Cincinnati, OH—At long last the New York Mets have clinched the 2015 National League East Division! The Mets are headed to the playoffs for the first time since the ill-fated 2006 season. This one could not have been scripted any better. Without nearly enough “space” to point out all of the contributors to this team’s success, (and there was truly a lot of them) there are a few who should be recognized.
The Dark Knight, slammed unmercifully here did indeed “return.” Unbeknownst to Met fans, the “plan” THIS time was for Harvey to take the ball and run with it. Harvey manned up and told manager Terry Collins that he would clinch this division title for him. He wanted the ball, wanted to send Collins to the postseason for the first time ever.
Love him, hate him, scratch your head over some of his moves. But you cannot deny that at 66 years old, Collins had “put in” his time. A baseball “lifer” who’d held every conceivable role in Baseball; it was finally his time. His time after 5 long years of being the consummate company man and making “do” with minor leaguers, journeymen, and garbage found on the bottom of the dumpster. In the end, Terry got what he deserved and should be lauded for his perseverance, his tenacity and his willingness to be the public face of a franchise that has been alternately incompetent and crooked since Terry took the reins before the 2011 season.
David Wright? The Captain put the exclamation point on the clincher by homering with two on in the 8th. From the brink of back surgery to a return to hero status, Wright had endured longer than anyone but the fans. Now David goes back to the playoffs for the second time in his career and has emerged as the undisputed leader of this team. 
Yoenis Cespedes in two months as a member of the Blue & Orange, almost single-handedly drove this Mets team to a point where clinching the division was a foregone conclusion. His arrival on July 31st brought immediate legitimacy and presence to a franchise that lacked both. His production was record setting, his other-worldly talent and charisma propelled this team. Without Cespedes, this is a team that would have struggled to stay relevant, even in a division where the Washington Nationals began the season as prohibitive favorites.
And about those lovable Nationals, there are questions to be asked. Has Bryce Harper found his ring? Does Jayson Werth still believe the Nationals are the team to beat in the National League? Has Matt Williams been exposed as the National League version of Ned Yost? Is Jonathan Papelbon the most disliked player in the game?
I don’t want to say a lot has happened since then, but the last time the Metropolitans tasted clubhouse bubbly…
Barack Obama was a community organizer in Chicago. Short Matt was a confirmed bachelor. Donald Trump’s insipid comb-over looked exactly the same as it does today. And Tom Glavine was still seen as a decent human being.
Everything takes a back seat now to the 2015 NL EAST CHAMPS! Let’s Go Mets…(and don’t screw it up, Terry)
