Can Local Teams Survive the Sports Illustrated Jinx?
Given the bad luck of the Mets’ past two September collapses, Amazin’ fans may have preferred to slide under the radar with all the new season’s attention focused on the Shack Burgers arriving at Citi Field. But then Sports Illustrated has to show up and blow up their spot by making the team their preseason pick to win this year’s Wold Series. The problem with that of course is many people’s belief in the “Sports Illustrated jinx” that accompanies many of the magazine’s high praises for players and teams getting ready for a season. Mets GM Omar Minaya said he was caught off-guard by the pick, but doesn’t believe in the “cover business.” The team’s manager Jerry Manuel laughed it off saying, “My kids and dogs and all the other folks, they picked me, too.” The magazine is putting a lot of stock in the off-season acquisitions of stoppers Francisco Rodriguez and JJ Putz. SI says, “Here’s all you need to know about how the East was decided last year: The Mets lost seven times after taking a
