Hambone! Mets Take Advantage of Armando Benitez Syndrome

Anyone who watches PBA Bowling knows (and there are many who think watching bowling is more exciting than sitting through Mets games unfortunately) ESPN color commentator Rob Stone refers to 4-strikes in a row as a "hambone". Well, the Mets have achieved something similar as they're currently in the midst of a 4-game winning streak. And instead of fans being happy about the latest positive Met development, we're hearing lines such as:

"Oh, well, it's only the D-backs. Wait 'till they play a real team."

"I can't get excited over this team until they beat someone good."

"Bad team? No pressure? I bet Wright's hitting."

And the ever popular, "What do you expect? They're SUPPOSED To beat those teams!"

And that's exactly the point, something I call the "Armando Benitez Syndrome" named after one of the most unsung Mets relievers in the history of the franchise. I loved Armando Benitez, and do you want to know why? Because he saved the games he was supposed to save. Sure he blew up in pressure situations against the hated Braves and many, MANY, a postseason appearance. But the point is this: if you want to be successful in baseball, YOU HAVE TO BEAT THE TEAMS YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO BEAT.

Every single team that's made the postseason in the history of baseball has beaten the teams they're supposed to beat - no exceptions! When you beat the teams you're supposed to beat, your chances of reaching the postseason drastically increase. It's only when you don't that your team misses out.

Take the Mets "choke" years of 2007 and 2008 as examples. When they blew a 7 game lead with 17 games left to go in the season, it wasn't because they lost to Philadelphia - it was because they couldn't beat the likes of Washington and Florida. And when they had their second September collapse, it wasn't Atlanta that did them in. It was losing to the woeful Marlins that killed them. In both cases, the Mets were clearly better than those teams, yet they didn't get the job done. They didn't beat the teams they were supposed to beat. And as a result blew their shot at a postseason berth.

You could fill a scrapbook of painful memories watching Benitez pitch in "big" games. But the guy was lights out when it came to the likes of the Pirates, the Brewers, the Expos, the Phillies (then), etc. He beat the teams he was supposed to beat, and because of that, the Mets were in a position to put him on the big stage for his memorable implosions. Isn't that what we all want?... Just the CHANCE to see the Mets fail in a big game?

All kidding aside, beating the teams you're supposed to beat is the secret of a successful season and NO TEAM earns a post-season berth without doing so. The Mets just did that over the weekend at Citi. Fans can discount the current 4-game winning streak all they want, but the point is just doing so is a great sign in the right direction.

And by the way, the Armando Benitez Syndrome is the secret of success in many other areas of life as well. Ace the tests in school you're supposed to ace. Do the little things you're supposed to do. Give the presentation at work you're supposed to give. Buy the gift you're supposed to buy. Compliment the person you're supposed to compliment. Life's a lot easier that way.

And most of all, be happy for the things you get - like hambone winning streaks against the bottom feeders of the league.