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Jerry Blevins made his New York Mets radio debut over the weekend in what I imagine is the beginning stages of a long broadcasting career. Despite being a lefty specialist middle reliever in his career, Blevins showed something a lot of athletes don’t: a personality that’s easy to love. He is the antithesis of Alex Rodriguez in so many regards.
Blevins remains a Mets fan favorite even into retirement. One of the most active players on Twitter, he offered some personal perspective on what it’s like to watch the team across the field clinch a postseason berth:
My first call-up, I got a chance to watch the '07 Indians clinch on their home field. I watched the whole celebration getting a peak at what success on this level looks & feels like. I chased it the rest of my playing career. I hope the young guys watch it and reflect on it.
— Jerry Blevins (@jerryblevins) September 27, 2021
This was in reference to the Mets watching the Milwaukee Brewers celebrate their Sunday win that clinched the National League Central in their favor. Meanwhile, the Mets roster is making vacation plans for October.
The Mets could still have more grief on the field before the year is through
It’s possible this isn’t the end of the celebrating the Mets have to suffer through. Their final series of the year is against the Atlanta Braves—the team atop their division hoping they can fend off the Philadelphia Phillies prior to facing New York.
This is the time of the year where a team can be eliminated one day and then be involved in consecutive clinchers the next two. It’s nearly the predicament the Mets are in.
On Saturday, with a Phillies win before the Mets even started their game versus the Brewers, the Amazins were eliminated. There was no more “we got this” or “anything can happens.” Mathematically, they have zero shot at the postseason.
Just a day later, the Brewers celebrated their playoff berth with a win against the Mets. Depending on how the Atlanta vs. Philadelphia series goes, we may have one more heartache in front of us.
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It’s certainly humbling to be a part of. Blevins has clearly not forgotten what it was like. And among all of the takeaways for the team to leave the 2021 season with, the desire to be on the other side of the field with champagne bottles waiting in the locker room should be at the top of the list.