In the interest of full disclosure, we begin by stating that I am a Yankees fan.
But before you spit at the picture of me in the top right corner of this blog's main page, let me state that I am not here to bash the Mets. Not in the least. They had a terrific season.
And I know what it's like to watch your favorite team lose a Game 7 in the playoffs. Does the 2004 ALCS ring any bells, aside from Javier Vazquez's?
Rather, I'm curious to know how Mets fans feel today. Was being so close to the World Series utterly heartbreaking? Or, can you take some comfort in the fact that the Mets had a much better season than anyone expected?
As a Yankees fan, I'm rather immune to the postseason these days, and to early postseason exits. Secretly, I hope the Yankees miss the playoffs one of these years so it can restore the excitement of the playoff race and maybe clear out a little room on the bandwagon for those true fans.
There is little consoling on this day for Mets fans. At least not yet. I realize that. Especially since the game was lost in the ninth inning. By the second inning of Game 7 of the 2004 ALCS, every Yankee fan knew the season was over, so there was seven more innings to soothe the pain.
As that pain wears off for Mets fans this weekend -- or will it last longer? -- how will they look at this season? Successful? Another year without a World Series? Complete failure?
Use the comments link below and let us know what's going in your mind. (Please, no cursing. And no pro-Yankee propaganda. At least not for this blog post.)
Comments (10)
I think it sucks, Sarge.
It was an exciting season and post-season, for that we can be grateful. But the whole "wait 'til next year" mantra is getting a little old. I have to agree with Sarge, it sucks.
This is not nearly as bad as 2000, even though this is a much better team. They were beat up going into the post season, and I am a little suprised that they managed to push it to game 7. That being said, to get that close and lose still stings. The only real solice is that this team looks to be on the way up. Add a starter, hope that Pelfrey, Humber, or Millege can come close to some expectations and they should be in good shape. I just hope that NYM 2006 is like NYY 1995 - a taste of something special to come.
The Mets will be fine next year. They will still have a powerful lineup/solid bullpen (notwithstanding Wagner's struggles). Plus, the NL is so bad I just don't see anyone beating them. As far as long term success, I think it's less clear. It depends on the development of their young pitchers and whether they can pick up a Zito/Matsuzaka type player.
What's the point if you don't make it to the World Series? That's like being a real estate agent and having the contract for the $35 million mansion all ready to be signed by the buyer, and then your pen runs out of ink, and he leaves. It's a bunch of crap if you ask me. Players get paid to win the World Series, if they don't then it is not a successful season in my book.
This is awful. My neighbors are Cards fans too. Great. Worst series ever. At least there's hockey season.
It was heartbreaking to watch but as a previous poster said hopefully it is "a taste of something special to come." The Mets gave us a fantastic team which we have not seen in a long time. Hopefully they will be able to shape the young talent they have and be right up there in the post season and World Series for as many years as the Yankees have been. This was a tough loss, however it is not the end of the NY Mets in the least.
It was a great series from a "basballs fan " perspective. Maybe the Cardinals won because they were more determined to prove something after getting so close in the lasy few years. Considering the Mets starting lineup minus Pedro and Duco and an always shaky Trachsel they got it to game seven. Think of this as 1985 which by the way they got nipped out of the pennant by........ The Cardinals and in 86 the Mets won the World Series, for those who were not around. As A Met fan I tip my hat to the Cardinals and wish them the best ! .....and Mark, as an ex-Yankee fan from the late 60s-70s, they need tp put some soul and chemistry back into the Yankees and acquire some hungry players to mix it up, sort of like a Wally Backman or Mickey Rivers.
Yes
As a pro-baller, I was taught and believe that you never make the last out with the bat on your shoulders. That's my only beef. Great year. fun times. "Tip your hat" and all that - swing the bat, Man! Weren't you watching what this guy was doing? Good curve,yes. Surprised? No. Shouldn't have been. Foul it off. If you miss, at least you went down swinging.
I am disgusted still by the manner in which the game ended.
You CANNOT get caught looking to end Game 7.
I also was disturbed by the lack of urgency down the stretch when we lost to the Braves by a combined score of 25 -1 over two nights. Also, we had that strecth of 10 games (I think it was ten..) when we failed to score more than four runs.
Throw in the clincher against the Dodgers, when most of our hits were cheap.
The point is, I think this team lost its fight after that great June road trip and they went into the postseason thinking it was theirs for the taking.
There seemed to a disturbing complacency re the Atlanta meltdown, the 10-game scoring drought, and the complete disappearance of David Wright.
I'm not saying I had the solution to these problems, but true winners don't tolerate 25-1 blowouts, even when the division crown was in the bag.
Should have been some benchings and shouting about that.
I am very disappointed. The Cardinals won 83 games and held us to two runs or fewer in four games.
By the way, expressing disappointment doesn't make you a bad Met fan. I am actually DISGUSTED at the Beltran K, but still a Met fan.
I have found in various (and very angry) postings I have left on Mets blogs that many Met fans, or at least the ones who post, believe that criticism of the team means you are not a fan.
Nonsense - true Met fans should be disappointed in this result, though I don't suggest that my level of anger or disgust is appropriate. I won't apologize for it, though. Forty plus years of this franchise's many failures leaves me a bit weary, and the Beltran bat-on-the-shoulder end to Game 7 is one of the lowest moments ever.
This situation is what the phrase "mixed emotion" was invented for.