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Days in a Year

I know that I've said in the past that I don't wish to review Mets walk-off defeats, but I'm in one of those moods today where I'll type anything for the sake of blogging. So, let's play catch-up from Saturday, a defeat that seemed rather frustrating at the time, but felt a little bit more worthwhile (if such a thing could) after Monday's celebration

* Saturday's walk-off defeat was the 365th in Mets history and the 5th this season.

* It was the 30th to take place against the Pirates. Ronny Paulino joins a fine list of Pirates luminaries that have defeated the Mets with a walk-off hit, including Hall of Famers Roberto Clemente and Willie Stargell, as well as ex-Mets Richie Hebner, Duffy Dyer and Bobby Bonilla. Ronny Paulino has as many walk-off hits against the Mets as Barry Bonds does. In fact, he was the first Pirate to deliver a walk-off hit IN SEPTEMBER against the Mets since Bonds did in 1990.

* Much to my surprise, it is the first time in Pirates history that they defeated the Mets on a walk-off double.

* Alphabetically, the first name Ronny fits in on the walk-offers list between Ron Santo and Rowland Office.

* Aaron Heilman is 2-2 this season in games decided by walk-off and 3-2 for his career. He has 2 walk-off losses this year, matching Chad Bradford for the team lead (Billy Wagner has the other one).

* The last walk-off loss to interrupt a potential Mets division clinching scenario (and thus aid in allowing the clincher to take place at home) came on September 15, 1986, when Curt Ford and the Cardinals beat Roger McDowell and the Mets via a walk-off walk.

* For reference: The Mets had 4 walk-off losses in 1969 and 7 walk-off losses in 1986

* One other, off-topic note: In looking for a game that rivaled Monday's all-time classic Dodgers/Padres matchup (4 HR in a row in the 9th, Nomar HR to win in the 10th), the closest thing I could find was this first-place showdown in the final days of the 1974 season, between the Cardinals and the Pirates. The Cardinals took a 1/2 game lead by topping the Pirates, 13-12 in 11 innings. Met-to-be Jim Dwyer plated the winning run with a sacrifice fly, scoring Larry Herndon (pinch-running for Joe Torre) and capping a 4-run rally in the 11th. The box score and play-by-play, definitely worth checking out, are linked below.

http://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/B09250SLN1974.htm

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