The Mets organization continues to defy expectations, proving once again just how messed up a franchise can be. This time around, the controversy involves the team’s owner Fred Wilpon and CEO Saul Katz. They are being sued by a trustee on behalf of Madoff victims claiming the two must’ve been aware of the enormous Ponzi scheme that cost some millions of dollars. Whether this is true or not remains to be seen during the upcoming trial but what’s clear is at the very least the Mets will play this season under a huge cloud. So, what else is new? Worse though for ownership is the prospect of having to sell the team as Wilpon is looking for a minority buyer to take some pressure off his finances while he fights the charges. Enter Donald Trump, the Queens born real estate mogul who would like to “help” his good friend. If I were Wilpon, I’d be as worried about Trump as the Madoff trial because Trump won’t take a back seat to anyone. In fact, he’s already stated to several media sources that he wants a controlling stake.
Let’s pause for a minute to imagine Trump as the Mets owner. I’m thinking early George Steinbrenner (they were both good at saying “you’re fired”!) but with an added touch of narcissism that only Trump can bring to the table. The possibilities are endless really – will he set up a golf course in the outfield to outdo the swimming pool where the Diamondbacks play? What about a huge hotel or apartment building like Trump Tower attached to Citi Field? That’s what Roman Abramovich constructed when he bought the famous Chelsea soccer team in London. And come to think of it, I’m sure Trump will re-consider the ballpark’s name – Citi field is too boring. I bet he’d even establish a cheerleaders troupe called the “Trumpettes” being the innovator that he is!! OMG , imagine the press conferences - they’d go on for ages. Say what you will about him but Trump knows how to manage the media. But does he know anything about baseball? I’m not sure Mets fans should care because with the direction their team is headed, at least they would be entertained which is more than I can say about their on-field product!
Wife Melania can train the cheerleaders! Picture from nytimes.com
