I said it was too early when we were loosing...

The Backstop Back At Ya:  And I am in a jam.  When we last spoke I said that I wanted to wait for the Phillies series to be over before I said anything.  Well the next game got rained out.  Then they went into the cursed Turner Field where they never win... And won.  2 games big deal.  But they never win there.  Again, they have not even played 30 games, so it is hard to see one way or the other.  

I must say this: To loose a game the way they did on Saturday.  Have 2 days to sit around and think about it and come back and win 2 from the Braves speaks scores about the teams character.  This seems to be when the Mets (historically speaking) have played their best. As the guys that are not supposed to win.  Unfortunately/fortunately that seems to come with the uniform.  Remember in 2006 when the playoffs began.  The pitching staff needed more medical care than practice balls.  Pedro was out.  El-Duque, storied for his playoff prowess, and slated to start game one against the Dodgers got a sore calf and could not pitch at the last minute.(literally)  All we had going for us was home field advantage.  And really... In baseball?  Well I was there.  I saw a then little known John Maine out duel Derek Lowe and Brad Penny to win game one.  The very same John Maine that has Orioles management still mad at us because we were given a choice of 5 pitchers to be the "throw in" in the deal that imported Jorge Julio (Useless) and exported Mr. Anna Benson.  

*Foot note, the Orioles are the same team that traded us Mike Bordick in 2000 when Rey Ordinez went down to injury.  We sent them Melvin Mora.  Proud father of 5 and the last I checked still a productive fixture in the Orioles everyday lineup.   Bordick subsequently showed up for one at bat.  Looked inconvenienced by playing in a world series.  He then proceeded to re-sign with the Orioles to play shortstop with Mora.

I know how 2006 ended.  But we can't forget how far we went with a roster full of guys who had body parts sewn on.  I do not want to discuss 2006 any further.

The point is that the word "Amazin" does not associate itself with a team where you can expect to see the expected.  Anazin means your fingernails are gnawed down to the nub.  It means that even when they win games they are supposed to win, it will always be interesting.  Lets remember that the East is still anybodies to win or loose.  Lets enjoy the games.  And lets postpone long term evaluations for another week or 2.  You will hear what the backstop thinks of the Phillies series sooner than that.

Untill then... 1 hour & 11 minutes to gametime.

Yours,

The Backstop