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ABOUT US

Greg Prince and Jason Fry
Faith and Fear in Flushing made its debut on Feb. 16, 2005, the brainchild of two longtime friends and lifelong Met fans.

Greg Prince discovered the Mets when he was 6, during the magical summer of 1969. He is a Long Island-based writer, editor and communications consultant. Contact him here.

Jason Fry is a Brooklyn writer whose first memories include his mom leaping up and down cheering for Rusty Staub. Check out his other writing here.

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Baby, He's Reddy To Go

With apologies, if not royalties, to Helen Reddy

I am Wheeler
Throwing more
Than I should throw by
Inning four
And you thought my start
Was soon about to end

The Nats had me on
The ropes
All prepared to dash
Our hopes
You were certain we were gonna
Lose again

But you should get wise
That I wriggle out of jams
Though my pitch counts rise
When first I lack command
If I have to, I can strand anyone

I am Zack (Zack!)
Nearly unbeatable (unbeatable!)
I am Wheeler!

They can bend but never
Break me
Bases loaded doesn’t
Faze me
When Lobaton drives a liner
Toward the hole

’Cause the ball will strike
Cabrera
Out by freakish running
Error
Now whose chances look much worse than
Beltran’s mole?

Oh yes, I walk guys
But it doesn’t mean they’ll score
I’m no David Price
Yet I’ve begun to soar
If I have to, I can strand everyone

I am Zack (Zack!)
Almost untouchable (untouchable!)
I am Wheeler!

I am Wheeler
Watch me throw
Warthen did
On video
The coach helped me find my footing
In that earth

Plus I got some
Double plays
Eric Campbell sure
Amazed
Some scruffy gnome resembling
Jayson Werth

We picked up a game
If you’re thinking pennant race
Put standings aside
Forget we’re in fourth place
It was sweet to simply beat the Nationals

I am Zack (Zack!)
Lately incredible (incredible!)
I am Wheeler!

Oh, I am Wheeler
I am not alone here
Not for long

6 comments to Baby, He’s Reddy To Go

  • Kevin From Flushing

    And here I was thinking, “what does Republica and Tim Redding have to do with last night’s game?”

  • Ken K. in NJ

    I don’t ever recall watching a Met game in which a 5 run lead in their favor felt like it should have been a five run lead in the other team’s favor.

  • Tristram Shandy

    Very nice, Greg. I was certain that the Nats would score about 18 runs off Wheeler. Can it be that these kids are growing up? We don’t deserve so much.

  • Dave

    Great answer to the burning question, “what do you get when you cross the Mets marketing department with Al Yankovic?”

  • nestornajwa

    I’m sure you recognize this lovely melody as “I Am Wheeler” by Greg Prince, but did you know that the original theme is from the Polavtsian Dance #2 by Borodin? So many of the melodies of well-known Mets starting pitchers were actually written by the Great Masters. Like these familiar themes:

    Matt Harvey comes back, tomorrow
    Betcha Tommy John will work, tomorrow
    On Matt’s gun
    Matt will be striking guys out, tomorrow
    Clear away the losses and the sorrow
    ‘Till there’s none
    Matt Harvey, Tomorrow
    We’ll love ya, tomorrow
    You’re only six months away…

    Jacob, you’ll never come down
    Jacob, you’re winning more fans
    We’re glad you’re from our fantastic farm
    You’re part of next year’s big Pennant plans
    You know you’ve gotten our hopes up
    Glad you’re in orange & blue
    You’ve been a present for Met fans to open
    Oscar Gamble’s hair looks kickin’ on you
    So Hello, Jacob deGrom
    That first win took a little too long
    But you’ll get us back to the penthouse
    And finish ’14 really strong

    And now, all of the best-loved melodies from the classics have been gathered by this website into a big 4-record collection. Yes, here are 120 of the greatest works by Seaver, Viola, Pedro and many more, performed by Flushing’s finest musicians. Ah, it’s a priceless introduction to the classics that will enrich every home. But there’s a great deal more. You also get this special collection of 70s parody masterpieces; 30 of the most beautiful melodies ever composed for the kazoo.

    When Sandy sets his mind, he’s the next in line (SyndergaardSyndergaard)
    Noah wasn’t free, we gave up Dickey (SyndergaardSyndergaard)
    we haven’t seen him pitch, but we hear good things (SyndergaardSyndergaard)
    The strikeout rate is tops, but the ERA stings (SyndergaardSyndergaard)
    Noah won’t be alone, the kids have grown (SyndergaardSyndergaard)
    Sandy, set him free. Take a chance at Citi…

    Dillon took my bat off of me
    I can’t use it anymore
    That sinker drops too fast to see
    Feels like I’m going 0-4
    Gee keeps making me 0-4…

    Yes, now you can get 150 of the world’s greatest Mets masterpieces, all for only $12.98. This collection is also available on 8-track cartridges and cassettes for only $15.98.

    Yes, here’s a unique opportunity to own a complete library of the Mets’ most beautiful music. Here’s how to order yours…