Remembering Mets History (2015) Mets Clinch 2015 NL Eastern Title
Early in the season they had brought up Noah Syndergaard & later in the year Steven Matz. It was like the Mets were pulling rabbits out of a hat!
Then came July, the Mets brought up Michael Conforto who was tearing up the minor leagues, he solidified the left field position almost immediately.
At the trade deadline they brought in veterans Kelly Johnson & Juan Uribe. They helped solve the infield troubles & gave the bench more depth.
They also added Tyler Clippard & Addison Reed to the bullpen who solidified late inning relief leading to Jeurys Familia.
Then there was the best trade they never made, not sending off Wilmer Flores for Carlos Gomez. Wilmer showed everyone how much he wanted to be a part of what was happening with the Mets.
Then GM Sandy Alderson landed the big bat adding one the game's best all-around players in Yoenis Cespedes. Cespedes went on to have one of the best August any Mets player ever had.
Then there was the best trade they never made, not sending off Wilmer Flores for Carlos Gomez. Wilmer showed everyone how much he wanted to be a part of what was happening with the Mets.
Then GM Sandy Alderson landed the big bat adding one the game's best all-around players in Yoenis Cespedes. Cespedes went on to have one of the best August any Mets player ever had. The Mets then put it all together, they were confident, they played as a team with everyone contributing.
From August 1st on, the Mets won 33 of 50 games, sweeping their NL East rival Washington Nationals twice in two big series.
September 26th, 2015: Terry Collins first place New York Mets (87-67) had the Champagne ready in the visiting clubhouse of the Great American Ballpark, as the Mets took on the Reds needing just one more win to clinch the NL East title.
Matt Harvey (12-7) took the mound for the Mets, with 176 innings for the season under his belt, just shy of the controversial 180 inning limit upon him.
The Mets offense made it easy right off the bat.
It was his third HR in less than 24 HRs. For Duda it was his 25th HR of the year & his 70th RBI which both led the team. Yoenis Cespedes arrived on August 1st as most of his stats had come while still in the AL.
On the mound for New York, Matt Harvey exceeded the short inning expectations expected of him. He would go 6.2 innings allowing two runs on nine hits, as struck out six & walked no one. Harvey easily earned his 13th win of the season on a day he later called "the best day of his career".
In the top of the 9th, Kelly Johnson & Curtis Granderson both singled. Captain David Wright topped off the afternoon with a three run HR
Captain David Wright Trivia: Wright had missed four months of the season with his back
problems. On August 24th he returned hitting a HR. He hit two more leading up to this game, he now had two HRs with seven RBIs in his last six games. He had hit safely in all six games with eight hits.
In the bottom of the 9th after retiring the first two batters, Joey Votto & Brandon Phillips singled prolonging the celebration. Then Familia struck out Jay Bruce to end the game sealing the 10-2 Mets win & clinching the NL Eastern title.
The Mets celebrated in the clubhouse & later poured onto the field then acknowledged the Mets fans in the stands in Cincinnati. It was quite a day, with a Happy recap!!
As for the Mets manager, he's headed to the post season for the first time in his long career.
Quotes- Mets Manager Terry Collins: "It's worth all the time, all the effort, all the things you do — this is the culmination of it all. We're going to have a little fun tonight and relax tomorrow. Right now, we have to go get home field advantage, that's next. Certainly, when we went out and got Juan and Kelly, the attitude in here changed. All of a sudden guys said: 'You know what? The organization went out and did something because they think we're going to win this.' And I think it changed the entire outlook in the clubhouse."
From August 1st on, the Mets won 33 of 50 games, sweeping their NL East rival Washington Nationals twice in two big series.
September 26th, 2015: Terry Collins first place New York Mets (87-67) had the Champagne ready in the visiting clubhouse of the Great American Ballpark, as the Mets took on the Reds needing just one more win to clinch the NL East title.Matt Harvey (12-7) took the mound for the Mets, with 176 innings for the season under his belt, just shy of the controversial 180 inning limit upon him.
It was Harvey's first start since tossing five shutout innings against the AL New York team last week. An unhappy Manager had to remove him due to the decision & controversy surrounding that innings limit.
The Mets offense made it easy right off the bat. In the top of the 1st, David Wright drew a one out walk. With two outs Daniel Murphys singled to right field & Travis d'Arnaud walked to load the bases for the Mets hottest hitter: Lucas Duda.
Grand Slam: Duda hit his first career grand slam HR, going down the right field line clearing the fence & the foul pole giving the Mets the early 4-0 lead.
Grand Slam: Duda hit his first career grand slam HR, going down the right field line clearing the fence & the foul pole giving the Mets the early 4-0 lead.
It was his third HR in less than 24 HRs. For Duda it was his 25th HR of the year & his 70th RBI which both led the team. Yoenis Cespedes arrived on August 1st as most of his stats had come while still in the AL.
In the top of the 2nd, Curtis Granderson who put together a fine season in the leadoff spot, adding a solo HR matching Duda with 25 on the season.
In the top of the 3rd, Yoenis Cespedes singled but was forced on Daniel Muphy's hit to second. Lucas Duda then drew a walk. Michael Cuddyer followed with a two-run double scoring Murph & Duda to make it a 7-0 Mets lead.
In the top of the 9th, Kelly Johnson & Curtis Granderson both singled. Captain David Wright topped off the afternoon with a three run HR
problems. On August 24th he returned hitting a HR. He hit two more leading up to this game, he now had two HRs with seven RBIs in his last six games. He had hit safely in all six games with eight hits.
After Matt Harvey had exited, Addison Reed closed out the 7th inning. In the 8th, Tyler Clippard put two men on but exited the inning without allowing a run leading the way for Jeurys Familia.
In the bottom of the 9th after retiring the first two batters, Joey Votto & Brandon Phillips singled prolonging the celebration. Then Familia struck out Jay Bruce to end the game sealing the 10-2 Mets win & clinching the NL Eastern title.Mets Trivia: It was the Mets first divisional title in nine years (2006). In franchise history they had won six divisional title & were heading to their eighth post season.
The Mets celebrated in the clubhouse & later poured onto the field then acknowledged the Mets fans in the stands in Cincinnati. It was quite a day, with a Happy recap!!
Quotes- David Wright: "I can't be more excited or prouder to wear the orange and blue, I bleed orange and blue. To be able to celebrate with these fans, this city, this team, is a privilege. You just can't help but smile. For the last few months, I've tried to enjoy this as much as possible, soak this in. This is a surreal feeling."
As for the Mets manager, he's headed to the post season for the first time in his long career.Quotes- Mets Manager Terry Collins: "It's worth all the time, all the effort, all the things you do — this is the culmination of it all. We're going to have a little fun tonight and relax tomorrow. Right now, we have to go get home field advantage, that's next. Certainly, when we went out and got Juan and Kelly, the attitude in here changed. All of a sudden guys said: 'You know what? The organization went out and did something because they think we're going to win this.' And I think it changed the entire outlook in the clubhouse."
Quotes- GM Sandy Alderson: "It's gratifying to see it come together. You never quite know when it's going to happen. But you have to have faith in your approach and what you're trying to do, and confidence that it will eventually work out. And all you can do is sort of enhance the probabilities."
Quotes- Matt Harvey: "For all the stuff that people have said, the last thing I ever want to do is put the ball down. We're on our way to October. I'm going to be out there and I'm going to be fighting every time I get the ball."
The Nationals Bryce Harper added a classy comment to his rivals.
Quotes- Bryce Harper: "They did a great job this year and they're doing it. Coming from the East, I hope they win it all."
This win was special for many Mets Faithful: First us the lifelong fans, who waited nine years for an NL Eastern title. For Daniel Murphy, Jonathon Neise & David Wright who had been thru many losing seasons. Also for the broadcasters Gary Cohen Howie Rose, Keith Hernandez & Ron Darling.
