AJC > Sports > Columnists > Archives > 2006 > April > 28 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USMets have a lot to prove
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Terence Moore
The Mets are full of themselves. Even before they sprinted from opening day to the vicinity of justifying their hype with a five-game lead in the National League East heading into Friday night’s game at Turner Field, they were talking big and bad. They were so cocky after the additions of standouts Billy Wagner, Carlos Delgado and Paul Lo Duca during the offseason that they decided to pair another song with their eternal “Meet the Mets.”
All you need to know is that the title of the new jingle commissioned by Mets honchos is “Our team, our time.”
We’ll see. The Mets haven’t been more than a creation of that powerful East Coast PR machine for the longest time. The reality is the Braves have a tendency to rattle the psyche of the Mets. To translate, this latest series between the two is more about the Mets than it is about the Braves. This is more about whether the guys from New York can stop reaching for their personal Big Apples (as in the ones along their throats) at the sight of a tomahawk across a baseball uniform.
At least on this particular night, the Mets played self-imposed shrink by taking a couple of deep breaths and blowing their Braves’ phobia away after doing enough on the mound, in the field and at the plate for a 5-2 victory. There was that manufactured run in the first, when a hit-and-run led to a sacrifice fly. There was a two-out triple that produced another run in the fourth. There also was that solo homer in the fifth that pushed the Mets to a 3-0 lead. You’d have thought that all of that would have been more than adequate for the Mets with the great Pedro Martinez spending inning after inning embarrassing the slumping Braves hitters even more.
Instead, Chipper Jones returned as a serial Mets killer with a two-run homer over the left-center field fence in the sixth. If you combine that with the great John Smoltz keeping the Braves within a short rally of a comeback with 10 strikeouts through his seven innings, there was plenty of time for the Mets to get spooked.
It didn’t happen after the Mets responded in the ninth with another manufactured run on a single, a stolen base, a sacrifice bunt and a sacrifice fly, then a solo homer. Then Wagner ignored a bases-loaded jam in the bottom of the ninth to throw smoke past the overmatched Todd Pratt for the save.
This was one game, though. The Mets have to conquer the Braves physically and mentally for another game and a slew of them after that to prove their time truly has come. Take it from the great Tom Glavine, the former pitching legend with the Braves who left after 16 seasons to spend the previous three with the Mets.
“My first year here, we probably didn’t have a good enough team to beat the Braves, but you hope you do,” said Glavine, rejuvenated at 40 with a 2.78 ERA entering Saturday night’s Game 2 of the series. “Last year, we still were a little more realistic about our chances of catching the Braves, but, there again, we knew that a lot of things had to go right in order for that to happen.”
Glavine paused to smile. After all, he was thinking about now. “Yeah, this year is a little bit different in that we feel that talent-wise, we have what it takes to win,” he said. “Now whether or not we do that, that’s a different story.”
So far, it’s been the same, old story for a Mets franchise that has contributed often to the Braves’ record streak of 14 consecutive trips to the playoffs. Since the Braves switched from the NL West to the NL East in 1995, the Mets have won the season series only twice, and the Mets haven’t done so in eight consecutive years.
Not only that, with much of the early season featuring the Mets streaking and the Braves reeking, the Mets still discovered ways to drop two of three games to the Braves last week at Shea Stadium. Then came this one that featured the Mets winning in the first of six games against the Braves over the next 10 games.
Is that the Fat Lady clearing her throat in Queens to sing down the stretch of this season, or just the sound of overconfident Mets fans? Yeah, well. I’m still betting against the Fat Lady.
Permalink | Comments (15) | Categories: Braves / MLB, Terence Moore
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By ThanksATL!
April 28, 2006 11:16 PM | Link to this
Hate to let you Georgians know this but we Mets fans insult our annoying Yankee fans by calling them the “New Atlanta Braves” because they never get it done.
Great articles in today’s New York Post: JETER CAN KEEP BOMBERS FROM BEING THE BRAVES
Maybe it’s simply coincidence that Jeter is off to a hot start. Or maybe he’s setting an example of excellence for a team that may have grown complacent about getting to playoffs without getting a World Series ring. Size up the Yankees these days and two frightening words come to mind: Atlanta Braves.
The Braves are the team that consistently wins 90 or more games every season, wins the division and then disappoints in October. Though they’ve won 14 straight division titles, the Braves own but one World Series trophy.
It has been five seasons since the Yankees last won a World Series. And while that drought doesn’t compare to the Braves’ lack of achievement, every year without a World Series title in The Bronx begs the question, when will nice tries start getting old here?
For Jeter it already has. “If you didn’t win the World Series you fell short,” he said. “It’s not getting there that makes you happy. Unless you win it, you’ve fallen short.”
Another year without a World Series championship and the Yankees will start looking more and more like the Braves. That’s the last thing Jeter wants.
By What?
April 28, 2006 11:21 PM | Link to this
what is that NYC trash talk?
which team the Mets or the Braves were in the World Series THIS CENTURY?
oh……. wait……. sorry…….. that was the METS
The Braves have not been there this century tooooooooooo funny!
By gotigers72
April 29, 2006 12:43 AM | Link to this
How many World Series have the Mets won since 1986? 1 less than the Braves. How many World Series have they even been in since 1986? 4 less than the Braves.
Mets hat - $8.95
Mets jersey - $31.95
Mets buying high priced free agents every year that didn’t work out [R. Alomar, Mo Vaughn for examples] - Countless millions of dollars.
Ignorant, arrogant Mets fans -PRICELESS!
By samschica
April 29, 2006 07:33 AM | Link to this
…enjoyed the column…not much more for you guys to write about, how you ALMOST won the game…last time I looked, almost only counts in horse shoes and hand grenades…these are not your father’s Mets !!! enjoy the season…
By Rodney Derrick
April 29, 2006 07:50 AM | Link to this
Hey Terrence, that “reeking” line is one of the best things ever in your column. If a few folks pick up on it, we will likely see many repeats, especially with the current “closer”.
By Brian
April 29, 2006 09:54 AM | Link to this
Great column Terence. As a Mets fan it gave me a rise. While beating the Braves may not seem to be imperative to winning the division this year at present, I am sure the Braves will hit stride at some point as they always do. I think that the Mets can deny it all they want, but beating the Braves is important for their psyche. Will this year be different? Who knows, but I think that the Mets are actually the more talented team on paper. Now its up to them to prove it on the field.
By Nik
April 29, 2006 10:05 AM | Link to this
Great article! I’ve been a Mets fan for 28 years and have seen the good and bad teams day to day. I understand what made us so great in the 80’s and I know what made us choke in the 90’s to you guys.
Like a posted before me stated…. enjoy the season guys! It should be a lot of fun for you all.
I can see you being 15 games out in August and still hearing Braves people talking about October. The Dale Murphy days are back folks! Just enjoy it and keep reading these Terence Moore articles. Great stuff!
By Doug
April 29, 2006 11:31 AM | Link to this
Mets have more to prove?
This from a home town paper of a franchise that has one 14 straight division titles and one, count it, one World Series Title.
Oh BTW the Mets & Marlins have two, and the last I check both the Marlins and Mets represented the NL East in the World Series.
But I have degressed, the Braves should be proving they are not the Buffalo Bills.
What’s tough is arguing that the Braves do not represent the bigest choke in baseball history. Mr. Moore should be thanking the baseball god for the 2004 NY Chokees.
By deb
April 29, 2006 11:50 AM | Link to this
Thanks Terrance for giving Willy Randolph the perfect piece to tack on the wall of the Mets locker room.
I’m sure we’ll see an extra motivated Mets team that in your opinion has “something to prove”
By Jay
April 29, 2006 04:00 PM | Link to this
Wah wah - and how many world championships have the Braves won during those 14 or so division titles? That’s right, I don’t think it’s even close to 14. Just cause you guys are scared of us this year, don’t start whining in April about it.
GO METS!
By Mr. Met
April 29, 2006 07:12 PM | Link to this
Hey Terrence Moore, you sound a little bitter. I know how frustrating it must be with all the division tittles the Braves have won to have everyone only talking about the Mets. But come on Terrence face it the Mets are young, hot and sexy where the Braves are old, cold and…Mmmm, not sexy at all. You really don’t need the so called east coast PR machine, that team creates its own PR by coming out the gate as predicted. So relax Terrence, you’ve had your time, its the Mets time to shine for a little while.
By Mr. Met
April 29, 2006 07:12 PM | Link to this
Hey Terrence Moore, you sound a little bitter. I know how frustrating it must be with all the division tittles the Braves have won to have everyone only talking about the Mets. But come on Terrence face it the Mets are young, hot and sexy where the Braves are old, cold and…Mmmm, not sexy at all. You really don’t need the so called east coast PR machine, that team creates its own PR by coming out the gate as predicted. So relax Terrence, you’ve had your time, its the Mets time to shine for a little while.
By Russ
April 29, 2006 11:49 PM | Link to this
Larry,I know it’s hard to dissolve the fact that white athletes always become inferior at games they invented,(NBA,NFL,MLB,Boxing).The Negro has only been allowed to play major league baseball for one third of the time the league has been in existence but own most of the significant records (homeruns,rbi,stolen bases,golden gloves).the same will hold true for the NFL. Blacks were only recently considered to play quarterback and it’s only been a handful to play the position compared to whites,yet the record for the most prolific passing quarter in a regular season game or super bowl is held by a black man,(DOUG WILLIAMS- 5 touchdowns in one quarter).Warren Moon could have easily shattered the single game passing record of 512 yards,he had 496 yards passing and was pulled with about 9 minutes left in the game. Its only a matter of time until black quaretrbacks take over the nfl. the real truth is they are just superior and smarter,yes i said it smarter athletes.That must be disheartning every time you give someone the opportunity they show you up at your own game.Dan Reeves explained it on the radio this week ,Mike Vick is only struggling because they changed the offense on him three times,I know you Racist guys are gonna really hate it when Mike Vick lives up to his potential as projected, much like Andruw Jones is doing for the braves,(by-the way Chipper Jones pales by comparison but listening to whites you would never know it.)get used to it Blacks are just better athletes. Now thats the courage to tell the truth!!!
By Russ
April 29, 2006 11:50 PM | Link to this
Larry,I know it’s hard to dissolve the fact that white athletes always become inferior at games they invented,(NBA,NFL,MLB,Boxing).The Negro has only been allowed to play major league baseball for one third of the time the league has been in existence but own most of the significant records (homeruns,rbi,stolen bases,golden gloves).the same will hold true for the NFL. Blacks were only recently considered to play quarterback and it’s only been a handful to play the position compared to whites,yet the record for the most prolific passing quarter in a regular season game or super bowl is held by a black man,(DOUG WILLIAMS- 5 touchdowns in one quarter).Warren Moon could have easily shattered the single game passing record of 512 yards,he had 496 yards passing and was pulled with about 9 minutes left in the game. Its only a matter of time until black quaretrbacks take over the nfl. the real truth is they are just superior and smarter,yes i said it smarter athletes.That must be disheartning every time you give someone the opportunity they show you up at your own game.Dan Reeves explained it on the radio this week ,Mike Vick is only struggling because they changed the offense on him three times,I know you Racist guys are gonna really hate it when Mike Vick lives up to his potential as projected, much like Andruw Jones is doing for the braves,(by-the way Chipper Jones pales by comparison but listening to whites you would never know it.)get used to it Blacks are just better athletes. Now thats the courage to tell the truth!!!
By Russ
April 29, 2006 11:51 PM | Link to this
Larry,I know it’s hard to dissolve the fact that white athletes always become inferior at games they invented,(NBA,NFL,MLB,Boxing).The Negro has only been allowed to play major league baseball for one third of the time the league has been in existence but own most of the significant records (homeruns,rbi,stolen bases,golden gloves).the same will hold true for the NFL. Blacks were only recently considered to play quarterback and it’s only been a handful to play the position compared to whites,yet the record for the most prolific passing quarter in a regular season game or super bowl is held by a black man,(DOUG WILLIAMS- 5 touchdowns in one quarter).Warren Moon could have easily shattered the single game passing record of 512 yards,he had 496 yards passing and was pulled with about 9 minutes left in the game. Its only a matter of time until black quaretrbacks take over the nfl. the real truth is they are just superior and smarter,yes i said it smarter athletes.That must be disheartning every time you give someone the opportunity they show you up at your own game.Dan Reeves explained it on the radio this week ,Mike Vick is only struggling because they changed the offense on him three times,I know you Racist guys are gonna really hate it when Mike Vick lives up to his potential as projected, much like Andruw Jones is doing for the braves,(by-the way Chipper Jones pales by comparison but listening to whites you would never know it.)get used to it Blacks are just better athletes. Now thats the courage to tell the truth!!!