Thanks for being on the mound during Game 6 of the 1986 Series. You made a Mets fan dream come true.

I always thought Schiraldi got a raw deal, though. He never should have been put in that position. He was red hot for about three weeks in August and the Sox got the crazy idea they'd discovered a closer. Truth is, he was never really that good and he wound up in a role he wasn't nearly able to handle. If his confidence hadn't been totally destroyed, he might have had a decent career as 5th starter or middle- reliever / spot starter. But have one hot streak for a team with no bullpen and suddenly you're Mitch Williams.

As for the goat of the '86 series, why not McNamara? Got all sentimental about letting Buckner be on the field to celebrate at the end. In the ALCS, Stapleton went in for defense. Should've done the same here.

Maybe it was the shape of the sound waves the name "Calvin" makes when being derisively howled by 56,000 people, but the stands, and probably the field, were literally moving with the chant. I've seen a lot of ballgames - but never anything like that.

At that point, it wasn't just that the Mets were the Beasts of Baseball: we the fans were, too. We were a part of it. We were imposing our will on the action on the field.

When I viewed the videotape later, I, too, was struck by the expression of terror on Schiraldi's face. I've never seen a professional athlete present like that before. But it's hard to understand what it must have been like for him unless you were actually there.

Maybe he would have blown it anyway, even if the environment had been peaceful and quiet. Shea was completely silent at the beginning of the bottom of the 10th two nights earlier. Who knows?

That game was the apex of 9 years of rebuilding, the pinnacle of one of the best teams ever assembled, and made up for the misery of watching a lousy franchise all through childhood. The middle 80's were the only time ever the Mets did not somehow feel like a second rate organization. Sadly, that didn't last.

In his own way, though, Schiraldi was a vital part of the highest moment Mets fans have ever had. If I ever meet him, I'd gladly buy him a beer.

I took my Schiraldi card to the ballpark along with all my others to get autographed. We saw him after the game and asked him for autographs. It got to my turn and looked at my card for a moment and said "I don't sign Mets cards." He was a total douche. I thought it was funny that was so insecure about it so many years later.

He will be remembered more than anything else for his performance in the 1986 World Series.

That night, I gained a respect for Calvin that I hadn't really had since he was named MVP of the College World Series at Texas in 1983. It wouldn't surprise me a bit if he believed that he showed New York what he was made of in that game. Calvin, if you're reading this entry, I just want you to know that I was there that night and remember it well. God Bless You!