As a Mets fan, yesterday was … hmm … bittersweet? Sweet in that Jose Reyes won the batting title, and, though not “sweet”, it was somewhat relieving that this morbid season is over and we as fans can think about a fresh start in 2012. Bitter, of course, because there is no more baseball until next spring. Bitter, also, because the team’s final record and fourth-place finish are not exactly anything to cheer about (except for the folks who expected the Mets to finish in last place and 20 games under .500).

As a baseball fan, last night was tremendous, wasn’t it? It might have been one of the most exciting nights in baseball history — I know I was on the edge of my seat.

After the dust settled, the Red Sox and Braves were knocked out, while the Rays and Cardinals jumped in to the postseason. A great story, considering that both Tampa Bay and St. Louis came back from considerable length to put themselves into this position. And of course, the fact the Rays were down 7-0 entering the 8th inning and came all the way back to beat the mighty Yankees was dramatic.

As much as I despise the Adulterated League, I’m pleased to see the Rays in the postseason, but I’m mixed about the way the NL turned out. It was really a no-win situation for a Mets fan; I couldn’t be happy for either the Braves or the Cardinals for obvious reasons. But forced with making a choice last night — between rooting for the Braves or the Cardinals — for me, I was hoping for the Braves to win. Why? I hate the Braves less — probably because I have no love for either Tony LaRussa nor Albert Pujols (though, plenty of respect). And for me the St. Louis hatred goes back to the 1980s.

Also, if the Mets aren’t going into the postseason, then I at least want a team from the NL East winning the World Championship. Maybe that’s strange, but the way I see it, if an NL East team wins the World Series, then at least there’s some validation that the Mets played in the best division in baseball. That may not make any sense to you, but it works in my warped sense of reality. So if both the Braves and Phillies were in the playoffs, I figure there are two shots at an NL East team being crowned World Champs.

In the end, that means, if I’m pulling for a team this fall, it’s the Phillies — as hard as that might be for you to stomach.

What about you? Are you going to be “rooting” for anyone this fall? If so, who, and why? Answer in the comments, and feel free to post your vote in the poll.

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