Episode I: The Phantom Unit

I've gotta start with this: I love Randy Johnson.

Before he became a member of the Fast Crumbling Empire, he has been one of my favorite pitchers of all time...in no small part because he's always been a Yankee-killer. Killed them in 1995 with Seattle. Murdered them in 2001 as a member of the Diamondbacks, where he won three games against the Yanks (including winning game 7 out of the bullpen, just 24 hours after winning game 6), yet only shared the World Series MVP that year.

And he's still killing the Yankees, even while wearing those pinstripes.

Randy Johnson signs a big contract with the Yankees, after basically orchestrating his way on to the team...and in a sure sign that the karma may be turning in this town, Randy Johnson with the Yankees has now become Randy Jones with the Mets. The Big Unit, supposed Yankees Ace, can barely out-pitch Jeremi Gonzalez at this stage.

Anyone who thought tonight's game was a mismatch due to the pitching matchup, and you were out there, obviously hasn't seen Randy pitch all year. Tonight didn't worry me because Randy Johnson was on the mound. Tonight did worry me because of the litany of pitchers wearing that uniform who...and I'm going to steal Shari's signature phrase here...stunk on ice for months only to come up big when the Mets were the opponent (Doc Gooden, David Cone, Denny Neagle). Johnson could have been the latest Yankee to use the Mets as his own personal Robitussin.

But being down four to Randy Johnson isn't the end of the world anymore, as evidenced tonight. Thankfully the bats, led by Carlos Beltran and X, made sure of that as every time the Yankees scored, the Mets either scored or made the Big Onion work hard in the bottom of the frame. Like it or not, the Mets new and improved lineup needs to make a concerted effort to provide runs in excess when the likes of Jeremi Gonzalez or the newly bald Jose Lima En Vivo are on the mound. Tonight, they made it happen thanks to the once, future, and forever Yankee killer, the Phantom Unit.

Yeah, I hate him for wearing the uniform...but I love him for killing the uniform.

***

It was two games in one tonight, as the fifth inning ended six-six. But when Song 1 Verse 2 began, it was Aaron Heilman on to pitch three perfectos at the Yankees tonight in innings 6, 7, and 8. There will be some who say it's Heilman showing why he should be in that rotation. There's validity to that.

But it's also why he should stay right where he is. I'll maintain that he's too valuable to take out of that pen, especially when Jeremi with an "i" and Lima with three "L's" are going to man the back end of the rotation. (But alas, not for much longer, as Lima En Vivo's Met career is reportedly muerte.)

So go to Soler (who's name you can sing via the soccer anthem: A-laaaaay, Alay Alay Alaaaaaay...Aaaaaa-laaaaay, Sooooo-leeeeer), go to Pelfrey if you have to. But keep Aaron Heilman right where he is, and make sure he keeps coming up with efforts like he came up with tonight.

***

And finally, speaking of signs that karma in this town is turning: Two Sandmen entered the ninth inning tonight. But only one exited unscathed.

Exit Light.

Enter Wright.

When else does this happen?

Only now, when the Mets have Paul Lo Duca...staking his claim as the greatest clutch hitter in the history of clutch hitting...does this happen.

Only now, when the Mets have David Wright...staking his claim as the greatest two strike hitter in the history of two strike hitting, does this happen.

Only now, when the Mets are on WPIX and the Yankees are on WWOR (had to be a first tonight), does this happen. Could that have been the answer all along?

And speaking of broadcast outlets, the only question now is: will FOX recognize this victory, or will they completely ignore it in their pre-game show tomorrow, as they did in 2004?

Maybe only now...they will.

(And speaking of biased media coverage, SNY's pre-game show tonight seemed much more Met friendly than Thursday's coverage...thankfully. I thought that I would be fair and mention that.)