42 – Magnificent night

The Nationals are struggling lately, but who cares? The Mets won on a "magnificent all-around night", as Howie put it. Pelfrey was fantastic; Reyes seemed like those couple of days off were just what the doctor ordered; David Wright was spraying hits around and plating runners as he does every night as Met fans dream of October glory; and Duaner Sanchez had a strong 9th inning in his return after nearly 2 years out injured. All of this on Jackie Robinson night. "Magnificent" is the right word.

During the 9th Howie recounted the events of July 31, 2006. Howie described how odd the day was as they learned about the trade that sent Xavier Nady to Pittsburgh for Roberto Hernandez & Oliver Perez and shortly thereafter the injury to Sanchez. Howie said that the Mets "have not been quite the same since. Nady was a very popular player here".

I have to say that I agree that the Mets have not been the same since, but I wasn't sure if it was the loss of Nady or Sanchez or just Omar's panic reaction that have done the most damage. (Yes, I know the trade doesn't seem so bad considering how Perez has pitched, but come on the Mets could have had him for a lot less than Nady.)

Governor Paterson was in the booth during the top of the 2nd. He's a "devoted WFAN listener". He mentioned that in 1987 he had won a gift on a Mets Extra call-in contest on a question about Randy Jones. (Howie was keen to know if he ever received his prize. He had.)

The Governor was on hand for the Jackie Robinson ceremonies. The way he talked to Howie it was clear that he knows Howie. But, of course the fact that Governor is blind means that if he wants to follow a Met game he'd listen to it on the radio.

Rachel Robinson (Mrs. Jackie) was Howie's guest in the bottom of the 2nd. She's always interesting, but because the Mets went meekly in the second her visit was short and she didn't have any reason to blurt out any excited cheers for the Mets as I've heard her do in the past.

All the players were wearing Jackie Robinson's 42, which led to some flashbacks for Howie. Looking at Brian Schneider he was reminded of Ron Hodges. Mike Pelfrey reminded him of Ron Taylor ("Dr. Ron Taylor now".). However, Carlos Delgado does not come close to filling out the uniform "Mo Vaughan style".