Early in the season I took a look at the Mets' road schedule, and I took note of the Pittsburgh weekend in September. I thought that it might make a fun roadtrip: the city is not prohibitively far from New York for driving purposes, and the ballpark is great (I was there a couple of years ago and I really liked it). And I figured that the Mets might be in the hunt in September, so it might be a good time to get back there.
When I first thought of it, never did I think that the Mets might be wrapping up the division that weekend. At the outset of the season, I would have been happy if the Mets just made it into the playoffs. Like most Met fans, I tend not to get my hopes up--I take what I can get. All I really wanted in April was a few of those "meaningful games" in September.
A few weeks ago, two of my friends--Met fans, both--seperately suggested making the trip, since it was looking like the Mets might clinch on that roadtrip. That sealed it: we were going. We hatched the plan, booked a couple of hotel rooms, bought some tickets, and picked up a couple of huge magnetic Mets logos to stick on the back of the van.
So tomorrow morning four of my friends and I are leaving for Pittsburgh. Tomorrow night the Mets take the field behind Pedro Martinez, and with one win the team will clinch the division for the first time since 1988. I can't wait.
Let's go Mets!