I Pity The New York Mets

I never thought I would say it but I feel sorry for the 2009 New York Mets.

After disappointing finishes to the 2007 and 2008 seasons, it was thought the Mets would take the NL East in 2009.

As of this writing, the Mets are 57-68 and 16½ games behind the Philadelphia Phillies. The only team looking up at the Mets this year is the Washington Nationals.

The principle reason the Mets are languishing is because they are missing their best players.

First baseman Carlos Delgado had surgery on his hip in May and hasn't been heard from since.

Shortstop Jose Reyes injured his right calf in late May and re-injured it while on a rehab assignment.

Centerfielder Carlos Beltran has been on the DL since June with a bone bruise on his right knee.

Earlier this month, third baseman David Wright sustained a concussion after being hit by a pitch on the helmet by San Francisco Giants pitcher Matt Cain. Believe me it isn't pretty. A lot of players are never the same after getting hit on the head with a pitch. Just ask Dickie Thon or Ellis Valentine.

And if that wasn't enough, the Mets announced today that ace starting pitcher Johan Santana will miss the rest of the 2009 season as he will be undergoing surgery to remove bone chips in his elbow.

I haven't even mentioned the injuries to starting pitcher John Maine or set up man J.J. Putz. Nor did I mention the bizarre circumstances that led to the firing of assistant general manager Tony Bernazard last month. Let's just say it's not a good idea to challenge your players to a fistfight.

Talk about being born under a bad sign.

Oh well. Wait until next year.