Flex’s blog

I suppose it was inevitable. The Mets run through the playoffs is finally over (actually it was over as of last night). I was a nervous wreck throughout the entire playoffs.. something that really hasn’t happened to me since 1986 when I was so nervous about watching every single playoff game. I suppose I’ve been disappointed time and time again by the Mets but I really was hoping for an unbelievable outcome.

Perhaps the media should have labeled the Mets as underdogs going into the Cardinals series. But with the lineup that they had - who could actually label them the underdogs? But then again - who would have imagined Jeff Suppan pitching two amazing games. Who also would have imagined the Mets bats falling asleep. Who would have imagined Billy Wagner giving up a home run to So Taguchi. WHO THE HECK IS SO TAGUCHI?!?!?

So I dreamed a bit.

For awhile there, I was hoping beyond hope. I was reliving memories of 1986 when the improbable happened. When Bill Buckner let Mookie Wilson’s ball slip through his legs and Ray Knight scored the winning run. I was reliving the base hits that set all that up before hand.

For awhile, I thought the Mets battered pitching staff could pull another rabbit out of the hat. That another deep fly ball could be caught by the stick of player Endy Chavez.

For awhile, I thought the Shea Stadium crowd would make the Cardinals closer wilt away in pressure.

Yes. For awhile.. I dreamed.

And then reality hit me hard as the Mets finally lost that game 7 and it would be the Cardinals who would go to the World Series. Am I depressed? Yes and No. I never expected the Mets to make it this far when the year began. But then.. when you end up winning 97 games through the regular season, you start hoping for bigger and bigger things.

I suppose when Pedro and El Duque went down with injuries, I should have known better but I still hoped. Why? Because names like Maine and Perez stepped up. Because names like Heilman, Moto, Oliver, and Wagner came through time and time again. Because a submariner named Bradford did amazing things without dragging his hand through the mound dirt.

But there is the future…

and the future looks bright. Yes the Mets need to do some major off season work again but I believe in the magic that’s been put into place here.  We need some front line starters and although the free agent market isn’t all that great for 2007, there are still some possibilities. Could we pull off a Jason Schmidt or Barry Zito deal? I’d give up Milledge for one of those two.

We’ll need a younger second baseman too.. although I must admit that Valentine surprised me beyond belief. But he’s not exactly getting any younger so we’ll need something there.

Will Shawn Green be good enough for right field or do we need more production? Would it be possible for Mr. Nady to come back?

Of course next season promises to be a harder season for those boys in orange and blue. Clearly the Phillies will be good. The Braves figure to play in their somewhere. The Nationals could be good if Soriano comes around (now wouldn’t that be cool if we could get him for 2nd?). Don’t forget those Marlins too. They’ve got some awesome young talent.

So it’ll be a challenge but I’ve got faith now. I believe you Omar. I believe in Willie.  Most importantly, I believe in the Mets again. Remember.. in 1985, the Mets were oh so close to getting into the playoffs. They tasted it.. and nearly had it … but the Cards got in that year. What happened the year after? Well destiny happened.

So here we are .. 21 years later and the new Mets tasted it yet again.. but this time it wasn’t meant to be. The Cards again got in the way. Wait till next year they say.. and I truly believe in that. Let’s wait until next year and sock it to them.

Why?

Because I believe.

Because we’re talking about the Amazin’ Mets.

Thanks for awesome 2006 year!