Overview

After last season not much the Mets would have done would have excited me. That being said the image I had of Stearns was he was too much of an analytical guru for this to work. His age and lack of experience playing the game I thought would be a determinant to him being able to spot younger talent. That being said I'm happy to admit I was off on him. The moves he made all seemed to work last season. I have full faith in team and Mendoza going forward. The Yankees losing the World Series to the Dodgers definitely helped me feel good about the year. While they had a real good season sorry that would have a real bitter pill for me to swallow seeing the Yankees celebrating another championship.

@Gugny I don't understand the bolded comment. He is universally recognized as one of the really good, young baseball minds in MLB today. He has done a phenomenal job over the years assembling pitching staffs for a budget conscious team in Milwaukee and he pieced together a staff this year for the Mets that got them all the way to the NLCS. They have a ton of money coming off the books and I fully expect him to go big game hunting with Uncle Steve's checkbook and I expect some good value/budget signings, as well. He is also savvy with the minor leagues and is working to build a robust farm system. They are off to a good start there, IMO. He also grew up a Met fan in NYC and knows what kind of player it takes to make it in Queens. I said I was excited when they got him and I stand by that. I was also onboard with the Mendoza signing and I am more than happy with him now. I don't think there are any young, 'up and coming' managers at the moment better than Mendy. They've tried new, they've tried experienced, and nothing has worked. I think this one ultimately will. He's a knowledgeable baseball guy through and through with good situational awareness and feel for the game. I have more genuine hope with Cohen, Stearns, & Mendoza than I have had in decades. But, as always, time will tell. It was a great year, no doubt. It was easier to let go after losing in the NLCS because of the many magical moments we got to experience but there is still a small piece of me that was disappointed and wonders "what if". So many runners left on base in that series. A few timely knocks here and there and it may have turned out differently. We will never know now, obviously, but I honestly believe we would have handled the Skanks and been World Series Champions. How sweet would that have been to win it AND take down the 'Evil Empire' in a a year that seemed doomed from the start? They would have been the modern day 'Miracle Mets' (although it's hard to say that based on payroll). I was pulling for the Dodgers 100% in the WS although I threw up in my mouth a little doing so. In any event, I really enjoyed this season when all was said and done and I am really looking forward to the 'Hot Stove' season. The Soto sweepstakes should be interesting. BTW, the Dodgers said they're interested in Soto if he is interested in them. WTF? How much more do they need?? If they land him, baseball is truly broken. Soto said he would listen to everyone and is not taking any deferred money like Ohtani did. He's not giving the Skanks a 'hometown' discount so it will be interesting to see if Steinbrenner is all in on bringing him back or if Soto grabs his bag elsewhere. Also, I will always love Pete Alonso for that HR in Milwaukee but I am ambivalent about bringing him back. I didn't think I would feel that way coming into his last season but I do. If he comes back, cool. If he leaves, I'm good. Just don't break the bank for him if it costs you a chance at Juan Soto and an ace like Corbin Burnes. If I had my way, I'd get Willy Adames (Brewers UFA), stick him at 3B, move Vientos to 1B, and let Pete walk. As always gents...LGM!

Great year and great run for sure. Completely unexpected going into the season and even moreso after the horrible start. Still, I can't shake the feeling that it was a missed opportunity. But then I look at the run diferential against the Dodgers (46-26) and realize they were fortunate to make it as far as they did.

@ExWNYer @SinceThe70s @Gugny Disappointed about last night but obviously can't be too down on the team. Great year and great run. Shed some demons along the way I feel: winning the big game late in Atlanta, beating the Phillies made up a bit for 2007 & 2008. While the Stearns hire didn't excite me last year and I didn't like the Mendoza one additionally..... they both did a great job last year. I have a lot of optimism for the both of them moving forward. I won't watch the Series but will still pull for the Dodgers.

Looks like the Dodgers were the ones to administer last rites...

According to espn we were either going to face the Dodgers or the Fathers:

What a season! Most lovable team in my lifetime for sure, granted I've never seen a championship, but I've never seen a team of ours have this much resilience and fight. Anyone else in California or going to California for any of the NLCS games?

I hear ya, no doubt they've exceeded my expectations as well and that plays a big part. Beyond that, this team's resilience has been remarkable and that played a part too.

I was calm as well. But for me I think it’s because the team exceeded my expectations for the year so much to really get down on them if they lost. Although that would have been annoying to lose to the Phillies though. Haha Besides Grimace this was another one of those turning point moments I think this year. When the team adopted the OMG slogan. It seemed it was and is a great bonding point. And yeah seeing Mr and Mrs Met get down to the song is hilarious as well. Great stuff

@ExWNYer @Another Fan @Gugny Todays win was reminiscent of the '86 series against the Astros. Two chances to win one game but with Mike Scott/Zack Wheeler on tap for the 2nd chance it felt like a must win. I was uncharacteristically calm when the Mets blew chance after chance early in the game and then went down 1-0. Hats off to Suarez, what a great/gutty performance. And my uncharacteristic calm quickly turned to characteristic dread when Diaz couldn't find the strike zone. Watched the game with my just- turned-88 mom. Good times.

This NY Mets team reminds me a little of the 2007 NY Giants. The Giants started that year poor, nobody really had expectations for them and when they made the playoffs it was more like Yeah nice story. Until they kept surprising everyone and winning on the road. And ironically their first playoff matchup against their arch rival Dallas came along the way. Ditto the Mets and the Phillies. So Yeah I say Why The Hell Not! Mets have as good a chance of any team left to win it all

I think they're playing the long game with Senga. They got a few innings out of him and that looked like the plan going in. If the Mets make a sustained run he could possibly help. On a personal note this game was awesome. Had an impromptu facetime with our two sons that started in the first inning and lasted through the last out. Good times.

@SinceThe70s @Gugny @Another Fan Kodai Senga is starting game one against the Phil-thies this afternoon. Let's hope this is a pleasant surprise and not a nightmare (only one start this year makes me nervous). LGM!

It's the Kroger on University City Boulevard, next to the University Mall Shopping Center. There is a VT bookstore in that shopping center which has a lot of Hokie gear & merchandise, if you need/want anything. The Kroger Fuel Center and Zeppoli's are across the road from the shopping center, Macado's and a Starbucks are across the road from Kroger. I think this is what you're struggling to say... Un...real. "YA GOTTA BELIEVE!"

I'm speechless.

Thanks, much appreciated. I'm always interested in tips/tricks/advice from folks i know rather than relying on the interwebs. And not necessariy what I'd think to ask but what folks tell (good or bad). Is Zeppoli's by the Krogers near campus or the huge Kroger's on South Main Street further from campus? I was shocked when I saw that one had an open bar. A grocery store with a bar was a first for me. All that aside it's about damn time we got a run!!!

Glad to hear that everything is trending in the right direction with your son. So what kinds of tips/tricks/advice were you looking to get? If you don't know already, most of the restaurants and stores are in nearby Christiansburg. Blacksburg is mostly the campus although there are a few things around there the locals/kids like, like Cabo Fish Taco & Benny Marzano's Pizza. There is an Italian place we really like which doesn't look like much from the street. It's in a tiny kind of strip mall across from the Kroger (next to the Kroger gas pumps) called Zeppoli's Italian Restaurant and Wine Shop. Worth the visit, IMO. Macado's, past the other side of the Kroger gas station, is a local Blacksburg hang that's been around forever. It's one of those places with a bunch pf pop culture memorabilia on the walls and ceiling. The hotel situation isn't great. Mostly overpriced 'Motel 6' and 'Comfort Inn' types a few miles from town. There are a couple of higher priced places like the Hyatt and Marriott. Radford is not too far away (20 minutes or so) and has some options, as well.

Thanks for the well wishes, it's been a helluva last two weeks with my son but everythjing is trending positively. And damn, nice VT coincidence, what a small world. I also have a nephew who graduated in 2023! I'd be interested in any tips/tricks/advice yo have for VT and the Blacksburg area, We're headed back down in two weeks for a scheduled visit. VT/BC on Thursday and then on to my older son and Maryland/USC on Saturday. They needed to put the Brewers away last night with Montas on the mound. When they went up 3-0 I was thinking they had to get to 5 runs. 100% agree on leaving Manaea in an extra inning. I was 50/50 on Diaz in the 8th but you just knew the top of teh order was too much for Maton. Shoudl have pulled him after the single. I may have given Stanek the chance to go two like he did with Butto. All may have been moot if he had gotten another inning out of Manaea. In fairness to Mendoza he doesn't have great options out of the pen. And in hindsight I wish we had Megill as a late inning option over the no name (Krasnick). Also 100% agree on Alonso. I remember seeing one of those strike zone charts for Pete in 2023 and it showed that the vast majority of his HR's were on pitches down the middle. He was hitting mistakes which is fine regular season, not so much against better post-season pitching. It'd be sad to see the lovable lug-nut go, but probably money spent better elsewhere. LGM!

Oh, wow! So sorry to hear about your son. I hope he is on the mend and doing better now. I watched that VT game and couldn't believe that wild ending. Heartbreaker for sure. My older son graduated from VA Tech in 2022, so we have that in common along with our Bills & Mets fandom. 😎 Speaking of heartbreakers, I can't help but feel that the Mets let a golden opportunity slip away last night with Manaea on the mound. I was confident going into last night, not so much today (decades & decades of Mets scar tissue). Last night was one of the few times I've disagreed with Mendoza's decisions. I was watching with my younger son and told him that I would've left Manaea in the game for at least the sixth inning. He came out after five innings having thrown "only" 86 pitches. Push it Mendy, Manaea wasn't pitching again until the weekend anyway. It's the postseason, you have to pull out all the stops. Pitch counts and rest go out the window. Murphy cost the Brewers Game 1 by pulling Peralta too soon, IMO. The other thing I said was that I would've used Diaz in the eighth inning since it was a high leverage situation with the best hitters for the Brewers due up. After that, I would've taken my chances in the ninth with Maton. We'll never know now if that would've been the better course of action. Lindor is hitless in this series but I don't worry about him. He's been MVP level up to now. The one who I worry about and who is irritating me is Alonso. They have gotten nothing from him offensively and he needs to get it going tonight. If the Mets get bounced here, I honestly think it will be the last we see of Alonso in a Mets uniform. Boras is going to have a helluva time getting Pete a "break the bank" contract. I have always liked Pete but, honestly, I would let him walk at this point. I'd rather take a run at Soto or Adames from the Brewers. LGM!

Unbelievable! I didn't see any of it, but you can thank me anyway. I've been at my sons college since last week - he broke his collarbone and had surgery on Friday - we rented an airbnb for his recovery an on Friday night watched his school (Va Tech) lose in excruciating fashion, on Saturday we watched my other sons school lose which will make it very difficult to get a bowl bid and then last night, well enough said! That rental property was a house of horrors sports-watching wise. Had we stayed an extra day the Mets would surely have lost. Now let's knock the Braves out!!!!!

This just in: Chris Sale has been scratched for Game 2 due to back spasms. Wow. Atlanta has to be kicking themselves for letting that one get away.

And Diaz promptly comes in and gives up 4 runs to put them in a 7-6 deficit heading to the 9th. I was pissed that they brought him yesterday with a 5-0 lead and he needed 26 pitches to get 3 outs. And today he comes in with traffic on the bases (1st & 3rd) which I absolutely HATE. It's well documented how I feel about him coming in when it's not a "clean" inning. They had it and gave it away and the Braves had exhausted all of their big guns for Game 2. And then Lindor hits a 2-run HR in the top of the 9th, Diaz comes back for the bottom or the 9th and hangs on with a runner on 2nd! METS WIN, 8-7!!!!! POSTSEASON 2024! WOW!

@SinceThe70s Reverse jinx! Mets have score 6 in the 8th and now lead, 6-3! And they did it off of the Braves closer, Iglesias. They need to get this!

@SinceThe70s It won't matter, this season is finishing like most other Mets seasons. Apparently, this team thinks Scwellenbach is the next coming of Cy Young because they've score exactly one run off of him in 2 and 2/3 games and find themselves trailing 3-0 going to the bottom of the 7th. Megill came up small...again...and threw meat pitches for a 2-run HR and a solo HR. And the "offense" has a whopping 3 hits. This game is lost. Six more outs. All that remains now is for some nobody pitcher for Atlanta to shut them down in the nightcap to end their season.

- If the Mets & Braves split, both teams are in the playoffs and the D-bags are out. - If the Mets sweep, the Mets & D-bags are in and the Braves are out. - If the Braves sweep, the Braves & D-bags are in and the Mets are out. Win the first and the pressure is off. Lose, and the curse in the house of horrors continues. If the Mets lose Game 1, no way does Sale pitch Game 2. He will be Atlanta's first starter in the playoffs.