A Streetcar Named Flushing

Just saw on Metsblog that the Mets have acquired Jason Dubois from the Cubs. Dubois turned 30 in March and has not played in the majors in four years. He should fit right in.

The way the Mets are going, they might as well have traded for Blanche DuBois from "A Streetcar Named Desire." Wikipedia describes Blanche as "a fading but still-attractive Southern belle whose pretensions to virtue and culture only thinly mask alcoholism and delusions of grandeur."

"Delusions of Grandeur" could be the title of the Mets' 2009 highlight film.

Though this brittle team that can't go down the dugout stairs without missing a week could also be known by the title of another Tennessee Williams play - "The Glass Menagerie."

***

At least last night's game showed that the Mets have not given up trying to add to the "Worst Games of the Year" list. It's one thing for Albert Pujols or Mark Reynolds to beat you with homers. But Everth Cabrera, the light-hitting Padre rookie shortstop who is in the lineup for his speed?

And spare me the whining about the umps missing the call in the ninth. With the Mets ahead, 2-1, Kyle Blanks walked and Will Venable doubled into the corner. Blanks tried to the score on the play and was ruled safe at home to tie the game, though he looked out on the replay.

After the game, K-Rod said: "A tough one. I don't think he had a good angle. After that, everything fell apart."

Wrong, K-Rod. Everything fell apart when you walked the leadoff hitter, a rookie batting .212, and allowed the next hitter, also a rookie, to double into the corner.

The Mets had no offense after the first inning. The only bright spot was Oliver Perez pitching well until he ran into trouble in the seventh.

If the Mets are going to blame a game like this on the umpires, they really are adopting Blanche DuBois' philosophy - always depending on the kindness of strangers.