[EmpireWF]

First of all, sorry Marc, but you can now jump on the Mets bandwagon

Now it's been a long long road for the Mets. Since the dreadful World Series of 2000, it's been a bumpy one. A late surge in 2001 was practically the only light until the Willie Randolph era. In between, we saw some now infamous episodes in Mets history. Art Howe was hired after "lighting up the room" according to ownership. We saw Roger Cedeno, Robby Alomar, Mo Vaughn, Jeromy Burnitz, Armando Benitez all flounder. We saw ownership become hesitant to spend money after those players all failed. We saw the whole Mike Piazza to first base debacle. We did see Jose Reyes come up and battle leg and back injuries. We saw David Wright come up to become an instant star. Then the infamous Scott Kazmir deal. The fan backlash to that deal completely turned around ownership's thinking. At the conclusion of that season, Omar Minaya was brought in and eventually Willie Randolph was hired. Ownership made a commitment and since, we've seen Pedro Martinez, Carlos Beltran, Carlos Delgado, Paul Lo Duca, Billy Wagner jump on ship. Endy Chavez, Jose Valentin, Julio Franco, John Maine, Guillermo Mota, Darren Oliver all became key components. And who can forget about Cliff Floyd, Tom Glavine, Steve Trachsel and Aaron Heilman all guys who've been on losing teams who can now taste a sense of victory.

But that's all in the past. Now the Mets can focus on the National League Championship Series where they'll play the Padres or Cardinals (in what would be a 2000 repeat). The NLCS will start on Wednesday evening at Shea.

And it feels like a millenium since the Mets were last here. Damn does it feel good to be back!

[Lefty Noob]

Mets have to be a clear favorite against which ever team they face. Neither the Cards or the Pads seem to be anything special at this point in the season. The Mets on the other had are mighty impressive. They're so far head-and-shoulders above the competition that I imagine they'll likely sweep their way into the series. The only possible loss would come to St. Louis with Carpenter on the hill.

[Trashed]

Congratulations to the New York Mets and their fans. They deserve absolutely every accolade in the world that will be thrown at them. They were behind 5-4 to the Dodgers but showed heart and power by bludgeoning them to a humilating defeat and exit out of the playoffs. I wonder how many of you Mets fans were around 4 years ago when they were horrible? Relax! I'm not calling anyone a frontrunner (actually I think frontrunner's are very cool as my sig infers ), I just want to say how incredible it must feel to be redeemed by your loyalty to this talented, well run organization when things were rough. The Mets didn't make ridiculous trades for cranky old men like another team in NY did. No, the Mets used a rich farm system and added necessary, productive veterans to guide them on and off the field as well as a savvy manager who remained cool throughout a year which had its ups and downs. Good luck in the NLCS Mets fans and team, I really hope you win it all. You are the NEW kings of New York. The NEW YORK Mets!!!

[MJHMarc]

Originally Posted by EmpireWF

First of all, sorry Marc, but you can now jump on the Mets bandwagon

Thanks for your sympathy. Right now, I am still trying to cope with yesterday's elimination.

Boo Hoo!

[MVB]

The Mets should be able to pass right through the Cardinals without much difficulty. But I think they will find a huge challenge in either Oakland or Detroit. Both of these teams have the pitching to hold down the Mets' offense ( to some extent) and just enough pop to score against Maine and Trachsel. It's gonna be a challenge, but the Mets have a decent shot at the top crown.

[Trashed]

Last night it looked like a sure win till that crushing homerun. Now im worried about Cardinal momentum.

[MJHMarc]

I thought the game was over at 6-4. Obviously, Wagner screwed up big time!

[Trashed]

Originally Posted by MJHMarc

I thought the game was over at 6-4. Obviously, Wagner screwed up big time!

That's Billy Wagner in the clutch! All friggin' (is that PC?) ok hold on...fudging year!

[MVB]

Question: What do you think about the idea of having Heilman start Game 3 of the World Series ( supposing the Mets get there)? He was a starter and wants to be one now. I mean, I think he'd do a better job then Perez or Maine.

[Trashed]

Originally Posted by MVB

Question: What do you think about the idea of having Heilman start Game 3 of the World Series ( supposing the Mets get there)? He was a starter and wants to be one now. I mean, I think he'd do a better job then Perez or Maine.

It's the World Series where once Randy Johnson and Orel Hershiser were closers so I would say if it's necessary it'll happen and indeed it's looking that way.

[MJHMarc]

He seemed a little jagged along the edges but could smoothen out with time.

I wouldn't test an experiment in the World Series, though!

[legend]

Could anyone imagine the Mest being blanked on three hits by Jeff Suppan? They are in real trouble now.

[EmpireWF]

Originally Posted by MVB

Question: What do you think about the idea of having Heilman start Game 3 of the World Series ( supposing the Mets get there)? He was a starter and wants to be one now. I mean, I think he'd do a better job then Perez or Maine.

Not going to happen. Heilman hasn't started a single game this year and won't start now.

I don't think there's much of a question that tonight, the Mets MUST show some urgency and energy. Oliver Perez, c'mon, all he needs to do is give the offense a chance to score some runs off Reyes. A win tonight and we're guaranteed the series moves back to New York. The momentum could switch drastically again there.

[MVB]

The Mets need to figure out how to go after the Tigers, the "Glavine-Maine-Trachsel-Perez" thing is never gonna work out. I'd pencil in Darren Oliver ( who pitched 6 shutout innings last night for the Mets) in for Game 3, and push Trachsel back ( or out of the rotation).

But this is all assuming the Mets can come back and win the NLCS...

[EmpireWF]

Originally Posted by MVB

The Mets need to figure out how to go after the Tigers, the "Glavine-Maine-Trachsel-Perez" thing is never gonna work out. I'd pencil in Darren Oliver ( who pitched 6 shutout innings last night for the Mets) in for Game 3, and push Trachsel back ( or out of the rotation).

But this is all assuming the Mets can come back and win the NLCS...

If the Mets can win the NLCS...they'll probably tweak their roster somehow. El Duque could pitch in the World Series and depending on how Oliver Perez does, you may include Dave Williams too.

I know Mets fans despise Trachsel right now and just hope if the NLCS goes to a Game 7, he doesn't get it.