2013 Mets First-Round Pick's Road to the Big Leagues

2013 Mets first-round draft pick Dominic Smith

As the end of September comes around, the Mets find themselves playing meaningless games in the final month for the fifth straight season.  While it has been a disappointing season, there is light at the end of the tunnel for this team.  The foundation for the future of this organization is bright with lots of young talent on its way in the coming years.      

Friday night, the Mets announced their 2013 Sterling Award winners at Citi Field before the game.  The Sterling Award is emblematic of the Most Valuable Player for each of the organization’s nine minor league affiliates.  Rafael Montero and Noah Syndergaard highlighted the winners for triple-A and double-A, respectively.  Another young Mets prospect that shined this season though is one that won’t be able to go out and get a beer to celebrate.  The Mets 2013 first-round draft pick Dominic Smith is just 18 years old and he took home the Sterling Award for the Gulf Coast League Mets.

Smith got the chance to take batting practice before Friday’s game at Citi Field before the Mets fell to the Brewers 4-2 for the second straight night.  The whole experience is still hitting the 18-year-old first baseman. 

“It’s surreal.  It’s like a dream come true, honestly.  It feels great.  The field is beautiful.  You’re hanging around big league guys.  You’re already getting a taste of the next level.”

The 11^th overall pick in this season’s First-Year Player Draft hit .287 with three home runs, 22 RBI, and had a .384 on-base percentage for the GCL Mets.  It was a major adjustment for Smith from his days in high school just a few months ago. 

“The toughest thing was playing everyday.  It’s tough, but you never really understand it until you play and being a 17-year-old kid, you hear people say all the time, oh let’s go play baseball every day.  If we offer you a contract would you sign and play everyday, you would be like hell yea!  Baseball is fun, but it’s really a job and it’s tough and plays a big toll on your body.”

While Smith had an impressive first season in the minors, he knows there’s plenty of work still ahead of him as the offseason has officially begun.

“It’s a lot of things I need to work on.  It’s a ton.  You’re never perfect.  I’m nowhere near perfect or where I feel I should be, especially after my first year.  There’s a ton to work on and I can’t wait to get to the offseason so I can work on those things and advance my game.”

The first baseman earned a late season promotion to Kingsport, where he had four doubles in six at-bats over three games.  The Los Angeles, CA native finished the season with a combined .301 (52-173) batting average, good for seventh in the organization.  The big league club could have an opening at first base soon, but Smith isn’t ready to think about that just yet. 

“When I’m ready they’ll bring me up.  I just take it one day at a time.  I don’t really look at the future aspect as a couple years.  I try to play hard and advance my game and try to show them to make the next step.”

The 6-0, 180-pound West Coast kid got a little taste of what’s to come playing on the East Coast in New York.  So far, Smith likes what he sees in the city that never sleeps.

“New York is beautiful.  It’s a beautiful city.  The fans are awesome and amazing.  Best fans in baseball and arguably all of sports.  They really love their Mets and they love their players.  They know their players inside and out.  It’s really a great position I’m in. 

The Mets first round pick has shown promise and will look to take the next step in the minor leagues next season when he will get a full season under his belt.  Smith said he models his game in the field after Mark Teixeira and at the plate after Robinson Cano and Carlos Gonzalez.  That’s some big shoes to live up to, but the left-handed hitting first baseman is ready for the offseason ahead as he tries to work his way up to the New York Mets one day. 

“A few months back, I was at high school with my friends and now I’m in a big league park wearing an awesome uniform and being drafted by a major league team and getting to play for them and hopefully one day get to be in this position where I can wake up everyday and come to this beautiful ballpark.”

You can hear my entire interview with Dominic Smith here:

https://soundcloud.com/jakebrownespn/interview-with-mets-1st-round

Mets Have Found Their Aces in Wheeler and Harvey

The New York Mets 2013 season hasn't been pretty by any means, but there is definitely light at the end of the tunnel.  That light shined bright Tuesday in Atlanta when the Mets saw their young phenoms Matt Harvey and Zach Wheeler dominate in a sweep of a doubleheader over their NL East rival Braves.

Harvey started game one and continued his excellence he has shown all season long striking out 13 in seven innings.  The 24-year-old carried a no hitter into the seventh inning before allowing his first hit.  Harvey finally got some run support from his anemic offense as he improved to 6-1 on the season.  It was his first win since May 17th.  Harvey has been the Mets ace all season and one of the favorites to start the All Star Game at Citi Field in July.

While Harvey has been the Mets number one guy, the Amazins found out that Wheeler looks ready to be "1a."  The only Mets player ever to be born in the 90's made his MLB debut in the second game of the doubleheader after watching Harvey's tremendous effort earlier in the afternoon.  Wheeler would not back down in front of the bright lights and in front of his family and friends.  The 23-year-old's hometown is just minutes away from Turner Field in Smyrna, Georgia.  Oh boy, was he ready to go.  After some butterflies in the first inning where he walked two batters, Wheeler cruised the rest of the way.  The young stud tossed six shutout innings, giving up four hits, while striking out seven and walking five batters.  Wheeler had some filthy stuff working his fastball up to 98 MPH and mixing it with a nasty curveball and slider.

For once, the Mets organization got it right.  GM Sandy Alderson dealt Carlos Beltran at the trade deadline in 2011 to the Giants, and it looks like the Mets got back a pitcher that could be at the top of the rotation for years to come.  Wheeler received a lot of hype and at least for one start, he definitely lived up to it.  Finally, Mets fans have something to look forward to at least twice a week this season.  It seemed like "Harvey Day" was one of the only days of the week the Mets would usually pick up a win, but now they get Harvey Day and "Wheeler Day."

Wheeler's ability provides plenty of hope for Mets fans who have been hopeless for years.  Now, the Mets have the pieces to build around and it's time they bring in some bats to give their two studs some run support.  This organization cannot put Harvey and Wheeler out every five days and continue to not put runs on the board.  Alderson has made it clear that this offseason he will be bringing in proven bats to make this team a winner...something they have not done since 2008.  It's been all dark days at Citi Field since the gorgeous building opened in 2009, but it seems like the lights will be shining soon enough thanks to the Mets dynamic duo at the top of their rotation.

Mets Finally Send Ike Down...but What's Next?

This past weekend at Citi Field was more of the same for the 23-35 Mets.  It was an embarrassing display of baseball against the worst team in baseball and one of the worst in the history of baseball.  After Friday night's game was rained out, the Mets would lose a 20-inning affair (that I sat through) Saturday by a 2-1 score, and then Sunday they would blow a 4-1 lead and lose 8-4 in 10 innings.  Eight of the Marlins 18 wins this season have come against the Mets.

Yes, the New York Mets have lost eight times to the abysmal 18-44 Marlins.  That was the last straw.

Finally, Sandy Alderson decided enough was enough and made a couple of moves that had to be made.   The long awaited demotion of Ike Davis finally arrived after the game Sunday as he was sent down to triple-A Las Vegas.  Mike Baxter and Robert Carson were also sent down.

For Ike, it has been another disastrous start, but this time he has showed no signs of turning it around as he did last year.  Davis is hitting just .161 on the season with just five home runs and 16 RBI. He has struck out a ridiculous 66 times in 186 at bats.  That's an average of more than one time every three at bats.  The demotion was long overdue, but two more losses to the Marlins marked the end for Ike.  He will work out his troubles in triple-A Las Vegas and until he shows some significant improvement, he won't be back in Queens anytime soon.

Baxter also has been struggling in his limited playing time this season.  He's hitting just .212 with zero homers and four RBI in 85 at bats.  Don't expect Baxter to be back anytime soon either as he was not given much of a chance from the start.

Carson should have never been here in the first place.  The southpaw out of the bullpen has been completely overmatched since being called up to Queens.  Carson has been atrocious in 2013 in 18 innings giving up 18 runs, good for a whopping 8.50 ERA.  He has also given up eight home runs this season, which is good for third most on the team.  Carson shouldn't hear his name on the big league roster again in 2013, unless it's for September call ups.

So the Mets are now 23-35 and sitting in fourth place in the NL East, already 13.5 games behind the first place Atlanta Braves.  The question for this team is...what's next?  Well it's time Alderson and Terry Collins realize that if this team is in a rebuilding process, it's time to start players that are going to be a part of the future.  Yes, even if they are not major league ready, it's time to let them play.  What does the team have to lose at this point?  They are 13.5 games out of first place and are in no way, shape, or form going to be in a pennant race in 2013.  Saturday, the Mets finally designated Rick Ankiel for assignment.  Yesterday, they finally sent down Ike, along with Baxter and Carson.  That's a start.  Now it's time to see pieces of the future play.  So who are these pieces?

First of all, it looks like Zach Wheeler will finally get his time to shine.  Wheeler is set to make his major league debut in a doubleheader next Tuesday the 18th in Atlanta.  Coincidentally, Matt Harvey will start the second game of the doubleheader.  The future of the Mets pitching staff will be seen together on the same day, which will definitely be exciting for the fans.  Wheeler won't be the savior though.  The Mets are in desperate need of some bats.  We all know the Mets have Wheeler and Noah Syndergaard as well as Rafael Montero to look forward to in the rotation, but what about on offense.

Highly coveted catching prospect Travis D'Arnaud is on his way back as he begins to rehab and work his way back from a foot injury.  D'Arnaud was the big piece of the R.A. Dickey trade and the Mets are hoping that he can be this team's catcher for years to come.  Expect D'Arnaud to be called up to Queens sometime after the All Star break.  Wilmer Flores is another guy in the minors that needs to be called up this season.  The Mets need to move Flores to shortstop, because Daniel Murphy should stay the everyday second baseman.  Ruben Tejada has not earned the starting shortstop role, and should not return as the starter when he is back from the disabled list.  If Ike Davis can turn it around, the Mets infield in the last two months of the season and possibly for years to come come should be D'Arnaud, Davis, Murphy, Flores, and David Wright.  That could turn out to be a pretty solid infield for years to come.

The question marks once again remains in the outfield.  Lucas Duda is not expected to be a piece of this team's future and Alderson has made that clear.  He has been unable to win anyone over with his mediocre power bat.  Duda is hitting just .228 with 10 home runs and 20 RBI in 193 at bats this season.    The Mets don't have much help in the minors either in the outfield.  Their only potential outfielder in the future right now looks like Brandon Nimmo, but he is only with single-A Savannah right now.  Nimmo has been impressive so far hitting .316, but has just one home run and 18 RBI in 136 at bats.  Luckily, the Mets have around $30 million coming off the books in the offseason.  That means they will have some cap space to add a free agent outfielder, and possibly make a trade for another before the trade deadline in July.

What I expect the Mets to do is make a trade for Dodgers outfielder Andre Ethier before the trade deadline.  While everyone wants Carlos Gonzalez or Giancarlo Stanton, that will cost the Mets too much and would force them to likely give away Wheeler or D'Arnaud or both.  Ethier would cost the Mets less prospects, and they can likely get the Dodgers to pay half of Ethier's five-year, $85 million contract.  While Ethier has struggled this season, a change of scenery could be good for him.  The Mets will then look to sign a free agent outfielder in the offseason.  Atop the list will likely be Shin-Soo Choo, Nelson Cruz, or Jacoby Ellsbury.  Those are the three games to keep an eye on that the Mets will likely make a move for.  Look for the Mets to sign one of those three free agents as well as make a trade for an outfielder this July as they will have a little bit of spending room this offseason.

It's going to be a rough season and it's been hard to watch the 2013 Mets thus far.  If Alderson can make the right moves with the money coming off the books, and some of the highly coveted prospects as in Wheeler, D'Arnaud, and Flores can pan out, the Mets are not too far away.  This team could be a winning one within the next two years.  If not, say goodbye to Alderson and Collins.

Mets Fans Relishing in Sweep of Yankees

It may only be two months into the season, but the Mets sweep over the Yankees is easily the highlight of the 2013 season.  Chants of "sweep" and "Let's Go Mets" were heard in full force last night at Yankee Stadium in the 9th inning as the Mets completed a four-game, two-stadium season sweep over their crosstown rival Yankees for the first time since the Subway Series began in 2000.

Mets fans made their presence felt last night in the Bronx in what was one of the quietest Subway Series games ever.  Yankees fans were nonexistent in their home park last night.  The 44,207 fans in attendance were silent until late where Mets fans took over.  While it was just another game for the Yankees and their fans, it was more of a pennant race atmosphere for the Mets and their fans.  The Yankees have dominated the Mets in Subway Series play with the Mets only winning two season series in the first 16 years of the rivalry.  The Yankees were 54-36 in those 16 years against the Mets in the regular season, also including a 4-1 series win in the 2000 World Series.

The overlooked, 4th place Mets squad took care of business this week in Queens and in the Bronx.  Their pitching was dominant getting terrific outings from Jon Niese, Matt Harvey, Jeremy Hefner, and Dillon Gee.  Gee recorded a career-high 12 strikeouts last night and Harvey had 10 Tuesday night in the Mets comeback walk-off victory.  While the Yankees were playing without many of their big names in Derek Jeter, Mark Teixeira, Curtis Granderson, Kevin Youkilis, and Alex Rodriguez, it still marked a very impressive week for a Mets team that had been struggling mightily.  This Mets team has zero expectations this season as they are in a rebuilding process, hoping for some young prospects to pan out for them soon in Zach Wheeler and Travis D'Arnaud.

While bitter Yankees fans will continue to say they don't care about this series, Mets fans have New York bragging rights.  Mets fans are fully aware that this team is rebuilding and will likely not be in the playoffs in 2013, and maybe even 2014.  This team is showing some heart and is giving the fans something to look forward to as they try and turn it around.  After a 17-29 start, the Mets have now won five straight games as they head to Miami to face the last place Marlins, who are in far worse shape than the Mets with a 13-41 start to the season.  Mets fans deserve to relish in this sweep.  In a rebuilding season, any stretch of wins, especially against the rival Yankees, is definitely something to smile about.  The Mets have some big division games coming up where they can work their way back to .500.  Terry Collins squad can make the dog days of summer in Queens a little more enjoyable as Wheeler and D'Arnaud will soon be on their way as the Mets continue to get younger and build a winning team for the future.

Mets Future is Bright After Dickey Trade

The Mets decided to put the pieces together for future success rather than winning now with the trade of R.A. Dickey, and Sandy Alderson did a great job doing it.

The Mets traded the Cy Young winner along with catcher Josh Thole and backup catcher Mike Nickeas to the Toronto Blue Jays in exchange for top catching prospect Travis D'Arnaud, their top pitching prospect Noah Syndergaard, veteran catcher John Buck, and young outfield prospect Wuilmer Becerra.

D'Arnaud is one of the top prospects in baseball and is expected to be the Mets catcher of the future with a good chance at starting behind the dish this season.  In 67 games last season in AAA Las Vegas, D'Arnaud hit .333 with 16 home runs and 52 RBI.  In 2011 for AA New Hampshire, the 23-year-old catcher hit .311 with 21 home runs and 78 RBI in 114 games.  Clearly, the young backstop has a lot of potential and fills the Mets hole at catcher.  This team has lacked a good power hitting catcher since Mike Piazza left, who happens to be the player D'Arnaud admired in his youth.  While his defense has been deemed average at best, D'Arnaud is a huge acquisition that finally gives the Mets a guy who can hit behind the plate.  Getting rid of Josh Thole and Mike Nickeas actually helps the Mets rather than hurt them.  The fact that those are the only other players the Mets gave up besides Dickey makes this deal a steal.

Syndergaard was the second best Blue Jays prospect right behind D'Arnaud.  So the Mets acquired the Blue Jays top two prospects for Dickey, just as Alderson had hoped.  Syndergaard had a terrific season in Class-A Lansing going 8-5 with a 2.6 ERA, including 122 strikeouts in just 103.2 innings pitched.  He's only just begun.  The 6'5" power arm is just 20 years old and is already shining in the minor leagues.  In two to three years, we may see Syndergaard join a starting rotation along side Matt Harvey and Zach Wheeler.

Buck gives the Mets a veteran catcher with some pop to start until D'Arnaud is ready.  Once D'Arnaud is ready to shine in the majors, Buck gives the Mets a much better second option at catcher than Thole and Nickeas.  The 32-year-old hit just .192 with the Marlins last season, but has power.  Buck had 12 home runs last season, 16 in 2011, and 20 in 2010.  Also, don't forget about the "non-elite" prospect the Mets get in this deal, Wuilmer Becerra.  Becerra is a 6'4" right-hand hitting outfielder and is just 18 years old. His season in the minor leagues ended after just 11 games when he was hit in the face by a pitch and broke his jaw.  Becerra has a lot of time to spend in the minors to grow, but we could be hearing his name in four to five years.

Parting with the 38-year-old knuckleballer was tough for the Mets, but his age was a big factor.  Dickey was tremendous last season going 20-6 with a 2.73 ERA and 230 strikeouts.  Alderson could not work an extension out with Dickey essentially lowballing him with a 2-year, $20 million offer and Dickey was looking for $26 million.  The Blue Jays pulled the trigger and made the trade and signed him to a 2-year, $25 million extension after he makes a bargain $5 million in 2013.

The Mets are building a young team that should have fans smiling to what looks to be a bright future.  Signing David Wright to a long-term deal was the start.  The Mets are building a team to win in the future with Wright, Ike Davis, Ruben Tejada, Harvey, Wheeler, Dillon Gee, Jenrry Mejia, and now D'Arnaud and Syndergaard.  The pieces are coming together for a team that probably won't contend in 2013, but 2014 and beyond can be the start of the Mets rise to the top of the NL East standings.

Now that Wright is signed and Dickey has been traded, the Mets need to go out and get a couple outfielders.  That is their biggest weakness right now.  First and foremost, they need to sign or acquire a power bat in the outfield like a Justin Upton or Cody Ross.  Rumors say the Mets are interested in Grady Sizemore, but he is coming off knee surgery and won't be ready to start the season.  Alderson needs to use the money that hasn't been spent this offseason to bring in at least two outfielders with one of them being a guy who can hit 20+ home runs.  Terry Collins has the pieces in place, now management needs to look for some offense to put up some runs for this very solid pitching staff.

12/02/2012-The 5th Quarter in New York Sports

Check out my show from Sunday night on AM1240-WGBB.  On “The 5th Quarter in New York Sports” we discussed the Jets win over the Cardinals and who will start next week at quarterback.  Legendary sports broadcaster Ed Ingles joined us to give his take on the Jets and talk to us about his broadcasting career.  We debated on whether Mark Sancez or Greg McElroy should start next week, whether the Mets should sign or trade R.A. Dickey, and whether David Stern’s decision to fine the Spurs was right.  We gave our “5th Quarter Standouts” in the NFL.  We talked about the wild week in the NFL as well as previewing the Giants-Redskins matchup.  We also talked Knicks and Nets and their success so far this season.

12/02/2012 The 5th Quarter in New York Sports

Mets Heading in Wright Direction

The Mets first move of this offseason that had to be made was signing the cornerstone of their franchise.  That is finally done.

The Mets have signed their third baseman David Wright an 8-year, $138 million deal.  Wright's contract becomes the biggest in Mets history surpassing Johan Santana's 7-year, $137.5 million deal.  This new deal replaces the 2013 option of $16 million including it in the new deal.  The contract makes Wright a Met through 2020, when he will turn 38 that December.  Essentially, Wright is a Met for life.

Mets fans are relieved that this deal is done and they can finally build around the superstar at the hot corner.  Wright has been the face of this team and a leader in the clubhouse.  The 29-year-old was called up in 2004 and has become a mainstay at third base since then.  Wright became the Mets all-time hits leader passing Ed Kranepool September 26th with 1,419 hits.  1,426 hits, 204 home runs, 818 RBI,  and a .301 career batting average have made Wright one of the greatest Mets of all time...and he's not even halfway through his career.

The Mets got this one "Wright."  After not bringing back Jose Reyes last offseason, the Mets needed to build the future of this team around their best player.  Now that this is out of the way, the Mets can move on to their other needs.  This team still has a lot of work to do if GM Sandy Alderson wants to put together a winning team.

Next up for the Mets is resigning their Cy Young winner R.A. Dickey.  While Dickey is 38, in knuckleball years that's basically 34.  Dickey was dominant last season on his way to his first Cy Young Award with a 20-6 record, a 2.73 ERA, and 230 strikeouts.  Keeping Dickey immediately turns the Mets rotation into one of the best in baseball.  Dickey, Johan Santana, Jon Niese, Matt Harvey, Dillon Gee, and possibly Zach Wheeler next season would be tough to beat.  Unless somebody offers the Mets a monster trade package, Alderson needs to bring back Dickey.  Dickey is willing to sign for two years if the price is right.

The Mets major concern right now is their outfield.  After releasing Jason Bay, nobody knows what the Mets outfield will look like in 2013.  The team isn't expected to bring back Andres Torres, who was nowhere near what the Mets hoped him to be when they acquired him from the Giants.  Lucas Duda struggled at the plate and in the outfield and it's not expected for him to be an Opening Day starter in 2013.  That leaves the Mets with a depleted outfield.  Alderson needs to go out and get some outfield help.  While the Mets don't have lots to spend, they need to go and make a couple of moves to bring in at least two outfielders.  This team needs another power bat to complement Wright and Ike Davis.  There aren't many guys available in the Mets price range, but they are going to need to find a couple of bats to fill the void in their outfield right now.

Signing Wright to an extension was a step in the right direction, but this team is far from a contender at the moment.  Here's what this team needs to do this offseason:

1) Resign R.A. Dickey.

2) Sign/trade for a couple of outfielders including a power bat. (Justin Upton)

3) Sign/trade for a catcher that can produce more on offense than Josh Thole.

4) Get some bullpen help.

Dickey Joins Elite Company With 20th Win

A season to forget for the New York Mets ended with a game to remember at Citi Field on Thursday.  The second half failures were put in the past Thursday afternoon when R.A. Dickey took the mound in front of an excited, enthusiastic 31,506 fans going for his 20th win of the season.

The author, mountain climber, and baseball's most unlikely star became the first Mets pitcher since Frank Viola in 1990 to win 20 games in a season.  Dickey beat the Pittsburgh Pirates, 6-5, in the Mets final home game of the season.  The 37-year-old became just the 6th pitcher in franchise history to reach 20 victories and is on his way to becoming the first knuckleballer to win a Cy Young Award.  

Despite giving up three earned runs, Dickey had a career high 13 strikeouts in 7.2 innings throwing 128 pitches.  The 128 pitches was a season-high for the knuckleballer and Dickey's 13 strikeouts puts him at 222 on the season, which leads the National League.  Dickey's 2.69 ERA is second in the National League.

The journeyman knuckler brought an atmosphere to Citi Field that has been non-existent in the Mets second half downfall.  It has been another tough season for Terry Collins' team, but Dickey has brought something special to a team that hasn't had much to write home about since the All Star break.  Thursday afternoon was about R.A. Dickey.  

Thursday in Queens was just the next chapter of the R.A. Dickey saga. The man who climbed Mount Kilimanjaro last winter for charity, wrote a personal memoir, will be writing three children's books, came out on top once again.  The final chapter of the memorable 2012 season continues when Dickey makes his final start in Miami Tuesday against the Marlins as he chases his 21st win, which should lock up a Cy Young Award.

No-Han No More? It's a No Brainer

Since Johan Santana's ankle was stepped on by Reed Johnson on July 6th, his remarkable 2012 season has taken a complete 180.  In his last 5 starts, Santana has allowed 6 earned runs or more in each start.  Everything has fallen apart for "No-Han," who threw the first no hitter in Mets history on June 1st against the Cardinals.

Since that injury, Santana has not been the same pitcher.  He went to the disabled list on July 21st with the ankle injury.  The Mets also wanted to get Santana some rest coming off his surgically repaired shoulder.  'No-Han' said he was ready to go and feeling much better when he returned against the Braves at Citi Field.  After getting tattooed in his return giving up eight runs in just 1.1 innings, Terry Collins was concerned but knew his ace was going to be a little rusty.  When Santana came out and got crushed again against the Nationals on Friday night, the Mets concerns grew rapidly.  It seems as if Santana might just be going through fatigue.

Shoulder surgery is never an easy thing to come back from.  Johan surprised everyone with the incredible first half of the season he had.  The no hitter he threw was enough for Mets fans to put him on a pedestal in Mets history as one of the greats.  He was brilliant in the first half and a big reason for the Mets success.

Everything has fallen apart though for Santana since the second half of the season has begun.  The Mets need to make the wise move and rest their ace for the season.  The Mets are nowhere near the playoff picture as they go into today at a season low nine games under .500 and a whopping 20 games behind the Nationals in the NL East standings.  Things have gotten truly ugly for a Mets team that was resilient and fun to watch in the first half.

Terry Collins and GM Sandy Alderson need to give Santana rest so he is fresh for next season.  The worst thing for the Mets would be to lose Johan to another injury because of poor management.  This season is over for the Mets for a shot at the playoffs.  For the last month of the season, Santana should rest, and the Mets should call up some of their young arms to fill in.  It is time to continue to build for next season.  A major part of next season will be a healthy Johan Santana.  Today, we should see Sandy Alderson announce that Santana's season is done.  It will be the best for the team in trying to put together a winning club in 2013.

A Nice Guy Who Can't Hit

There's been a lot of Mets fans doing what Jason Bay is doing in the photo above.

Since Jason Bay became a member of the Mets, his career has taken a bizarre turn for the worse on the baseball field.  Bay has lived up to nowhere near the 4-year, $64 million contract that he signed prior to the 2010 season.  His offensive statistics have been absolutely brutal in his three seasons thus far.  In 42 games this season, Bay is batting an abysmal .156 with 5 home runs and 11 RBI.  In his 260 games with the Mets, Bay is hitting .220 with 23 home runs and 115 RBI.  In 2009 with the Red Sox, Bay hit .267 with 36 home runs and 119 RBI along with 94 walks and a .384 OBP.  The guy had incredible numbers with the Red Sox...playing at Fenway Park.

The Mets brought in Bay hoping to see glimpses of what was seen from Bay in five years in Pittsburgh and his season and a half in Boston.  What they got was a guy who has completely lost all confidence and lost all the hitting ability that we saw from the former All Star left fielder.  It has been to watch Jason Bay struggle mightily at the plate in his time in New York.  Bay came to a ballpark that was a pitcher's park before the fences were moved in prior to this season.  That might have been a reason for his lack of success early with the Mets.  Then several injuries including multiple concussions forced Bay to miss 67 games in 2010, 39 in 2011, and two months this season.  The combination of injuries, the big ballpark, and a loss of confidence seem to have brought Jason Bay to an all time low in his career.

It really is tough to see Jason Bay struggle as he has.  Terry Collins has demoted him to a platoon player in left field where he will mostly face left handed pitchers.  Bay is a guy you really root for.  He comes to the ballpark every day wanting to help the team win.  He puts in the effort each and every night.  He is a solid defensive player, runs every ball out, and is a great guy in the clubhouse.  Right now for the Mets, Jason Bay is a nice guy who can't hit.  The problem is nice guys don't help teams win baseball games.  Bay is not getting paid $16 million a year to put the effort it and be a good guy.  He's getting paid to help the Mets win games with his much needed right handed bat.  He has done nothing in the middle of the Mets order for them to continue putting him in the lineup every night.

The smart move for the Mets would be to send a message and just release Jason Bay and essentially eat his contract.  Sandy Alderson said Bay's contract is not going anywhere.  Terry Collins did the right thing in making him more of a platoon player.  Collins also did it with class knowing how hard Bay plays and that the effort is there.  The results just are nowhere even near mediocre.  The skipper sat down with him and had multiple meetings giving him his chances to show him something.  The hits just never came.  Bay would have a rare single here and there and an occasional walk, but he just could not get it going this year.  That would be it for Bay as an everyday player in a Mets uniform.  

The Mets will platoon Bay with Mike Baxter and Jordany Valdespin in left field.  Bay will most likely just face left handed hitters for the remainder of the season.  His future in New York is unknown.  Bay has been a major bust in Mets history, but not the worst.  Mets fans were haunted with worse memories than what Bay has brought.  The contracts of Oliver Perez and Luis Castillo forever haunt Mets fans.  Those two names bring nightmares to Mets fans highlighted by the dropped ball in the Bronx and home runs flying out of ballparks.  Jason Bay had his chance here with the Mets, but don't expect to see him in a Mets uniform next season.  Don't be surprised if Jason Bay is dealt soon this month to the Marlins for Heath Bell and John Buck in a deal that brings the Mets a right hand hitting catcher and a reliever that has upside. 

Can The Mets Make a Run?

The Mets finally got back to their winning ways in San Francisco.  After splitting the four game series in Arizona, the Mets went out and took three out of four games against the first place Giants.  The Mets got their solid starting pitching back as well as their clutch hitting that we saw in the first half of the season.  R.A. Dickey, Jon Niese, Matt Harvey, and Chris Young all had very impressive outings.  Despite Harvey's loss in his second career start, he pitched very well only giving up two earned runs and striking out seven.  The Mets like what they see in Harvey. The young phenom has the makeup to be a front end starting pitcher in the Majors.

While the Mets were silent at the trade deadline, they were so with good reason.  The team did not want to trade away young pieces of their future to get a rental to help them win this season.  If the team did not lose 11 of 12 games following the All Star break it most likely would have been a different story.  The fact is they struggled following the break.  They went from being a half game out of the NL Wild Card to 8.5 back going into today.  They went from a reasonable 4.5 games back to 11 games back in the NL East.  The losing streak put a huge blow in the Mets playoff hopes, but with 56 games to go, Terry Collins crew still has hope.

The Mets will finally get back their closer Frank Francisco tonight in San Diego.  Their bullpen has missed Francisco dearly as Bobby Parnell struggled in the closer's role.  They will welcome back Francisco with open arms after missing over a month.  Parnell will now get to return to the setup role where he thrived in the first half of the season.  The rest of the bullpen will have less pressure on them as they will not be put in as many tough situations as they were in with the absence of Francisco.  Josh Edgin and Tim Byrdak can return to being lefty specialists out of the bullpen. Manny Acosta and Ramon Ramirez can return to being middle relievers.  The bullpen as a whole will get more rest with Francisco resuming his 9th inning role.

Johan Santana is also on his way back as he threw a bullpen session yesterday.  Santana will be back in the Mets rotation possibly next week when the Mets return home, but most likely the following week.  Once Santana returns, Terry Collins will consider going to a four man rotation with R.A. Dickey going on three days rest.  Dickey, Santana, Niese, and Harvey with Chris Young making spot starts provides the Mets with a formidable rotation down the stretch.  Starting pitching is what carried this team in their successful first half.  The rotation has stepped it up this last week and hope to continue their success into San Diego before they return home for six games against the Marlins and the  Braves.

There is still time for this team to go on a run.  The Mets still have nine games left, with six being at home, against the Atlanta Braves whom they trail in the Wild Card.  The team still has six games against the Nationals whom they trail in the division.  Any hope at winning a division title has taken a hit since their post All Star break struggles, but with the addition of a second Wild Card team, Terry Collins hopes that his bunch can string some wins together and make a run for that second Wild Card spot. The Braves and Pirates at the top of that race do not seem to be losing steam but its a long season and that is why they play the games.  56 games is still a lot of time for this team to make a run.  Mets fans hope that Citi Field does not become a ghost town come September as it has been since it opened in 2009.

Second Half Debacle

The second half of the season following the All Star break has spelled disaster for the Mets in each of the last three seasons.  It appears that 2012 is no different.  The Mets suffered another heartbreaking loss this afternoon at Citi Field where they left an astounding 14 men on base in an 8-3 loss in 12 innings.  For the first time all year, the Mets have fallen under .500 at 47-48.  They were swept by the Dodgers and have an abysmal 1-8 record since the All Star break.

It looks like the Mets are in their usual second half swoon mode as Terry Collins overachieving team has hit rock bottom.  The Mets are 8.5 games out of first place in the National League East and have fell five games out of the second Wild Card spot in the National League.  Their starting pitching, which carried them in the first half, has been brutal thus far in the second half.  The bullpen continues to struggle as they have all season leading the league with 20 losses.  Without closer Frank Francisco, they have had trouble closing out games in late innings. 

To add injury to insult, they lost Dillon Gee for the season and Johan Santana also was placed on the disabled list with an ankle injury.  Down two starters, the Mets finally chose today to call up young pitching prospect Matt Harvey to make his Major League debut on Thursday in Arizona.  Harvey will do his best to try and fill the void in the rotation until Santana gets back.  Santana and All Star R.A. Dickey have been the reason for a lot of the Mets success in the first half.  Both have struggled mightily in the month of July and are a part of the teams losing streak.  

The pitching problems of late are leading to the offense having to fight back early and often in games.  They are being put in too deep of a hole and as a result are pressing to try and get back in games.  The team is not getting the clutch two out hits that we saw in the first half.  David Wright cannot do it all by himself.  Wright, Daniel Murphy, and young Jordany Valdespin have been the only bright spots of late in the Mets offense.  While the offense has not been great, it all starts with the pitching staff.  They either are behind early or blow leads late because of a young and inexperienced bullpen. 

It could get worse as the Mets will face the first place Nationals for three games at Citi Field.  They could be double digit games behind them with another couple of losses. Then the Mets will go on an 11 game west coast trip to face the Diamondbacks, Giants, and Padres.  As the trade deadline is just nine days away, the next week will determine if the Mets are buyers or sellers.  If the poor play continues, look for the Mets to go with what they have and not trade pieces of their future to try and win this year. The debacle looks to have begun, but the Mets do have 65 games to go and crazier things have happened. Just ask the 2007 Mets...

Mets First Half Review

The 2012 Mets came into the season with no expectations by many. They were looked at as a team in a rebuilding process, a team with a rag tag no name lineup, and a very questionable pitching staff.  If I were to tell you at the beginning of April that going into the All Star Game, the 2012 Mets would be six games over .500, a half game out of a NL Wild Card spot, and 4.5 games out of the NL East, you would probably call me crazy.

Who would have thought? The Mets are going into the All Star game tonight with a record of 46-40 and within striking distance of a playoff spot with 76 games remaining.  It all starts with the pitching staff and the question mark at the top of the rotation began with Johan Santana. Coming off shoulder surgery, many were not sure how Santana would pitch.  He would come out looking like the Santana of old in the first half. Mets fans got to witness something they have been waiting 50 years for...a no hitter.  With the exception of a couple of starts this year, Santana has pitched tremendously. He comes into the half with a 6-5 record and a 3.24 ERA.

The major surprise for the Mets and for all of Major League Baseball has been the first half that knuckleballer R.A. Dickey has put together.  Dickey has been nothing short of spectacular coming into the break with a 12-1 record and a 2.40 ERA with 123 strikeouts. Dickey threw two consecutive complete game one hitters which is unheard of in baseball today.  He was snubbed out of starting the All Star game because of a poor decision by Tony LaRussa, but will still get his chance to pitch in the game for the first time in his career.

When Mike Pelfrey went down in April, Jon Niese and Dillon Gee knew that they would have to step up and they have done just that.  Niese signed a 5 year contract extension before the season as the Mets are expecting big things from the young southpaw. Niese is 7-4 with a respectable 3.73 ERA coming into the break. Dillon Gee has surprised many as the Mets fourth starter with a 6-7 record and a 4.10 ERA.  Chris Young has also stepped in and done a nice job as the fifth starter since his return on June 5th. Young has had a quality start every time he has pitched not allowing more than 3 earned runs in his six starts. The Mets rotation has surprised many and is a big reason why this team is in a playoff race.

Another surprise to many is how the Mets lineup has come together and done an excellent job, especially with two outs. This lineup led by All Star David Wright has come up with clutch hits every night with two outs. It has been a recipe for their success in the first half and something that needs to continue for them to have a strong second half. David Wright's numbers have been off the charts all season long. He has not slumped all year and day after day continues to show why he is the cornerstone of this franchise. He is hitting .351 with 11 home runs and 59 RBI coming into the break with an astounding .441 on base percentage.

Ike Davis who struggled mightily the first two months of the season has finally got it together in the month of June and so far in July. He has 12 home runs and 49 RBI in the first half. Lucas Duda, who has been streaky at times is also contributing in the middle of that lineup with 12 home runs and 44 RBI.  The guy who has surprised most has been Scott Hairston. Hairston is tied for the team lead with 12 home runs. Hairston has abused left handed pitching all season and has been monumental in the Mets first half success.  Guys like Daniel Murphy, Kirk Nieuwenhuis, Mike Baxter, Ruben Tejada have also come in and have done a tremendous job for skipper Terry Collins.

The main weakness of this year's team has been the bullpen thus far. Frank Francisco has been very up and down and is currently on the disabled list as he works his way back in the coming week.  Manny Acosta who is in Triple-A Buffalo now was terrible when he had his time with the Mets. Ramon Ramirez has not been the guy the Mets hoped they would acquire in the trade for Angel Pagan. Pedro Beato has just returned and will be a pivotal piece of the Mets middle relief in the second half.  Two guys out of the bullpen who have been great all year for this team have been Bobby Parnell and Tim Byrdak.  Parnell has filled in for Francisco nicely at closer since he went down with injury and Byrdak has been the guy to come in and get lefty hitters out and he has done it with great success.

The question is if the Mets can keep up what we have seen in the first half. We saw a resilient team that following a loss or a tough streak would come back and string some wins together. This team never gives up and finds ways to come back and win ball games.  They start the second half with Dillon Gee going down with injury.  Gee will start the second half on the disabled list as he has a clot in his artery in his right shoulder.  For this team to win down the stretch, it is pivotal that they acquire an arm for the bullpen in a guy like Huston Street. They need a veteran relief pitcher who has been there before and that can help them shut down games late. Also, with Jason Bay failing to stay healthy and his failure to produce, this team needs a right handed hitter with some power to help out a predominately left hand hitting lineup.  A guy like Carlos Quentin would fill that role perfectly.  If this team could add those two pivotal pieces, don't be surprised if the Mets are playing meaningful games in September.  This team has shocked all of baseball and if their rotation continues to pitch the way it has, they can make a run at one of those two NL Wild Card spots.  Nobody in the NL wants to face R.A. Dickey if it comes down to a one game playoff.

7/1/12-SportsTalk1240

Listen to my latest sports radio show-SportsTalk1240 on AM1240 WGBB in Long Island.  Me and Ty Hardamon discuss NBA free agency as Nets beat writer for the Star Ledger Colin Stephenson joined us. We also discussed the surging Mets and David Wright not being voted the starting third baseman. Listen in.

7/1/12-SportsTalk1240

RA-DICKEY-LOUS

R.A. Dickey was once a guy who was fighting just to get to the big leagues.  He had a good knuckleball, but it was not good enough to get him recognized like Tim Wakefield, Phil Niekro, and Charlie Hough.  On April 29, 2010, when pitching for triple-A Buffalo, the Mets realized that they may have found something in Dickey. Dickey would give up a single to the first batter that night and then get the next 27 batters out to throw a one hitter.  We would soon learn that more dominant performances were on the way.

Monday night, Dickey showed the world that he might just be one of the most dominant knuckleballers of all time and the most dominant pitcher in the league right now.  Dickey breezed through the Baltimore Orioles lineup throwing his second consecutive complete game one hitter.  The Tennessee native struck out 13 Orioles and only walked two batters.  He gave up a single in the 5th to break up the no hitter.  Dickey was coming off as dominant a performance his last start against Tampa Bay.  Dickey gave up one infield single that could have been ruled an error and the Rays lineup was baffled by the swirling knuckleball that nobody could hit.

There was a feel of magic in the air at Citi Field Monday night.  Fans could not believe the absolute brilliance that was happening right in front of them.  Just two and a half weeks ago, fans witnessed the first no hitter in Mets history by Johan Santana and once again they would get to see an equally dominant performance from Dickey.  In all honesty, Dickey's two one hitters were as paramount or more than Santana's one hitter.  Hitters were not even making contact with the knuckleball that were leaving major leaguers scratching their head, throwing their bats, and a lot of times breaking them.

Two one hitters and 25 strikeouts for R.A. Dickey.  Two overbearing starts against two playoff teams right now.  Dickey is now 11-1 with a microscopic 2.00 ERA.  Robert Allen has 103 strikeouts in 99 innings pitched.  He has given up just 67 hits and 21 walks in those 99 innings.  The numbers this man is putting up are Cy Young worthy, MVP worthy, and undoubtedly All Star Game starting pitcher worthy.  Dickey has come out every 5th day and essentially given the Mets a win every time.  The guy has not allowed an earned run since May 22nd.  He has only had one start this season that was not a quality one and that came on a rainy day in Atlanta.  Take that start out and Dickey has been absolutely flawless this season.

What we are seeing from R.A. Dickey is an absolute joy to watch.  He has transformed the art of the knuckleball and at age 37, with the way he keeps his body and being a knuckleballer, still has plenty of years left in him.  In knuckleball years, Dickey is in his prime and can easily pitch into his mid-40s.  Hey, if the Mets can stay in the race and make a run for one of those two wild card spots in the National League, watch out for the dynamic duo of R.A. Dickey and Johan Santana right now at the top of the rotation.  It has become a front end that nobody wants to face.

A Night to Remember at Citi: HI57ORY

It was the first of June in 2012.  It was the Mets 8,020th game in the team's 51st season.  It was a night at Citi Field that Mets fans have been waiting their whole lives to see.  Me and the other 27,068 fans came out to see the return of Carlos Beltran to Citi Field in a Cardinals uniform.  What we ended up seeing was history.

At 9:45pm on a cool, breezy night in Flushing, David Freese swung on and missed for the 27th out.  Johan Santana had thrown the first no hitter in New York Mets history.  The Mets could not do it at the Polo Grounds for their first two years.  They could not do it at Shea Stadium for its 45 years of existence. They could not do it in the first three seasons at Citi Field.  Finally, in the celebratory year of the Mets 50th anniversary, in the team's 51st season and third ballpark, Johan Santana had completed the first ever Mets no hitter.  I was waiting for last night to happen since I started being at fan at the age of 8.  I have been to over a season's worth (162) Mets games in my life and the night finally came.  

There were so many moments in this game that made this such a special first no hitter for the Mets.  First, in the 6th inning, the ball hit by Carlos Beltran that was fair and got called foul.  After this, it seemed the Mets caught a break, and history could be in the making.  In the 7th inning is when it seemed that it was destiny for the Mets.  Yadier Molina, the man who beat the Mets in the NLCS in 2006 at Shea Stadium with his 9th inning home run, would hit one deep to left field that looked to make it the 8,020th game that the Mets would not throw a no hitter.  The pride of Whitestone, Mike Baxter, would put his glove out, catch the ball, and bang into the left field wall and somehow hold on to the ball to make one of the biggest catches in Mets history.  Baxter would leave the game with injury, but not before getting a standing ovation from everyone in the ballpark.  Baxter had somehow saved the no hitter and Santana was just seven outs away from history.  After that catch is when I said to myself...this could happen tonight.  

After the 134th pitch thrown by Johan Santana, the Mets woes of never throwing a no hitter came to an end.  Citi Field finally had the feel of home.  It was like the days at Shea as random fans all celebrated together.  High fiving and chest pumping with everyone at the ballpark was normal.  It was a night that you enjoy with the people who have been going to games for years, and a night you tell the youth to remember when they grow up.  Leaving Citi Field was hard as fans stuck around to celebrate together and realize how big of a moment this was.  It was a dream come true to be witness to such a tremendous moment in Mets history.  It happened in my last game before I begin interning Tuesday with SNY working Mets programming.  Being at the John Maine near no hitter in 2007 was incredible, but this topped them all.  

Johan Shines, Mets Start Season With Shutout

April has arrived and baseball season is back.  Johan Santana took the mound against the Braves on a beautiful Thursday afternoon at Citi Field.  Santana made his first start since 2010 and he looked like he had not missed a step.  Santana went five strong innings giving up no runs, two hits, and striking out five.  David Wright hit an RBI single in the sixth to drive in the Mets only run.  That would be enough to beat the Braves, 1-0.

The Mets bullpen did something that they had trouble doing all of last season.  The bullpen held the one run lead throwing four shutout innings.  Ramon Ramirez, acquired from the Giants, threw two scoreless innings.  Jon Rauch also made his Mets debut throwing a scoreless inning.  New closer, Frank Francisco, threw a perfect ninth inning and the Mets started the season with an impressive victory.  The Mets have won 33 of their last 43 Opening Day games after losing their first eight.

Andres Torres left the game in the seventh after trying to run down a ball in center field.  Torres is headed to the disabled list with a left calf strain.  The Mets have brought up Kirk Nieuwenhuis to replace him in centerfield.  Terry Collins is expected to platoon Nieuwenhuis with Scott Hairston, who replaced Torres yesterday.

Citi Field finally felt like home for the first time since it has opened.  The walls are now blue and it finally has more of a feel as the Mets home ballpark.  The 42 thousand plus fans left the ballpark feeling good with Let's Go Mets chants breaking out along the concourses.  It marked my tenth straight Opening Day and it was one of the more memorable ones as it is the Mets 50th anniversary.  The Mets honored the late Gary Carter before the game and unveiled a sign on the left center field wall in honor of "The Kid." The Mets continue the series with the Braves Saturday afternoon at Citi Field as R.A. Dickey takes on Jair Jurrjens.

End of an Era in Queens

Since 2005, Mets fans have been used to seeing the same man run out to shortstop every day.  They have been used to seeing the same guy go diving into second base safely on a steal.  They have seen the same guy round second and head for third for a triple a dozen plus times a year.  They have been used to the same guy being called at the top of the lineup every day.  They have been used to the same man teach them new Spanish words every home game.  Now, yet another man will be taking his talents to south beach.

Jose Reyes will now be a member of the Miami Marlins.  Reyes signed a 6 year, $106 million deal on Sunday night.  The deal includes a $22 million option for a seventh year.  Reyes will leave the Mets for the team that looks to have a lot of promise in the future.  The Marlins have already signed closer Heath Bell.  They have been in contact with Albert Pujols and are prepared to make a huge offer.  Also, they are going to be looking for a starting pitcher, with Mark Buehrle being a definite option.  Not to mention, they have a brand new stadium next season and have changed their name from the Florida Marlins to the Miami Marlins.  This move obviously changes the Mets team completely as well as the National League East.  The Phillies, Braves, and Marlins are now looked at as the major contenders in the NL East while the Nationals and Mets seem to be on the outside looking in.

Mets fans saw it coming.  They knew there was no way the Mets could bring an offer higher to the table than what the Marlins brought.  The Mets just do not have the financial room to keep Reyes and then add more pieces, which they clearly need after having an extremely disappointing last couple of seasons at Citi Field.  Losing Reyes completely changes up everything in Queens.  It ends an era of one of the most exciting players we have ever seen in baseball.  Reyes was exuberant on the field and a one of a kind type player.  From his stolen bases to his triples to his flashy fielding, Reyes will be missed in every sense of the word.  Taking over for Reyes as shortstop will be 22 year old, Ruben Tejada.  Tejada got a good amount of playing time last season playing in 96 games and batting .284.  For Mets fans, it will never be the same.  Reyes is a guy that you do not see everyday.  He is a special player and a guy who changes the face of the team.  Tejada will not be that guy and still is developing as a player.  The Mets lose a leadoff hitter, a leader, and an all star and replace him with a bottom of the lineup type hitter who is solid defensively.  The Mets will learn in the coming seasons that nobody can replace what they had in Reyes and it is a tough road ahead for the Mets, who seem to be in a rebuilding mode.

For at least the next six years, Mets fans will now have to watch Reyes compete against them 18 times a year.  Fans have to see Reyes run out to shortstop nine times a year at Citi Field….in a Miami Marlins uniform.  For nine times a year, the first pitch at Citi Field will be made to Reyes.  It is going to be a bizarre feeling for Met fans.  It is a tough loss for the Mets to swallow, but it is time for the Mets to move on and try and build pieces to somehow replace one of the best shortstops of our era.

25 Years Ago Today....The Ground Ball

25 years ago today, we (well the people who were alive at the time) witnessed one of the most monumental plays in one of the most thrilling games in the history of sports.  The only words necessary are...."and it gets by Buckner!"  Game 6 of the 1986 World Series was one that no baseball fan will ever forget.

The Mets were down 3 games to 2 to the Red Sox.  They were down 2 runs in the bottom of the 10th inning.  They were 1 out away from being the team that would help break the "Curse of the Bambino."  The unthinkable would then occur.  The Mets would string a couple of base hits together to make it a one run game.  Then Mike Stanley would make a pitch to Mets outfielder Mookie Wilson that he wish he could get back.  The pitch would go wild and go to the backstop tying the game.  The Mets, who just minutes earlier seemed to be demoralized and getting ready to head home, were alive again and were a hit away from sending the series to a game 7 at Shea Stadium.  

Just two pitches later, one of the most memorable moments in the history of sports would have the city that never sleeps staying wide and awake.  

Mookie Wilson hit a ground ball to all star first baseman Bill Buckner.  It looked to be the simplest of ground balls.  The ball would trickle down the line and go right under the glove of Buckner.  The ball would roll onto the outfield grass and change the history of baseball and the life of Buckner forever.  World Series MVP Ray Knight would score the game winning run sending the series to a game 7.  A series that seemed to be over was now tied.  Buckner's impressive career would now be known for just one play.  A guy who would finish his career with 2,715 career hits and a batting crown in 1980 was known by many baseball fans as the guy who lost the 1986 World Series.  The people of Boston who have been waiting since 1918 to win a World Series were stunned in disbelief and "the curse" would live on.  

The Mets would go on to win game 7 in comeback fashion after trailing the series 3 games to 2.  One play changed the face of a franchise, the face of a player, and the face of baseball history.  The Red Sox would go 18 more years without winning a World Series.  Finally, after 86 years of waiting they would break "the curse" in 2004.  

The series of events that went down in this game were moments that we will never see again.  It was an ending that no person could ever script.  It was an evening at Shea Stadium unlike any other.  It was a night that every one of the 55,078 in attendance will relive for the rest of their lives.  October 25, 1986 would go down as one of the most memorable of all time.