It's Over (NOT!)

"It ain't over till it's over" - the beloved Yogi

"Over? Did you say "over"? Nothing is over until we decide it is! Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor? Hell no! " - John "Bluto" Blutarsky

"You Gotta Believe" - the late, great Tug.

"Fuck it, I have faith in this team" - Ed

So now the fears have been confirmed, Pedro is out, not just for the NLDS, but the entire postseason. It appears that he tore a tendon in his left calf, the one that was not hurt recently. So now, the schadenfreude can begin amongst fans of the other NL teams, and certain AL teams I am sure. Met fans of course are upset, some taking it in stride, while others will call for an end to Pedro as a Met (trust me, there were posts to this effect on certain other blogs).

As for me, I look at this is the continuation of how this team has played since July. Pedro has started a handful of games since then, a few good, but the last few, poor. His leg gave out, not his arm, so all the talk about how the contract was too long (and you know that is coming) is stupid. Most Met fans hoped that they would get 3 years at the most out of him. Guess what, there are still 2 years left on the deal. As one guy on Metsgeek put it last night, while it hurts for the postseason, this will allow Pedro to rest and begin his normal offseason routine on time. Remember, he entered this season without having done so, due to the toe injury.

El Duque has done well for this team. Glavine has pitched well since his clot scare. Trax has the ability to pitch a good game, as he did in the clincher. John Maine has heat, and he has shown good potential. The bullpen has gotten the job done all year. The loss of Pedro does not impact any of this. Does it hurt, sure, but he has no impact on the lineup. If those guys start hitting again (and there were signs last night of awakening), they can put enough runs on the board to cover for a poor start by a pitcher.

This is still the same team that ran roughshod over the teams that they could potentially face in the first round, doing so without Pedro. This is the same team that has a great pitching coach in The Jacket. Willie is still the manager. The young guys, Reyes and Wright, are hungry. They want to do well. Beltran shone the last time he was in the playoffs. You think Delgado is not loving the fact he will be in the playoffs for the first time? Same for PLD. As for the pitchers, you think they are not going to have a chip on their shoulders with everyone writing the Mets off without Pedro? I'm sure it's pissing off Glavine a bit. Duque as well. Trax knows he is pitching for a contract, and Maine for a slot next season. This team was built as a unit, it is not Pedro only.

Call me optimistic. Say I am wearing rose colored glasses. That's fine. I am a Met fan. This team has been through worse. Look at 86. Who was the best starter in the playoffs? It wasn't Doc, the ace of the staff. It was Bobby Ojeda, the #3 guy. One or more of the other starters is going to step up, I know this. The MVP was Ray Knight, not exactly the star on the team that year. Sometimes it is an unlikely guy that take the reigns and leads the charge.

So jump off the bandwagon if you must. Fine by me, leaves more room for those who Believe.

"And it ain't over now. 'Cause when the goin' gets tough... the tough get goin'! Who's with me? Let's go!" - Bluto