It’s safe to say that the 2008 season has not exactly progressed the way we envisioned. After 72 games, this year has more closely resembled a poorly written soap opera than a drive to the National League pennant. Two of our five starters were hit with injuries. Rumors of clubhouse dissension and blatant prejudice have been running rampant. Our set-up man, Aaron Heilman, appears to have been bit by the same bug that turned pitcher Rick Ankiel into outfielder Rick Ankiel. Our bullpen has not exactly been lights out as ‘The Bridge to Billy’ appears to be a draw bridge, frequently opening up and letting victories slip through. Gritty, hard nosed Ryan Church appears to be cornering the market on concussions. Our two Carlos‘, although recently showing signs of life, have been disappointments. Hall of Famer-to-be Billy Wagner went through a span where he seemingly couldn’t close an umbrella, much less a game. Since Opening Day we all felt that Willie Randolph was managing on borrowed time. But yet, when the eventuality of his departure came true, even that was handled poorly.
I wake up every morning wondering what are the latest developments on “As Shea Stadium Turns” or “All My Outfielders.”
However, a funny thing happened on the way to our lost season. In spite of nearly three months of chaos, turmoil and frustration, somehow we are still within striking distance. On the surface it appears that this season has been one blown opportunity after another. The occasional victory intertwined with a string of consecutive losses. But as I look at the standings, somehow, someway, we are just 4 ½ back.
It’s never easy with the Mets. And I guess that’s why we love ‘em. Even our biggest successes were struggles. The 69 Mets may have rolled through October, winning 7 out of 8 post-season games en route to our first championship. But getting there, running down the powerful Cubs in one memorable glorious summer, truly was the stuff Miracles are made of. In 1973, we scratched and clawed our way to an unimpressive 82 wins. It was, at the time, the fewest wins ever by a team entering the post-season. But yet, we all “believed” and after upsetting The Big Red Machine, we pushed the Oakland A’s and their three future Hall of Famers to a 7th and deciding game. The 86 team crushed the National League East, winning the division by 21 ½ games. But yet, it took 16 innings of game 6 to defeat the stubborn Houston Astros and a historic “Game Six” against Boston. Even as recently as 2006, the Mets showed it’s never easy. In spite of playing at seemingly a higher level all season, we stumbled into the post-season without Pedro Martinez and Orlando Hernandez.
Would we really truly want a season where we run roughshod over the National League East, destroy whoever we play in the Post-Season and sweep the American League Champions in The Fall Classic? Well…okay, sure we would. But being Mets fans, we know better and none of us really expect that.
Over the next six weeks, we will get a true feel for what this team is made of. We will get a good indication of how tough the players are. Hopefully, the thin air at Coors this weekend can resuscitate our bats. We return home for a 3 game series against the struggling Mariners before that other New York team comes to our house. In the month of July, we play 7 games against the Cardinals who currently have the 2nd best record in the League and yes, 7 crucial games against the Phillies. With the first 4 meetings over the July 4th weekend in Philadelphia, we can’t expect to feel too much ‘brotherly love’. The fans there will smell blood. They will try and seize the opportunity to put the final nail in the Mets 2008 coffin. It’s up to the players to refuse to die. July will be a pivotal month for us. The Mets must either step up–or step aside. Just like 2007, it’s ours to lose-Not the Phillies to win.
Every World Series over the last several years has ended the same way. There’s champagne sprayed around the clubhouse. Players are dancing and hugging. Some blonde from FOX is interviewing the Series MVP on the field asking somewhat lame questions. Some so-called ’expert,’ with only a marginal knowledge of the game, is reading from a prepared script, asking a player if he’s going to return next year or test the free agent market. However there is also one other constant. It always seems like the manager or general manager or one of the owners is on the dais. As he gets handed the trophy from Commissioner Bud Selig, they always say the same comment. We always are told how the team overcame endless adversity to get there. How it was not easy and how the season was a struggle. How the team dealt with injuries and how everyone stepped up and chipped in.
I would definitely say the 2008 Mets have had more than their share of adversity and struggles this season. In the end, it may make this year all that much sweeter.
