Amazin' Again: How the 2015 New York Mets Brought the Magic Back to Queens

by Greg W. Prince, Howie Rose

They were coming off a seemingly endless string of losing records. They were considered years away from legitimate contention. They were derided and disregarded as a matter of course. But in 2015 the New York Mets changed their course and changed their story. The result was the best kind of amazin’. Against all expectations, these Mets surged from the starting gate, hung tough when adversity threatened to overwhelm their budding chances, and fortified themselves for a stretch drive few could have foreseen. In short order, they proceeded to capture a division title, raise a pennant, and lay claim to the heart of their city.With an unforgettable cast of characters including Matt Harvey, David Wright, Jacob deGrom, Yoenis Cespedes, and Daniel Murphy, the tale of the 2015 National League champion New York Mets is told for the ages in Amazin’ Again. Author Greg Prince-cocreator of Faith and Fear in Flushing, the blog that has distilled the heart and soul of Mets fandom for more than a decade-traces the trajectory of this championship season, from its roots in a long-ago amateur draft to its climax within the cauldron of Citi Field’s first World Series. In between, Prince re-creates the emotions of a year that culminated in the Mets making New York their kind of town once again.Skyhorse Publishing, as well as our Sports Publishing imprint, are proud to publish a broad range of books for readers interested in sports-books about baseball, pro football, college football, pro and college basketball, hockey, or soccer, we have a book about your sport or your team.Whether you are a New York Yankees fan or hail from Red Sox nation; whether you are a die-hard Green Bay Packers or Dallas Cowboys fan; whether you root for the Kentucky Wildcats, Louisville Cardinals, UCLA Bruins, or Kansas Jayhawks; whether you route for the Boston Bruins, Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens, or Los Angeles Kings; we have a book for you. While not every title we publish becomes a New York Times bestseller or a national bestseller, we are committed to publishing books on subjects that are sometimes overlooked by other publishers and to authors whose work might not otherwise find a home.

Genres: Sports, Baseball, Nonfiction

221 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 15, 2016

Reviews

[Mark Simon · Rating 5 out of 5]

(Full disclosure ... I'm mentioned in the acknowledgements and know the author).

A highly-enjoyable narrative account of the 2015 Mets from a fan's perspective, told in ideal length (just over 200 pages, readable in 2 sittings). If you're familiar with the blog Faith and Fear in Flushing, you'll be very comfortable with Greg's excellence with words (think Roger Angell, but with the tracking of your emotional EKG). This isn't an "inside the locker room" book (though I wish someone had done one of those) ... it's fun, witty and poignant with just the right touch of minutiae. If you like the Mets or like great writing, you'll enjoy this book.

[Jeff · Rating 5 out of 5]

When you think of the voice, an actual voice, of the New York Mets, you think of both Howie Rose and Gary Cohen. When you think of the written voice of the New York Mets, you think of Greg W. Prince. In Amazin' Again, his words, his prose, take us through a magical Mets season but this is much more than a happy recap: because of his gift, Prince helps us relive what we were feeling during that special season. It takes a special writer to be able to bring out our emotions and he is a special writer.

The Mets gave us a wonderful season in 2015 and I'm so happy that Greg Prince gave us this wonderful book. I look forward to his book about the 2016 season with a different, even happier, ending. Thank you Greg Prince and Lets Go Mets!

[Mark Sinnott · Rating 5 out of 5]

The subject of this book was a wonderful experience to relive. I will always remember the 2015 Mets as one of my favorite all-time sports teams. Greg Prince did an amazing job of re-telling the ups and downs of a magical season and I devoured this book in one sitting. This was the perfect primer for the upcoming season and I can hardly wait for Opening Day!

[Dave Jordan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Greg Prince is the poet laureate for the New York Mets. Every Mets fan needs to add this book to, as Bob Murphy used to say, their sports library.

[C Moore · Rating 3 out of 5]

(3.5 stars) A lively and fun retelling of the Mets’ 2015 season, by an author who is clearly an avid fan and who has earned his authoritative voice through having been present for many years’ worth of Mets misses, as well as some notable peaks.

[Adam Krieger · Rating 3 out of 5]

Book was okay, nothing too special. Was hoping for something’s I had not heard before, but it was interesting coming from a fans POV and not a beat writer

[Nick · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great re-telling of the 2015 Mets season from a favorite blogger/author. This is the tale of the entire season, from it's humble beginnings, up and down the roller coaster, climaxing with a World Series berth.

I took my time to read this - and I enjoyed reliving (most of) the season. Certain parts of the book brought me right back where I was during the season - the home-opener with my buddy Chris at Citi Field, sitting in my arm-chair watching the trade that wasn't while my heart broke for Wilmer, the road-trip I was on while listening to the rain-interrupted Padres game that ended poorly, the moment we heard that the Mets landed Cespedes, where I was when the Mets clinched the NL East, the rage I felt over Utley, the tears that were flowing when the Mets made it to the World Series, my first ever playoff game, NLCS Game 2 with my other buddy Chris, Game 4 of the World Series, with the first Chris again ... Mr. Prince skillfully brought me back to those instances, often eliciting those same emotions while doing it.

If you're a Mets fan, and are still kinda high from last season, give this book a read. I won't spoil the ending.

[Jim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unless science and technology create some sort of nostalgia-driven virtual reality time machine, it will be technically impossible to actually relive the—yes—amazing 2015 New York Mets baseball season. But who needs science and technology when we have Greg Prince and his knowledgeable, insightful, and witty prose to guide us through that magical season?

As Prince explains in the first chapter of this book, he’s one of us—a fan. His love and devotion for the Mets permeate each page of this volume, and his adept writing and gently humorous tone made me feel as though I were spending time with a friend who loves the guys in blue and orange just as much as I do.

Structured like the season Prince so fondly recounts for us, *Amazin’ Again* powerfully captures the full range of emotions that 2015 evoked in the Mets faithful—the hope, the despair, the joy, the vindication, the disappointment, the appreciation—and most of all the privilege—of being a Mets fan.

Prince might never have taken the field for our boys in Flushing, but as far as I’m concerned, he’s their 26th man. Let’s go, Mets—and keep writing, Greg.

[Jes Singer · Rating 5 out of 5]

As the title states truly, this book is Amazin'. I've never read sharper, wittier, more intelligent sports writing. The author has such a flair for humor and metaphor that you almost don't need to be a Mets fan to appreciate this. Almost. But if you are a Mets fan, or are close to one, or were even halfway paying attention to the NL East division race or the Mets in 2015, or you just love baseball, this is a gem. Truly hilarious and spot on portrayal of the Mets, being a fan, and that season. Particularly great read in the midst of the 2016 season full of injuries that looks so much like the pre-Cespedes Mets - this gives us what we Mets fans live on. Laughter and hope. Loved it!!

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

Greg Prince is Roger Angell for Mets fans: an articulate and gentlemanly fan who loves the play of words. It is the lot of Mets fans to suffer with varying degrees of grace, but Prince, like Angell, deploys a wry, understated wit instead of invective. This is an ardent fan's deeply affectionate savoring of the most singular season I have witnessed in 40 years of Mets fandom. Reliving it with such a perceptive fellow fan was an absolute delight.

[Wanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very much enjoyed immersing myself in a retelling of the Mets' magical 2015 season. I love Greg Prince's writing style, and I've been a fan of Faith & Fear in Flushing practically since the beginning, so I knew I'd enjoy the book. If you want to relive the magic and learn a bit about Mets history (which he's deftly woven into the 2015 narrative), definitely pick this book up!

[Marie · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a huge Mets fan this book was a satisfying read but the spelling and grammatical errors really took me out of it many times. I counted at least 20 errors which shocked and appalled me. Who was the editor??? Do they still have their job?
Any hoo, it was fun to relive the amazin' 2015 season and with touches of humor the book would've received 5 stars from me if it weren't for the errors.

[Dave Murray · Rating 5 out of 5]

Greg's a gifted storyteller and a passionate Mets fan. This isn't a behind-the-scenes tell-all, but the story of what it was like to be a fan experiencing a roller coaster season that included the lowest of lows and the highest of highs. This is an essential book for Mets fans, but you don't have to one to enjoy it. Recommended!

[Roger · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alright now that I *finally* got around to finishing a book in 2016 I'll go tackle some David Foster Wallace to really get the ball rolling.

[B · Rating 3 out of 5]

Written by a fan for fans with the perspective of some historical suffering. No interviews, research or insight, but enjoyable to remember the feeling of a surprisingly good season.