Daily Archives: September 28, 2008
Man, what a long day.
I will have more to say tomorrow, after a lot of what transpired today sinks in – but, for now, despite the season coming to an end, I am left thinking about Shea Stadium, and the memories of the past – whether good or bad.
This is going to be a bizarre off-season, I feel. Frankly, as for this current team, I feel very jerked around, and I’m not sure what I think should be done to avoid having next year end in the same way that the last two have. But, we can get more in to that in the days and weeks and months ahead.
Tonight, all I want is a hot shower and a good night’s sleep.
Tagged Shea Stadium |
After the game today, Omar Minaya praised the work Jerry Manuel has done but stopped short of endorsing him for the managerial position next year.
Carlos Beltran, however, had this to say:
“I believe he should be back. I hope he will be back. He’s a great man, and he did everything possible to make us earn a spot in the playoffs.
“Unfortunately, we are the ones who go out there and decide what happens. But we feel that he did his part.”
I wrote a column on SNY.tv discussing the brutal way this season ended and discussing whether Manuel should return, including quotes from Minaya suggesting that this year’s team was not as good as last year’s, at least on paper.
Tagged Ted Berg |
The Mets lost the to the Marlins by the scores of 4 to 2 today in Shea Stadium.
For a recap, boxscore and stats, check out SNY.tv.
With the Mets loss and the Brewers win, the Mets have been eliminated from the playoffs.
They say baseball is a game of symmetry, and today the game was full of it.
In 2006 with Oliver Perez on the mound, Endy Chavez made a heroic catch, but the Mets lost by two runs to the Cardinals in the National League Championship Series.
Fast forward to today, with Perez on the mound, Chavez made another terrific catch to keep the game tied.
And, just as they did in 2007, the Marlins eliminated the Mets from the postseason on the final day of the season for the second straight year.
Unfortunately, the Mets were unable to duplicate a comeback as the 1986 Mets did.
I know many will put this loss on the bullpen and the matchups Jerry Manuel played, but once again the team’s most important players were unable to provide a clutch after the sixth inning.
Sorry, Shea, you deserved better. We’ll miss you.
Tagged Mike Nichols |The start of today’s game will be delayed by rain. The Mets have not set a target start time.
It’s only drizzling in Shea Stadium right now and the sun is out, but there are puddles on the warning track.
…updated at 1:16 pm…
The Mets announced that they’re aiming for a 2:00 pm start. The grounds crew is pulling the tarp off the field as we speak, and the PA announcer is asking fans to cheer for “the hardest working grounds crew in baseball.”
Tagged Ted Berg |The Game:
The Mets (89-72) continue their final regular season series of the season against the Marlins (83-77) tonight at Shea Stadium, starting at 1:10 pm.
The Lineup:
- SS Jose Reyes
- CF Carlos Beltran
- 1B Carlos Delgado
- 3B David Wright
- LF Nick Evans
- 2B Ramon Martinez
- RF Ryan Church
- C Ramon Castro
- P Oliver Perez
The Pitchers:
LHP Oliver Perez (10-7, 4.25 ERA) starts for the Mets. On September 18, 2005, in his only regular season start on three days rest, Perez allowed five runs on five hits and five walks while striking out three over 2.2 IP. He is 3-0 with a 2.03 ERA in five starts versus the Marlins this season.
LHP Scott Olsen (8-11, 4.23 ERA) starts for the Marlins. Olsen is 1-5 with a 4.89 ERA in 12 career starts versus the Mets, including 0-3 with a 6.95 ERA this season. He has allowed 26 homeruns to right handed batters this season. In 14 road starts this season, Olsen is 2-5 with a 5.77 ERA.
The Notes:
Tom Seaver will unveil today’s number for the last remaining regular season game in Shea Stadium’s history.
David Wright is hitting .516 (16-for-31) with 2 2B, 2 HR and 8 RBI during his current nine-game hitting streak.Ryan Church is batting .324 in 148 at-bats with runners on base this season.
The Mets are 35-21 versus left-handed starting pitching this season.
Cody Ross is batting .360 (9-for-25) with 3 HR and 10 RBI in his career versus Perez.Dan Uggla is batting .186 with 2 HR and 12 while striking out 41 times in 129 at-bats versus left-handed pitching this season. He is 6-for-26 (.231) in his career versus Perez.
How To Catch It:
Today’s game can be seen locally on SNY, nationally on TBS and heard on WFAN.
The Bleachers:
For a live chat, head over to The Hot Foot Bleachers.
…enjoy, and as always, Let’s Go Mets…YA GOTTA BELIEVE!
Tagged Mike Nichols |
