Although I certainly don’t like the way this game is going in the 7th inning, I loved seeing Carlos Gomez’s 2nd major league homer earlier in this game.  I loved the run, of course, but I also loved the youthful joy he took in the home run and couldn’t help smiling at Willie later calling him over and taking him under his wing (presumably to advise him not to show up the pitcher next time by watching the ball before the running the bases!)

Thanks to a response posted to an earlier e-mailbag query posted to Metsblogger, the mystery of Carlos’ curious batting ritual has been revealed…if not fully explained.

He’s sniffing his bat "for hits"??!! 

Seeing him constantly sniffing that bat made me think of this hilarious Onion photo from last fall.  THAT would be something to sniff for sure!

On-Deck Prince Fielder Puts Dozen Donuts On Bat

August 31, 2006 | Onion Sports

Actually, I was kinda relieved to hear that that was all that was involved.  I had been wondering if he was inhaling pine tar or some other substance for some other quick "high" before his at-bat.  Just what we need, I thought:  the youngest player on the team getting started with some kind of personal stimulant that will become addictive and problematic.

But seeing as how it’s nothing like that, I figure it’s now only a matter of time until some marketing executive gets wind of Gomez’s ritual and sniffs a money-making idea: 

SCRATCH-AND-SNIFF BATS!!

I can see…er, SMELL them now!  They’ll no doubt come in a myriad of colors, coordinated to match a veritable smorgasbord of flavors!

Pictured above are suggestions for a fruit and candy line, but hey, why limit oneself to sweet taste sensations?  Why not some of the salty tastes of the ballfield itself:  pretzel, hot dog, french fries, popcorn, etc.?

What about special limited edition series bats for post-season play?  Especially if–as we hear–the post-season might extend into November, how about turkey-and-gravy?  Pumpkin pie?

Hey, Carlos.  If sniffing your bat gives you hits, you just keep on doing what you’re doing!

There once was a catcher named Paul.

Who was sure a called strike was a ball.

It happened once more.

At the the umpire he swore.

And he put on some show for us all.

Funny thing. 

When my daughter pulled her Paul LoDuca bobblehead doll out of its packaging on Sunday afternoon, it didn’t quite look like the the promotional picture on the Mets’ website. 

Not only that, but within moments, the figurine’s head began to turn bright red, the arm started flailing around violently, and steam started coming out of its ears and from under its helmet. 

I mean, she’s grateful for the giveaway and everything, but…

What a feelin’!  Friday’s win, followed by a win Saturday, and another Sunday. 

A series win. 

A SWEEP. 

I/we almost forgot what that felt like!

How nice too that Sunday’s game was good FUNDAMENTALS! 

Good pitching, good hitting, good fielding!

What a thrill to see the Mets building one win at a time: building blocks toward a series win and towards getting that "edge" back.

They did so by taking advantage of some opportunities handed to them: 

I submit the letter "A" for the A’s themselves for handily giving us a series and a sweep.  Thanks!

Trevor Buck’s mishandling of Wright’s liner that allowed Castro to score in the bottom of the ninth on Saturday night I chose for "B".

And Cust’s poor throw following Reyes’ 1st inning hit in Sunday’s game, allowing Reyes to jump up after sliding safely into second and round third and go home is my selection for "C". 

Oh.  And Castro is also on there for good measure as well for his contributions in the second game of the series.

Feel free to continue through the alphabet if you wish!  "D" for DiNardo, oops…Cards are coming in now…ummm, let’s see. "E" for Encarnacion, "F" for Franklin.

You get the idea.  The important thing if to just KEEP IT BUILDING. 

Block by block by block by block…

They did it.

They won.

And I cheered. 

I high-fived. 

I yelled. 

I sauntered down the ramps of Shea with a smile on my face.

And yet…

I don’t feel HAPPY today like I thought I would.

Maybe it’s just that I’m being cautiously optimistic after I promptly crowed "Off the Schneid!" in my post following Perez’s win against the Yankees and Clemens, only for that lovely win to have been so quickly followed by two less-than-lovely Bronx bombs.

Believe me, I rejoice in a Mets win.  And I am not punishing the Mets or asking them to "do penance" for their losses.  I don’t play those games:

"You guys were SO AWFUL that I am NOT going to cheer for you until you’ve won THREE GAMES STRAIGHT and that’s final.  Take THAT, you guys!"

Like they would really care what I think.

No, I’m not withholding my love from them or playing hard-to-get or distancing myself somewhat so I won’t get my heart ripped out again or any other such nonsense.

Maybe, it’s more a matter that, after being down so long, last night’s win at home was more of a cathartic experience than it was a celebratory win. 

Perhaps I am not alone in this reaction.  Fellow Mets blogger Toasty Joe compares his feelings following the Met win last night to (How shall I put this delicately?) relieving oneself in the bathroom after an inability to do so for quite some time. (Scroll down to post entitled "Ahhh…") 

Appropriately enough, the term catharsis has been used for centuries as a medical term meaning a "purging".  The Greek word katharsis comes from kathairein (to purge) and from katharos (pure).

With regard to the term’s application to Greek tragedy, Aristotle described catharsis as a purifying or figurative cleansing of the emotions, especially pity and fear–a most necessary element of any tragedy in his estimation.

But I was referring more to the word’s psychological usage in which it can be defined as a technique used to relieve tension and anxiety by bringing repressed feelings and fears to consciousness.

Playing my own shrink for a moment, I think I just had to have gone to at least one home game and yelled and screamed and cheered  and clapped and chanted.  For some good Mets starting pitching.  For a lot of Mets hits.  For some Mets getting on base and NOT GETTING LEFT ON BASE.  For a few Mets home runs.  For a good outing by the bull pen.  For an overall positive baseball experience.

Maybe it was just too much to expect (or too SOON to expect) that I would feel exhilarated by their win last night. 

Maybe all of that physical activity on the field–and off the field in my Mezzanine Box–was slowly but effectively purging and cleansing some of those awful pitching starts, horrible swings, bone-headed fielding playing, frustrations over injuries, frustrations over conflicting reports regarding injuries, etc., and the anguish and frustration caused thereby from my system. 

Maybe last night was part of a process.  A process TOWARD celebration.

I sure hope so.  I sure like the feel of the "thrill of victory"!