I sat through a mucky afternoon game as a youth during the playoffs in 1988, and I would liken sitting through this game 18 seasons later to that game.

Rain, not hard rain, but annoying, misty rain, fell from the 3rd inning well into the 9th, never stopping the game, but soaking the players, the field and the fans. Unlike in Philadelphia, the Mets played through, and had a 3-1 lead with Wagner on for the 9th.

Wagner blew it. I had visions of John Franco allowing the lead run and the Mets losing, but Wagner managed to get out of the jam with the tie.

Stunned, soaked and frustrated, my friend and I departed our seats in the Upper Deck as the game moved into the 10th, moving to the Mezzanine, right next to the Pedro Martinez Salsa Section, which definitely lightened the mood.

Leading off the 11th inning, a shallow pop fly was hit into no-man's land between Matsui and Beltran. They both charged after it, but it appeared hopeless...Until Endy Chavez came flying in from right, dove, and caught the ball.

Finally, leading off the 12th for the Mets, Carlos Delgado ripped one out into the Bleachers in left, raised his fists coming around first, and jumped on Home Plate, ending a game that could have very easily slipped away.