The New York Mets joined Major League Baseball in 1962, when wealthy attorney William Shea practically forced his way into the league. Shea created a league called the Continental League when the MLB refused to allow another baseball team in New York. Major League Baseball soon realized that they didn't want to compete with another league, and finally allowed Shea his team to be called the "Mets." The name was short for the word "Metropolitan" after the New York Metropolitan Area. Having a less-than-great season leading the team to be known as the "Loveable Losers," the team eventually found success over the years with the likes of Hall of Fame ball players Yogi Berra, Willie Mays, and Nolan Ryan. The Mets play at Shea Stadium, a historic landmark to the game, where they have played since 1964. The New York Mets' franchise totals include two World Series championships in four World Series performances, four National League pennants, seven LCS appearances, and five division titles.
Thus far this season, the New York Mets stand at 4th place in the National League East division with a 30-33 record. With the acquisition of two-time Cy Award winner, pitcher Johan Santana from the Minnesota Twins in exchange for four minor league prospects, the New York Mets look to improve upon last season's average performance and make it into the playoffs. Despite a slow start to this season, expectations to produce a winning season are high with this improved roster, and playoff contention is inevitable once the team develops a higher level of chemistry. Tickets are selling slow to fans waiting for the team to pull it together and start a turnaround to the rest of the season. The team's pitching duo of All-Star Pedro Martinez and Santana seems unbeatable on paper, and the team just needs to make it work on the field.
