For Mets and Yankees Fans It’s All A Matter of Perspective

For Mets and Yankees fans, where their respective teams are in the standings right now is all a matter of perspective.

Their teams' records may be completely different, but you might not know that judging by some of what's happening on social media these days.

That Tweet (sorry, but I refuse to call it "X") sums things up pretty well.

Since June 14 when they were a season-high 28 games over .500, they have a record of 5-15 and have put Yankees fans into full panic mode on social media and the call-in shows.

It's Boone's fault because he coddles the players, so let's fire him. "If Billy Martin were still alive...."

It's the infield's fault. Anthony Volpe's average is dropping like an anchor, DJ LeMahieu is a shell of himself, Gleyber Torres doesn't care, and Anthony Rizzo is hurt (again).

Ben Rice? He had a great Saturday against the Red Sox and everyone wanted to put his plaque in Monument Park. But you might want to pump the breaks a bit and see where he is once opposing pitchers see where the hole in his swing is.

Juan Soto and Aaron Judge are the only two consistent bats in the lineup.

The rest of them? Bring on the "they're overpaid" complaints. "Send so-and-so back to the minors and bring up someone who...."

You get the idea.

Barring a complete second-half collapse after the All-Star Break, Boone isn't going anywhere, and neither are most of the players.

Most are out of minor league options and either no one wants them in a trade, or their contracts are too prohibitive to just cut them.

General Manager Brian Cashman will probably swing a deal or two to fix some of the holes, but what you see right now on the lineup card every night is probably going to be what you get during the second half of the season.

After a brutal 0-5 start to the season, the Mets went on a 12-3 run getting themselves 4 games over .500.

During the month of June, they had winning streaks of 3, 7, and 4 games which has kept them hovering near the break-even point and well within striking distance of a Wild Card spot.

As Chris Swendeman and I pointed out a couple of weeks ago, where the Mets are on July 22 after the series against the horrific Marlins should be a good barometer for what they do at the trade deadline.

By all rights, barring a complete collapse this month, the Mets should strongly consider adding a couple of pieces for the stretch run.

One thing you can be assured of - McDonald's is absolutely LOVING the free advertising they're getting courtesy of this overhyped purple character.

Since they were mentioned in the Tweet above (again, I'm NOT calling it "X"), and since they just took 4 out of 6 games from the Yankees, let's consider what they've done so far.

2024 was supposed to be a bridge year. Still recoiling from the ridiculous trade of Mookie Betts, New England fans weren't expecting much.

And yet, here they are having reached a season-high 9 games over .500 after the 3-0 win over the Yankees on Sunday night in the Bronx.

They're young, they're athletic, they're running around the bases like crazy (ask Yankees catcher Jose Trevino about that), and they have a bonifide Yankee killer in Rafael Devers who apparently has never met a Yankees pitcher who he can't take deep.

But get this - ESPN's Buster Olney reported over the weekend that Red Sox management isn't sure they're going to be buyers at the July 31 trade deadline.

Jersey’s 5 Favorite Solo Artist Rock Songs.  There are a bunch of great ones, to put it mildly. Of course, to compile this list I turned to DHA listeners since they are true music connoisseurs and know a ton about great rock songs.

I posted the question of the day last week at 4 pm asking for the listener's favorite solo artist rock songs.  Then, an hour later at 5 pm, I took those responses and put together a block of music for the ride home with First Call Last Call.  It’s always terrific reading through listener responses.  Not just because I’m lazy, which I am.  But also, because there are always some great answers mentioned that make me go “How’d I forget that one!!”

Solo Artists are a large category too.  Because there are artists who are strictly known by what they create on their own.  And then there are vocalists or guitarists from bands that branch own on their own to put out other music.  I always love it when a solo project is vastly different from the band the artist is in.  Because to me, if you’re going to make a solo record that sounds like your band……well, why not just write those songs and have your band record them?

It's interesting too when it sounds different because you get to see a whole other side of an artist.  For instance, maybe they’re in a heavier or more experimental band and then they put out acoustic jams that are straightforward.  You get to see what they’re capable of, which is neat. 

I always have had a fondness for Chris Cornell's solo material, because I loved Soundgarden, but I find it cool that Chris can then go out and play soft and slow and emotional like he does with some of his solo work.

Let’s take a look at Jersey’s 5 Favorite Solo Artist Rock Songs!

Such a cool video to watch. And with strife inside the band, it's no surprise DLR wanted to break away from VH and go out on his own. This is a really fun one too!

This one has such a cool vibe to it.  Each section is catchy and out there and weird.  It works so well as a whole song though and Bowie really shines.

Myles can sing anything.  His voice is other worldly and it was so cool to get this as the lead single from his first solo album!  It's really hypnotic.

SOOOOOO Very different from Slipknot.  And that is one of the things that makes this so cool to hear.  Corey has some great vocals on this one and really makes is an exciting tune.  Something unique!

Soundgarden had such a unique sound.....and so did Chris's other projects.  But his solo material really let his voice shine and showed off that he was a great songwriter!