The Best Day Of The Year (so far)

Where to begin?

Firstly, the question of the importance of a massive come-from-behind victory over St Louis Cardinals in a season where the playoff race for the Mets is no longer a question.


THIS is what we paid for!

Carlos Beltran's two-run walk-off homer in the bottom of the 9th off Jason Isringhausen might hardly be news. After all, Izzy is slumping, having been scored on in three straight appearances and four of his past five. He now has nine blown saves and his ERA has risen over three-quarters of a run to 3.54 since August 5. That's Braden Looper territory. Not good news for our postseason competition.

But forget about Izzy, this is the Mets' forté, the late inning come from behind resurgence, the one-run victories that have marked this season like an animal marking its territory with a pungeant piss. This was our 11th walk off win and 27th one-run victory of the season.

And how about this, Albert Pujols hits two homers, including a grand slam to go with a career-high 7 RBIs and the Mets STILL win despite being down 7-1. Parenthetically, John Maine was charged with seven runs on six hits, striking out five and walking two, a far cry from the scoreless streak that had us all salivating only a month ago.

Secondly, the Mets acquisition of Shawn Green. To make room for Green on the roster, the Mets designated Victor Diaz for assignment and I'm thinking to myself Victor Diaz? I must not be paying attention, I thought he was still in Norfolk.

Although he is hardly the star of yore, Green was batting .283 with 22 doubles, three triples, 11 home runs and 51 RBIs in 471 at-bats with the D-Backs this season. A clear upgrade over the puzzlingly underwhelming Lastings Milledge.

Of course, not necessarily an upgrade over former Met Xavier Nady who is hitting .329 with 10 RBIs in 19 games with the Pirates but we can thank Duaner Sanchez's late night hunger pangs for that.


Bye, bye Number 400

Thirdly, Carlos Delgado ALSO hit two homers including a grand slam last night, numbers 30 and 31, the second of which brought him to the 400 career homer bench mark and past Al Kaline and Andres Galarraga into 42nd place on the career list. That 90 percent of those homers were hit for other teams is hardly relevant. Cheers to Carlos.

And lastly of course, but not leastly, the relieving news that Tom Glavine's season isn't over just yet.



And so today was a day for the Mets where all the news was good news, all the fears and insecurities dissipating for the moment and we can all wallow in the joy of having the best record in the National League, the return of Tom Glavine, the arrival of another bat for the outfield, and of course, the victory and the manner of the victory over the Cardinals.

"The rich did get richer," Carlos Delgado said not of his 400th homer but of the Mets fling with destiny. "It's been a good day to be a Met."

"We may have to mark down this day," general manager Omar Minaya said. "It's a good one in so many ways."

*****What Can We Worry About Now?*****

Ramon Castro suffered a strained ligament in his left knee during a rehab assignment with the Brooklyn Cyclones. Castro was already on the 15-day DL with a sore left rib cage muscle. There is no timetable set for his return.

This gives us an opportunity in light of all the good news to fret over the back up for Paul LoDuca. Mike DeFelice is hitting .071 and Eli Marrero is hitting .203. Quick, Omar! Back up catcher! Where is Todd Pratt when you need him? In Atlanta of course, hitting a stealthy .190 for the season.

How about Maine's shaky performance bringing him back to earth? A blip? A trend? A warning that the National League has figured him out?

What will happen to Royce Ring's career now that he's been sent down AGAIN? 2.25 ERA just doesn't cut it in the Mets bullpen any more.

How about Bartolome Fortunato with his 1-0 with a 27.00 ERA?