It sounds like New York Mets owner Steve Cohen somewhat regrets his famous World Series vow from several years ago.
“People come up to me and go, ‘Do you feel a lot of pressure because you made that statement?’ I think I joked with somebody that I thought the press conference went really well but I’d like to have that one back,” Cohen explained on the latest edition of “The Show with Joel Sherman and Jon Heyman” podcast, per Ryan Chichester of Audacy. “You start to realize so many things can happen. A lot of great clubs won their division year after year but didn’t win the World Series as quickly as you could imagine. You need a little luck, you need to be healthy and have things fall your way.”
During Cohen’s first news conference as Mets owner in November 2020, he declared he would consider the situation “slightly disappointing” if the club didn’t “win a World Series in the next three to five years” under his charge. The 2021 Mets failed to make the playoffs, and last year’s squad won 101 regular-season games but ultimately finished second in the National League East standings beneath the rival Atlanta Braves. Cohen then watched his Mets lose a home wild-card playoff series to the San Diego Padres.
Cohen revealed a more patient and understanding mindset last month even before star closer Edwin Diaz was lost likely for the entire 2023 campaign due to a knee injury he suffered while celebrating a World Baseball Classic win. Nevertheless, the big-spending owner offered a new reason during the podcast why he may be sticking to his championship window this spring.
“My father-in-law is 92 years old. My wife has told me, ‘I gotta win a World Series,'” Cohen continued. “He’s in great shape, so I figure I have more time, but he’s still 92. I’m joking about that, but whenever it happens, if it happens, it’ll be great. The only thing you can do is put yourself in a position where you’re in the playoffs, your team is happy, and let the chips fall where they may.”
According to OddsChecker, the Mets began Thursday evening fifth among betting favorites to win the World Series this fall at +950. The Houston Astros were atop the list at +625, followed by the Braves (+850), Los Angeles Dodgers (+850) and New York Yankees (+850).
