Saturday. Braves lost, Phillies losing big, but the Mets couldn't get that one last out in the 6th. 4-2 became 5-4 [6-4 loss], and yet again the bottom of the rotation didn't do its job. No come from behind (too many times -- things balance out, leading to fears of a bunch of one run losses), though the 9th had it one hit away. And, again (now with a second half of doubleheader) Glavine is asked to save the day/series. This won't do ... at some point, others have to step up with quality starts. Oh, Glavine did his job, though the Mets only won in the 11th.* By one run ... what else? Meanwhile, Wang closed out the Yanks win in the 10th (Orioles closer blew another tie, ruining another last game comeback), since Rivera was ailing.
[Update: Trachsel did step up on Sunday (his other good game was a 1-0 loss) ... but an error helped blow a two run lead in the eighth. Only one shot at that sacrifice fly to go ahead this time, and didn't do it. Eventually, another extra inning game. Again, they had to face the Giants closer down 6-4 in a game they could have had earlier. This time they got to Armando. 6-6 10th. Heck, look at the box score to see the final result.]
The split can be used to segue to the fact that both NY teams have the same records. The way they got there ("there" in part being first place in the east, though the Yanks only have a game lead) is part of the difference between the two teams, even though they both have high payrolls. But, the Yanks still win out in that department -- it is partly a dodge (but only partly) to note that most of that Mets payroll is tied up in a few players. We can see this by noting that even with all those Yanks' injuries (two straight days without Rivera closing sort of underlines the point), the team on the field has a combined payroll above most teams. So, though sure, a couple rookies (if Andy Phillips still can be so labeled) have stepped up, but all the recent wins largely was a result of the remaining stars stepping up.
This is telling. Consider the Mets. They have a large payroll with Pedro and Lo Duca (Piazza's replacement) consistently stepping up and Beltran/Delgado (now in a slump though he hit a key one last night) doing their jobs. Ah, but Delgado is in a slump, and Beltran was out for a few weeks. And, you have a high priced closer. But, where else is the big money showing thru?** The Mets too have injuries -- heck, even their broadcast booth is being hit with two of their guys getting ill of late.
And, look at Randy Johnson, who for the second year in the row is starting to pitch well after a lackluster start -- he still has lots of wins, even while pitching poorly, while Pedro has a bunch of no decisions while pitching well, and Glavine winning some close games (and having a no decision last night, giving up two runs). The Mets, showing the NL style but also the fact the Yanks have more offensive weapons (and their arms need it!), are doing it with pitching and some offensive efforts.
So, don't cry for me Bronx, I say. I find it more impressive that the Mets are winning with low run support for their aces and a bunch of "who will show up today" arms for 3-5. It is more aggravating really -- though to be fair, the Yanks have a lot of late inning offensive (not quite as dramatic as often) --- as I have noted more than once. I'm also a bit tired of the Yanks, and to repeat myself, the more recent players are less likeable than those in Torre's heyday. So be it. It still is quite impressible, nod to the trouble some key Mets have these days in hitting, that the whole team in the Bronx stepped up, some doing the job while others are down. The latest? Besides, Rivera hurting his back after bending over to tie his shoes, two guys had stomach ailments. Amazing.
Anyway, as to Bonds -- annoying. One thing that underlines my annoyance is that he seems like a great player without the steroids. As to it not being illegal, in various cases I'm not sure if that is totally true (if illegally obtained, etc.), but now it is against the rules. And, overall, it is an edge that is unfair -- it is a Hobson's choice to require a player to risk their health to stay up with their fellow players. I'm tired of hearing about the subject on the local sports radio show as well ... only so much you can say. Still, one thing -- people talk about everyone focusing on Bonds.
This doesn't quite hold water -- partly, it is a matter of the record. Partly, he simply is not a likeable person, his public comments and actions (even a ESPN show!) not doing him any favors. And, other possible/probable users like Jason Giambi (who did admit to use in grand jury testimony, again, Bonds stonewalled) ... are people cheering him like they still (sometimes) cheer Bonds? Is he chasing a record? The focal point of the team? To some extent, one might have some case of disproportionate treatment, but it comes with the territory. And, not only does a local sports host not much care for Jason much either, it's not like others weren't targeted as well -- at least via the suspension policy and so forth.
Giants will leave town today, Bonds past Ruth, and hopefully we won't hear about him as much. So done. Next up ... the Mets facing the AL East. Will they see old friends like Anna Benson (like they saw Jorge Julio, now closing for Arizona, and Armando, who looks like his brother [in pitching style too] with the Giants), and maybe Scott "we gave him up for who?" Kazmir (record removed to avoid heart attacks from Mets fans) over at Tampa Bay? Or, will Pedro face the Red Sox? So much fun.
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* Bonds had a run and an RBI in the first game, so was the difference, even without a home run. The second game win was a nail-biter to the end with the bases loaded an no one out. One out. Short sacrifice fly ... took Milledge (pitch running) having a good slide (avoiding a swipe tag) to win it. LM, the big prospect, has only one hit in his current stint but two big plays -- this one, and an assist to get an out at third in the 1-0 win a few days ago.
** Glavine isn't getting paid any ridiculous amount, and he is the #2 starter. Short/third are low played farm future stars, who will get theirs in a few years. The second baseman is ridiculously overpaid, and basically lost his job to an utility guy and bench player. The corner outfielders are averagely priced. The seventh inning guy is a good/young farm product. So is let's say two (somewhat in flux) other bullpen arms as well as the fifth (fourth?) starter. The eighth inning set-up guy probably has a decent salary, but not ridiculous either.
So, again, the money is in about five players (two from last year), one (Beltran) a bit overrated. Two or three overpaid to attract them to the Mets so it can be good after four years of drudgery. Compare this to the Yanks -- it is simply not the same thing. I'm not crying "unfair" here, just putting things a bit in perspective.