Gutless Cowards and Fun Killers

The last couple seasons the Mets-Phillies rivalry has been heating up. I do not know that prior to 2007 that there actually was a Mets-Phillies rivalry. Before 2007, the Mets were the class of the National League, while the Phillies were sort of perennial also rans. After the Phillies brought up Ryan Howard to replace the injured Jim Thome in 2005, there was a bit of a shift. That offseason they traded Thome for Aaron Rowand. Then mid-year they got rid of Boobby Abreu, and suddenly, they made a run at the post-season. Ryan Howard won the MVP, and the Phils were second to the Mets. Tyhat off-season, Jimmy Rollins made the statement that the Phillies were the team to beat in NL East. He said this after the Phillies acquired Freddy Garcia for prospects, under the theory that the Phillies had acquired an ace.

Rollins' statement caused some mirth in the league, when the Phillies opened the year up as the team to beat -- they proved it by getting beaten by everyone. Garcia was horrible. Brett Myers the opening day starter was moved to the bullpen. Jon Lieber got hurt. Adam Eaton was horrid. So, by the mid-season, three of their opening day starters were gone. Then something strange happened. They started beating Mets in head-to-head matchup regular as clockwork. The Mets collapsed, but the Phillies also beat them.

Rollins went on to win the MVP himself that year, partially for backing up his pre-season prediction. Garcia was a washout, but the Phils did have an ace, in Cole Hamels, and Ryan Howard and Chase Utley both had monster years.They brought up Kyle Kendrick and traded for Kyle Lohse to help the rotation. Eaton still pitched, but you have o put someone out there. Brett Myers turned out to be a wonderful relief ace. The Phils made the post-season, but lost three straight to the Rockies.

That off-season, the Mets' made some predictions, and the Phillies responded. The Mets actually beat the Phillies in head-to-head competition, but then the Phillies led for most of the way. The Mets started losing again, and the Phillies won the division and then the World Series.

Then a couple weeks ago, a New York radio station asked Cole hamels if the Phillies think the Mets are choke artists. Hamels said "Yes." After the Mets signed a couple terrific bullpen artists, K-Rod, their new closer, aid that the Mets were the team to beat. The Mets-Phillies rivalry was starting to get really interesting.

And then this.

All I have to say is that New York Mets General manager Omar Minaya is a major buzzkill.