A clandestine undertaking on behalf of Israel, the Jets and the Jews.

 
Worst Mets Losses - Three, Two and One

Last October, I posted the tenth through sixth worst Mets losses during the last three decades, and then the fifth and fourth worst losses. I never got around to posting the three worst losses. As 5767 comes to an end, it's time for me to settle accounts, so without further ado...

3. Mets lose 5-4 to Dodgers on October 9, 1988.

After giving up two runs in the top of the first, Dwight Gooden was dominant on the mound. With a 4-2 lead entering the 9th inning, the Mets looked poised to take a 3-1 lead in the NLCS.

After a walk, Mike Scioscia homered off of Gooden, stunning Shea and tying the game. Kirk Gibson then homered in the 12th. The Mets loaded the bases but Orel Hershiser came in from the bullpen to retire Kevin McReynolds.

The Dodgers would go on to win the NLCS and the World Series.

2. Mets lose 4-3 to Yankees on October 21, 2000.

The Mets were back in the World Series for the first time since '86, and after dispatching the Giants in four in the NLDS and the Cards in five in the NLCS, there was a sense of optimism that the Mets' deep pitching staff could defeat the Yankees.

With the Mets up 3-2 in the 9th, Armando Benitez blew an opportunity to close Game 1, and the Yankees won it in the 12th.

Five days later, the Yankees won their 26th World Series.

1. Mets lose 3-1 to Cardinals on October 19, 2006.

Oliver Perez pitched great for 5 2/3 innnigs, and Endy Chavez's catch kept the score at 1-1 going into the bottom of the 6th.

The Mets loaded the bases with one out, and Shea was rocking, ready for the base hit that would put the Mets ahead and on their way to the World Series. But Jose Valentin and Chavez were retired.

Three tense innings later, and 18 years after Scioscia's homer, another catcher, Yadier Molina, stunned Shea with a rare home run. The Mets had opportunities in the 9th, but their lack of bench players and a terrible at-bat by Carlos Beltran did them in.

The following week, the mediocre Cardinals were World Series winners. The Mets had blown their best opportunity in two decades to take back New York.

May the Mets experience only victory, and certainly no more terrible losses, during 5768.
posted on 9/11/2007