I Waited All Season For This?

A mere week ago, the Mets were up 7 games. 7 games in contention against the Phillies for the NL East title. It seemed like it would be a shoe-in for the team that lead the division since May 15th. Going to the playoffs was just a definite next step, right?

It’s a funny thing about the Mets and the month of September; they just do not go together. It seems nearly impossible for a team’s lead to drop from 7 games to a 1 game lead in a span of 18 days. So, as far as the playoffs were considered, it all came down to this one weekend. The magic number didn’t mater any more. They would either win it or lose it to the Phillies – it was as simple as that.

Unfortunately, the Mets couldn’t hold on to what little hope was left for the last game of the season. After a week’s worth of losses, John Maine miraculously was able to pitch an 8 inning one hitter on the same day the Phillies would lose; tying both teams for first place. It all came down to the last game of the season. Fans packed into Shea Stadium, and those without tickets waited outside eagerly at the box office with hopes for tickets to be released at the last minute. Those who were lucky enough to get inside witnessed the surge of energy before the game. As the lineup was announced, the crowd was on its feet, cheering and screaming for their favorite Mets, and booing the threatening Marlins.

And then it happened. Disaster. Before the end of the first inning, veteran Tom Glavine, who had been a hero for the Mets all year, had already given up 7 runs. Tom Glavine celebrated his 300th career win this year and has always been a favorite. Any fan would have gladly handed him the ball today over almost anyone else on the team. It’s unfortunate that Glavine, who has done so much for the Mets during his career, had to leave the field to booming boos from the crowd. Considering it might be his last game with the Mets, it was an extremely unfortunate way for Glavine to go out. Calling it a disappointment is a grave understatement, it was an embarrassment just like the rest of September had been for the Mets. The entire season can’t be blamed on Tom Glavine’s one horrendous inning, though. The Mets just have a tendency to crack under pressure.

It’s hard to understand how it could have all fallen apart so quickly, but the Mets became a disgrace in the matter of two and a half short weeks. It’s like this, there are a bunch of middle of the road players who can make great plays from time to time, but don’t consistently deliver. This is Beltran, Delgado, Anderson and LoDuca. Then there are the younger stars who just can’t always hang in stressful situations, Chavez, Reyes and Wright. Yes, Wright. The man who, without fail, takes the field to chants of “MVP”. He just doesn’t have it when the pressure is on. It’s the same story with Reyes. This guy is dynamic, he has so much personality and a ton of heart. He’s leading Major League Baseball in stolen bases, but where are his hits and home runs this month?

Consistency is lacking with the Mets, but some players still haven’t been a disappointment. Shawn Green for one, although recently taken out of his usual right field position in the daily lineup; still came in to pinch hit and delivered in just about every game. Shawn Green is Mr. Consistency. He might seem like someone to overlook in the outfield, but this Gold Glove winner isn’t getting enough credit. You need more players like this guy on the Mets. He plays the field well and delivers RBIs at the bat, what more could you ask for?

Moises Alou, perhaps. Despite a left quad injury early in the season, the Mets could still count on him when he was in the line up, and he’s turned it on even more in September when the rest of the Mets bats had been asleep. A 30 game hitting streak? Anyone else on the Mets would have probably given their first born for half that. He is on fire and carried the team until the end. It wouldn’t have been surprising if Rick Peterson decided to put Alou in to pitch relief for those last few games against the Marlins. He’d certainly do a lot better than the mess that comes out of the bullpen for middle relief every game.

It’s hard to even pinpoint exactly what is wrong with the Mets bullpen, there are just so many points to be made. The starting pitching with Glavine, Pedro, John Maine and even Ollie Perez can be counted on, for the most part. But these guys get tired into the 6th and then you have 3 innings of complete and utter chaos where the game truly becomes a free for all. When the call to the bullpen brings up Pelfrey, Schoeneweis, or Sosa stomachs turn, and runs inevitably score. These guys continuously get themselves into trouble and the Mets have had to suffer. Even the closer, Billy Wagner puts groaning fans through the same agony. Sure, his record looks good on paper, but this guy rarely has the ideal 1-2-3-put-it-in-the-books 9th. When the “Sandman” comes up, there’s often at least some trouble, it can never just be a simple outting for Wagner.

Nevertheless, the season came down to this one game and all of the Mets let it go, not just Glavine. The hitting wasn’t up to snuff for this last game. How else can the Mets explain only getting one run across the plate when they knew how bad the damage was from the beginning? The Mets can chalk this season up to experience and learn a lesson for next time. Hopefully they will learn not to get so comfortable in that number one spot. After all, there’s always next season.