The current standings in the National League East look like this:
Team Wins Losses Games Back ------------------------------------------- Mets 88 53 -- Phillies 72 70 16.5 Marlins 71 71 17.5 Braves 68 73 20 Expos 61 81 27.5
These standings would lead many people to believe that the magic number in the East is 5 (162 + 1 - 88 - 70 = 5). After all, any combination of 5 Mets wins and Phillies losses clinches the division for the Mets.
However, for many of us Mets fans, the real celebration has a magic number of 2. Any combination of 2 Mets wins and Braves losses will bring to an end the run of 11 straight years in which Atlanta has won the division. The clouds will part; the yoke will be lifted; a new era will begin.
Yes, for the Mets the season has barely begun at this point. There are many tests awaiting the Mets in the playoffs, and everything until then pales in comparison. But nevertheless, the events preceding October baseball should not be overlooked. We'll celebrate the division clinch, sure. But I, at least, will celebrate even more the fruition of these words which have adorned the signature of a regular poster in the Mets Usenet group for many years: Atlanta delenda est.
With a magic number of two, this monumental day could come as soon as tomorrow, so keep your eyes peeled.
Done! Yay!