Phillies Surge While Mets Collapse Philadelphia Wins N.L. East
Dependent on which side of the fence you were on the last 18 days of the MLB season were either exhilarating or torturous. You either saw your team make an incredible comeback, or suffer through one of the most cataclysmic meltdowns in the history of the National Pastime! September 12, 2007 the New York Mets appeared to have the National League East Division completely wrapped up as they led the second place Philadelphia Phillies by a seemingly insurmountable 7 game margin. The thought inside the Phillies clubhouse was if they would have any shot at all at making the MLB Playoffs that it would have to be done via the wild card.One reason that cliche become so overused is because the statements they make are absolutely correct. In baseball on of the biggest cliches is "that's why they play the games." Never was that statement proven more accurate than the month of September in the National League East. The Philadelphia Phillies who were counted out probably by everyone but their immediate families are the National League East Division Champions as they defeated the Washington Nationals Sunday 6-1. The Mets who came into the final game of the season tied with the Phillies were knocked out of the race in the first inning as they lost to the Florida Marlins 8-1.
The man who epitomizes the phrase "cagey veteran" Jamey Moyer was on the mound for Philadelphia Sunday. Moyer went 5 1/3 innings allowing just 1 run on 5 hits and striking out 6 to end the regular season with a record of 14-12. Ryan Howard who was the National League MVP last year and a strong candidate for this year's award hit home run number 47 of the campaign.
New York starter and future Hall of Fame pitcher Tom Glavine will not have this game on the highlight DVD when they induct him into Cooperstown. The man who won his 300th career game during the 2007 season never made it out of the first inning. He retired just one batter, allowing 7 runs all earned on 5 hits and 2 walks. New York never even mustered a challenge as they limped out of the 2007 season. For Philadelphia, a trip to the NLDS hosting an opponent still to be determined as I write this. For New York a winter of discontent and second guessing for Mets fans, I would say General Manager Omar Minaya is definitely secure in his position. I am not sure however that the same can be said for Mets skipper Willie Randolph. He will be ripped apart in the coming days in the New York tabloids and talk shows. It will be interesting to see how New York management will handle this especially because as the Mets were sinking, their crosstown rivals the New York Yankees made a Lazarus like rise and captured the American League Wild Card!
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