New York Mets Can Learn a Few Things from the Philadelphia Phillies

Pedro Martinez, Tom Glavine, and Carlos Delgado lead the way (all of which ironically have great careers, but had no right to be saying that last year—check their individual 2007 stats if you need reference).

These comments came to excuse losses and mental lapses in play, while the Mets had a cushy lead in the NL East.

Let me examine that quote. Boring? Yes.

The 2007 playoffs were boring for me. I barely watched as a Met fan.

Good? Well at the time they were good, yes.

But I am sure each player involved in those comments would be glad to quickly eat their words now.

Don't get me wrong, the Phillies and Jimmy Rollins aren't beacons of modesty. This year, Jimmy said something he surely regrets to the Philadelphia faithful. But there's a difference in making a claim that will motivate you and your team and making a claim that excuses you for lack of focus in a game because you're just so good at it.

I mean that's just straight Mo Vaughn-Robbie Alomar era, as in possibly most shameful moments in Mets history.

In conclusion, we can learn from the Phillies.

We can't take Chase Utley at second, or pinch-hit Howard with two on in extra innings. However, we can learn from the way they carry themselves and play the game.

While I loath them, the Phillies play one of the best mental games in all of sports. They are honest with themselves and always motivated under any circumstances. That's the kind of team you like to play for and root for—and if the Mets continue to flounder and make excuses they will quickly have very poor chemistry and have to play in front of a bitter fanbase.

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