The Ten Most Gratifying Wins of 2008

[Guest AG/DC]

1. 3/31: In Johan Santana's opening day Met debut, he looked a lot more like Pedro Martinez than Tom Glavine or Mike Hampton. Reyes, Wright, and Beltran got out of the box quickly with two hits each, and the bullpen, rather than imploding, cleaned up a shaky first outing by Matt Wise.

[Gwreck]

Need to cheer myself up. This one could use a bump.

September 27, 2008: Johan bookends the season by pitching a two hit
shutout with everything on the line. Earns every penny of this salary.

Help me fill in the other 8.

[G-Fafif]

All was doom and gloom the Saturday afternoon of May 31, partially from the monsoons that swept through New York in the morning, partially from Mike Pelfrey doing his usual best to allow the opposition, in this case the Dodgers, access to the basepaths while he made sure the bullpen would have to get up early.

Then something happened. Pelfrey bore down and became untouchable. The Dodgers couldn't hit him the rest of the day and the National League followed suit. Meanwhile, the sonorous Mets offense awoke in the eighth: a Beltran two-run homer tied it, a Tatis single pushed the Mets ahead. Sanchez had been perfect in the eighth, Wagner was more so in the ninth (3 up, 3 K'd). Mets won 3-2 and gave off the aura, for the first time all year in my judgment, looked like a contender. They'd need a few more weeks to make that stick, but it was the first hint of a coming out party for what would become, for the most part, a fun rest of the way.

[Fman99]

Friday, June 27, game 1

The Delgado 9 RBI day against the MFY's. Not only was it against our stupid cross-town rivals but it was the start of a multi week white hot streak for the big guy.

Gosh that was enjoyable.

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

="G-Fafif"]All was doom and gloom the Saturday afternoon of May 31, partially from the monsoons that swept through New York in the morning, partially from Mike Pelfrey doing his usual best to allow the opposition, in this case the Dodgers, access to the basepaths while he made sure the bullpen would have to get up early. Then something happened. Pelfrey bore down and became untouchable. The Dodgers couldn't hit him the rest of the day and the National League followed suit. Meanwhile, the sonorous Mets offense awoke in the eighth: a Beltran two-run homer tied it, a Tatis single pushed the Mets ahead. Sanchez had been perfect in the eighth, Wagner was more so in the ninth (3 up, 3 K'd). Mets won 3-2 and gave off the aura, for the first time all year in my judgment, looked like a contender. They'd need a few more weeks to make that stick, but it was the first hint of a coming out party for what would become, for the most part, a fun rest of the way.

That was also the game where douchebag Christian "Douche" Hansen earned a liftetime ban from Shea Stadium, sez the Snooze today, making it extra extra special:

]Fan: Yep, lost my head over Mr. Met By James Queally and Nicole Bode DAILY NEWS WRITERS Wednesday, October 1st 2008, 12:20 AM A disgruntled Mets fan who melted down months before his team did pleaded guilty Tuesday to harassing Mr. Met during a game. Christian Hansen, 32, of Brooklyn, admitted to badgering the baseball-headed mascot - while swatting young fans out of his way - during a May 31 home game against the Los Angeles Dodgers, which the Mets won, 3-2. During the melee, Hansen repeatedly refused orders to leave Shea Stadium, took a swing at a security guard and spit in his face, authorities said. Queens Criminal Court Judge Robert Raciti sentenced Hansen to a conditional discharge yesterday, ordered him to pay $500 and released him. Hansen, who declined to comment Tuesday, was banned from Mets home games indefinitely - including games at the new Citi Field, authorities said. Seventeen other fans were arrested at Shea last weekend and charged with trying to steal seats and plaques as the Mets lost, 4-2, to the Florida Marlins, ending their playoff hopes and marking the last game at Shea. John Daly, 23, of upstate Prattsville, was charged with ripping a Mets banner - bolts and all - off a stadium wall, prosecutors said.

[Guest AG/DC]

Fman99 wrote: Friday, June 27, game 1 The Delgado 9 RBI day against the MFY's. Not only was it against our stupid cross-town rivals but it was the start of a multi week white hot streak for the big guy. Gosh that was enjoyable.

That's gratification that was both instant and lasting.

[metirish]

4/11

Nelson Figueroa takes the mound for his hometown team against the Brewers.With his family in attendance Nelson pitches six solid innings for the win and all in all it was a great occasion .

[Guest themetfairy]

Sunday, July 27th.

After the Mets lost a heartbreaker to the Cardinals in 14 innings the previous night, Johan Santana carries the team on his strong shoulders allowing one run in a complete game victory. At the same time, the bats woke up and the Mets scored nine runs that day.

I was at both of those games. 23 innings in less than 24 hours.

It started raining a little on Sunday, and D-Dad asked whether we should leave a little early. I refused - after the previous night's disappointment, I wasn't going to leave Shea without hearing Takin' Care of Business.

It was, indeed, satisfying.

[Guest AG/DC]

I'm going to bet Christian Hansen is just another fan driven to anti-Mr. Met bias by sexual jealousy.

DAILY NEWS wrote: John Daly, 23, of upstate Prattsville, was charged with ripping a Mets banner - bolts and all - off a stadium wall, prosecutors said.

Give a kid a name like that and you're just dooming him to a lifetime of drunk and disorderly arrests.

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

June 16: Beltran slams two HRs, Heilman and Sanchez bail out Pelfrey & Feliciano, 4 late tack-ons prove vital and the Mets beat baseball's winningest team 9-6 and seemingly, quiet the speculation over Willie Randolph's job.

Then, when everyone's asleep...

[bmfc1]

July 24: Mets 3 Phillies 1. This one stood out for me because it was my only game at Shea this year and our three-generational farewell to Shea. Ollie pitched great, Heilman stopped a possible rally in the 8th, getting Jayson Werth with the bases loaded (in retrospect, that was a shocker) and Billy pitched a 1-2-3 9th. In the 8th, Cancel lead off with a pinch-hit single, J. Reyes sac'd him to second (grrr), Endy lined out, David Wright was walked, and then Carlos Delgado, against his nemesis J.C. Romero, doubled in two runs.

[HahnSolo]

metirish wrote: 4/11 Nelson Figueroa takes the mound for his hometown team against the Brewers.With his family in attendance Nelson pitches six solid innings for the win and all in all it was a great occasion .

Ten most gratifying of the year? Maybe for Nelson and the 800 family members he crammed into Wagner's suite.

[G-Fafif]

Weatherman Bob Harris (who used to call himself Dr. Bob Harris until he was found out to be no such thing) liked to call every nice day he forecast one of the ten best days of the year. So until we get down to proverbial nut-cutting, I'm going to assume we can keep piling on gratifying wins since there is no gratification left.

That said, September 7, Sunday night, after the dreadful day portion of the doubleheader. Carlos Delgado homers twice, Johan Santana pitches into the eighth and the Mets push back the Phillies 6-3. Mets build lead back to 2 games with three weeks to go. Closest thing Shea would see to a playoff victory in its final month.

[Gwreck]

I added the 7/13, 8/27 and 9/3 games to get us to 10. Am I missing any?


3/31: Mets 7, Marlins 2 (Opening day; first Johan win)

5/31: Mets 3, Dodgers 2 (Mets rally; Pelfrey starts string of great starts; also CPF gathering day)

6/16: Mets 9, Angels 6 (Mets out hit best team in baseball; 'pen bends but doesn't break; Beltran 2 HR)

6/27 (game 1): Mets 15, MFYs 6 (Delgado 9 RBI, sweep games at MFY stadium for '08)

7/13: Mets 7, Rockies 0 (9th win in a row going into the ASB; another great Pelfrey start - 8 shutout innings)

7/27: Mets 9, Cardinals 1 (Johan CG after tough loss, 3 Mets HRs)

8/27: Mets 6, Phillies 3 (Mets get 4 off Philly 'pen in the 8th; Murphy pinch-hit double and Schneider single off Lidge)

9/3: Mets 9, Brewers 2 (Church grand slam seals road sweep)

9/7 (game 2) Mets 6, Phillies 3 (Mets hold first place/avoid sweep; Delgado 2 HR; Johan is stopper again)

9/27: Mets 2, Marlins 0 (the Johan shutout)


Cutting room floor:
4/11: Mets 4, Brewers 2 (Figueroa retires first 14 in front of family en route to first Mets win)

5/18: Mets 11, MFYs 2 (Despite robbed of Delgado HR, Mets crush MFYs)

[bmfc1]

"Am I missing any?"

My July 24 game?

[Guest themetfairy]

4/27, when Carlos Delgado's home run power started emerging despite the Boo Birds' taunting.

The Mets did pretty well on 27s this season.

[bmfc1]

August 29: Mets 5, Florida 4. Carlos Beltran hits a slam with 2 outs in the top of the 9th to turn a loss into a win. One of the most electrifying single moments of the season.

[metirish]

HahnSolo wrote: ="metirish"]4/11 Nelson Figueroa takes the mound for his hometown team against the Brewers.With his family in attendance Nelson pitches six solid innings for the win and all in all it was a great occasion . Ten most gratifying of the year? Maybe for Nelson and the 800 family members he crammed into Wagner's suite.

Sounding very sour there , it was a game that stood out for me , obviously not for you , why not share your most gratifying game.

[HahnSolo]

="metirish"] ="HahnSolo"] ="metirish"]4/11 Nelson Figueroa takes the mound for his hometown team against the Brewers.With his family in attendance Nelson pitches six solid innings for the win and all in all it was a great occasion . Ten most gratifying of the year? Maybe for Nelson and the 800 family members he crammed into Wagner's suite. Sounding very sour there , it was a game that stood out for me , obviously not for you , why not share your most gratifying game.

Not sour, the only thing I remember from that game was the TV shots of the suite, with all those people seemingly ready to burst out.
One game I would nominate, and if not top 10, should be bubbling under: July 5 at Philadelphia. One night after blowing a good performance from Johan, the Mets trail 4-3 heading into the 8th. But three in the 8th and another three in the 9th win it.

[Gwreck]

I didn't mean to exclude anyone's nomination. I'll update the list tonight. I'm sure there's a way to do some sort of poll to get a consensus top 10.

[bmfc1]

Hahn--that was indeed a great win. It made me think that this years team was different, more resilient, than in '07, and would therefore make the playoffs.

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

Yeah that was a big win, typical of the way the 08ers could rebound from however ugly a loss they suffered the night before (July 4 being one of the several times I professed to have washed my hands of these bums).

[batmagadanleadoff]

The Mets defeated the Angels 9-6 on June 16. This was one of my personal favorites because it would turn out to be the last game Willie Randolph would ever manage (mismanage?) for this franchise. The Wilpons gave Willie a Ferrari, but it turned out that Willie couldn't drive a stick shift.

[Gwreck]

batmagadanleadoff wrote: The Mets defeated the Angels 9-6 on June 16. This was one of my personal favorites because it would turn out to be the last game Willie Randolph would ever manage (mismanage?) for this franchise. The Wilpons gave Willie a Ferrari, but it turned out that Willie couldn't drive a stick shift.

Lost in your eagerness to needlessly bash Willie again was that this game was already mentioned several posts ago.

[batmagadanleadoff]

Gwreck wrote: ="batmagadanleadoff"]The Mets defeated the Angels 9-6 on June 16. This was one of my personal favorites because it would turn out to be the last game Willie Randolph would ever manage (mismanage?) for this franchise. The Wilpons gave Willie a Ferrari, but it turned out that Willie couldn't drive a stick shift. Lost in your eagerness to needless bash Willie again was that this game was already mentioned several posts ago.

I'll re-read the thread. I definitely missed it. I'll also fess up to being eager to bash Willie. I hated him from the get-go and also, I think he cost the Mets the playoffs this season more than anyone or anything else. He certainly wasn't the only Mets flaw this season, but to me, he was by far, the worst. This years Mets were a terrific team, and in a season in which there was no NL dominant powerhouse team, the Mets belonged in the playoffs.

[Guest AG/DC]

I think Wille's success and failure speaks for itself. I can't see what he's done to warrant hatred, particuarly from the get-go. I guess the whole "He's a winner" thing was somewhat condescending, and a lot came from him, but a lot didn't.

He screwed up a double-switch in his first game, that didn't start nicely, but mostly he was a respectful restrained guy who respected the game, the team, and the city. That he was overwhelmed by the job is no cause for hate.

[batmagadanleadoff]

I don't hate him on a personal level. It's not as if I'm wishing for bad things to happen to him. I suppose that if he was my neighbor, I'd even defend him.