How 2008 actually went.
The Mets entered the final Shea season carrying the full weight of 2007. A poor start cost Willie Randolph his job during a road trip, and Jerry Manuel took over. The team recovered behind Wright, Beltrán, Delgado, and new ace Johan Santana, building another late lead in the Wild Card race.
The bullpen weakened after Billy Wagner was injured, turning almost every close lead into stress. Santana kept the season alive on the next-to-last day by throwing a complete-game shutout on short rest despite a damaged knee. It was one of the strongest individual acts by a Mets pitcher, performed because there was no trustworthy alternative.
The Mets lost the final game at Shea and missed the postseason by one game, repeating the heartbreak in a different shape. The closing ceremony followed immediately, with franchise legends walking onto the field while the current team absorbed another collapse. Shea deserved a joyful goodbye. Instead, fans left with history behind them and an uncertain new ballpark ahead.
Santana gave Shea one last masterpiece; the bullpen and final game gave it another painful goodbye.