Mike's Mets

Last night I had the opportunity to participate in a bloggers roundtable at The Happy Recap along with Caryn aka Mets Grrl, Matthew Artus from Always Amazin' and John Young from Shea Nation. It was an interesting hour or so of Mets talk, and when it was finished I was struck once again how grateful I am to be a part of the vibrant community of Mets fans in cyberspace.

Since Lisa and I bought our first house last February it's been difficult for me to keep this blog up. I was really dissatisfied with the amount of time I was able to put into it last season and gave serious thoughts to retiring. To be honest with you, I was on the fence all the way until about a week before spring training started. I knew I would be unhappy with a repeat of my sporadic blogging from last season. I decided that I had to go back to blogging every day or walk away from it. My decision was to commit to a return to everyday posting, although I had no idea how I would be able to keep that commitment. So far it's worked out, although I squeaked a couple of posts in under the wire just before midnight.

I continue to do this, not because I think me and my blog are indispensible, but because I love being a part of this community enough to want to remain a part of it. Even though I don't make a dime out of it and struggle to find the time, I still get more out of it than I put into it. For every cyberjerk who made a nuisance out of themselves there were a dozen great Met fans I met either live or via comments and email.

Blogging is so very different from the way the conventional media interacts with sports fans like you and me. Bloggers come into the game with no built-in following and have to earn both their audience and their credibility as they go along. The reward for this is that we build relationships with our readers that just aren't possible in more conventional forums. Few of us will ever realize any financial benefit from what we do, but the sheer number of well-written, thoughtful and lively Mets blogs out there speak to the rewards of being part of this community.

I respect and admire my colleagues in the community of Mets bloggers. I'm sorry that I absolutely lack the time to link to their terrific work as often as I used to do. Particular kudos to Matt Cerrone of Metsblog, who had a unique opportunity this spring to venture forth into areas that have been closed to bloggers. Matt's opportunity was also a responsibility to represent all of us well. He pulled it off beautifully, as I'm sure all of you are already aware. As a blogger I'm proud of Matt, but not surprised. I hope it opens the door for more of my talented colleagues. I proud to be a part of the group from last night, and also the entire community that comprises the Mets blogosphere.

Now for something that I say from time to time, but not often enough. Thank you for taking some time from your day to read this blog. I understand how precious all of our time is in this crazy, hectic world we live in. I am humbled that you choose to spend some of it with me. This blog only exists because of you. Please accept my sincere thanks.

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