John Stearns

I was reading this post over at Amazin’ Avenue about the worst Opening Day lineups in Mets history (a story prompted by the lineup we may see on April 1st this year).  They arranged it by decade.  When I got to their nominee for worst lineup of the 70s, I stopped – and a flood of memories came back.

1979 was the year I first year I started following the Mets in earnest.  I had watched them on and off in ’77 and ’78, but at the time, my life was about Star Wars and surviving first grade.  For whatever reason, the ’79 team caught my attention, maybe because I was playing little league

The Mets have won two stunners in a row against the rival (still, I guess) Phillies.  First, a Jordany Valdespin homer off of Jonathan Papelbon helped them overcome a good start by Roy Halladay.  Then, a series of 2-out singles and some Phillies Phielding Phollies helped the Mets beat the red hot Joe Blanton 7-4.  What will they do for an encore in the final game of the series?  Maybe a two-out rally in the 9th?  Or maybe get a lead and hold it throughout the game – that would be novel.

Here’s some late-inning magic from the Blogs:

• Metstradamus says the Phillies’ ugliness outweighed the Mets’ ugliness.
• NJ.com says Howard Johnson tweeted some heavy advice for Ike Davis.
• Andrew Fiorentino reports that Wilmer Flores may finally be breaking out in the minors.
• MMO wonders if Jenrry Mejia is nearing a spot in the Mets rotation, as he begins his rehab assignment season in St. Lucie.
• Real Dirty Mets infamously tells us what the Mets and Aretha Franklin may have in common.
• Daily Stache looks at the ball that bounced off of Mookie’s bat, between Buckner’s legs, and into an auction in Dallas.

Follow the bouncing ball to Mets Today for more news, analysis, opinion, and yes…links.