Man. Did the Mets choke or what? A meltdown of epic proportions.
Not that it matters, as I think the National League has little chance in the World Series this year. The entire league is weak. No team won more than 90 games, while each of the four AL teams won 94 or more. I know that’s not a huge difference, but it feels big. Or maybe I’m just jaded from watching the NL Central — aka the worst division in baseball — all year.
I did take in the final Astros game of the season, and the final game of Craig Biggio’s career. The Astros had nothing to play for (except avoiding the 90-loss mark, which happily they did with a 3-0 win), and neither did the Braves, so it turned into solely a celebration of Biggio. Video tributes, standing ovations from the sell-out crowd, flashbulbs popping, and a lap around the stadium slapping hands with the fans. It was pretty cool to see and I’m glad I was there.
He hit a double in the first inning and later scored, raising his career hit total to 3060. He didn’t get on base again, but got the loudest cheers when he came to the plate for the last time in the 7th inning. I’m not even a lifelong Astros fan, having adopted the team only after moving to Houston — but I got a little teary. It’s just so cool to see a player who stuck with one team for his entire career leave on his own terms and say goodbye to the fans that have watched him for anywhere from two years to twenty.
Thanks for the memories indeed.
I am *so* glad the Mets choked. Can’ stand ’em.
I cried so much during the 7th-8th innings and again after the game. Ironically, as much as I would’ve like to have been there, it was great to watch it at home. They had clips from the players, his wife, etc. that added to the moment.
A lot of times the kids don’t make it to the 9th inning, but we were able to watch the whole thing since we were in front of a TV and not there in person.
But if we’d had tickets, I definitely would’ve been there!