Settle Down

"I have lost the will to live, simply nothing more to give, getting lost within myself, nothing matters, no one else. I have lost the will to live, simply nothing more to give, there is nothing more for me, I need the end to set me free." -- METALLICA, "FADE TO BLACK," 1984

Alright Mets fans. Come down off the ledge. Put the Clorox away. Give Terrell Owens his pills back.

There's no need to panic!

As you know, the Mets announced Thursday that Pedro Martinez is done for the season and playoffs with a torn muscle in his calf muscle. Ironically, it isn't the calf that has bothered him of late, but the other one. Go figure.

And while the media and fans of the Mets and other teams have all but already written the Mets 2006 obituary, let's look at this from a realistic standpoint before we run ourselves into a frenzied panic and storm the gates of St. Peter.

Fact it, Pedro's injury will have little to no effect on the Mets' chances for postseason success. Pedro hasn't been a factor since April. He has had two DL stints this season, and aside from a couple of flashes of brilliance, has been ineffective. The Mets are 12 games over .500 during Pedro's official time on the DL, while getting plenty of quality, sometimes fantastic performances from the rest of the staff (Jose Lima and Jeremi Gonzalez excluded). Pedro did very little this year as the Mets blew away the National League.

But it's not like the Mets will be carting Anthony Young and Calvin Schiraldi out to the mound once the playoffs begin.

Tom Glavine is a former World Series MVP, who has been money in the postseason during his career, while Orlando "El Duque" Hernandez won the 1999 ALCS MVP and is also a proven big-game pitcher, having posted a 9-3 career postseason mark with a 2.54 ERA.

Steve Trachsel is a good Major League pitcher. He may not be flashy or overpowering, but he has won 15 games this season. Yes, I know, he's gotten all kinds of run support. Well, last I checked, he has the same offense behind him as he's had all year. And John Maine is a young pitcher who's looked great this year. Give the kid a chance to prove he can do it on the big stage.


Fact is, Pedro's injury hurts, sure. I mean, what team wouldn't want a Hall of Famer on staff for a playoff run. But his absence is by no means a death sentence. The Mets postseason success will be contingent on getting solid starting pitching -- brilliance is not required, the kind of timely hitting they've gotten all year, and continued effectiveness from what has been the best damn bullpen in the Majors.