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Save the Last Dance

In the interest of preventing guilt feelings, apparently I'm not the only Mets blogger to title his post in this way. See Metstradamus for another such perspective.

So we substitute die-hard Mets fan Julia Stiles (it says so in her IMDB.com bio) and her eephus-ball first-pitch for another Hollywood actress, Alyssa Milano and we get another walk-off win. Here's hoping Julia stuck around through the rain drops as my sister did to witness walk-off win #337.

* It was the 4th walk-off RBI for David Wright this season (2 singles, a double and a sac fly). He's one shy of the Mets record of 5, set by George Foster in 1983 (CORRECTED VIA METS TELECAST ON 5/30). We can call him Mr. Walk-Off (or perhaps NY Post writer, Phil Mushnick, not a fan of the term, would prefer "Mr. Game-Ender). We can also call Paul Lo Duca "Mr. Memorial Day" as he's 13-for-18 for his career on that holiday.

* Wright is now halfway to Kevin McReynolds Mets record of 8 career walk-off "somethings."

* It was the 7th walk-off win this season and the 6th this month (6 in a month is a Mets first). The seven this season have taken place in five different ways (1B, 2B, HR, SF, E1) against seven different opponents

* It's the 3rd walk-off win against the Diamondbacks, including the postseason, and the first since May 21, 2000 (Derek Bell game-ending single).

* It's the first to take place on a May 29th. May 30th only has one (1986 vs Giants) as well.

* Duaner Sanchez is the 5th Mets pitcher with a walk-off win this season. Billy Wagner has 3. Sanchez, Darren Oliver, Chad Bradford and Jorge Julio each have 1.

* It's the 10th to end with an 8-7 final score and the second walk-off to end with such a score this season (May 5 vs Braves). It's the third 8-7 walk-off that was decided in the 9th inning.

* Jose Valverde is the 4th pitcher whose last name starts with "V" to lose a walk-off game to the Mets. Valverde joins Bob Veale, David Veres and most recently, Brad Voyles (June 21, 2002 vs Royals).

* There are other notes and more comprehensive research I plan to pursue on this game (such as Memorial Day walk-off wins), but I have some things going on that preclude further research, for the moment. Perhaps in the near-future.

True Metiles know...That we could write about Mets walk-off wins using the titles of movies in which Julia Stiles has appeared.

Such as

"Right before his line drive double, Endy Chavez hit a Wicked line drive foul."

"I felt that Jose Reyes getting a hit after failing to bunt twice was The Omen that this was gonna be a good night."

"Many managers are making lists regarding David Wright. They call them Ten Things I Hate About You."

"If the Mets make it to the Promised Land, this will be a well-remembered triumph."

"My sister was fast asleep when Carlos Beltran hit his 16th inning home run the other day, having bailed after the 15th. She was Wide Awake for this one."

"A Mets walk off-win is like A Little Trip to Heaven."

"What's the fascination with these walk-offs? It's A Guy Thing."

Comments

Anonymous said…
And this morning we all wear a Mona Lisa Smile.

Wretched movie. Awesome game.
Anonymous said…
Thanks for this write-up. You said that this season, Mets walk-offs "have taken place in five different ways (1B, 2B, HR, SF, E1) ". I have two questions : is it possible to have a walk-off triple? Is there any other way to have a walk-off than a single, double, homer, sac, error or BB?

Thanks.
metswalkoffs said…
hi elliot

yes, u can have a walk-off triple if you have a speedy batsman and a slow baserunner. has happened once in mets history (saving the story for another time).

There have also been walk-off wild pitches and even one HBP, but nary a walk-off passed ball, balk (though the Mets have lost in such a manner) or catchers interference...yet.
Anonymous said…
hey, I'm pretty sure Wright's walkoffs this seasons have been three 1Bs and a sac fly.

All have been "deep singles" and the one agains Atlanta bounced over, but I think all three are credited as just base hits.
Anonymous said…
Thanks, walkoff-meister. I just wasn't thinking clearly about the HBP, Balk, passed ball and catcher's int. The triple possibility I did not know about. I am eagerly awaiting your story on the Mets walk-off triple.
Richard Simon said…
Not only do I have a son who is a huge Metophile, but my daughter has become one too,, :)
And of course David Wright is her favorite player, so naturally she is there with a friend and Wright gets another walk-off.
Another walk-off tonight! Mark, I don't know if you've posted this already, but are we getting awywhere close to a year-walkoff record, or are we on a pace to get there?

Dave

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