All Things Bubba

At the end of the regular season, another Subway Series seemed nigh inevitable. But the Yankees washed out in the first round, losing 1-3 to the Tigers. The Mets put up more of a fight, but in the end met a similar fate, losing to the Cardinals in a Game 7 thriller. It's going to be Detroit vs. St. Louis in the 2006 World Series. Jeff Weaver may be the Game 1 starter for the Cards.

It was a pitchers' duel last night, with the game knotted at one for six and a half innings. It looked like the Cards might pull ahead in the 6th, when Rolen hit what looked like a home run to LF. But Endy Chavez made a leaping grab at the wall, and pulled it back in. (Barely - it was a snowcone that almost fell out.) He then threw it back in and doubled off Edmonds, who had been on first. A very Bubba-esque play.

Like Bubba, Chavez has worked hard to modify his swing and keep the ball on the ground rather than trying to hit for home runs. He only got one hit last night, but that's more than most of his teammates can say.

The game winner turned out to be another unlikely hero: Yadier Molina. His two-run homer in the top of the 9th put the Cards on top for good. The Mets threatened in the bottom of the 9th, but Carlos Beltran struck out with bases loaded to end the game...and the Mets' season.

It's been fun watching all the little guys step up. Taguchi's homer. Jeff Weaver turning into Cy Young. Chavez and Molina.

Better luck next year, Mets.