Gwreck

Even if I take my rose-colored glasses off, I'm having a hard time coming up with why Johan shouldn't win the Cy Young over Webb or Lincecum. Or Lidge. Johan Santana 16-7 2.53 ERA (first) 234.1 IP (first) 206 Ks (second) Tim Lincecum 18-5 2.62 ERA (second) 227 IP (second) 265 Ks (first) Brandon Webb 22-7 (first in wins) 3.30 ERA (tenth) 226.2 IP (third) 183 Ks (eleventh) Brad Lidge 41 Saves 0 Blown Saves 1.95 ERA (2nd among relievers with 50+ IP)

Not yet mentioned in this thread: Fernando Tatis Angel Pagan Nick Evans

Endy is under contract for '09. (You had him correctly listed in the first table).

As good as the ceremonies were after the game, I am somehow still stuck on what was done on the Diamondvision at the end of the first inning. In many ways, it was more effective than anything else the Mets did today. It was a video announced as "Mr. Met says goodbye to Shea Stadium." I think there was a sponsor on the title card but the rest of it -- lasting about two minutes -- was mercifully sponsor-free. Scene: An empty Shea Stadium. Mr. Met stands at home plate, carrying a Mets duffle bag, which he puts on the ground next to the plate. He stops, and takes a look around at the big place. Mr. Met walks out towards the mound. He looks towards right field, and we see in flashback the Ventura grand slam. He continues towards second base, and as looks towards left field, we see the Endy catch in flashback. He continues walking towards centerfield, and he looks back at first base -- we see the flashback of Buckner. He reaches the warning track, looks up, and sees the Piazza home run. Looks to the left and sees Cleon catch the ball to end the series. On the warning track, he bends down and scoops some dirt into a Shea Stadium tin, and puts the tin in his duffle bag. He turns around to look back at the stadium. A wistful sigh, a short wave, and he walks through the gate at 410.

AG/DC wrote: and (2) inventing the relief manager. Our relief manager went 55-38. That didn't suck.

I would say that about 75% of people stayed for the ceremony. Much of the field level cleared out but the loge, mezz and upper levels stayed mostly full. The ceremony was nicely done. Most everyone held it together and there was less booing than I thought. I know the reason *why* they were there but given that the Mets loss, the police-state on the edge of the field (including the horses, to boot!) was disrespectful to the ceremony going on. I'm sure there's tons more that could be said about this game but that'll have to wait for another day and some perspective, I think.

Nice audio montage can be found here.

Both teams lost, again. Here's your Sunday scenario: Twins win, White Sox lose = Twins clinch. Both teams win OR both teams lose = Twins go into Monday up a half game. White Sox win, Twins lose = White Sox go into Monday up a half game. Either of the latter two scenarios requires a rainout makeup game: Tigers at White Sox at 1:05 PM CDT on Monday. The White Sox would either be playing to force a tiebreaker, or to clinch, depending. If the tiebreaker game is necessary, it will be Tuesday in Chicago.

All full-season and weekday plan holders already have tickets that were distributed to them at the beginning of the year. That will account for ~15-20,000 of the seats. As for the rest? No idea, but I assume they would go on sale 9 AM Monday morning. Or possibly something like 5 PM tomorrow, if necessary. Probably would be print-at-home tickets only.

I second KC's thoughts. I need more time to take care of voting. It's not that I don't want to; it's that I don't want to do so carelessly. I would've voted on Tuesday's game -- it just closed too early.

Presumably, there will be two numbers to reveal tomorrow. One before the game starts, and one after the game ends.

Who said I wasn't happy? I'm still bouncing off the walls here (so to speak), 3 hours after getting home from the game, but I can still be disappointed that we didn't get the division.

Well, FUCK. We screwed ourselves here, first with the gut-punch loss on Wednesday, and then again with the loss Friday. We could've had it.

Zimmerman grounds into the DP, bye-bye division.

Guzman singles! Bases loaded for Zimmerman, still one out.

Anderson Hernandez with the RBI single! Now 4-3, tying run on second, 1 out.

Nationals (down 4-2) have first and second with one out in the top of the 9th.

Cubs get out of the inning, take a 1 run lead to the 9th.

After first and third with one out, Marquis hit Ryan Braun. Then Cotts came in and Ronny Cedeno dropped a pop-up that Prince Fielder hit. Allowing a run to score. A double play here would be nice.

...but Dukes grounded out and Boone struck out. Nationals will have to do it in the 9th against Lidge if we want to get the division this year.

Second and third, nobody out for the Nationals in the top of the 8th.

Absolutely stunning game to have seen in person. I'll guess that this is perhaps the greatest pitching performance I've ever seen in person. I guess it tops the Glendon Rusch 1-hitter because of the significance of the game. Johan is the MAN. He tipped his cap going into the dugout and tossed the game ball into the crowd. Edit: Forgot to mention. First pitch today was thrown out by Cleon.

Washington stranded the tying runs with nobody out in the top of the 6th.

I'll own up to voting "no" in this poll.

It was early (6:50? 6:55?) so there wasn't much of a crowd on hand when they announced the promotion of the "top moments at Shea" -- they counted down #3 (winning in '69), #2 (Piazza, 9/21/01) and #1 (Game 6). Then they announced, "representing moment number 3, Bud Harrelson (who had already pulled down the number) and Tom Seaver!" Big cheer. But then Piazza was announced -- total surprise -- and it was great. He looks fantastic. Was the highlight of the night for me. The rest of the night? Sucked. The 'pen got the boos but the offense lost us the game.