Mets vs. Yankees @ Shea Stadium, Game 2, 2005
Following a game where Kaz Matsui nearly caused many a Met fan to shatter all glass items nearby, the second game of the 2005 subway series proved to be the complete opposite. Prior to the 7th inning, the hero of the game was the former first-round pick Kris Benson. Through the first five innings, Benson appeared to be pitching effortlessly, giving up just a single hit. He even managed to hit Yankee shortstop Derek Jeter. As expected, the drama queen yearned to bring attention to his bruised elbow. Aww, pretty boy need a band-aid? Two words, Piazza/Clemens. Nevertheless, Benson gave Met fans a scare in the 6th inning but managed to emerge unscathed despite a bases loaded jam. Most might have been surprised to see him start the 7th inning considering he seemed to be "losing it" and had already thrown over 100 pitches. After allowing the leadoff hitter, Alex Rodriguez, to reach base on a single, Benson's day was done. In all probability, Met fans cringed when they saw Dae-Sung Koo emerge from those blue bullpen doors.
Once Koo was inserted into the game, there is a moment that will stand out in my mind for years to come. Althought not involved in the particular play, David Wright will forever be enshrined into my New York Mets folklore. With Tino Martinez at the plate in a two-run game, Alex Rodriguez was caught in between first and second on a near wild-pitch. He was eventually thrown out trying to get back to first. Soon after, a clip was shown that allowed viewers to hear David Wright on the field. Similiar to a little leaguer, you could hear him cheer and yelp like a 10 year old on a pony baseball field. "Got him! YEAH!," he yelled as the tag was applied. This clip was a great sight to see considering all of the current major leaguers who seem to play the game for the paycheck itself. Considering he's only 21, Wright surely has a bright future in the game of baseball and the right mindset to go with it (No pun intended). Anyhow, Koo managed to dominate the 7th inning and prepared himself to step into the batter's box.
After Koo's at bat in the previous series, he received much criticism from teammates and baseball analysts throughout the baseball world. Days earlier, Koo had barely stepped into the batter's box and struck out with no intention of swinging the bat. The word around town was that it was Koo's first plate appearance since he was 10 years old. Because of this, I was a bit surprised to see him step into the batter's box to lead off the 7th inning. Ironically, it proved to be the climax of the game and one of the most exciting Mets moments of the young season. After taking a few pitches from Yankee starter Randy Johnson, Koo drilled a Johnson fastball for a 400 foot double over the head of Bernie Williams. Much to the delight of Met fans, Koo had delivered one of those magical moments to the Shea Stadium faithful. Not only was there an utter feeling of euphoria stirring through the fans, but an even bigger sentiment in the Mets dugout. T.V. cameras had once again managed to catch footage of the Mets and David Wright's microphone. After Koo's hit, replays showed the entire Met bench cheering and smiling at the improbable hit by Koo. However, Koo's day was not over quite yet. As Jose Reyes layed down a sacrifice bunt to move the runner over to third, he laid it down perfectly in front of the plate to force Jorge Posada to field the ball. After completing the throw, no one bothered to cover home and Koo never stopped running. Tino Martinez threw home for the out and Koo belly-flopped onto the plate while "avoiding Posada's tag." As he was called "safe!," Shea Stadium erupted once more. Considering my hatred for Tim McCarver, I was rather surprised when he summed it up best by saying that Koo was part of "the most electrifying journey around the bases."
After Koo's climactic hit, the Mets seemed to feed off of the energy. Later in the inning, Miguel Cairo homered off of the Big Unit to force him out of the game and the hits just kept on coming. In the bottom of the eighth, Reyes capped the scoring by hitting a 2 run triple off of the right field wall. The Mets finally had a cushion against their rival New York Yankees. Following a near web-gem by Reyes to lead off the ninth, it looked as if the Yankees might still have life. But with a seven run lead and Pedro Martinez looming for Sunday's matinee, Braden Looper looked to finish it off and send the fans home happy. Posada FO 4-6. New York Mets 7, Yankees 1. Mission accomplished. Series tied.
Once Koo was inserted into the game, there is a moment that will stand out in my mind for years to come. Althought not involved in the particular play, David Wright will forever be enshrined into my New York Mets folklore. With Tino Martinez at the plate in a two-run game, Alex Rodriguez was caught in between first and second on a near wild-pitch. He was eventually thrown out trying to get back to first. Soon after, a clip was shown that allowed viewers to hear David Wright on the field. Similiar to a little leaguer, you could hear him cheer and yelp like a 10 year old on a pony baseball field. "Got him! YEAH!," he yelled as the tag was applied. This clip was a great sight to see considering all of the current major leaguers who seem to play the game for the paycheck itself. Considering he's only 21, Wright surely has a bright future in the game of baseball and the right mindset to go with it (No pun intended). Anyhow, Koo managed to dominate the 7th inning and prepared himself to step into the batter's box.
After Koo's at bat in the previous series, he received much criticism from teammates and baseball analysts throughout the baseball world. Days earlier, Koo had barely stepped into the batter's box and struck out with no intention of swinging the bat. The word around town was that it was Koo's first plate appearance since he was 10 years old. Because of this, I was a bit surprised to see him step into the batter's box to lead off the 7th inning. Ironically, it proved to be the climax of the game and one of the most exciting Mets moments of the young season. After taking a few pitches from Yankee starter Randy Johnson, Koo drilled a Johnson fastball for a 400 foot double over the head of Bernie Williams. Much to the delight of Met fans, Koo had delivered one of those magical moments to the Shea Stadium faithful. Not only was there an utter feeling of euphoria stirring through the fans, but an even bigger sentiment in the Mets dugout. T.V. cameras had once again managed to catch footage of the Mets and David Wright's microphone. After Koo's hit, replays showed the entire Met bench cheering and smiling at the improbable hit by Koo. However, Koo's day was not over quite yet. As Jose Reyes layed down a sacrifice bunt to move the runner over to third, he laid it down perfectly in front of the plate to force Jorge Posada to field the ball. After completing the throw, no one bothered to cover home and Koo never stopped running. Tino Martinez threw home for the out and Koo belly-flopped onto the plate while "avoiding Posada's tag." As he was called "safe!," Shea Stadium erupted once more. Considering my hatred for Tim McCarver, I was rather surprised when he summed it up best by saying that Koo was part of "the most electrifying journey around the bases."
After Koo's climactic hit, the Mets seemed to feed off of the energy. Later in the inning, Miguel Cairo homered off of the Big Unit to force him out of the game and the hits just kept on coming. In the bottom of the eighth, Reyes capped the scoring by hitting a 2 run triple off of the right field wall. The Mets finally had a cushion against their rival New York Yankees. Following a near web-gem by Reyes to lead off the ninth, it looked as if the Yankees might still have life. But with a seven run lead and Pedro Martinez looming for Sunday's matinee, Braden Looper looked to finish it off and send the fans home happy. Posada FO 4-6. New York Mets 7, Yankees 1. Mission accomplished. Series tied.
posted by Dereck at 4:25 PM
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