Below is the email I sent to my fellow Mets fans at 3:30 a.m. after attending the loss to the Cardinals in game 7 (see photos taken from section 45 here).

uuuuuuuuuuggggggggggggggggghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

That's it. It's out. I've had a number of adult beverages, and I think it's time to let all the anger and regret go. It was a great season. And until it ended, it was a great game. The train ride home was pretty depressing, but I still don't regret being there tonight. The stadium was literally shaking; it was incredible. If Beltran had come through, it would have been one of the greatest games in Mets history. We were one single away from this being one of the best nights of my life. Improbably, Oliver Perez pitched a great game. And Endy saved him (and Willie) by making the greatest defensive play in Mets history. And after going hitless for seven straight innings, the Mets came so fucking close to coming back in the bottom of the ninth. There were times that the crowd felt a little dead tonight, but after a period of silence following Yadier's homer when things looked completely hopeless, the fans slowly started coming back to life, still chanting, "Let's Go Mets!" despite the deep hole that had been dug. And really, that's what's being a Mets fan is all about: no matter how much loss we endure, no matter the odds stacked against us, no matter how whack the starting pitcher we put on the mound, no matter how hopeless things look, we keep believing. When Valentin singled, I fucking believed. Then Endy singled, I fucking believed. Even with two outs, I fucking believed. And 57,000 fans chanting "Let's Go Mets!" believed. It sucks that we lost, but I'm glad we believed. And even the loss can't kill the belief in a Mets fan. Mets in 2007!

LET'S GO METS!
LET'S GO METS!
LET'S GO METS!

New CBA!
No strike or lockout!
Pretty good summary of the changes here.

From Kevin Goldstein's game log on Prospectus:
9:01 pm: According to Tim McCarver, "when Pujols is the batter, it's not a plate, it's a platter." I'm pretty sure that's somewhere on the most recent Jay-Z album.

For the record, career postseason OPS of certain Yankee players (including performance with other teams):

Alex Rodriguez .847
Paul O'Neill .828
Yogi Berra .811
Joe DiMaggio .760
Jorge Posada .746
Scott Brosius .696
Tino Martinez .672
Roger Maris .666

As much as I love the Mets moving on and overcoming some injuries, I gotta tell ya, I really do not feel comfortable with Wagner closing these games. I feel like I'm watching Looper Redux. The guy doesn't pitch anymore; he just chucks it, hoping that it's fast enough and in the strike zone. He doesn't inspire confidence in me at all.

The Tides really stink.

http://home.hamptonroads.com/stories/story.cfm?story=109812&ran=53914

Assuming the cost isn't a major prospect, I like this idea a lot.

[edit: Never mind - we got Green.] I like it less. I guess Green is an upgrade over Endy, but Endy's actually been having a slightly better year offensively and is a better defensive player.

Never should have let Hernandez go in the first place.

Oliver Perez is straight poo.

From CBS Sportsline:

According to the Chicago Tribune, Greg Maddux told the Cubs he would waive his no-trade clause if he can be moved to a contender. Maddux also said he would be willing to be traded to the New York Mets, a team that was once believed to be off limits.

That's just bizarre. Too bad they couldn't have the 90's Maddux and Pedro. Oof.

the fact that someone as bad as Royce Clayton was involved compels me to comment on what a bad trade the Reds made. Kearns and Lopez for Clayton, relievers and someone? That's like when we traded Mark Clark and Hit Dog for... um... some guys.

That's right, son.

So what does everyone else think about the All-Star rosters? I realized there are no good AL 2nd basemen at all. And why is everyone on the Jose Lopez bandwagon? He's not that good; doesn't walk, low OBP. And does anyone think they should get rid of the 1 player per team thing? I mean, no Royal should be going to the All-Star game, and, meanwhile, any of the 5 AL guys on the Final Vote should go.

Hopefully Mulvey is the next Jeff Innis.

Draft Thoughts
Sounds like a questionable draft by the Mets. Prospectus's Kevin Goldstein said "After Mulvey, who's anything but a sure thing, it's yuck with an extra side of yuck." Kevin Mulvey does sound like a decent pick, but sidearm pitchers generally have a limited upside, so it seems like a stretch to take one with a 3rd round pick. Who knows, maybe he'll be the next Quisenberry. Jeremy Barfield in the 9th round sounds good.

The award for the two best draft picks goes to the Brewers, who took a high schooler who throws 100 mph with the 16th pick and with their second round pick took Brent Brewer. His name is Brewer! And he's on the Brewers! I'm easily amused.

I like how they wanted Grims to wear a wire and try and find out about Barry. What is this, "New Jack City"?

Grimsley busted. States to cops that "everybody had greenies. That's like aspirin." And that until last year, clubhouses had coffee pots labeled "leaded" and "unleaded."
He also named a bunch of players who have used steroids, HGH and amphetamines, but they're redacted from the document.
The IRS agent who signed the report is the same agent behind the BALCO investigation.

Grimsley busted. States to cops that "everybody had greenies. That's like aspirin." And that until last year, clubhouses had coffee pots labeled "leaded" and "unleaded."
He also named a bunch of players who have used steroids, HGH and amphetamines, but they're redacted from the document.
The IRS agent who signed the report is the same agent behind the BALCO investigation.

possibly a bigger vernon wells fan than I am:
Vote Vernon

El Duque's career ERA is 4.20.

Wisdom from Matthew McConaughey:

"As the ball left Bonds' bat, booing turned to "oohing" as the ball flew upward and outward into the depths of the third deck. Fans stood to witness, and their jeers turned to cheers as the man, Barry Bonds, who played for the other team, put a mammoth steroid-free run on the board. "

"Barry, did you hit a homerun today?"
"No."
"It'd be a lot cooler if you did."

Out of context quote:

Martinez said the baseballs were "probably not the best-rubbed balls that I'll find in the league so far."