They won the WS again eventually, but didn't seem to the same. They have a pretty good team, especially some "who are they" relievers, but again, since 2003, never quite seemed the same. It was time to focus on the Mets, though I watched them too before then, including choosing them for the '00 World Series (won one game, but broke a a stream of nine WS victories). "The" Mets team for me was probably 1999 though 2006 was no slouch either, including a great defensive infield, relievers like Turk "the hunter" Wendell and starters like Al Leiter, Rick Reed and heck Bobby "One Hit" Jones too. That was the year when it took an extra game to get to the playoffs and a few extra innings (six) to get to the six game of the Braves series that ended with an infamous walk from Kenny Rogers, who some years later embarrassed the Yanks in a playoff game. As these things went on, some interesting Giants and Jets stuff occurred, including a not quite TD that got them to the playoffs that helped to lead to instant replay being so important.
Whenever the pitcher who threw the final pitch against the Mets in '06 start, announcers seem to need to remind us of the fact, though now the hitter plays for the Cards. Well, he didn't do well yesterday, the Mets scoring eight. The Mets had a couple near misses after '06, that is near misses to get to the playoffs, John Maine and Santana (playing hurt) were involved in two gems along the way. Santana was a risk pickup because it was not clear if his body would hold up. Turned out to be the case when his season was shortened and then missed last season, some not thinking he would be reading at the beginning of this season.
Though he looked a bit iffy at times, he was, and pitched pretty well except for a couple hiccups. Pitched pretty damn well last night too, including throwing over 130 pitches, more than he ever pitched in his MLB career. He also did something that he noted he never did, even in a video game, something no single Met (though, amazingly, not only did Seaver get into the 9th THREE times, it happened -- down to Phil Humber -- about ten times after a pitcher left the team, including Doc Gooden, who did it with the Yanks) did ... pitch a no hitter. Well, I guess, it's time for the last remaining team, the Padres to do it. Probably the only way they would win many games this year, seeing them play a few times recently.
I caught the last few innings -- to me, it looked to be another nail-biter and after a bad Phils series, not really in the mood for that. Actually, mid-game, it became a bit of a laugher with a twist. Mike Baxter, a back-up OF from Queens, made the catch of the day and (shocker) got hurt. The other story of the game, other than pushing Santana past his "no doubt about it" 110-115 pitch count (reached in the eighth; the Cards helped him by quick outs late, the first out of the ninth done with one pitch, though the last out started 3-0). When Cone came back from surgery in '96, in one of the stories of that year, he was taken out in the seventh while pitching a no-hitter. A hit, by then set-up man Rivera as I recall, ended it. But, this wasn't his first game back, and he wasn't giving up the ball.
Yeah, I was saying, another story. Turns out that mid-game (be more dramatic if it was like the eighth inning), Beltran (who was traded last year to the Giants as a two month rental in return for promising prospect and neat baseball name, Zack Wheeler) hit what everyone but the third base umpire said was a fair ball. Not quite being cheated of it on the last out and would not be the first time a questionable foul call would be made. Doubt that during the various no-hitters, not quite the rarity of the perfect game, similar bad calls were made. And, many in fact didn't think much of the final strike call in the Humber perfect game. Anyways, ump calls are part of the game and like that "not quite TD" for the Jets, they count, and Built up a lot of karma points here.
Some people last Winter thought this season for the Mets would be terrible, including at Mets Today blog. I did not think so. Though I'm a bit surprised that Daniel Murphy turned out to be a pretty credible second baseman, less so that yet again (six shortstops, including David Wright again for part of one game!) they have so many injuries (wanted Pelfrey to go, but not quite that way), I thought they would do okay. This being in the mid-70s, which would be about their average of late. They in fact are doing pretty good, though they were pretty good early on a few times of late before falling quickly after the All Star Break. But, with lower expectations, minus a few pretty hard to take games, the season in a way can be enjoyed more. Well, won't take much now, huh?
I think that man deserves an extra day of rest!
[Update: Baxter made the play of the game and in return, according to KB, "out likely 6 weeks. Displaced collarbone, and rib cartilage injury." Ramirez, a reliever, hurt himself rushing to celebrate. Some questionable calls in one hitters suggested here.]
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* The announcer, especially one each on the radio and t.v. sides who have been long suffering Mets fans, were particularly excited. I posted a video that includes the radio feed ("put it in the books!!!!!!"). That sort of thing really added to the fun. Though I don't like the new radio play by play guy, the Mets announcers are on the whole a reason to watch/listen.
The sideline reporter, Kevin Burkhardt, also was pretty excited with a few key tweets ("um, turn on SNY now," after the eighth). He is still gushing, talking about how after Mike Baxter's catch, he thought it could be done. Such is the mentality of sports -- forget about the past. 2006.