Defeat the Empire

Everbody knows most of the '86 story. They know the 16-inning game six in Houston, the two-out rally in game six of the world series, and Jesse Orosco throwing his glove up in the air in celebration at the conclusion of the World Series. But to really understand the Mets' dominant and magical run in 1986, you have to go back to April and a series at the St. Louis Cardinals.

In 1985, the Cardinals won the NL East, edging the Mets by 3 games. This included a come-from behind win on October 3rd of that year, in a game that would have vaulted the Mets into a first place tie had they won. But they didn't, and lost an oppurtunity to go to the World Series.

The next year, the Mets started off hot. Sitting at 7-3 and riding a five game winning streak, the Mets rolled into St. Louis to play the Cardinals in a showdown of NL East heavyweights. Down 4-2 in the ninth and facing dominant young closer Todd Worrell, George Foster led off for the Mets with a double before Ray Knight grounded out. Then, with one out, Howard Johnson (pictured) cranked a long home run to right field to tie it. The Mets would go on to win the Thursday night game in ten innings and sweep the four-game series. That put the Mets 4.5 up on the Cards and effectively ended the Cardinal season. It was the ultimate April "statement series."

How does this tie into the 2006 Mets? The Mets face the Braves this Monday-Wednesday, and go in 5 up in the loss column. This is a huge series for the Mets, as we try to end 14 years of Braves rule atop the NL East. The pitching matchup for Monday decisively favors the Mets, as it's Pedro v. Jorge Sosa (0-2, 11.37).

20 years is long enough.