Setting the Tone

By Taryn "The Coop" Cooper
Posted Tuesday, July 3, 2007

If the Flushing University constituents know “The Coop” at all, they know this about her (besides of course, her wild obsession with Oliver Perez)…she thinks the Mets are wimpy.

In any case, I think one thing was agreed upon prior to the start of the first game of Friday’s doubleheader versus the Phillies: this series had the ability to set the tone for the NL East race.

And although the Mets did not get the sweep The Coop had predicted (and so wanted), well, three out of four isn’t bad. Not bad at all. In fact, after the loss on Sunday, Phillies were in third place, five games back, and Atlanta was four games back. And after a particularly unceremonious June (The “Swoon” if you will), the Mets are unbelievably still in first place.

Can I get a “Yee ha” please?

The reason I ask for that is simple. I’m sure most of us out there would agree that this was a make-or-break series for the Mets. First thing, you know we’d all hear Jimmy Rollins and his merry pranksters talking smack about being the team to beat. Next, we would hear all over New York media about – what is happening to the Mets? Lastly, we would hear about marital discord within the Mets clubhouse, targeting Paul LoDuca as a “racist,” the Latin players forming a clique, and David Wright wearing pink shirts. Because, you know, it’s all relevant to baseball. Whatever.

If the constituents of Flushing University know The Coop at all, they know this – The Coop desperately wanted the Mets to “toughen up” and lose the wimp image. If someone is hurt, tape his knee up. If the team hasn’t faced a pitcher before (which was the case for about two of the four pitchers the Phils threw at them this weekend), take some extra batting practice.

And perhaps as Mike McGann suggested on Sunday, claim Citizens Bank Park as a home away from home. And take no prisoners.

Let’s be honest with ourselves as the Mets fan base. June was ugly. It was pitiful and at times, a disgrace. Losing a series to the Arizona Diamondbacks was one thing, a sweep by the rival Phils and losing series after series after series was stomach churning. By taking three out of four games in Philly this weekend, the Mets have turned a corner, a very important corner as the legion of baseball enters pre-All Star Break.

The Phils may have won the final battle of the series prior to meeting again in September.

I think we all know, as well as the Phils, their fan base, and I am certain even the Braves…that the Mets won that war. Bring on September. Take no prisoners.