J Kaufman wrote:
I agree. Endy Chavez's play will be remembered forever in Mets' lore, rather like
Ron Swoboda's. [Another banana bat, by the way, hence his nickname Ron Swatboda.] Floyd's bat was sorely missed in the series. However, it will be Beltran who will be booed lustily next season, which is unfair but inevitable.
Yup on all counts.
Someone (Kevin Kennedy?) on TV said that if the Mets had won, Chavez's catch would be remembered like Willie Mays' robbery off Vic Wertz in the 1954 Series. You could make a strong argument that Chavez's was more difficult. He didn't make the throw that Mays did, but his was plenty good enough.
Swoboda's catch was a good one--especially considering that he was such a mediocre fielder. ["Banana bat": will have to remember that one.]
But some of us here have made catches like Swoboda's in our little sandlot worlds. I've never seen anything like Chavez's in person, including at MLB games. And few on TV.
The Mets played well with two important pitchers out with injuries and Floyd hobbling. They have several excellent young players and others that will be stronger because of the experience.
Was surprising to see Beltran strike out the way he did at the end, but to blame the loss on him would be unfair. He had a decent series.