Mets Network

Well, well, well, take a look at this. (thanks to the folks over at NY Fan Sites. You have to register, but if you haven't, do so. It's worth it, trust me.)

It seems that the chances of the Mets landing their own sports network is getting more and more possible for the 2006 year when the Mets are no longer on television. The article states that the Mets, Time Warner Cable, and Comcast would all have a share of the action and open it up as a joint venture, meanwhile looking to bring other sports onto the network as well (possibly the New Jersey Devils, if they're around in 2006).

I'm torn on whether or not this is a good idea. Part of me loves the fact that the Mets would get their own network, because they'll more than likely run old games and for me there's nothing better then watching Ventura's Grand Single, Doc facing Ryan, Buckner's Blunder and the 69 Mets on constant replay. It's an exciting concept. Also, there's a hope deep down that the Wilpon's would open their wallet even wider to get a real great player or players, to bring the Mets fan over to the network. You need an all-star to draw people to the games, and who better then a certain free agent center-fielder from Houston?

I worry however about what else could run on this network, as baseball only takes six months (perhaps seven if spring training games are run, or possibly even eight if -- my heart be still -- the team made the playoffs) But what about those other months? YES has the Nets, and Cablevision owns the Knicks, so that's not possible. And football's got too lucrative a contract with major networks to jump to a rookie network. Possibly high-school or college football games? Rutgers basketball? Possibly hockey? There just doesn't seem to be anything that could draw big for those quiet winter months.

But the idea is certainly an exciting one. Hopefully those Wacky Wilpons won't botch this as well.