This Man Is No Longer A New York Met. Rejoice.

Several years ago, I left my first job where I had been miserable. For months after I started at my new (and still current) job, I would be walking around, busy with something or other, and suddenly I would remember that I was no longer at the old job, and would never have to deal with (or do work for) any of those people at the old job ever again. And a little smile would creep across my face.

Any of this sounding familiar?

Watching old pal Armando Benitez melt down like a pat of butter in the Gobi Desert yesterday gave me the same exact vibe. Sometimes we forget he's gone, but guess what: He's gone! He's gone! Lord have mercy, he's gone! And listen, I know I've given Wagner some grief over the past 12 months, but watching Wags take the hill after Benitez's performance yesterday was like biting into a delicious medium-rare filet mignon with a warm red center, after years of being served nothing but gristly burnt hamburger meat (not unlike the hamburgers they serve out in the Pepsi Picnic Area, so I am told by Count Choc). So, rejoice, people. Free steaks for all!

(1) I am not going to say that Wright and Delgado are out of it just yet (I've been burned too many times before), but if they are, whoa nelly. Unfortunately, it looks like Beltran might be in a little bit of a shnide himself. Weird how that works.

(2) A big "thank you" to Giants manager Bruce Bochy for removing Bonds for a pinch runner in the late innings of a tie game. Why do managers do stuff like this? It's freaking retarded. The first thing I did after the Mets jumped out in front in the 9th is check when Bonds' spot was due up in the bottom of the inning, only to realize that Bochy had removed him from the game. Sure, his spot didn't come up again, but it was nice to see that we wouldn't have to deal with him. Torre does this sometimes with Giambi, and I just don't get why you would remove one of your best bats from a tie game. Absurd.

Finally, Roger Clemens apparently snapped at a Daily News photographer yesterday.
Listen, Rocket, here's the deal: When you announce your return to the Yankees from the owner's box during a game like you're The Lord Almighty, you're begging for attention. In other words, you have forfeited the right to whine and cry when a newspaper takes your picture.

Finally, enjoy the picture at right. I know I did.