Incidentally, I have a copy of Mex’s first book, also written with Mike Bryan, called “If at First” — which was a day-by-day chronicling of the 1985 season, when they were narrowly beaten out by Whitey Herzog’s Cards in the last couple games of the season. It’s hilarious and really brought you into the clubhouse.

The Mets are going to catch and jump past this Phillie team. It is amazing, and of course delightful, how their hitting and confidence has diminished during the past month of play.

I do agree with stem50 that the Pedro Martinez role is a big issue, though tonight’s results are not overly critical. If we can get nine or ten solid starts from Pedro in the second half, we will move past the Phils. Right now he is the only Met starter not pitching well.

For all the Met fans’ moaning and lamentation, the reality is that fans are distressed pretty much everywhere…The Bronx, Atlanta, Cleveland, LA, SF, CO, AZ, even Boston and Chicago in recent weeks…everywhere except maybe in Tampa Bay. I’m pretty sure that Phillie fans are nervous as hell, considering how they are hitting .180 over the past several weeks, and looking over-matched in a home series against the Mets.

I really like what I am seeing with Da Gansta at the helm, I like the hustle and tough play, the comebacks and resillience, the brilliant makeover in Oliver Perez, the maturation of Pelfry, the forced resting of the veterans, which will help longterm. The manager takes heat for taking out his ace after 95 pitches…I like it, cause he is showing trust in the ´pen, sharing the workload, and keeping his stars primed for October.

………..LETS GO METS ! BELIEVE ! 2008 !