Steve and the Tank! - J-E-T-S Night at Shea

J-E-T-S Night at Shea

The Mets took us back on Tuesday night at Shea to a time when Steve and I were Jets fans. It was a time of innocence before we stabbed in the heart and back by a move to Giants Stadium in New Jersey. My heart was first broken in the 1980s by the Yankees loss to the Dodgers in the 1981 World Series. David Stockman leaving the Reagan Administration was another low point in 1982 as I felt deficits would go higher. I won't go to my father's hospitalization on prom night which also happened to be my parents' wedding anniversary in 1987.

The Jets played at Shea from 1964 to 1983. Joe Namath, Wesley Walker, and the New York Sack Exchange dominated the headlines and our hearts.

It all came crashing to an end when the Jets moved to Jersey. You can't fault them from a business perspective. The Giants offered them a better revenue sharing deal. I eventually became a Bills fan and Steve swore off the NFL.

Anyway, the Jets returned to Shea one last time to say farewell. Can I cheer "J-E-T-S!" one last time to let the past go?

Marty Lyons, Greg Buttle, and Wesley Walker threw out the first pitch below.

More on those guys in a upcoming post. When I become attached and emotionally involved in something, it's hard to let go even when I got hurt. Be it girlfriends or sports teams, The Tank is here in the trenches with and for you.

Back to the present. Steve blogged the Mets 3-1 series victory at the Phillies this past weekend. It's exactly what the Mets needed. It helped them close ground on the Phillies to 2.5 games, get above .500, and have a three game winning streak. If the Mets win at least four out of the next six games before the All Star Break, they will have some momentum going into the second half of the season.

John Pelfrey got out of a bases loaded jam in the first without giving up a run.

Reyes lined out for the first out. Chavez singled, Wright walked, and Beltran hit one over the right center wall. The crowd goes crazy. Mets 3 - Giants 0. Easley struck out. Delgado walked on 3-2. Tatis struck out. I page Linda and Steve but don't hear back from them.

Reyes singles with two out in the second but is caught stealing.

Yankees 2 - Rays 0 in the third according to the Shea Scoreboard.

DW hits an infield single in the third. Beltran singles and DW advances to third. Easley grounds out into a double play so no runs were scored.

Big Pelf singled to center to open the fifth. Jose Reyes popped up and the rally ended.

While I went to the restroom, the Mets added another run in the bottom of the sixth to make it 4-0.

Argenis Reyes first hit as he pinch hits for Big Pelf in the bottom of the 7th. The other Reyes, Jose, bunts his way to first. DW lines out but Beltran singles Argenis home for his for run scored. Mets 5 - Giants 0. Ace Frehey's classic "Back in a New York Groove" blares over the speakers. Are the Mets back in a winning groove? Easley singles to center and Jose scores. Mets 6 - Giants 0.

Schoenweis pitched a shut out eighth. The crowd goes nuts when the Phillies lose to the Cardinals 2-0. 'Phillies suck" chants echo throughout my section.

How is Boston coming back against Minnesota?

Perma Guest Outlaw Jack checks in with Yankee updates. Go Andy Go! Mega thanks Jack!

Tatis hits a blast over the Game Number sign in center. Mets 7 - Giants 0. "I've got the power indeed." Joe Smith comes out for the ninth and gets out the side. "Put it in the books," to quote Mets broadcaster Howie Rose. Sam is smiling at his fellow Canadian band BTO "Takin' Care of Business". The Jets flag flies proudly in the breeze. I let go. I am free now.