NEW YORK - One big swing by Carlos Beltran.
That's all the New York Mets needed to reach the World Series last year - an extra-base hit from their All-Star center fielder with the bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth inning.
Instead, Beltran stood frozen with the bat on his shoulder as Adam Wainwright dropped in a nasty curveball for strike three.
Game 7 of the NL championship series was over: St. Louis 3, New York 1. And the Mets were left with a long, painful winter of what might have been.
“I've struck out 100 times before that. It's going to happen,” Beltran said. “After that night, I left everything in the past.”
So now, the Mets will try to start walking the long road back to the brink of the World Series. And this time, they want a different outcome.
“You can feel the vibe everywhere,” manager Willie Randolph said at spring training in Port St. Lucie, Fla. “I'm sure that a taste of success will motivate us to want to get to the next level. I want my players to kind of turn the page and look forward to this year.”
But this year is no sure thing for the Mets, a striking mix of young and old. They have a suspect rotation led by 41-year-olds Tom Glavine and Orlando Hernandez. Plus, the Philadelphia Phillies and Atlanta Braves appeared to improve in the offseason, which could make for a rough-and-tumble NL East.
“Just because we were a pitch away from getting to the World Series doesn't mean we're going to get back there,” Randolph said. “Hopefully, they'll be able to stay on the progression that we're on.”
That all starts with speedy leadoff hitter Jose Reyes, who energizes the whole team. Coming off a breakout season that included 66 extra-base hits, a major league-best 64 steals and a much-improved .354 on-base percentage, the All-Star shortstop with the rocket arm is one of the most dangerous weapons in baseball. And he's only 23.
Reyes' 24-year-old sidekick, third baseman David Wright, also figures to keep putting up big numbers for years to come. Then there's Beltran, fellow slugger Carlos Delgado and 40-year-old newcomer Moises Alou.
No doubt, the lineup is still stacked.
“We have an unbelievable offense,” feisty catcher Paul Lo Duca said. “From one through eight, there's not an easy out, and obviously that's our strong point. We have guys that not only have power but can give you a good at-bat.”
The biggest concern is pitching, especially the rotation. Unwilling to overspend for free-agent prize Barry Zito and without injured ace Pedro Martinez (shoulder surgery) until at least midseason, the Mets held an open competition in spring training for the three starting spots behind Glavine and Hernandez.
Those jobs went to John Maine, Oliver Perez and touted rookie Mike Pelfrey, a first-round draft pick in 2005. Maine and Perez used to be considered projects. Now the Mets are counting on them, and they hope to build on their surprising success in the 2006 postseason.
Still, the Mets figure to be in the World Series hunt next fall. Then, maybe Beltran will get another chance to take a big swing in October.
Instead, Beltran stood frozen with the bat on his shoulder as Adam Wainwright dropped in a nasty curveball for strike three.
Game 7 of the NL championship series was over: St. Louis 3, New York 1. And the Mets were left with a long, painful winter of what might have been.
“I've struck out 100 times before that. It's going to happen,” Beltran said. “After that night, I left everything in the past.”
So now, the Mets will try to start walking the long road back to the brink of the World Series. And this time, they want a different outcome.
“You can feel the vibe everywhere,” manager Willie Randolph said at spring training in Port St. Lucie, Fla. “I'm sure that a taste of success will motivate us to want to get to the next level. I want my players to kind of turn the page and look forward to this year.”
But this year is no sure thing for the Mets, a striking mix of young and old. They have a suspect rotation led by 41-year-olds Tom Glavine and Orlando Hernandez. Plus, the Philadelphia Phillies and Atlanta Braves appeared to improve in the offseason, which could make for a rough-and-tumble NL East.
“Just because we were a pitch away from getting to the World Series doesn't mean we're going to get back there,” Randolph said. “Hopefully, they'll be able to stay on the progression that we're on.”
That all starts with speedy leadoff hitter Jose Reyes, who energizes the whole team. Coming off a breakout season that included 66 extra-base hits, a major league-best 64 steals and a much-improved .354 on-base percentage, the All-Star shortstop with the rocket arm is one of the most dangerous weapons in baseball. And he's only 23.
Reyes' 24-year-old sidekick, third baseman David Wright, also figures to keep putting up big numbers for years to come. Then there's Beltran, fellow slugger Carlos Delgado and 40-year-old newcomer Moises Alou.
No doubt, the lineup is still stacked.
“We have an unbelievable offense,” feisty catcher Paul Lo Duca said. “From one through eight, there's not an easy out, and obviously that's our strong point. We have guys that not only have power but can give you a good at-bat.”
The biggest concern is pitching, especially the rotation. Unwilling to overspend for free-agent prize Barry Zito and without injured ace Pedro Martinez (shoulder surgery) until at least midseason, the Mets held an open competition in spring training for the three starting spots behind Glavine and Hernandez.
Those jobs went to John Maine, Oliver Perez and touted rookie Mike Pelfrey, a first-round draft pick in 2005. Maine and Perez used to be considered projects. Now the Mets are counting on them, and they hope to build on their surprising success in the 2006 postseason.
Still, the Mets figure to be in the World Series hunt next fall. Then, maybe Beltran will get another chance to take a big swing in October.
The Citizens' Say
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