How 2021 actually went.
Steve Cohen’s first season as owner brought Francisco Lindor, a major contract, and expectations that the Mets would act like a large-market power. Lindor struggled early, the offense repeatedly failed with runners on base, and several key players missed time. Even so, a weak division allowed the club to spend 90 days in first place.
Jacob deGrom produced a first half that seemed almost impossible, carrying a microscopic ERA while also collecting hits at the plate. Injuries ended his season in July. Without him, the rotation weakened and the lineup never found enough consistency. The thumbs-down controversy involving Javier Báez and other players added tension between the team and fans.
The Mets fell from first to 77–85 and third place. Rojas was dismissed, and the front office changed again. Lindor’s three-homer game against the Yankees offered one clear look at the star he could become, but the season as a whole felt like a warning that money and excitement could not repair poor depth or constant organizational change by themselves.
deGrom looked superhuman until his body stopped him, and the first-place summer disappeared almost as quickly.