Upon a Note of Condolence
Among New York baseball fans there has long been a rivalry between those who support the Yankees and those who back the Mets. It reached the height of acrimony in the year 2000 when the teams squared off in the World Series (or "Subway Series" as it came to be known). The Yankees came out on top that year, capping a dominant stretch that saw them win 4 Championships in 5 years. Depending on who you ask, the rivalry is either fierce or playful. The teams play in different divisions, and are limited to a handful of games against each other during inter-league play, which barely affect the records of either team. The real competition usually centers around which team graces the back page of the newspaper and whose fans have the upper hand in barroom and website arguments.
Last year, the Mets went a long way toward dispelling the big-brother/little-brother complex which had plagued them of late as they competed with the rich and powerful boys from the Bronx. While the Yankees went home in the first round while the Mets came within a game of the World Series. During this season, the Mets came on like gangbusters (who apparently come on pretty strongly) and lead their division almost from the beginning. At the same time, the Yankees were in the tank, and many Mets fans let us hear all about it. Flash-forward to approximately two weeks ago. On September 12th, the Mets had a 7 game lead over their nearest competitor, the Philadelphia Phillies. Plans were being made for which pitchers would be the best for what game of the playoffs, and how to best be prepared. Soon after began what seemed like an inexorable tailspin, which culminated today. I will spare you the gory details, as I am sure they will be spilled across whatever website you go to for sports news. Suffice it to say that the Mets will be accused of one of the larger gag jobs in recent memory.
As a fan of baseball, and a New Yorker, I have got to feel for the Mets and their fans. There is no schadenfreude in seeing them drop not only out of their division championship, but out of the playoffs altogether. The Mets losses were extremely painful to watch when I did tune in, replete with blown leads, sweeps by lowly opponents, and today's "over before it even began" loss in a must win game.
To whatever Mets fans might see this blog, and in particular to one fan who I know does, I feel for you guys. No trash talk today. This was a team that should have been in the playoffs, and it sucks that they won't be there. Were the roles reversed, I can only imagine how I would feel. I just hope my boys can go win one for NY.
posted by Charlie at 10:28 PM
3 Comments:
Thanks, but I can't promise that I will be equally magnamimous in the future. I know I wasn't when the Yanks choked in 04. Know what sucks worse as a baseball fan (rather than just a Met fan), missing out on watching the four team playoff for the final 2 NL playoff spots which would have occurred had the Mets won yesterday. Would have had Mets v. Fillies for NL East title today and Padres v. Rockies for the right to face the loser of Mets/Fils on Tues for the wildcard spot. Would have been wild.
Oh well. We'll get em next year. And hopefully, we'll get a new manager out of this. The media is saying Willie should stay, but how can you bring him back after such a monumental collpase? Whether he is to blame is irrelevant. He now as the aura of a loser/choker. He must go. His leadership skills were suppose to overcome his failings as an in-game manager. But he is neither a leader nor a strategist. Can you imagine how he and the team will be dogged by questions regarding this collapse if he is their manager in a pennant race next September? They really have no choice but to fire him. I hope they realize this.
It is now time for me to return to my typical fall traditions of waiting for the winter meetings while rooting for the Giants and whomever the Yanks are playing. Gotta go get me a Sabathia jersey. I'm pretty certain they come in my size.
Yanks in 4 -- will win 1 of the Sabathia/Cormona games and then destroy Paul Byrd (came up with the Mets during the Dallas Green years in case you were curious) and Westbrook. Pitchers of that caliber will not be able to compete with the Yankee lineup in a meaningful game.
I agree that missing the World Series by a game followed by missing the playoffs by a game tarnishes Willie's legacy. No one but Torre could have survived 2004, and that was with 4 rings of karma in the bank with George and the fans. Plus he's not a glib/surly media guy like Randolph.
I like the Yankees in 4 as well, because Wang will duel Sabathia and Pettite matches Carmona. Oddly, the Yankees haven't seen Sabathia in nearly 10 years. They always seem to miss his starts. Detroit and Anaheim have had the horses out front and the hurlers at the end to make a short series real tough on the Yanks. With joba, mo and the big lumber, I am not scared to face Betancourt and Joe "Blow" Borowski.
Anyway, how about that Matt Holliday? Huge RBI to put his team in position for a 1-game playoff. 9 and 1 the last 10 games. Lol
Right now, for me at least, it's either Rollins or Holliday. We'll see what happens today. If the Rockies lose, Rollins should get it. If the Rockies win, it'll be a good debate, but I'd be leaning towards the shortstop with 30 homers and close to 140 runs. Fielder comes in third. Wright fourth. Pujols fifth.
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