How 1998 actually went.
The season changed on May 22 when the Mets traded for Mike Piazza. The club had lost Todd Hundley to injury and needed both a catcher and a star. Piazza struggled under immediate pressure, heard boos, then settled in and helped pull the Mets into the Wild Card race. His presence changed every lineup and every conversation around the team.
John Olerud produced a magnificent .354 season, Alfonzo supplied two-way value, and the rotation received strong work from Al Leiter and Rick Reed. The Mets entered the final weekend needing one win against Montreal to force at least a tiebreaker. Instead, they lost all five games to close the schedule, including the last three at Shea.
Missing the playoffs after 88 wins was painful because the path had been open. The disappointment did not erase the larger victory: Piazza chose to stay, signing a long-term deal after the season. The Mets had found the center of the next era. The collapse created pressure for 1999, but unlike earlier failures, the roster now looked strong enough to answer it.
The final weekend was awful. Piazza staying meant fans could believe the ending was a beginning.