How 2007 actually went.
The Mets spent most of the year in first place without matching the complete force of 2006. Wright produced a 30–30 season, Reyes remained dynamic, and Beltrán supplied power and defense. The rotation was older, the bullpen less trustworthy, and the team often seemed to believe there would always be enough time to recover.
With 17 games left, the Mets led the division by seven. The pitching then collapsed, the bullpen could not protect leads, and Philadelphia kept winning. Every loss increased the pressure until the final day, when Tom Glavine allowed seven runs in the first inning against Florida. The season ended before Shea had time to settle into its seat.
Losing the division after holding that lead became one of baseball’s most famous collapses. The pain came from more than missing October. This young core had looked ready to control the East, and now confidence between the team and fans was damaged. Wright’s great season and several months in first place were swallowed by 17 days nobody could stop replaying.
The lead disappeared one day at a time, which somehow made the final fall feel both shocking and slow.