US – Tuesday, October 6

Close the book and burn it

Mets' miserable 2009 comes to a close with 4-0 win over Astros

In every possible way, the final day of the 2009 Mets’ season was the antithesis of its 2007 and 2008 predecessors.

Unlike the dreary pall that enveloped Flushing on those days, Sunday’s season finale was graced with an awe-inspiring Indian Summer Day.

Where there was drama, tension and angst at Shea Stadium, there was a congenial atmosphere at Citi Field.

Most importantly, where the Mets had win-and-they’re-in scenarios the last two seasons, they played for professional pride yesterday.

The Mets’ 4-0 win over the Astros was one final game in a nadir of a season that had unofficially ended in mid-July. The announced crowd saved its loudest cheers for highlights of Giants’ touchdowns shown on the JumboTron.

Starter Nelson Figueroa threw a complete game four-hit shutout to finish 2009 with a 3-8 record. The Brooklyn native struck out seven and lowered his ERA to 4.09. Wilton Lopez (0-2) was cuffed around Flushing for four runs—three earned—on six hits in five innings.

Luis Castillo, David Wright and Josh Thole each drove in a run—the other Mets’ run was unearned. Angel Pagan scored twice, while Carlos Beltran and Jeremy Reed each scored once.

After the game, Jerry Manuel and the players recognized that the necessarily long and perhaps bloody job of reconstructing the Mets will begin today.

“We have to be very productive this offseason and decide the direction of where we’re headed. There are some things that I probably have to make sure are addressed in spring training in going forward, and get ready to win a championship. I really believe we can do that,” said a subdued Manuel after the game.

“There are some things that have to be done,” added Carlos Beltran. “I think we need a little bit more pitching; starting lineup, maybe another bat. But I believe the organization and Omar will do whatever it takes.”

While no one from the organization has come forth to say publicly that personnel changes will be made, it has been speculated that Manuel may have new faces on his coaching staff in 2010. It is believed that third base coach Razor Shines may be among the casualties. During the season, the base paths were among the in-game maladies for the Mets. Shines was oft-criticized for sending runners at the wrong time and the Mets led the league in having runners thrown out at home.

While not going into specifics, Manuel said that the organization would “address (the coaching situation today) and have some kind of announcement.”

Manuel suggested that he would “tweak” aspects of his managerial style and how the Mets play. In particular, he talked about the Mets’ situational hitting as an area that would be modified.

“That would be a part of the tweaking process. In going forward is really address situation hitting to a degree that (a hitter) has full understanding of what he has to do in those situations,” the manager said.

Among the organization’s most important players, Beltran summed up the disappointing campaign and vowed that there will not be a repeat performance in 2010.

“Honestly, it was a tough year for us as a team, as an organization. Hopefully next year, (there will) be a lot of good things for us,” the centerfielder said. “What can I say? Tough year for us. Coming out of spring training, we were thinking that we were able to accomplish our goals: win our division, go to the playoffs and maybe win the (World Series). It didn’t happen. Next year will be a different year.”

Denis Gorman

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US – Tuesday, October 6

It was a long year for Carlos Beltran and the Mets.

Photo: GETTY IMAGES

Worst may not be over

Mets’ 2009 train wreck could carry into next season

Blame the injuries. Blame the shirtless tirades from management. Blame the curse of a new ballpark.

Blame whoever or whatever you like. David Wright, though, simply blames the performance.

“It’s different. We put ourselves in this position. We played poorly, we had our injuries and this is what happens when those things come together. Obviously it’s not fun being in this position, but it’s the position we put ourselves in,” Wright said shortly before the Mets’ season wrapped up with a 70-92 record on Sunday. “There are not too many positives you can take away from this. You just have this feeling and don’t want to feel it again.”

Wright may not see the positives, but manager Jerry Manuel is at least trying to see the light. While Mets players spent more than 1,480 days on the disabled list — more than any other major league team — according to STATS LLC., Manuel got a taste of the team’s young talent.

“They can be pieces, but they can’t [be in the everyday lineup] at the same time,” Manuel said.

“They have to come up, fill their little role here and there, just keep the game in play.”

With marginal talent in the young crop, that will leave the same core of players to carry this team in 2010. That could leave a 37-year-old Carlos Delgado, an aging Carlos Beltran and an overhyped Jose Reyes to carry the load in 2010. That group hasn’t produced a World Series appearance yet, so going back to it could mean more doom and gloom for the Mets next year.

Gary Sheffield hinted last month that the team could use some new chemistry — it just depends who is out there.

“It’s a matter if a guy wants to be here or not,” Sheffield said.

If they talk to ex-Met Ryan Church or watched the miseries from management in ’09, the overwhelming decision for free agents may be to stay far, far away.