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-Digger's Daily-

To put it mildly, 2009 has been a trying season for New York Mets players and fans. Even when Mets win games they manage another loss. Take today's 9-0 beating they put on the Cardinals. Starting pitcher Jonathan Niese was injured in the 2nd inning. Niese, is a replacement starter for an already injury depleted staff. Then, Gary Sheffield (who just returned from a stint on the 15 day DL), was removed from the game after his fragile hamstring acted up.

Baseball injuries happen all the time. I just can't remember the last time so many players have been injured at once on any one team. It has become comical sometimes. No, I don't laugh at injured players. It's the circumstances of how which churns out a few chuckles, even from team broadcasters. I'll use Monday's game as an example. After 2B Luis Castillo grounded out he stumbled down the dugout steps on his way back to the team bench and injured his ankle. In the booth, commentators sat in a somewhat stunned silence showing replay after replay while apologetic laughter could be heard.

Here's a list of injured players this season. Jose Reyes, Carlos Beltran, Gary Sheffield, Brian Schneider, John Maine, Oliver Perez, Angel Pagan, Billy Wagner, Ryan Church, Fernando Martinez, Ramon Martinez, Tim Redding, JJ Putz. Did I forget someone here?

This year has been a comedy of errors. Fans voiced great dissatisfaction with managements failure to represent Mets championship teams and former stars in new CitiField. Exec Tony Bernazard was fired after challenging NY's minor league team to a fist fight. Fielding woes at times make the Mets look more like the Bad News Bears. New CitiField hasn't been overly friendly to New York's lineup either. To be fair, it's currently a make shift lineup lacking their stars or players suitable for starting on most Major League clubs.

Here's the good news. After all of Mets mis-steps, highlight reel blunders, self imploding front office, injuries and criticisms... guess what? As of this moment, the Mets are only 8.5 games behind in the Wild Card race. To most fans it probably feels as though NY is trailing by 15. Carlos Beltran could return to action in 2 weeks. Delgado might return by the end of this month. I don't think it's a stretch to suggest if the Mets can remain where they are now without falling farther behind ... and... if no more key players are lost to injury... ???

Dare I say players returning from DL stints might ignite a spark. Instead of recent September failures could 2009 become a September surprise? Stanger things have happened. Baseball truly is a funny game. Nothing should be taken for granted. Will the Magic come back? Everything can change in a New York minute.

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