Not snake-bit, but flea-bitten

It's easier when you accept it. If you keep fighting it, keep hoping it's not true, keep thinking that your eyes (and/or ears) are wrong, keep dismissing everything logic tells you the angrier and sorrier you're going to be. Because eventually the truth will sink in and you'll be left pondering how you didn't see it.

Who do you blame for last night's loss? John Maine? Could be. Claudio Vargas? Maybe. Duaner Sanchez, Joe Smith? Either would be worthy choices The offense? Well, after the first few innings you could make the case. I don't blame any of them. The team is simply not that good and teams that aren't that good lose games the way the Mets lost last night.

They build a sizable lead and then hand it back. Eventually all you're left with is a highlight of Wagner and Schoenweiss helping the grounds crew with the tarp.

*****
Even Howie seems to have resigned himself to the fate of this year's Mets. His voice is lacking any real passion now and he can see 3½ months of tedious baseball ahead of him. Wayne is probably still happy just to be working and not as concerned that the games before him will be devoid of real excitement.