Mets fans were sitting in the catbird seat last night after the Amazin’s plucked the Cardinals in a wild 6-5 win in St. Louis to head home with a two-game lead in the National League Championship Series.
“It’s over! We go back to Shea Stadium and they’re done,” said fan Steve Slocum, 42, on hand at Busch Stadium in St. Louis.
“I want to see a Subway Series,” said Slocum, a New Jersey native who now lives in Los Angeles.
“A Subway Series would be great. We’d find a way to get to New York, get tickets and be there.”
Fan Eddie Outcalt, 42, said, “The Cards have no chance now. I didn’t gloat last night, but I’m gloating tonight.”
The game got off to a wacky start, with Cardinal rookie phenom Rick Ankiel hurling two wild pitches and walking three before he got the hook in a two-run Met first inning.
It was Ankiel’s second meltdown of the postseason – he set a modern record by tossing five wild pitches in an inning against the Atlanta Braves in the first round of the playoffs.
Last night, the hang-tough Cards came from behind twice, tying the game at 3 in the fifth inning, and at 5 in the eighth – but the Mets finally plated the winning run in the ninth on an RBI hit by rookie Jay Payton.
The Mets winged home after the win to get ready for Game 3, to be played at Shea Stadium tomorrow.
The Yankees play the Mariners tonight in Seattle, with the American League Championship Series knotted at a game apiece.
If both the Mets and Yanks triumph in their best-of-seven series, they will play one another in an all-New York Fall Classic.
“I was thinking Mets in seven [against the Cardinals], but we might see Mets in five,” said Ryan Pistorius, 23.
“I think the Cards can get at least one, but it’s all Mets. We’re going back to Shea and we’re going to tear it up.
“Hopefully, we’ll see a Subway Series and make history. Then we’ll see Mets in six.”
Fan Gary Parrish, 23, drove four hours from Memphis to see the game.
“I’ve been a Mets fan since I was 6 years old. To see them win like this is great,” Parrish said.
“I’m looking forward to a Subway Series. I’m going to New York if that happens.”
Darren Abels, 24, who wore a Mike Piazza jersey, was full of praise for Met starter Al Leiter.
“It’s pretty cool,” Abels said. “Leiter is a big-game pitcher. The Mets play tough at home. They only have to win two out of three.
“I’m looking forward to seeing a Subway Series. That would be intense. It’d be fun to see.”
Mike Kashirsky, 22, said, “I feel great! We’re well on our way to a Subway Series!”