Sep 28

NYSD: A Win Today Puts the Collapse To Rest

FLUSHING, NY – We’ve seen this story before. Haven’t we? A great pitching performance on the penultimate game of the year, gives the Mets a shot for the playoffs on the season’s final day. Maybe it will be different this time. Maybe Oliver Perez won’t stink up the joint on his way out the door, like Tom Glavine did just a year ago. Maybe the Mets are destined to keep Shea alive for one more day. Yet, this year the stakes are much, much higher. Last season, all the Mets had to deal with was a collapse. Once the game was over, they went into the clubhouse not be to seen again until February.

«FULL STORY»

Sep 27

Mets Chat Room: Santana defines greatness.

Santana: An afternoon of greatness keeps the Mets alive.

Santana: An afternoon of greatness keeps the Mets alive.

Johan Santana came to New York with as much pressure on him as any other coming to this city. Santana more than did his job this afternoon, coming back on three days rest to throw 117 pitches in a 2-0 victory over the Florida Marlins to keep alive the Mets’ season for at least another day.

“I made up my mind I was going to do it,” Santana said of the complete-game shutout. He said the chanting of his name by the crowd motivated him and he was as proud of this effort as any in his career.

As to why he wanted the ball, he said, “there was no tomorrow.”

Well, thanks to Santana, there is for the Mets. If you were at Shea today, tell us what you saw. If you watched on TV, tell us what you thought.

Sep 26

Mets Chat Room: Pelfrey goes fishing/Shea Top Ten

The Mets announced today the top ten moments at Shea Stadium:

1. Game Six of the 1986 World Series highlighted by the Bill Buckner team.
2. Mike Mike Piazza’s dramatic two-run home run in the eighth inning, Sept. 21, 2001, to beat the Braves in New York City’s first sporting event after the 9-11 attacks on America.
3. The Mets beat the heavily-favored Baltimore Orioles, 5-3, in Game Five of the 1969 World Series.
4. Endy Chavez’ Game Seven 2006 NLCS catch.
5. The Mets 7 1986 World Series victory.
6. Robin Ventura’s “Grand Slam Single” in Game Five of the 1999 NLCS.
7. The Beatles play Shea, Aug. 15, 1965.
8. The Mets, on June 30, 2000, scored 10 runs in the eighth inning vs. Atlanta.
9. Tom Seaver’s one-hitter against Chicago.
10. Todd Pratt’s walk-off home run in Game Four of the NLDS vs. Arizona.

Let’s talk about them during the game, if there is a game. For the second straight season the Mets’ last hurdle to October are the Florida Marlins.

“We have three games left and it’s going to be hard,” said Carlos Beltran, who is hitting .315 (17-for-54) with three home runs and 12 RBIs against Florida this season.

The Mets are 9-6 against the Marlins this season, including 4-2 at Shea. None of that success is by Mike Pelfrey, who is 0-3 with a 7.91 ERA in four starts against the Marlins this season and 1-4 lifetime in seven appearances.

Sep 19

Hotlanta …. How hot?

Atlanta has never been nice to the Mets. The Braves are out of it again, but they are in position to make things rough for the boys. They have not mailed it in. Instead, they seem to be hanging around for the sole purpose of making things rough on the Mets.

They took two of three last week at Shea, so there better not be any sense of complacency. After Washington, you’d think there wouldn’t be any.

There have been a lot of games with the Braves that just gnaw at your memories. Which one still burns in your gut the most?

The Kenny Rogers game? You can have your choice of Armando Benitez meltdowns. Consider it therapy before the weekend. Which Braves games just stays with you.

Sep 13

Mets Chat Room: Let’s Play Two

Mets and Braves playing a doubleheader at Shea today. Rain in the forecast for tonight. First game at 4 p.m., the second about a half-hour later. Late start courtesy of TV.

Johan Santana against Mike Hampton in the first game; Jon Niese and Jo-Jo Reyes in the second game.

Brian Schneider catches Santana and will catch Oliver Perez tomorrow. Robinson Cancel will catch Niese in the second game.

Jerry Manuel tried to be coy before the game, saying he didn’t know the club’s magic number is 14. Don’t believe him. I think he’s aware of all those things. He’s too sharp not to know.

Speaking of which, I think it would be appropriate to announce an extension for him and his interim coaches.

Sep 09

Mets Chat Room: Delgado picks up Perez.

Mets manager Jerry Manuel said Oliver Perez has pitched so well lately that he’ll let this one slide. He can afford to because Carlos Delgado is playing up to the MVP chants.

It wasn’t a good night for Perez, but Delgado hit two more homers and has 24 in his last 66 games to lead the majors.

For awhile tonight it appeared as if Perez would kick this one away, but Delgado’s two homers and one by Carlos Beltran carried the Mets to a 10-8 victory over the Nationals to increase their lead over Philly to 2 1/2 games.

Kudos also to the bullpen. It has been hot in September, but tell the truth, aren’t you holding your breath?

For those who were with me tonight, many thanks. The Room is open all night.-JD