Queens-sized choke
By Jeff Passan

Friday, Sep 21, 2007 5:01 am EDT
The New York Mets are like a Jenga tower right now, fragile and teetering, everyone waiting for it to crumble, and poised to scream, bellow and cackle when it does.

If the Mets do collapse -- if they really, truly do blow their seven-game division lead they held on Sept. 12 -- it will register as one of baseball's all-time great accordion jobs, and not just because they're from New York.

To see a team with immense talent play like bums is harrowing. The Mets blew another inexplicable game Thursday night, ceding a three-run ninth-inning lead in an 8-7 extra-innings loss at Florida. It was the Mets' sixth loss in seven games, and Philadelphia's 7-6 comeback win against Washington propelled them to 1 1/2 games behind the Mets in the National League East standings.

Closer Billy Wagner was the latest denizen of the Mets' training room, missing the game with back spasms and forcing manager W

Closer Billy Wagner was the latest denizen of the Mets' training room, missing the game with back spasms and forcing manager Willie Randolph to rely on a patchwork bullpen that behaved as such. Afterward, Wagner said all he could do was "wish and hope and pray" for his return.
The rest of Queens wishes, hopes and prays for a pulse. The entire borough is quivering with fear, which makes Mike and the Mad Dog's lives a lot easier and gives the tabloid headline writers a chance to earn their paychecks.
This is how scapegoats are built, and this year Randolph has assumed that mantel. All of a sudden, now that the Mets are losing, his lack of fire is in question.
News flash: The Mets hired Randolph knowing he has the personality of a cardboard box. They figured general manager Omar Minaya, flashy and media savvy, could pick up the slack in that area while the clubhouse dynamics took care of themselves.

I think for next season they should all be switched out with the Long Island Ducks minor league team! Let Buddy work on them for a while and let the Ducks sit in for the Mets.

GO YANKESS !!!

Church of course

Right here. Dont get so excited, the phillies will choke, mets will win division, dont get ur panties in a bunch.

hmmm?????

Yes the Mets are choking but even if they make it in does anyone think they'll get anywhere anyways? The Phils and Mets are also rans in the grand scheme. Wagner has always been an injury waiting to happen, no big surprise there. Maybe they think Pedro will save them, they're cursed after his Bambino blast.

All of these things is what makes baseball so great and why fans are coming to the ballpark in record numbers. The Red Sox are in a better position than the Mets because they can finish behind the Yankees and will still go to the playoffs. If the Mets don't win the division they probably will not make it as a wild card. I guess we should all sit back and enjoy the ride.

This is painful and could be the worst slide in sports. And if the Mets lose and Yanks win, what a cold hard winter this will be

METS will be in the World Series!

As a Phils fan, it would be a relief to see someone else choke! I'm tired of the Philadelphia teams always being bridesmaids.

its not over yet for the Mets. There is still hope so don't get your hopes up.

They started out like world beaters , and now when it counts they are looking for leadership and there is none to be found . Crying shame they are folding like this . This is the kind of season that could carry on for a long time cause people won't let you forget about past efforts . New york better right the ship soon or this will have a long lasting effect for New york faithful......Choking is never accepted there !!!!!!