Happy Halloween

As a kid, I loved Halloween. I mean what wasn't to like? Dressing up, enjoying a costume party at school, getting candy from everyone. My mother was a talented seamstress and could create whatever costumes we wanted. I remember one year I was Cousin Itt from the Addams family.

I believe that I am of the last generation to go out trick-or-treating. I remember heading out with a pillow case with my friends with no parents along to chaperone.  Today I rarely see kids out without their parents. I think parents take young kids around their neighborhood in the daytime or take them to supervised parties. We haven't had trick-or-treaters at our door in years.

As an adult, I wasn't particularly into Halloween until we met Jenn and John at the dog park. They are true aficionados--they have a party every year with a theme (this year was Heaven and Hell) and they decorate their house inside and out. This year Jeff and I dressed as devils--not particularly creative but kind of fun. The most creative costumes were made by the couple who channeled angel food cake and devil dogs.  (I had thought that Jeff could go as Mets outfielder Angel Pagan who would have been relatively easy to recreate and I could be devil's food cake which I had no idea how to accomplish.)

I'm already thinking about next year's theme: Tim Burton films--my favorite is Ed Wood.

Thoughts on the Regular Season--non-Mets Edition

Both the National and the American League wild card races went to the last game of the season.

They called it the most amazing night of regular season baseball.

On Wednesday September 28th, the Cardinals easily beat the Astros to advance while the Braves struggled against the Phillies, falling 4-3 in the 13th. It was labeled an unprecedented collapse--the Braves had led the Cardinals by 10 1/2 games on August   26th.

But then there was Boston. The Red Sox lost a nine game lead from September 3rd. It was the worst September in Red Sox history and beat the 1964 Phillies' record (the name Gene Mauch filled my sister with terror) for the worst collapse.

As they lost, the Red Sox may have figured that they would still have a chance in the one-game playoff against the Tampa Rays. But the Rays made an incredible comeback against the Yankees: down 7-0, they scored six runs in the bottom of the eighth and added the tying run in the 9th before securing a walk-off win in the 12th.

Anything can happen in baseball; therein lies its charm.

Thoughts on the Regular Season--Mets Edition

I'm watching the playoffs. I love baseball and hope to see some great games. I don't have a particular team I'm rooting for--I'm okay with the Brewers or Phillies in the National League. I'll root for anyone but the Yankees in the American League.

Back to the subject of this post with an understatement: the Mets gave us little to cheer about this year.

The little: I got back to Citi Field and saw a good game. I enjoyed games with scrappy play and clutch hits (and tried to forget the others.) Jose Reyes became the first Met to win a batting title. (His exit from Game 162 immediately after his first at-bat was strange, but nothing that bothered me very much.)

In the eternal spirit of wait till next year, let's do some rose-colored speculation for the 2012 season.

I believe (hope) that Reyes will stay in New York.
I like Terry Collins--he seems like a good match for the team. 
I'm hopeful about next season's contributions from Tejada, Turner, Duda, Gee and Dickey.
The Madoff mess may not be as bad as feared.

Let's go 2012 Mets!