Fans Brimming With Confidence As Mets Are 1 Win From World Series
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Mets fans are optimistic -- and why not?
History is on their side.
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Thirty-five teams have been down 0-3 in a Major League Baseball playoff series. Only one -- the 2004 Boston Red Sox -- have come back to win the series, beating the Yankees.
As a result, many Mets fans are brimming with confidence now that their heroes are leading the Cubs 3-0 in the National League Championship Series, CBS2's Mark Morgan reported.
The Amazin's are just one win away from their first trip to the World Series in 15 years.
"We've got the defense, we've got the hitting, we've got the pitching, we've got it all," said Ryan Medina, a Mets fan from Jamaica, Queens.
"With the way they're hitting, it's just unbelievable," said Bill Lang, of Rockville Centre. "My sister and brother-in-law are jumping off the couch at night watching the game. It's just awesome to see."
The Mets' supporters feel this team has the goods to slam the door on the Cubs.
"I just think ultimately you have too many arms going out there. They could shut down the Cubs at any point in time," said Sebastian Monnier, of Manhattan.
"I'm very confident that the Mets should close in maybe in the next or a fifth game," said Armando Peguero, of the Bronx. "That should be it for us, and we should go to the World Series."
"Very confident they're going all the way. This is our month. This is our year," said Michele Tomei, of Setauket. " ... My husband told me it is. He's a die-hard Met fan."
Thomas Miller, of Hicksville, was wearing a Daniel Murphy T-shirt Wednesday.
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"I've only worn it a couple times (this season)," he said. "But he's been a god in the playoffs, so had to wear it today."
Alex Mozeak, of Jamaica, said: "I know they can close the deal. I've been waiting for this since like middle school. This is huge for me, and I know for Queens and Brooklyn, this is also big."
But some Mets fans who have endured more than their share of heartache and disappointment over the years aren't popping the champagne corks just yet.
"I am a Met fan for my entire life, and I'm scared out of my mind right now that they're going to blow it," Hans Drascher, of Port Jefferson, said with a laugh.
The most memorable Mets teams remain etched in fan's minds, along with a theme or nickname that become forever linked with that group.
The Amazin's of 1969 stunned the baseball world. "You gotta believe" was the mantra associated with the never-say-die 1973 Mets.
What's about this year's team make it special?
"I think the grit," said Robert Price, of Jamaica. "The fact that they've hung in there. Tthey didn't start the season off particularly well, but were able to rebound. And I think Mets fans have been waiting a long time for a team to go out there and win."
"I like the way they stay in the moment," said Tom McMahon, of Woodside, Queens. "They don't get too far ahead of themselves. They focus on the task at hand, one game at a time."
Fans, meanwhile, have been captivated by Murphy's play in particular. On Tuesday night, he tied a postseason record by homering in five straight games. His six home runs this postseason are more than any Mets player's career playoff total.
"I've watched a lot of baseball over the years," manager Terry Collins said. "I don't think I've seen anybody put on this kind of a show on this stage like he has so far."
"I wish I could explain it. I can't," Murphy said after Game 3. "But I think this is just a lot of fun right now."
Speaking of Murphy, Cubs fans are haunted by that name. The first curse over the team was supposedly cast because tavern owner Bill Sianis and his billy goat, Murphy, weren't allowed into Wrigley Field for Game 4 of the 1945 World Series.
His nephew Sam, the current owner of the Billy Goat Tavern, thinks he has a way to reverse that curse using a new goat, Murphy the nanny goat.
"We take the goat there to see the Cubs win the World Series there," he told CBS2's Otis Livingston. "Good for the Cubs, good for the city."
The Mets can sweep the series with a win in Game 4 on Wednesday night at Wrigley Field. First pitch is at 8:07 p.m.
