Uh Oh...

By Erin Colton

Uh oh... It's not (gulp) happenning again, is it?

If you ask any Met fan, they'll tell you the Mets ARE NOT collapsing to the Phillies yet again this September. They'll say, "Oh c'mon, it's a pennant race, it's always this stressful!" Or they'll tell you, "We're not collapsing, we were never ahead by that much anyway."

Well, collapsing or not collapsing, it is a fact that the Mets just lost (for the second year in a row) their September lead over the Phillies. They've gone from thriving to nearly surviving, lost 4 of their last 5 games, and just dropped two straight of those games against the worst team in the National League, the Nationals.

I'll never forget standing outside Shea Stadium nearly one year ago, reporting on how the Mets just got swept by the Phillies to lose the NL East Division, not make it into the playoffs and watch the Phillies take their place. I stood nearly in a line with about five other news crews and reporters getting ready for our 5 o'clock live shot as thousands of fans streamed by us in disbelief. How could the Mets go from being up 7 games with 17 to go, and NOT make it into the playoffs. It wasn't that big of a lead this year. But, just a week ago, the Mets were up 3 and a half games, and were playing like last September never even mattered.

Ok, take a deep breathe Mets fans. I know that was more talk about last September than you would have liked. But it needs to be talked about. Maybe if David Wright didn't avoid the subject  like the plague every single time a reporter asked him about it, he'd be more up to making sure it doesn't happen again this year. At least Carlos Delgado acknowledged the fact that it actually happened. He publically said he wants the monkey off their backs, he wants him and his Amazin's to do what they could not do one year go, beat the Phillies into the playoffs.

The Mets have just got to play baseball. Win a lot and lose a little. It's simple. They don't need to work any miracles (yet) and they can't let last year get in their heads to the point of self destruction.

Because let's be honest, if they do self destruct and make it two straight September collapses -- New York is going to be one sad town come playoff time.

Comments

[Bob]

One thing I don't like about Jeter being a captain is that he says he only leads by example. Leading by example is one thing, but sometimes you need to say something to the person who is not hustling like Robinson Cano. Cano most likely knew he was not hustling but it went on too long. Someone should have spoken to him earlier.

[Bob]

I love the game, but if you look at it from the players point of view, they're making millions per year playing a game. Why exert themselves? Back in the 80's you had Hernandez and Carter who would get in your face if you didn't hustle. You don't see it in today's game. Everyone is afraid to hurt everyone's feelings. There is no leadership on the team. Since you are a Yankee fan, i'm sure you remember O'Neill and Tino being the leaders. Sure they didn't hit 50 homers and bat .350, but they hit in the clutch and they would get in players faces when they needed to.

You need a good leader (boss, manager) but sometimes you need those veteran leaders (co-workers, teammates) to step up and say "Hustle or else".