Everything that follows is true and right, because it is my opinion.

In recent months, a troubling trend has emerged, and it's time we addressed it. Several prominent Mets players and many fans have spoken up in favor of a return to the black jerseys that the team wore as their alternate uniforms from 1998-2011.

The great Pete Alonso and Marcus Stroman have tweeted about it. The likeable J.D. Davis and Dom Smith told our Steve Gelbs on a recent edition of their digital show The Cookie Club that they would like a chance to wear the glorified beer league tops (my words, not theirs).

Many in the public clearly agree, because Stroman's tweet on the topic alone collected more than 12,000 likes.

This is all well and good, save for one problem: The black tops are ugly.

Furthermore, the Mets' current collection of uniforms, which includes a beautiful pinstriped ensemble paired with a blue hat and a solid blue alternate, is among the most aesthetically pleasing collections the team has ever sported.

To change that in the name of misplaced nostalgia would represent an assault on the eyes that I do not deserve.

Allow me to get personal for a moment. Perhaps this will humanize the issue. When I started on the Mets beat full-time in 2010, I had the opportunity to watch a collection of great athletes from a privileged vantage: Jose Reyes. David Wright. Johan Santana. Jason Ba -- nevermind. Great guy though.

Reyes was capable of stunning feats of athleticism. I once saw him hit a little flare off Justin Verlander that landed in shallow center, and he somehow ended up on second base with the unlikeliest imaginable double.

The problem? He did so many of these things while wearing an ugly shirt. What a waste.

Because I'm a reporter and don't like to just throw hot takes out there, I managed to track down Todd Zeile for comment. Zeile, of course, had the misfortune of playing in a World Series while wearing that thing.

Does Zeile agree that the black jerseys are trash?

"Black jerseys are the BEST," he texted, before inexplicably mentioning an unfortunate period in his own facial hair history. "Great look and they matched my gloves and goatee."

Zeile added: "Why exactly are you stirring this up?"

We haven't even mentioned the tragedy that was Terry Collins, the crusty baseball lifer who arrived as manager in 2011. Not only was Collins forced that year to deal with the indignity of seeing Carlos Beltran traded in July, but he had to wear a black jersey half the time.

Are you convinced yet? Have I made a compelling argument?

It is difficult to overstate the sense of relief that came in 2012 when the team mothballed the black jerseys and entered a phase far more pleasing to the eye. In the seven years since, the Mets have been a joy to watch. Or at least their clothing has.

Why, then, must we face the threat of a return to this dark period?

Nostalgic throwbacks are supposed to arrive at a much slower pace. Ever hear of the 20-year rule, defining the time when styles cycle back into vogue? Well, it hasn't been half that long. This isn't fair.

Please, before pressuring the Mets into a terrible mistake, remember this: My opinion about black uniforms is right, and anyone who disagrees is wrong.

Thank you.

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