Mets Prepare To Choke Again In 2009

As the offseason winds down, there are only 32 days until Mets pitchers and catchers report to Port St. Lucie, FL , and begin choking. 

In 2007, the Mets overcame their seemingly insurmountable seven-game division lead with seventeen to play and made choking history. Last season, they were able to put a strong July and August behind them to go 8-12 over the final three weeks, repeating their 2007 choke and passing Philadelphia in the loss column once again.

Now, with manager Jerry Manuel in place for his first full season at the helm, he believes that the team has made the necessary adjustments to continue choking in an increasingly competitive National League. 

“To bring in a closer the caliber of Francisco Rodriguez, he will blend In nicely with our club dynamic.  Throw in the alarming drop in his velocity and I have every confidence that he can perform the same way for us that Billy Wagner has over the past couple seasons."

Presumptive setup man J.J. Putz brings another interesting component to the Mets’ bullpen.  “Last year, it was rough, losing 100 games like that," said the former Mariner when reached for comment about his expectations for his new club in 2009.

“Our season was over by the All-Star break and it made it difficult to focus on your job every day when you feel like you have no chance.  But here I know we’ll have a shot, right down to the wire, probably even ending on the season’s final day again."

At the same time, there is no question the Mets will miss the likes of Aaron Heilman, Scott Schoeneweis, and Joe Smith from their bullpen.  “Those guys were key in what our bullpen accomplished in recent seasons,” said Manuel.

“Still, it gives some younger guys a chance to choke and show the organization what they can do”.

But while the Mets’ pitching staff has seen a good deal of turnover, the offense figures to return largely intact with an experienced base of chokers that includes David Wright, Carlos Delgado, Carlos Beltran, and of course, Jose Reyes.

General manager Omar Minaya couldn’t be happier with his shortstop.  “Jose is just a special player, a real x-factor for our club".

"It’s not just his natural ability.  It’s that clubhouse persona.  It’s the way he infuriates other teams with the things he does.  I think he’s the number one reason for our choking success of late”.

So as the Mets begin a new chapter in their history this season with the opening of Citi Field, they again set out to prove their supporters wrong, and choke yet again when it matters most.

And, with Reyes and company still in place, they look capable of doing it for years to come.