What a disappointment.... and yet, what a great game.

My Dad said yesterday that there is nothing like watching baseball if it's a close game and you care about who wins. I think it's the sheer length of time between pitches that makes games like the last two tantalizingly painful, almost unbearable to watch. Tonight, my pulse was racing the whole game (maybe this should be explored as a substitute for cardiovascular workouts...hmm...). In one particular stretch - when Endy Chavez incredibly caught Scott Rolen's home run ball over the fence - my emotions went from dejection to exultation in about 5 seconds. I experienced this before - most notably in the 10th Inning of game 6 of the '86 World Series (yes, I was at the game - one of the great moments of my life). But we'll save that discussion for happier times.

Anyways... the Mets' great season is over, and I have to hand it to them, they made a good run at it, especially given that two of their starters were injured, and unable to pitch. Having said that, hats off to the Cardinals, who shut down the Mets' powerful lineup. In the end it was the lack of offensive production, not weak pitching, that cost the Mets this last game.

I hope the Tigers sweep. I know it's petty, but I'll allow myself this last base wish before closing the book on the 2006 season.

My heart clings to those immortal words, sung by Robert Merrill in the final moments of the orchestral cult classic, Brooklyn's Baseball Cantata, "Just wait 'till next year comes!"