Mets fans say they’re the losers in yesterday’s deal that got team owner Fred Wilpon off the hook for hundreds of millions of dollars.
“He’s disgraced the team, so if I were him, I would have stepped away,” said Paul Warner, 52, of Brooklyn.
“He’s put the Mets in a terrible position where they will most likely continue to suffer for several years to come.”
Many of the fans at the Mets Clubhouse Shop on East 42nd Street said all the team’s recent troubles — from bad trades to bad investments to Bernie Madoff — can be blamed on Wilpon’s dropping the ball.
“I’ve been a Mets fan my entire life and never have I felt as hopeless as I do right now,” said Charles Ashcroft, 57, of Queens.
“I’m glad that they finally settled this, but it’s too late. The damage is done.’’
He added, “There are a lot of people you can blame, but Wilpon deserves most of it. I think we’d be a lot better off without him.”
The fans noted that the team is a half-billion dollars in the hole — even without the Madoff obligations — and fear that will strangle the franchise.
“The ultimate goal is to win games, and Fred Wilpon has made that almost impossible because they won’t be able to afford to get and retain the talent they need to win,” said Tom Manzo, 60, of Port Washington, LI.
“I’m not saying Wilpon is crooked or anything, but he allowed things to get to this point.’’
But Manzo will remain loyal anyhow.
“I’m still going to be a Met fan,’’ he said. “Even if we’re doomed for the next few years.’’
Others, in true Mets fashion, also say they’ll continue to believe.
“This will finally give the whole situation some closure and I think the Mets will be able to move on from this,” said Eric Wong, 47, of Manhattan.
“It may not be a big deal this year for the team, but going forward, they’ll be able to spend more money on talent.”
Likewise, Tony Ricarte, 40, of Queens said it’s time to look to the future.
“I think the decision to let José Reyes go was a result of the uncertainty caused by the whole Madoff thing and that was unfortunate,” Ricarte said.
“But now that Wilpon knows how much he has to pay back, they can focus on keeping talented players with the team.”