Most prognosticators, myself included, had the Mets finishing around the middle of the Pack in the NL East this season, at least with what they had on paper coming into the year. Most people figured the pitching staff would carry the team, which they did for a big chunk of the season. As the trade deadline got closer, some started to worry if management would do something. And then all of a sudden, something changed. The Mets actually got hitters into their lineup. It all started on July 24th when the team made a deal with the Braves to bring in Kelly Johnson and Juan Uribe, two utility guys who could actually hit, into the fold. Then the bullpen got a boost on July 29th when they picked up Tyler Clippard. Finally, the day of the trade deadline, July 31st, Yoenes Cespedes joins the club. Ever since then the Mets we't on a wild tear, going 37-17 since the trade, helping to clinch the division. Ever since that long rain delay loss to the San Diego Padres, its been a vindication for the team. That's a day, July 30th, that was a tough pill for Mets fans to swallow. A day when the pen could hold a lead and the Mets fell 8-7 to San Diego. That was a day that some could look at as one of the true low points of the season. Then the Mets made the big move the next day, and now here we sit, going into the final week of the regular season, with the Mets having the division title locked up in their back pocket.
Here's some interesting stats (per WFAN) about the Mets winning the NL East. Of the six division title clinchers for the Mets: 9/26/15, Mets 10 at Reds 2, 9/18/06: Marlins 0 at Mets 4, 9/22/88: Phillies 1 at Mets 3, 9/17/86: Cubs 2 at Mets 4, 10/1/73: Mets 6 at Cubs 4, and 9/24/69: Cardinals 0 at Mets 6, onl.y this year and 1973 did the Mets win the division on the road. With this sixth division title, it marks the 4th most NL East titles in history. Only the Pirates (nine titles), Phillies (eleven titles) and Braves (twelve titles) have won more Eastern Division Titles in the National League than the Mets. Manager terry Collins has had a long wait in his own right. Terry will make his playoff debut as a manager in a little over a week. The 1,686 games Terry has managed put him 5th on the list of the most games managed before their first playoff game as skipper.
Now for a view of this from a fan perspective. It has been nine very long, hard years in the waiting. After 2006, there was hope among Mets fans. Many felt that the team was built and in place for the long haul. 2007 was the year of the epic collapse. Same story, but not as dramatic a collapse in 2008, the year Shea closed. Citi Field open and the Mets couldn't find their winning ways. Things seemed to go downhill in the new park. The organization spiraled out of control, in a few different ways from on the field to off the field issues, and it took nine years for things to get back on track. Well the Mets are back in business, and they certainly have the foundation to be a force for the next decade. But fans of this franchise know firsthand that there are no guarantees. Nothing can be taken for granted.
It is with great pride that I can share this video with my fellow Mets fans. Its been quite a long time since we've been able to hear, and see, this:
Rejoice my fellow Mets fans, because after nine years of suffering our patience has paid off bigtime as the New York Mets are the 2015 National League East Champions!
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