Because he’s celebrating.
That’s Carlos Delgado, first baseman for the New York Mets and he and his teammates won the National League East Division title Monday night, the first title in his 13 year major league career. A good cigar and a lot of champagne usually follows a victory.
“The Amazin’s” did it by blanking the Florida Marlins 4-0. Pitcher Steve Trachsel (15-7), their longest-tenured player, combined with relievers Guillermo Mota, Aaron Heilman and closer Billy Wagner on a four-hitter that allowed the team to claim the title at home, after road losses in Pittsburgh over the weekend. The Mets are the first major league team to clinch this year, running away with the division and finishing 14.5 games ahead of second place Philadelphia, 18.5 in front of the fourth place Atlanta Braves who were division winners last year.
With two weeks remaining in the regular season, Manager Willie Randolph will rest certain players and allow others to get some needed playing time, before the post season starts. The division title is the first of three hurdles they must overcome to win a World Series this year, and I like their chances. They have winning records against every other NL team this year, solid starting pitching, a deep bullpen, a powerful lineup, steady defense in the field, and a manager who knows how to win from his days as both a player and coach.
Understandably, here in New York, with the crosstown Yankees also on the verge of clinching the AL East, we’re dreaming of another Subway Series. That would undoubtedly bore the rest of the country, but frankly, nobody I know cares what the rest of the country thinks (LOL). Mets versus Yankees talk has been a hot topic around here, including a NY Times article and a follow-up letter to the editor by one of their most ardent fans.
As the baseball playoffs heat up, I’ll be devoting more space here to the Mets, following them as far as they advance.
And in football, how ‘bout those Giants!
5 comments ↓
*doing a happy dance* haven’t been following the mets much in the last few years (since i moved from ny 6 years ago). glad to see they clinched.
Count me in as someone outside the 5 boroughs who’d love a Subway Series (with the Mets winning of course!) But then, as I was saying to someone just last week, I’m ’spiritually a New Yorker’:)
And *Damn* I love that photo!:)
Hate baseball. Love the Photo.
I’d watch baseball more if they wore less clothes … like boxers. Not the underwear, the profession.
Football too actually. It would be a lot more interesting if their uniforms were all spandex.
What do you think?
The right outfit could even make golf interesting.
I think most sports would be more interesting if played in the nude, but then there is something to be said for letting one’s imagination wander as you appreciate the contours of a form fitting uniform.
Since you are close enough to watch Mets games on tv Taylor, I highly recommend you check out a game. This year’s team has several talented ballplayers–Carlos Delgado, Jose Reyes, Cliff Floyd, Carlos Beltran, Endy Chavez, Lastings Milledge and Anderson Hernandez–that I’m sure you’d enjoy watching.
Yes, “talented” in the Looks Department, Mr. Tarver–oh, and they are talented on the field as well. You know I’m rooting for the Cardinals first, along with that other New York team, but I am giving the Mets lots of dap, in no small part because of players like Pedro, Delgado, Reyes, Floyd, Beltrán, Milledge, Pérez…and I can’t forget the manager, Willie Randolph, a former Yankee great!