currently leads the team in batting average, home runs, runs batted in, and hits! Nothing like the guy who struggled all last season with the Marlins where he only batted .192 for the year. While it is the Mets and it is only Week 2, it is a good sign for New York. As bad as things have been for the Mets in recent years, it seems like things could be turning around. Maybe not this year, or the next year, or even the year after that, but soon the Mets will be relevant again! This is just a good reminder that change is coming!
