Mets Prepare To Choke Again In 2009

  As the offseason winds down, there are only 32 days until Mets pitchers and catchers report to Port St. Lucie, FL , and begin choking.   In 2007, the Mets overcame their seemingly insurmountable seven-game division lead with seventeen to play and made choking history. Last season, they were able to put a strong July and August behind them to go 8-12 over the final three weeks, repeating their 2007 choke and passing Philadelphia in the loss column once again. Now, with manager Jerry Manuel in place for his first full season at the helm, he believes that the team has made the necessary adjustments to continue choking in an increasingly competitive National League.   “To bring in a closer the caliber of Francisco Rodriguez, he will blend In nicely with our club dynamic.   Throw in the alarming drop in his velocity and I have every confidence that he can perform the same way for us that Billy Wagner has over the past couple seasons."  ... (link)