Last year, at least they made it to the playoffs. This year they started hot, which prompted a long reminiscence of my history as a Mets fan. Summer produced a long period of mediocrity, but at the end of August, thanks to a series sweep of the division leading Phillies, I expressed some qualified optmism. Unfortunately, the Mets record from then until yesterday's season end was 11-18, including being swept in four games by the Phils. They still had a shot at the playoffs going into yesterday's game, which they lost to the Marlins 0-4. As a result, the Mets and Marlins ended the season with mirror image records, 83-79 and 79-83, respectively. I take some consolation in the Mets having finished second in their division, if only because of the woefulness of the Marlins, Braves, and Nationals.
.jfif)
