Twas' a night in 2001 and all throughout the league, you didn't hear Jeromy. No, not a peep. Then to the clubhouse, where #20 would shout. "My gosh when was the last time I didn't strike out?"
Then something happened that rang Jeromy's bell. He injured himself and he hit the DL. Now all is well out at Shea with the fans. Not only is Jeromy hitting, but Jeromy is the man.
That's right my favorite dealers, we are talking about Jeromy Burnitz of the New York Mets. Here's his deal. Burnitz started his career in the organization that dwells out at Shea in unimpressive fashion. Mets manager Dallas Green was in his ear every day about his attitude, and Jeromy was about as fond of the New York media as I am of romantic comedies. Then Burnitz was traded. First to Cleveland where things were on and off. Then Burnitz found a home where the beer flows at the stadium; literally. The Milwaukee Brewers. Burnitz had some great seasons in Milwaukee, reaching the thirty homerun plateau four times and making a name for himself as a premier power hitter in baseball. No pressure, and well let's face it, no fan base, made things easy for Jeromy as he settled in. He hit consistently for the "Brew Crew" and all was peachy. His shining moment may have been when he surprised many in a Home Run Derby going toe-to-toe with Mark McGwire.
Last year, during the Mets shopping spree, then GM Steve Phillips went out and got Jeromy to help solidify a supposedly potent Mets lineup. Burnitz was anything but potent. If the ball had been on a tee, he would have missed! It was that bad. He was once again berated by New Yorkers everywhere, and he took a frown and his 210 avg. home to bed every night.
There were rumblings in the off-season that new Mets manager Art Howe liked what he saw in Burnitz. Nobody had worked harder to prepare themselves in spring training and things were going to be better. Nonetheless, every Mets fan was killing him at the water cooler. Trust me, I am one of them!
Burnitz went down early in the year with an injury and while he was down the Mets threw in the towel. Piazza was on the DL. Vaughn was well; finished. Glavine looked like the Braves were still paying him, and David Cone had to hang em' up once more. All was bleak. Then came Mr. Hyde. Burnitz has been on an absolute tear ever since his return from the DL. Why? Patience Danielson, patience.
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