The Flail Mets have just secured a playoff spot, reminiscent of some historical moments in franchise history as the season approaches its end.
Now, let’s not get confused with the 2007 disaster when the Mets had a hefty lead over the Phillies, only to collapse spectacularly. That’s not the case this time.
It seems they’re more in line with the 1999 team. Back then, under Bobby Valentine’s leadership, the Mets scraped into the playoffs after a shaky finish, where they only won one of their games against the Reds in a play-in situation.
Interestingly, last year’s squad bears some resemblance to that ’99 team. Led by rookie manager Carlos Mendoza, they went on an impressive 40-15 run after starting the season with a less-than-ideal 27-28 record.
“Yeah, I texted Carlos a month back, joking about predicting a 40 and 15 run or something,” Valentine said with a chuckle before the series opener against the Rangers. “When things go poorly, it’s often because distractions come into play—as we’ve seen.”
Bobby went on to highlight that, in a city like New York, the pursuit of winning can sometimes become the biggest distraction.
Since July 28, Mendoza’s squad has struggled, maintaining a 14-27 record but still holds a narrow 1½ game lead for the final wild card spot after a tough series against the Phillies this week.
Edgardo Alfonzo participated in a pre-game press conference alongside former teammate Rayordnez, coinciding with the Alumni Classic Festival at Citifield.
“You’ve really got to fight through it,” Alfonzo stated, reflecting on how tough times can be, reminiscent of their struggles in 1999 and 2000. “When everything feels off, it’s disheartening. But maintaining a positive outlook is crucial. I talked to Carlos, and in these moments of difficulty, it’s best to stay hopeful.”
Valentine noted that he appreciated what he had heard from Mendoza regarding trust—the theme that keeps coming up during their discussions. “Carlos has mentioned the importance of trust multiple times, and that’s vital to moving forward,” he mentioned.
In the end, it’s all about belief and sticking to the right path, even when things get tough.
