Remembering Mets Opening Days (2008) Johan Santana's Mets Debut
But they lost 12 of their last 16 games finishing one game behind the Phillies & did not make the post season. It was a very disappointing finish to say the least.
The biggest move the team made, was trading Carlos Gomez, Philip Humber & Kevin Mulvey for one of the games top pitchers, Johan Santana.
Johan Santana went up against Mark Hendrickson. In 2005 & 2006, Hendrickson had won double figures two years in a row for the Tampa Rays.
Trivia: In 2008, the Mets wore a commemorative patch on their sleeve, marking the final season of homes games being played at Shea Stadium. Shea had been the Mets home for 44 years dating back to 1964.
In the top of the 4th, the Mets sent ten men to the plate, collected six runs on five hits. Carlos Beltran led off with a double down the left field line. Carlos Delgado then walked.
In the 5th inning, Santana allowed a single to Luis Gonzalez, threw a wild pitch & walked Matt Treanor. But he then struck out Jason Wood & Hanley Ramirez to end the inning.
The front office went out traded for outfielder Ryan Church & catcher Brian Schneider. They signed free agents, outfielder Angel Pagan & second baseman Luis Castillo. Gone were Tom Glavine & Paul LoDuca.
The Mets believed this was the final piece of the puzzle to get them to the playoffs & deep in October. So there was plenty of excitement for Opening Day 2008.
The Mets & their Manager Willie Randolph opened up the season on the road, in South Florida. A big crowd of 38,808 fans came to see Fredi Gonzalez's Marlins, host the New York Mets.
Former World Champion Florida Marlin, Jeff Conine threw out the ceremonial first pitch. The Marlins cheerleaders, The Mermaids finished off their pre-game entertainment & it was time for a new season.
In the top of the 1st, the Mets put two men on but did not score.
In the bottom of the 1st, Johan Santana opened his Mets career, by striking out the leadoff batter, Hanley Ramirez looking. Santana got the Marlins in order in the quiet first inning, leaving the mound to nice hand from the Florida fans.
With the two men on, Angel Pagan doubled brining in Beltran with the Mets first run. Next another new Met, Ryan Church, singled bringing in Delgado making it 2-0 Mets.
Brian Schneider lined out & Johan struck out for the second out. Back at the top of the order, Jose Reyes singled to left bringing home Angel Pagan making it 3-0.
After former Marlin Luis Castillo walked, David Wright doubled to left center, bringing Ryan Church Jose Reyes making it a 6-0 New York lead.
Johan Santana retired his first nine batters in a row going thru the line up the first time. In the 4th inning, Hanley Ramirez walked & then Josh Willingham hit a two run HR to make it 6-2.
Johan Santana retired his first nine batters in a row going thru the line up the first time. In the 4th inning, Hanley Ramirez walked & then Josh Willingham hit a two run HR to make it 6-2.
In his Mets debut, Johan Santana pitched seven innings giving up two runs on three hits, with eight strike outs & two walks, earning the win.
The Mets bullpen of Matt Wise, Scott Schoeneweis, Jorge Sosa & Aaron Heilman closed out the final two innings.
In the top of the 9th, Marlon Anderson singled & was moved over on a sacrifice bunt. Marlin pitcher Matt Lindstrom threw a wild pitch & as Anderson advanced catcher Matt Treanor's throw went wild allowing him to score.
The Mets won the game 7-2 to start out the promising season.
2008: As the season went on, the Mets fell to seven games back, four games under .500 by mid-June. They would fire manager Willie Randolph & promote coach Jerry Manuel as his replacement. The team rebounded fighting for first place & a wild card berth, but would finish second (89-73), missing the playoffs, losing on the final day of the season. That was also the last game played in Shea Stadium.
Johan Santana would finish his first year as a Met leading the NL in ERA (2.53) Innings pitched (234) & starts (34). He went 16-8 with 206 strike outs (2nd in the NL) & 63 walks with two shut outs & three complete games.
Johan Santana would finish his first year as a Met leading the NL in ERA (2.53) Innings pitched (234) & starts (34). He went 16-8 with 206 strike outs (2nd in the NL) & 63 walks with two shut outs & three complete games.