Somebody at Steiner Sports is either brain dead or possessed of a wickedly ironic sense of humor. How else to explain the sports memorabilia shop's "special" offer of four New York Mets player photos? Who in their right mind would shell out money for the following "gift" items:
- Oliver Perez "jumping over the foul line". Question: Was this pic snapped immediately after he walked six straight batters, forcing in the go-ahead run in yet another disastrous pitching performance?
- Billy Wagner autographed "fist pump." I wonder if the pump occurred in the locker room after Wagner snapped at the press corps, telling them he'd rate the Mets' relief corps with that of any in baseball? In my humble opinion, the team's relief corps, along with the lack of a true leader a la Gary Carter or Keith Hernandez, spelled doom in '08.
- Aaron Heilman action photo. Puh-leese. The only action Heilman saw was craning his neck to watch the trajectory of the home run some opponent had just smashed. Heilman is easily the least reliable Mets reliever since Armando Benitez.
- Damion Easley turning a double play. OK. I'll buy that one. Easley does a nice job for a 38-year-old journeyman.
Steiner Sports has to be even more desperate than the Mets themselves to be offering a photo package like this. And, to think that anyone in his or her right mind would ever pay the "original" price of $299.99 is as realistic as thinking that general manager Omar Minaya will finally construct a squad that can hold onto a lead in September.
Repman,
Why is it a surprise that there's a market for schlock? Have you ever seen the eBay bidding action on Hummel figurines or 9/11 commemorative coins? Sports is a business and a buck is a buck.
What I don't understand is why all the hate on the Mets? Are you still a "fan?" I ask because all you seem to enjoy is kicking them in the teeth when they're down. I'm just sayin'.
Posted by: Peter E. | October 31, 2008 at 04:59 PM
Repman,
Why is it a surprise that there's a market for schlock? Have you ever seen the eBay bidding action on Hummel figurines or 9/11 commemorative coins? Sports is a business and a buck is a buck.
What I don't understand is why all the hate on the Mets? Are you still a "fan?" I ask because all you seem to enjoy is kicking them in the teeth when they're down. I'm just sayin'.
Posted by: Peter E. | October 31, 2008 at 05:01 PM
I adore the Mets, Peter. Always have. Always will. That doesn't mean I can't complain about the general management or the players' performance. Are you happy with the organization? If so, do you also enjoy sticking an icepick in your ear? Testing electric fences? Rooting for the Mets the past two years has been somewhat similar.
Posted by: Steve Cody | November 03, 2008 at 09:06 AM