Mets Beat Marlins 4-0 to Clinch First NL East Title in 18 Years

[Scurrilous]

<snip>

"The New York Mets clinched their first National League East Division title in 18 years with a 4-0 win over the Florida Marlins at Shea Stadium.

Steve Trachsel and three relievers combined on a five- hitter and Jose Valentin hit two home runs for the Mets, who lost their previous three games on the road with an opportunity to clinch the division.

The Mets, with an insurmountable 14-game lead over the Philadelphia Phillies, are the first Major League Baseball team to secure a playoff berth this season.

New York ended the Atlanta Braves' record run of 11 straight NL East titles in winning the division for the first time since 1988."

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601079&sid=aS9kv6yl1ebo&refer=home

[inthebrain]

1. HOW SAWEET IT IS!!!!!!

This is the biggest night this team has had since the 86 World Series win. The 2000 World Series appearance doesnt even come close!!!!!

I was fourteen that last time this team won the division (I'm 32 now.). Had it not been for the Wild Card, this would've been a 20 year drought. There's something much more official about this one. Not only did they take out the Braves to win it, they man-handled them!!!!!

I keep thinking back to what the world was like when they last won the division. It's been a long and painfull 18 years that culminated this. Coming into this season we were thinking we would be lucky to find 10 games over five hundred. Talk about an unexpected success!!!!!

[Captain Hilts]

2. The Pirates kept them out of the '85 playoffs. Congratulations boys! nt

[Reverend_Smitty]

3. I watched the entire celebration on TV

I am too young to really remember 86 and this somehow feels more special than 99 and 00

[Captain Hilts]

4. They were the wild card in '00. Atlanta won the division. nt

[MaineDem]

5. Now go all the way.

I love NY; it's the Yankees I hate. :evilgrin: That was a bumpersticker when the "I =heart= NY" campaign was going big.

Good luck to the Mets! My favorite NL team. I hope Pedro is healthy.

[Captain Hilts]

6. It'll be tough. The Mets got roughed up by the AL in inter-league play.

[inthebrain]

7. I think they hit a cold streak

They were just coming off a hot streak. Milledge's play at the wall in Fenway had a lot to do with it as well.

[MaineDem]

9. Look at how good the Red Sox were in interleague

And they'll watch the playoffs from the golf courses in FL.

As long as SOMEONE beats the Yankees! :D I hope it's the Mets, if some AL team doesn't do it first.

[Ekirh]

8. My hats off to the Mets

and all you Mets fans . . . congrats.

[Jack Rabbit]

10. Congratulations to the Mets

They've had a fine season. They earned it.

[Hobarticus]

11. Way to go, Mets!

Congrats on a fine season!

[bigwillq]

12. Good for the Mets!

As a Yankees fan, I hope it's another Subway series! :bounce: