Well okay, so the Mets split the series with the Dodgers by losing today by a lopsided score of nine to one. No big deal, I mean after all the Mets are still 16.5 games ahead of the Phillies and the Marlins. That’s because the Marlins beat the Phillies today reducing the Mets magic number to 4. Any combination of Mets wins and the second place team losses totaling four and the Mets clinch the division. But I'm still angry, let me explain…
Obviously writing this blog is a passion, not my profession. Unfortunately I do have to work for a living. I make a modest salary not even close to six figures unless of course you count the cents. I go to one Mets game a year because that’s really all I can afford. If I go more than once, it’s usually because someone has invited me as a guest and that does not happen too often. I always take my son who has become quite a Mets fan—as if he ever had a choice. As you may have guessed, today was the day we went to a 2006 Mets game. We were ready to cheer; I had my scorecard all filled in with the starting lineups and already to go.
The festivities began with a touching presentation commemorating 9/11. Things started out well on the field as Trachsel got the first six Dodgers in a row. Then in the third inning, the roof fell in. Trachsel couldn’t get anybody out and of course four runs scored and he was gone. Steve couldn’t have been worse. Only behind by four runs, I thought maybe the Mets could pull off one of their patented come from behind wins but the offense seemed absolutely baffled by Eric Stults. Once again the Mets cannot seem to figure out pitchers they have never faced. Do the Mets have any minor league scouting? In this four game series, the Mets won against Brad Penny and Greg Maddux but only could score one total run against Eric Stults and Hong-Chih Kuo. How is that possible?
Here are the highlights of the game for us. Jose Reyes’s home run, a really nice play by David Wright at third, and the fact that we got to see most of the Mets roster since Willie justifiably threw in the towel after the 7th inning. I spent more time watching the scoreboard than watching the game. What are you going to do, buying a ticket does not include a win but we were hoping. This is the third year I have taken my son to a game and it’s the third loss we have seen (I did see them win against the Brewers last year in a thrilling come from behind win but my son did not go with me that night).
Other observations: From our vantage point high in the red seats on the third base side, we could see the construction area beyond the left center field fence. Not really too much to report. There is construction equipment and materials but there is nothing resembling a ballpark yet, not even close. According to the Mets program, the construction site is going through “site logistics” what ever that means.
Let’s look at the Mets week. The Mets travel to
Extra innings: There is no way Trachsel can get a start in the post season. His record is an example of it’s better to be lucky then good. In the last two starts now, the Mets have not scored any runs for Trachsel and the results have been hideous. He can’t keep a game close unless he gets five or six runs. His pace is laborious to say the least, he just really looks like he hasn’t got a clue right now.
If you live in
