How could you not be happy for Jay Bruce?

by Darren Meenan September 15, 2017

How could you not be stoked for Jay Bruce? I get it: He's not on the Mets, and our season has been technically over for a while now. The team sputtered out early, and the Mets moved their big pieces without getting all that much in return. And when you consider that we thought we'd be in the ones on our way to the postseason, and maybe even the World Series, this year, it's hard not to feel jealous. But I don't get how you can be negative about what's going on in Cleveland, with Bruce right at the center of things.

Some fans are pessimistic by default. We could win the damn World Series and some in Twitter land would try to find something to complain about. So I know there will always be negativity in social media. But this is great to watch, especially for a stand up guy like Jay.

I'll be honest, when Bruce came to the Mets, I wasn't thrilled with some of his comments. I don't think he really ever envisioned himself in New York. That's cool, and I get it, but it colored my opinion of him. It's not easy for a guy who, prior to last year's trade deadline, played his whole career in one city. Uprooting your family (Jay and his wife had a brand new baby when the trade came down) and moving late in the season after being with the Reds for so long has to suck. But fair or not, fans don't want to hear that.

But Bruce turned the page this season and committed himself to proving he can handle the big stage. He loosened up and started to gel more with his teammates.. Fans came around, myself included, and he had a strong season. He ended his Mets tenure with 153 games played, 37 homers, 94 rib eye steaks and batted .245. Respectable.

Of course, it wouldn't be New York without a quote getting taken out of context, like the partial quote Bruce gave to the WSJ's Jared Diamond on Wednesday.

"I went from being in one of the least fun situations in baseball to the most fun." --Jay Bruce, very happy he was traded.
— Jared Diamond (@jareddiamond) September 13, 2017

The Jay Bruce quote I tweeted earlier upset #Mets fans. Here's his full quote, in context. He wasn't bashing the Mets or being malicious. pic.twitter.com/seNpaWu8kJ
— Jared Diamond (@jareddiamond) September 13, 2017

No one can relate to that? Has this Mets season been fun for anyone? The guy was a monster for the Mets this season, and he got the opportunity to jump into not only a pennant race, but be part of a historic winning streak. Just be happy for the dude. Just because we're miserable, doesn't mean he should be, too.

Last night, with their backs against the wall, and one out away from ending the streak, the Indians rallied. The man to seal the deal? Jay Bruce. A walk off double in the 10th inning to bring the W count to 22. Unbelievable.

Keep having fun, Bruce. I'm behind you.