Amazing game yesterday. I probably messaged "Holy shit" a half a dozen times to friends and family members.
I like our chances, the past record doesn't matter. (Sigh, 1988, Dodgers.)
The Brewers are a well-rounded team, with obvious strengths. Speed and defense and a great bullpen, for sure.
Their starting pitchers are only good. Mets need to score early and our pitchers cannot walk these guys. It could be that Torrens gets a start if Alvy's defensive shortcomings continue to be this pronounced. It's a concern. But no team is perfect. He also has a knack for the big hit.
I’m so happy. I had a feeling something special was going to happen. Yesterday I played tennis in a charity tennis/ golf tournament, so I couldn’t watch the game, but I checked the score on all the changeovers, sharing the news with my fellow players. At last year’s event, I had to leave early to sing the Anthem for the Mets. Before I left, a photographer arrived to shoot some photos- I thought it was a mirage, but there was Marc Levine, the great Mets team photographer, who tragically passed away in July. I got to know Marc over the years from singing the Anthem. He was a great guy, and often donated his services for fundraisers. He had taken that night’s game off to shoot the tournament. It was the last time I saw him. So Marc was on my mind yesterday as I drove to the event. How perfect that we won that game.
PS Last night, I read the Chat from beginning to end- amazing. Jeff, is there a way to preserve it? It should documented as a perfect example of what it means to be a Mets fan.
All of the chats are archived in the Substack app. I was actually trying to think of a fun way to capture the emotions from yesterday. I might pull some of it for a highlight piece at the end of the season (which hopefully comes in November!)
Waking up this morning I still can’t believe what I witnessed yesterday. Gary Cohen called it when Kelenic came to bat saying something to the fact wouldn’t it be something that the guys traded for each other were going to have a memorable moment. The kid is hitting under .200 and Diaz got him to pull his pitch hard down the first base line and Pete somehow gets to the ball and Diaz is a spectator to it. He never covers which was a critical out. I knew right there shit was about to hit the fan. The curse wasn’t going to be broken and Diaz was gonna give it up which is exactly what happened. I was crushed, angry. After Atlanta was finally done they were ahead and we had three outs. I was resigned to getting ready for the second game. Top of the ninth. Marte gets on. Life. Up comes our MVP Lindor. I know the guy is hurting. He’s done everything for us all year could I expect him to come through again? I know he was praying by himself after the Mets took the lead in the eighth as while the team was celebrating he walked to the end of the dugout and spoke into the heavens. He knew something we all didn’t apparently. He reaches for a pitch and launches it over the leaping Harris. Euphoria. I can’t believe what I just witnessed. Neither could Marte I guess as he almost allowed Lindor to pass him on the bases(could you imagine if that happened?) I would’ve believed for sure some kind of curse exists. No. It didn’t happen. Diaz came back for the ninth and Lindor threw for the last out of the game. We are in! I’m still in shock. I could’ve died a couple times yesterday and I’m still not sure what I witnessed. Being a Mets fan since 1977 I’ve seen lots of lean years. Every spring training this is going to be our year. Out of all the teams I root for this one has ripped my heart out more than all of them combined. Listening to Mendy and Lindor after both games during their interviews this is a special group. We are in now and we slayed the Braves. Could the Brewers be next? I don’t know but I’m pumped to find out. The rest is gravy people. Let’s Go Mets!
Well, I turned off my tv after the end of the 7th because I couldn’t take watching a probable loss in Atlanta. So, I guess that singular action changed their fortunes and won them the game? lol what a roller coaster!
Huge kudos to Blake and Peter for the emergency pod. Great discussion and it was nice to hear them shout out Tyrone Taylor. He’s been incredible down the stretch.
I don’t mind them celebrating at all. I thought it was weird they didn’t celebrate in 2022. Let them have their fun.
For a team that had low expectations from the fan base going into the season, this feels like icing on the cake. Advancing to the next round would be fantastic because I like their chances against Philly.
FYI, the Mets have made the postseason 50% of the time during the Cohen regime. Not too shabby.
Tough to remember a more up and down 4 half innings. I mentioned in the chat that it reminded me, in a way, of Game 6 of the 1999 NLCS but this time we held on the second time around.
Lindor finishing it off the way he did was awfully appropriate for this season.
Hesitant to compare yesterday's game to any playoff game so it reminded me more of the Piazza two-run homer against Atlanta on 6/30/00 to come back from an 8 run deficit.
Normally, i just want to thank you for something to listen to on my morning run, but….STRAWBERRY IN ST. LOUIS! That was easily the most clutch regular season hit until yesterday, it’s #3 now😀
I was there in 1962 carrying banners in the upper deck. I took my Sicilian, non-English speaking parents, to the Polo Grounds because they didn't understand and wanted to experience why I was so excited by baseball at 12yrs old. I've lived through it all missing very few games even as I traveled around the world. Yesterday touched a place in my heart that I will never forget. Thank you Mets, I needed that.
Steve Cohen's father-in-law is a diehard Mets fan. He doesn't have many years left. And Cohen can buy anything in the world. What do you give that old guy? If you can, you try to give him that feeling one more time.
Exceeding expectations really does bring me back to my childhood. I was a sophomore in high school when the Mets won it all in 1969. It remains the greatest sports thrill of my life. Until 1968, the Mets were the laughingstock of baseball.
What an amazing game yesterday! I couldn't be more proud of our boys. A special shout out to Lindor putting this team on his back and saving them from what would have been one of the worse regular season losses in franchise history.
Back to Milwaukee. MIL reminds me a lot of the 2015 Royals....Series won't be easy, but they are beatable. Score early, keep MIL off the bases, and hit some bombs.
This isn't a predication, but a guarantee; Mets are going to the NLDS.
To begin, I have a friend who does local radio work for ESPN. He knows a lot of reporters, very connected. And extremely reliable. Not a teller of tales.
I asked him, "Where's Jeff McNeil? I don't see him in the dugout, nowhere. Yesterday I saw Drew Smith celebrating in the clubhouse. Guys like Nido and Canha are tweeting, 'Let's Go Mets!' Silence from Jeff."
So he says that Jeff is pissed because they asked him to stop playing golf in that May meeting.
We've all heard various mentions of "accountability" and "holding each other responsible."
The word is that JD Martinez, to name one, said that he's been on good teams before and it requires a full commitment to BASEBALL. They called Jeff out on the golf.
We all know, or should know, that Jeff's first love is golf. He showed up injured this Spring after playing golf all winter.
To me, this "report" -- I realize it's unsubstantiated, but I believe it 100% -- is the smoking gun to what I've believed for a long time. It probably even goes back to his conflict with Lindor, the rat-coon nonsense, probably confronting Jeff's lack of commitment, effort.
Amazing game yesterday. I probably messaged "Holy shit" a half a dozen times to friends and family members.
I like our chances, the past record doesn't matter. (Sigh, 1988, Dodgers.)
The Brewers are a well-rounded team, with obvious strengths. Speed and defense and a great bullpen, for sure.
Their starting pitchers are only good. Mets need to score early and our pitchers cannot walk these guys. It could be that Torrens gets a start if Alvy's defensive shortcomings continue to be this pronounced. It's a concern. But no team is perfect. He also has a knack for the big hit.
Mets in two. I believe.
I believe. Mets in three.
I’m so happy. I had a feeling something special was going to happen. Yesterday I played tennis in a charity tennis/ golf tournament, so I couldn’t watch the game, but I checked the score on all the changeovers, sharing the news with my fellow players. At last year’s event, I had to leave early to sing the Anthem for the Mets. Before I left, a photographer arrived to shoot some photos- I thought it was a mirage, but there was Marc Levine, the great Mets team photographer, who tragically passed away in July. I got to know Marc over the years from singing the Anthem. He was a great guy, and often donated his services for fundraisers. He had taken that night’s game off to shoot the tournament. It was the last time I saw him. So Marc was on my mind yesterday as I drove to the event. How perfect that we won that game.
PS Last night, I read the Chat from beginning to end- amazing. Jeff, is there a way to preserve it? It should documented as a perfect example of what it means to be a Mets fan.
PPS Now let’s go beat the Brewers!
All of the chats are archived in the Substack app. I was actually trying to think of a fun way to capture the emotions from yesterday. I might pull some of it for a highlight piece at the end of the season (which hopefully comes in November!)
Don’t forget to go back to May haha
Waking up this morning I still can’t believe what I witnessed yesterday. Gary Cohen called it when Kelenic came to bat saying something to the fact wouldn’t it be something that the guys traded for each other were going to have a memorable moment. The kid is hitting under .200 and Diaz got him to pull his pitch hard down the first base line and Pete somehow gets to the ball and Diaz is a spectator to it. He never covers which was a critical out. I knew right there shit was about to hit the fan. The curse wasn’t going to be broken and Diaz was gonna give it up which is exactly what happened. I was crushed, angry. After Atlanta was finally done they were ahead and we had three outs. I was resigned to getting ready for the second game. Top of the ninth. Marte gets on. Life. Up comes our MVP Lindor. I know the guy is hurting. He’s done everything for us all year could I expect him to come through again? I know he was praying by himself after the Mets took the lead in the eighth as while the team was celebrating he walked to the end of the dugout and spoke into the heavens. He knew something we all didn’t apparently. He reaches for a pitch and launches it over the leaping Harris. Euphoria. I can’t believe what I just witnessed. Neither could Marte I guess as he almost allowed Lindor to pass him on the bases(could you imagine if that happened?) I would’ve believed for sure some kind of curse exists. No. It didn’t happen. Diaz came back for the ninth and Lindor threw for the last out of the game. We are in! I’m still in shock. I could’ve died a couple times yesterday and I’m still not sure what I witnessed. Being a Mets fan since 1977 I’ve seen lots of lean years. Every spring training this is going to be our year. Out of all the teams I root for this one has ripped my heart out more than all of them combined. Listening to Mendy and Lindor after both games during their interviews this is a special group. We are in now and we slayed the Braves. Could the Brewers be next? I don’t know but I’m pumped to find out. The rest is gravy people. Let’s Go Mets!
Well, I turned off my tv after the end of the 7th because I couldn’t take watching a probable loss in Atlanta. So, I guess that singular action changed their fortunes and won them the game? lol what a roller coaster!
Huge kudos to Blake and Peter for the emergency pod. Great discussion and it was nice to hear them shout out Tyrone Taylor. He’s been incredible down the stretch.
I don’t mind them celebrating at all. I thought it was weird they didn’t celebrate in 2022. Let them have their fun.
For a team that had low expectations from the fan base going into the season, this feels like icing on the cake. Advancing to the next round would be fantastic because I like their chances against Philly.
FYI, the Mets have made the postseason 50% of the time during the Cohen regime. Not too shabby.
Also, I would DH Lindor and play Acuña at SS. It’s honestly a better lineup with JD struggling.
If Lindor can play SS, he plays SS. I do think it’s worth considering Torrens at C for this series with Alvarez as a DH.
No way on Earth do I make that (Acuna) move.
Tough to remember a more up and down 4 half innings. I mentioned in the chat that it reminded me, in a way, of Game 6 of the 1999 NLCS but this time we held on the second time around.
Lindor finishing it off the way he did was awfully appropriate for this season.
Hesitant to compare yesterday's game to any playoff game so it reminded me more of the Piazza two-run homer against Atlanta on 6/30/00 to come back from an 8 run deficit.
"We did it, Joe."
👏
Normally, i just want to thank you for something to listen to on my morning run, but….STRAWBERRY IN ST. LOUIS! That was easily the most clutch regular season hit until yesterday, it’s #3 now😀
I enjoyed the discussion on your pod about greatest regular season HRs in Mets history.
I was there in 1962 carrying banners in the upper deck. I took my Sicilian, non-English speaking parents, to the Polo Grounds because they didn't understand and wanted to experience why I was so excited by baseball at 12yrs old. I've lived through it all missing very few games even as I traveled around the world. Yesterday touched a place in my heart that I will never forget. Thank you Mets, I needed that.
Wow, the Polo Grounds.
Steve Cohen's father-in-law is a diehard Mets fan. He doesn't have many years left. And Cohen can buy anything in the world. What do you give that old guy? If you can, you try to give him that feeling one more time.
Exceeding expectations really does bring me back to my childhood. I was a sophomore in high school when the Mets won it all in 1969. It remains the greatest sports thrill of my life. Until 1968, the Mets were the laughingstock of baseball.
What an amazing game yesterday! I couldn't be more proud of our boys. A special shout out to Lindor putting this team on his back and saving them from what would have been one of the worse regular season losses in franchise history.
Back to Milwaukee. MIL reminds me a lot of the 2015 Royals....Series won't be easy, but they are beatable. Score early, keep MIL off the bases, and hit some bombs.
This isn't a predication, but a guarantee; Mets are going to the NLDS.
I said the same to my friend re: the Royals comparison.
Yes, the Royals comp. Was talking about them this morning with my son.
Was it as good for you as it was for me? What a day, what a comeback, what a team. Mets in 3.
And not the day for this thread, but I was thinking about Pete's season and a name popped up . . .
Lucas Duda.
Though Duda had 3-4 seasons with better numbers.
Pete benefits in the counting stats department because he plays every single day, so at a glance he looks better (than he actually is) in comparisons.
So: I have some dirt.
To begin, I have a friend who does local radio work for ESPN. He knows a lot of reporters, very connected. And extremely reliable. Not a teller of tales.
I asked him, "Where's Jeff McNeil? I don't see him in the dugout, nowhere. Yesterday I saw Drew Smith celebrating in the clubhouse. Guys like Nido and Canha are tweeting, 'Let's Go Mets!' Silence from Jeff."
So he says that Jeff is pissed because they asked him to stop playing golf in that May meeting.
We've all heard various mentions of "accountability" and "holding each other responsible."
The word is that JD Martinez, to name one, said that he's been on good teams before and it requires a full commitment to BASEBALL. They called Jeff out on the golf.
We all know, or should know, that Jeff's first love is golf. He showed up injured this Spring after playing golf all winter.
To me, this "report" -- I realize it's unsubstantiated, but I believe it 100% -- is the smoking gun to what I've believed for a long time. It probably even goes back to his conflict with Lindor, the rat-coon nonsense, probably confronting Jeff's lack of commitment, effort.
He's gone.
One last comment, lost in the sauce:
Wow, Gary really blew the call on Lindor's HR. The quote, "Lindor gets under one to centerfield . . . ."
He must be hating himself right now. Arguably the biggest regular-season HR in Mets history and Gary misread it off the bat.
I heard that Howie had a great call on the radio, but haven't found a link to it. If anybody can pass that along, I'd love to hear it.
Gary recovered pretty well and pretty quickly IMO. I thought it was a fly ball to CF; I thought Lindor thought the same.
Here is Howie's which is very awesome: https://x.com/Mets/status/1840880317885710839
https://x.com/SNYtv/status/1841098795074887934 - I love these videos too.
Very cool.
You can hear Ron saying it’s gonna be a home run around the time Gary realizes it. Kind of funny.
Howie won the call on this one. That’ll be the one for the ages.
Thank you, that was a great call.
Call me crazy, that felt like winning a Championship!