Last night I had my guts ripped out as the New York Mets lost game 7 of the National League Championship Series. History was torn apart yesterday, as the past 11 game 7s have been won by the home team when they have also won game 6. I guess history could not stand up to the fact that the Cardinals have won 7 of their last 11 game 7s coming into last night's game. Game 7 was heart wrenching. The Mets showed an utter disregard for hitting, while embracing some fabulous pitching.
For the low points, one need look no further than the bottom of the 6th inning. Bases loaded 1 out, and Jose Valentin strikes out looking at an 87 mph curve ball. Endy Chavez, fresh off an amazing homerun robbing catch in the top of the 6th, pops up the first pitch to shallow center to end the inning. From hero to goat, that’s how fast it happens in New York. Also, while anointing Chavez with arguably the best catch in the post season, lets not forget that it was his bobble of a ball in the top of the 2nd that allowed Edmonds to crawl to third and subsequently score.
Mets hitting all night (and indeed for much of the series) bordered on inept. they made Cardinals starter Jeff Suppan look like the famed Cy Young, managing just two hits off of him all night. Two hits, for one of the most potent offenses in the league.
This only sets us up for the biggest disappointment of the night. Bottom of the ninth, Mets trailing 3-1 – after Aaron Heilman left on up in the zone for Yadier Molina and he deposited far enough over the wall that not even Chavez could make a play on it – Valentin and Chavez do what we all wanted them to do in the 6th, stroke singles to the outfield. Cliff Floyd, bad achilles tendon and all, comes to the plate. Flashes of Gibson and the 1988 L.A. Dodgers. However, the Miracle Mets were in 1986, and Floyd strikes out looking, followed by Reyes lining a hanging curve to center, but right at Edmonds. LoDuca walks to load up the bases, and up walks the Mets’ big gun, Carlos Beltran. Unfortunately, Beltran did not see fit to remove the bat from his shoulder as he took strike 3 on a slow curve down the heart of the plate (the second time he struck out looking to end a game in this series.)
One of the most disappointing endings to a great season. And we do have to remember that it was a great season. The Mets will make some changes. Floyd’s contract will not be renewed. That makes way for either a big bat via free agency of trade, or we may see the coming of Lastings Milledge as the Mets new outfielder. Millidge looked severely over matched in limited playing time, but some winter ball, some coaching, he could be a great player. The Mets also proved they need pitching. Oliver Perez looked brilliant at times last night and could be a solid lefty for them (he was the Pirates’ opening day starter two years in a row.) John Maine is work in progress, Steve Trachsel has got to go. Victor Zambrano could come back next year, Chad Bradford showed promise. The Mets need to go after Barry Zito and make him a fixture in this rotation.
Well here is to a great 2006 season. Here is to the promise of an even better 2007 season. Now, what’s happening with those NY Rangers?
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