This We Know How To Do

It's the ninth inning. The Mets are losing 10-1. The Mets have been losing 10-1 essentially since the first of June. It's been the ninth inning just about as long. This particular rendition of the same old song has featured the cream of Omar Minaya's ambitious Fifth Starter Procurement Program on lead vocals. The GM signed Liván Hernandez, Tim Redding and Nelson Figueroa presumably to create moments like this, moments that transcend the scoreboard because the scoreboard — even at 10-1 — couldn't begin to reflect the depths of the reality. There's one out. There's no hope. But there is, if nothing else, novelty emerging from the on-deck circle. It's the impending New York Mets debut of Andy Green. He's wearing No. 29, he's swinging righthanded and he's heading to the plate because the rules say somebody has to bat next. Jerry Manuel could forego the ceremony of the 26th and 27th outs. The way the Mets played in this game, surely they h...