I am mad at myself for feeling this but last night when Yadier Molina hit that two-run homer in the top of the ninth against the Mets I felt a little wave of relief wash over me. I said "That's gone." and suddenly I felt calm and free and not tense and tied up in knots like I had the past two weeks. It was like when a terminal loved one passes away and your world kind of relaxes somewhat, kind of unfolds. You have that guilt that comes in, that little shame that you feel when you can breathe again. You didn't love them any less, you'd give your heart for them but now you're out of the tunnel and breathing again. That's how much the Mets were affecting me. They were in my dreams and on my mind constantly. The games were almost unwatchable. In the bottom of the ninth they, of course, did not go quietly into the night. They gasped and kicked and grabbed at your collar but then they finally went, finally closed their eyes and were done. I don't mean to imply that I thought the Mets were doomed to fail, no, on the contrary, I thought they could do it. Even with the pitching staff held togother with bubblegum, I thought that they might do it. Or did I? With the sense of dread I had, I'm not so sure. But now after a night and morning of rain here in the New York area the sky has turned sunny as I write this..and I have my life back. And next season, when pitchers and catchers report to Florida I'll do it all over again. Maybe this time that patient won't be terminal..maybe they'll pull through and live forever. I guess that's why I keep watching...

Been really, REALLY busy lately-nothing good- so I haven't had time to write. Plus I am really superstitious about the Mets so I haven't written about that. But that's silly. The fact is that they have to win two at Shea tonight and Thursday to advance to the World Series. Not impossible but very, very tough. Their rotation has been a shambles since Pedro and El Duque went down. If those two guys were healthy I would say we were going to the Series with a great chance to win. Now? Very tough. But they can do it. I hope so, I really do. I love the Mets and even with a successful year like this one, you always want more. You want the title. The Mets being World Champs would just about make me lose my mind. I went crazy back in '86. I'd love to have that feeling again. Maybe if John Maine can overcome jitters and win tonight the Mets can put it together in game 7. It'll be quite an effort but maybe. I can't be superstitious anymore, I've gotta voice my support for them. Hopefully tonight they can start the comeback. Let's get to the World Series!

Time for a prediction. It's been awhile since I made one (and even longer that I've been right) but what the hell. I say that, unless he goes insane and single-handedly wins the World Series, the Yankees will trade A-Rod when this season is over. I think he's had it in this town. That Sports Illustrated article was the last straw. And I know that people will be like "They can't trade him, who's gonna take that $25 contract?" You know what? The Yankees are only paying 7 or 8 million of that, the Texas Rangers are stuck with the rest. So, for some teams, that's a steal. I know I would definitely be putting him out there if I was Steinbrenner. You know he is.If the Yanks flame out before the World Series, look for A-Rod to be gone by December....