With Todd Hundley still out, Bernard Gilkey joining him on the DL, and players like Butch Huskey, Carlos Baerga and Brian McRae all slumping to start the season, there was just no one to turn to for offense. Their best chance came in the 8th when John Olerud led off with a double. Baerga followed with another double, but Olerud -- an already slow runner further slowed by a sore groin muscle -- could only make it the third base. McRae struck out next, and then Matt Franco drew a walk pinch-hitting for Tim Spehr. That gave Rey Ordonez a chance with the bases loaded, but a wild swing produced a 2-foot popup that landed in front of the plate, which Kile shoveled to the catcher for one out, who then threw to first to complete the inning-ending double play. Replays showed Ordonez was clearly safe at first, but the umps weren't willing to give the Mets any breaks on this night.

Bobby Jones started for the Mets and allowed an Ellis Burks opposite-field home run just over the outstretched glove of Rich Becker two batters into the game. With the way the Mets had been scoring recently, it felt like the game was pretty much over right then and there. It was beginning to look like, at this point, the team's 88-win season in 1997 was going to be some type of aberration, and they were about to fall right back into being the lovable losers we grew accustomed to throughout the decade. The Mets were at a crossroads, and could either accept their fate and keep rebuilding and playing second fiddle to the Yankees in New York, or they can take action and make a huge move that would show the fanbase they're serious about getting back to the top of the mountain.

Thankfully, we all know which direction they chose to go.