Mets Leave Florida on a Jai Alai!

Vince Neil was only one of several unfortunate ends the Mets avoided in Florida


The Mets are hanging from a ledge over a freeway with the villainous Philmes, and occasionally the rest of their sordid NL East conspirators, banging on Met fingers in hopes that our heroes grip will fail. The Mets are just hoping they can pull themselves up or at worse, drop down into the back of the passing playoffs truck.

Watching the Philmes-Gnats game, I knew that cheesesteak luck just had to run out. Chad Cordero, Met deputy for the day, was able to hold a 5-3 Gnat lead facing 2 men on in the 9th and as #32 struck out #21 to end the game, the Nationals were kind enough to set off a fireworks show in honor of the favor they just did the Mets. Here's hoping the Gnats can be as amiable tonight when they buzz into Shea's Pelfrey.

I am pissed that the pen once again made me gnash my teeth and lose hope after the Graybeard offense made my heart swell with it. But in this climate and with the Philmes ACTUALLY losing, a win is a win is a win. The pen is injured and/or overworked. The starters can not last into the games. Those are the facts, and if the Mets are going to pull off a miracle this year, these facts are going to be the context.

Omar Minaya made the news with a spirited and righteous defense of his centerfielder:

"If anyone questioned the guy's toughness, you're in the wrong business," Minaya said. "If anyone thinks Carlos Beltran is soft, go report on jai alai. Just going out there and going that extra mile. I've been around the game a while and I haven't seen a guy grind it out and tough it out like he has the last three years."

I for one, have never gotten over the improbable thrill of landing Beltran in the first place, and don't make a habit of criticizing guys who play with their heads bashed in. But this tendinitis (3 years of it?) has me a bit worried for the long term future. For the near future, I have the feeling that Beltran will be out there when it counts.