Chapter 42.4: Back to Normal

There’s nothing comfortable about a wet butt. I was reminded of that messy lesson this morning when I carelessly sat in a puddle on the PATH train. Hopefully, that won’t be the metaphor of the day. After the train arrived in New York, I tried to act appropriately disconnected to the world as I walked up the stairs to 6th Avenue. No one tapped me on the shoulder to say, “Hey mister, your ass is wet.” And for that I’m thankful, though I never would deign to say something similar to another person in the same circumstances. There but for the grace of God …

My point in discussing that embarrassing moment is to say that New York is back to being New York. The busses and trains are back at work; as far as the strike is concerned, it’s all over but for the signing and the recriminations against leadership. My walk over the final couple of blocks included few belching busses, an abundance of taxis, and a carpenter’s union picketing a job site on 15th Street. They’ve been there as long as I’ve been working in New York, and now that the MTA strike is over, I’m starting to wonder what their point is. All part of life in the big city, I suppose.

Chapter 42.1: MTA Strike, Day 2

I can feel it. People are already getting pissed. Feeling pressured. The strike has moved into its second full day, and the NJ trains are fuller than they were the day before, when they were already up about 10 percent. People stood in the aisle today on a train that left a little its station a little after 7 am -- not yet the busiest train. The PATH train was even busier, and for the first time I saw people walking down the PATH stairs at 14th Street -- New Yorkers who didn’t want to brave the cold to walk the 20 blocks up to 34th Street (or were they looking for 23rd?)

With Christmas bearing down upon us, I think any sympathy toward the workers will be gone by tomorrow. The strike will need to break today. The days of guaranteed pensions are behind us, unfortunately, and with the demise of Medicaid and Medicare not too far off in the future, we may find ourselves fighting more for the poor and destitute who didn’t know or weren’t able to save for the future. I’m not saying this strike will cause the destruction of the American retirement system. I’m saying it may expose other problems.

Chapter 42: MTA Strike

The city is much calmer without busses. I expected the NJ Transit train to be packed with people, perhaps to the point where I couldn’t find a seat. While there were a few more people than usual, the train ran without event, like any other day.

But this isn’t quite like other days. New York City is not quite as bustling as it was yesterday, and no one knows what sounds we’ll hear tomorrow. Will there be an agreement, or will hundreds of industries be affected by the decision to strike? I’m not informed enough about the union’s position on pensions to hazard a guess. I’m all for people standing up for what they believe is right as they struggle to survive during a difficult economy. But this morning, before the work day really starts to move, I’m enjoying the solitude.

Chapter 41.7: Simmering Hot Stove

I’m pleased with what Omar Minaya has accomplished already this off-season. I’m fine with the Paul LoDuca acquisition, though I’d like to know who he actually gave up for him. I’ve heard mixed reports on the kid pitcher that’s reportedly in the deal, and I’ve heard nothing about who the other player is. LoDuca has skills that should work well with the staff. His throwing isn’t much better than Piazza’s was, but he probably won’t bounce as many balls into the outfield or off the infield grass (though I don’t really know that, and he had a mediocre to poor fielding percentage).

Perhaps the Mets will be able to use Castro enough that whatever funk LoDuca goes into after the all-star break (.191 average in September last year) can be off-set. I’m assuming he gets tired. Might not be the problem.

This pitching staff is not final, though, as the recent rumors of Kris Benson moving on to Kansas City (a.k.a. baseball purgatory) suggest. One name I’m not hearing much this winter is Aaron Heilman. I was impressed with his second half last year – especially for the reactions batters had. They hated facing him. I hope Omar keeps this guy. Starter, set-up man. Whatever he’s doing, he’s going to be an important part of the staff.

On another note: Good luck, John Olerud. Not a bad career for a guy who kept his helmet on.