Why Every Jewish Person Should Be a Mets Fan

Being Jewish is all about being in the minority. It is about constantly being surrounded by a prevailing viewpoint, but sticking to your beliefs, even if they run contrary to what most of the other people believe, including Ann Coulter.

When the Second Temple was destroyed in 70 AD, all of the prevailing evidence said to stop being Jewish, and to convert to this new faith. After all, the very center of the Jewish faith was destroyed; if you believe in any sort of God, this seems to be a pretty good warning shot. Nevertheless, Judaism has prevailed, and despite constantly being on the losing end of history, has survived for millennia.

Similarly, the Mets’ collapse of 2007 can most aptly be seen as the baseball equivalent of the destruction of the Second Temple. It is monumental, historical, and makes any Mets fan wonder what they’re thinking.

Nonetheless, a true fan, just like a true believer, will prevail, regardless of the empirical evidence piling up to the contrary. As Bill Simmons, an ESPN columnist (and diehard Red Sox fan), once wrote, “Rooting for the Yankees is like rooting for the house in blackjack.” Sure the odds are always in favor of the Yankees, and they are (usually) the dominant force, but that is no reason to root for them. A Yankees fan is simply a person who has no faith, and simply goes with the surest bet.

Similarly, it is easy in today’s society to be a Christian. The majority of Americans are Christians, our government is setup to represent Christian ideals, and there is a whole boatload of evidence that says Christianity is the right way to go (miracles, prophecies, etc.). My life, and every Jewish person’s life, would certainly be “easier” if they were to convert to Christianity.

However, staying with team Judaism is a matter of faith. It is a matter of rooting for the underdog, and advocating the minority viewpoint. Similarly, being a Mets fan is a matter of rooting for the underdog, and despite epic collapses, like the stones of the Second Temple caving in, staying a true believer.