NEW YORK, NY — Bo Will Be Back. 

The 2026 World Series had ended barely a dozen hours earlier before the first news of the Mets’ offseason had broken; namely that third baseman Bo Bichette would not be opting out of his lucrative deal and would be returning to the Mets in 2027.

It seemed common sense that Bichette would not exercise his option since he would be forfeiting a guaranteed $42 million annual salary. If that were not enough of an incentive, a labor lockout will likely occur next month with the chief issue being the imposition of a salary cap on teams. That does not sound like the ideal economic environment for an impending free agent. 

The only reason there was some concern among Mets fans that Bichette would consider free agency was the fact there are few sluggers in the current class of free agents.

Bo Bichette will earn a guaranteed $42 million again next year with the Mets before deciding whether he wants to exercise another player option for 2028, also worth $42 million – Image Credit: Ernesto Diaz/Latino Sports    

Bichette, 28, of St. Petersburg, Florida, struggled in the first half of the 2026 season but found the hitting groove Mets executives expected from late June until the end of the season. This was not surprising since Bichette had spent his entire career with the Toronto Blue Jays and was extremely comfortable there. It often takes a few months, if not an entire season, for a player coming from elsewhere, to get comfortable in his new home.

There was concern about Bichette’s ability to play third base when the Mets signed him last winter since he had always been a shortstop, and one frankly who would not make anyone forget Ozzie Smith.

While he will not win a Gold Glove, Bichette who has Brazilian roots from his mother Mariana was a terrific fielder.

Bo Bichette looked more like himself down the stretch of 2026 but still finished the campaign well below his career-norms, hitting just .260 with 45 extra base-hits, 78 RBI, and a .702 OPS while missing just two games – Image Credit: Maz Adams/Latino Sports

One reason some Mets fans were worried about Bichette departing was that he was viewed as an offensive replacement for Pete Alonso, who Mets’ president of baseball operations David Stearns foolishly undervalued and let leave as a free agent for the Baltimore Orioles.

Bichette’s worth to the Mets has skyrocketed because the Mets cadre of infielders who have come through their minor league system: Mark Vientos, Brett Baty, and Ronny Mauricio have not proven to be dependable players who can be penciled into the lineup every day for a team with playoff aspirations.

The Mets are one of the few teams who have no impending free agents on their roster. It will be interesting to see which players are not offered a contract and will be free to sign elsewhere. The 26-year-old Vientos who has power but strikes out way too much, and is a liability in the field, could fall into that dubious category.

NYCFC defeats Atlanta United FC 2-1 in Queens

The Mets season ended over a month ago, but there was sports action at Citi Field last Wednesday evening as the New York City Football Club kept their slender Major League Soccer playoff hopes alive by defeating Atlanta United FC, 2-1. 

Bénie Traoré for Hannes Wolf late in Wednesday’s match at Citi Field proved to be an inspired change for head coach Pascal Jansen and NYCFC with Traoré producing a fantastic curled effort that left Atlanta United FC no chance to respond – Image Credit: Alan Bautista/Latino Sports

Thanks to a pair of late second half goals, with Bénie Traoré completing the game-winner in stoppage time, NYCFC came out victorious.

Celebrating 50th Anniversary of the Five City Borough Race: The TCS New York City Marathon

The TCS New York City Marathon, drawing runners and their families from all over the world which fills up hotel rooms and restaurants, is the second-largest New York sports tourism event ranking behind the US Open. Many overseas runners plan lengthy autumn vacations in the United States because the Philadelphia Marathon takes place three weeks after the NYC Marathon.

The 2026 NYC Marathon marked the 50th anniversary of the race taking place in parts of each of the city’s five boroughs.

From emotional finish line celebrations to cheering crowds, swipe to see some of the moments that defined the 2026 NYC Marathon. More: https://t.co/AdlSe13B8G pic.twitter.com/mrSVwIcOco

— Eyewitness News (@ABC7NY) November 1, 2026

The first five New York City Marathons were run entirely in Central Park. Mayor Abe Beame, Manhattan Borough President Percy Sutton, and New York City real estate developer and financier Samuel Rudin, believed that expanding the race throughout all of New York City would be an ideal way to mark our nation’s bicentennial.

New York Road Runners Running the Show at NYC Marathon

New York Road Runners oversee the NYC Marathon. Last April 1, the NYRR sent out a press release saying that in honor of the 50th anniversary of the current five-borough race format, the Marathon would return to being run entirely in Central Park in 2026. It was an April Fool’s joke.

The funny thing is that it would be a good idea for Central Park to have a 26.2-mile marathon again in addition to the NYC Marathon.

This past Sunday, approximately 60,000 runners and two million spectators attended the 2026 TCS New York City Marathon – Image Credit: New York Road Runners

It would give runners who were not accepted to run in the NYC Marathon an extra opportunity to test their endurance.

Bill Rodgers makes appearance at NYC Marathon media center 

The greatest American marathoner of all-time, Bill Rodgers, was at the NYC Marathon media center last Thursday. He feels there will be a renaissance in Americans winning marathon races and pointed to three Americans finishing in the top ten runners in the women’s division, along with two American men, in last year’s NYC Marathon. He admitted that it is harder for runners to gain sponsorships compared to other professional athletes.

How Athletic Shoe Companies lay their Impact on NYC Marathon

Running is one of the few sports where the smaller athletic shoe companies such as Hoka, On, Asics, and Altra can compete with behemoths such as Nike, Adidas, Reebok, and New Balance.

The annual Marathon Expo held at Javits Center is traditionally the launch event for running shoe companies to introduce its latest models.

A whole different view of New York coming together for the 2026 NYC Marathon 🗽🏃

[via/ GettyImages] pic.twitter.com/R7hsPUEpqW

— Complex (@Complex) November 1, 2026

Saucony was touting its Hurricane 26; On-Running was pushing its Cloudsurfer and Cloudpulse shoes; Hoka had its Clifton 11 front and center; Altra Footwear did the same for its Via 2, and my favorite running sneaker name, the Vanishing Carbon 3 which humorously derives its name because the shoe is so light that it does not leave a footprint when it strikes the ground.

Mark those Calendars for BagelFest at Citi Field: Sunday, November 15

Citi Field’s tastiest day, BagelFest, takes place Sunday, November 15. While we tend to think bagels are primarily a Northeast delicacy, their popularity has stretched worldwide over the last twenty years. Bagel purveyors from all over the globe will be coming to Flushing to compete for the honor of who makes the tastiest.

22nd Annual New York Comedy Festival coming soon: Friday, November 6th-Sunday, November 15th

The 22nd annual New York Comedy Festival will run from this Friday, November 6 through Sunday, November 15. Among the recognizable names doing standup are Dave Chappelle, Marc Maron, Dane Cook, Hannibal Burress, Sarah Silverman, Ilana Glazer, and Jordan Klapper.

It's almost marathon season in NYC. Congrats to everyone who is running, we guess?
🎤 Iconic NYC joke by NYCF alum @jimgaffigan

The New York Comedy Festival is NEXT MONTH from November 6–15, 2026. Tickets are on sale now at https://t.co/oy0MdA1WN4! #makenylaugh pic.twitter.com/pA9fl8atWo

— New York Comedy Festival (@nycomedyfest) October 14, 2026

There will also be a screening of Dane Cook’s documentary about financial woes, “Funny Money,” NBC will screen an upcoming episode of the Tracy Morgan hit comedy, “The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins.” They will also showcase some comedies they have in development as part of their centennial celebration.

The NYC Comedy Festival is also hosting a Battle for the Funniest Borough in which top comedians from our city will compete. Go, Queens!

Sail City Cruises out of Chelsea Piers this Holiday Season

A wonderful way to enjoy the late fall and the holiday season in NYC is to enjoy a sail on the City Cruises which dock at Chelsea Piers. The food, entertainment, and views are majestic. Santa Claus will be on selective sails during the holiday season. City Cruises in Chicago had a sports legends sail in September. A company official told me there is strong consideration for having one here in the Big Apple. It is a fun and relatively inexpensive way to rub shoulders with your old heroes.

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