New York

Mets Bloggers On the Outside Looking In

In 2004, the New York Yankees were coming off a heart-breaking World Series loss to the Florida Marlins.

One man in particular got them to that spot in the World Series.

Aaron Boone hit a home run in the 11th inning of Game Seven of the ALCS to send the rival Red Sox packing again. This home run is probably the greatest I remember ever seeing.

The significance that Boone has to the team is not only that home run, but also what happened in the offseason.

The greatest play in MLB history was not a walk-off long ball, nor was it an amazing catch. It was one home run.

A few days after the terrifying and horrible events of September 11, 2001, Mike Piazza hit a game-winning two-run homer.

New York was devastated by the attacks, as was the rest of the country. The Mets-Braves game on Sept. 21 was the first major sporting event after the catastrophe.

This single homer brought the city out of the darkness and tragedy.

According to MLB.com, Mets manager Jerry Manuel is leaning toward batting Daniel Murphy second in the Mets lineup to begin the 2009 season.

Earlier this winter, Manuel hinted shortstop Jose Reyes might bat third.  While every indication shows that he is returning to the top of the lineup, I was beginning to warm to the idea that Reyes could provide speed in the middle of the order with guys like Wright, Delgado, and Beltran right behind him.

If Reyes was going to bat third, I would welcome with open arms the possibility of Murphy batting second.

Most of the New York Mets off season predicated on fixing the leaky bullpen responsible for pulling the plug on their season in 2008. 

They went out signed K-Rod and traded for J.J Putz.  Bullpen—check.

After that, the Mets stabilized the middle of their rotation by signing Oliver Perez, after being spurned by Derek Lowe. 

Middle of the rotation—check.

Dear Roger Clemens:

I've had enough: I'm leaving you behind. It's time to say goodbye. You chose to go the route you did and drag everyone that loved watching you compete down with you.

In the words of Fleetwood Mac, "You can go your own way." 

You were once a paragon of athleticism and hard work. You symbolized what ability, hard work and arrogance could accomplish not only in baseball, but also in life. You were an artist on the mound that mixed perfect mechanics, a blazing fastball, splitter, fear and location into 300-plus wins.