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Happy Anniversary?

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Apr 05 2011 10:42 AM

I've heard some variant on this from a few different places. It's stuck in my craw every single time. In 1986, the Mets celebrated their ’25th Anniversary,’ according to this patch, which appeared on their uniform’s sleeve. However, this year, 25 years later, they’re not celebrating their 50th anniversary. Why? Because, according to people in the organization, the 1986 Mets made a mistake, and either shouldn’t have done it all, instead waiting for 1987, or, if doing it 1986, it should have been called the ’25th Season,’ not 25th anniversary. This makes sense. 1962 + 50 = 2012, not 2011. So, it’s understandable that some fans are confused. I know I was. But, next year, expect some sort of anniversary celebration, and probably a commemorative patch on the uniform Here's the thing: speaking strictly, they're right about the '86ers being wrong. But should we be celebrating the anniversary, or the actual season? That is to say, are we celebrating the number of years since that first, singular event (see: wedding anniversaries, founding of X anniversaries), or are we celebrating a milestone in the continued, vibrant existence of this enterprise to which we're wed? Seems to me a no-brainer: Happy 50th Season, people.

Benjamin Grimm Apr 05 2011 10:46 AM Re: Happy Anniversary?

I agree. This is the season to celebrate. It's hard to believe that, before long, the 1986 season will be in the first half of the Mets history.

TransMonk Apr 05 2011 11:00 AM Re: Happy Anniversary?

Grimm just made my day grimmer.

Willets Point Apr 05 2011 11:02 AM Re: Happy Anniversary?

It's all rather arbitrary to chose to celebrate the 50th season or the 50th anniversary anyway. There's nothing more significant about 50 over 49 or 51 except in our minds. Anyhow, I intend to celebrate this season as the best 2011 season in Mets history.

themetfairy Apr 05 2011 11:38 AM Re: Happy Anniversary?

If they were wrong in 1986, so be it. That season turned out pretty well, mistake or no mistake. Let's follow in their footsteps rather than split hairs, shall we?

Benjamin Grimm Apr 05 2011 11:41 AM Re: Happy Anniversary?

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Ceetar Apr 05 2011 11:43 AM Re: Happy Anniversary?

themetfairy wrote: If they were wrong in 1986, so be it. That season turned out pretty well, mistake or no mistake. Let's follow in their footsteps rather than split hairs, shall we? I'm good with this. Also, let's just celebrate both. why not? This is the 50th season, (and 25th anniversary..?) next year is the 50th anniversary. 2013 is the All-Star/Piazza year 2014 is 5th anniversary of Citi Field. 2015 is the 5th anniversary of the 3rd championship.. etc. why not?

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Apr 05 2011 11:49 AM Re: Happy Anniversary?

'Cause we didn't win in 2010. Let me rephrase: the 1986ers were wrong not to celebrate, but to use the word "anniversary;" in my mind, they were right to celebrate, and it makes sense-- if you're to be married to round numbers-- to celebrate during the round-numbered season rather than the round-numbered echo of the first one, dig?

Ceetar Apr 05 2011 11:58 AM Re: Happy Anniversary?

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr wrote: 'Cause we didn't win in 2010. Let me rephrase: the 1986ers were wrong not to celebrate, but to use the word "anniversary;" in my mind, they were right to celebrate, and it makes sense-- if you're to be married to round numbers-- to celebrate during the round-numbered season rather than the round-numbered echo of the first one, dig? Bah, should've been 2015, 5th season.. anyway, I agree with you. Any excuse to celebrate is good with me. Also, round numbers not so important. I would've celebrated our 41st season.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Apr 05 2011 12:03 PM Re: Happy Anniversary?

Oh, yeah. Or 44th. Or 53rd. Or 112th. Think about it, though-- either nobody thought to proof the design/marketing plan for that year, or nobody stood up to whoever okayed that stuff. Now, anything "authentic"-- Mitchell-and-Ness-y, e.g.-- of that era MUST have a mistake patch on it, or it's inauthentic.

G-Fafif Apr 05 2011 12:10 PM Re: Happy Anniversary?

It wasn't just the Mets back then. The Astros celebrated their 25th year in 1986 and the Mariners, founded in 1977, celebrated their 10th year. All the patches looked weird, but that was the concept du jour. Then, for whatever reason, the minimal celebration of the 30th anniversary (at least in the official yearbook) took place in 1992, and the more substantial 40th anniversary was feted in 2002. My theory on the latter was they might have done it in 2001 except they had NATIONAL LEAGUE CHAMPS as their hook and decided to save 40TH ANNIVERSARY for another year, though I've never had that confirmed. Hunch from dealing a little with Metsfolk: Not that much thought went into "we did it this way in '86..." vis-a-vis the Fiftieth. Somebody looked at a calendar, did the arithmetic (perhaps with a calculator) and then went to lunch.