Rearview Mirror

When I am driving my car I am always nervous that I will be looking in the rearview mirror so long that I will not be paying enough attention to the car in front of me and I will get into an accident. In the second half of this season the Mets should just focus on the road in front of them and not the Dodge Pinto (the Braves)in their rearview mirror.

There are two things I can’t stand in this world: 1.) Is working in a job that is both mind-numbing and debilitating to my social life and 2.) The Atlanta Braves being probably the best second half team ever. Now I am not sure if that is a fact, but it seems like every year they turn into a post All Star Break monster.
The Mets have nothing to worry about, that’s what everyone has been saying. You know who else had nothing to worry about? How `bout the 1980 Russian Hockey team? How ’bout Mike Tyson when he faced Buster Douglas? I don’t have to remind Yankee fans about the 2004 ALCS, but they had nothing to worry about when they were up three games to none right?

When the USA beat Russia in ’80 all the players commented how the last ten minutes felt like an eternity. They were clock watching — waiting for the game to end so they could celebrate one of the greatest upsets in sports. Well that is what Met fans are doing now clock watching, except there is a lot more than ten minutes left on this clock. With an 11 ½ game lead this thing SHOULD be in the bag. It SHOULD be only a matter of time.

This is baseball and anything can happen, but if the Braves come back and win the NL East I am moving to Alaska. I will have lost the will to witness any more baseball. But what makes me laugh about the horrible thought of the Mets blowing this thing is that I don’t think too many people would be surprised. I know I wouldn’t, but maybe that’s because I am a pessimist.

The truth is with a rotation that includes only two quality starters, two decent starters, and a rookie, it wouldn’t be too difficult for the Mets to go on a losing streak. Think about it, after Pedro and Glavine (who have been dodgy in their last few starts), there is nobody who you know can win. Steve Trachsel has won 7 straight decisions yet when he takes the mound I feel like he can give up runs at any given moment. Even in his warm-ups I’m nervous.

There has been all this talk about trading for Willis (I would bet my life this would never happen), Zito (Same as the Willis bet), Livan Hernandez, and many others. The Mets need a #3 starter like Brittany Spears needs a new career now that she has plummeted down to a level none of us thought she could. Lets hope the Mets don’t do the same.

The good thing about the Mets and why I would be surprised if they blew the lead is the chemistry this team appears to have. Sports Illustrated did a  story about how tight all these guys are. It’s a loose, fun clubhouse that every player seems to enjoy. As loose and fun as the clubhouse is, we all know that the leader of the clubhouse won’t let it get too loose.  

As much as people say that Wright, Reyes, and Pedro are the heart of the team, the players show up every day for Willie. Randolph has had his troubles in some situations, but you know the players are never going to quit on him and they will show up to play their best every game. As a fan, manager, and organization can you really ask for anything more?  

If the Mets continue to play good baseball all of this talk about the pitching staff being weak and the Braves being unstoppable will be null and void. They could probably play .500 baseball the rest of the way and still win the division. But is that how you would want to enter the playoffs? Would any team like to go into the playoffs by eking out a division that should have been dominated?

My friend use to always say, “If ifs and buts were candies and nuts, we’d all have a Merry Christmas.” Well no ifs, ands, or buts about it the Mets division is theirs for the taking. I am not going to even say the NL East because it has been a solo act since the beginning of the season.

The last 69 games for Mets fans are going to be like an eternity. With the heat of the fire known as the 14 consecutive NL East champions on them, the Mets better focus on the empty road in front of them. They can’t fall asleep,  pull over to take a leak, and they sure as hell better not touch the pedal to the left of the gas.