You have to give credit to the Mets: it wasn’t a total collapse that left them out of the postseason.  They did, after all, have a dramatic walkoff win last Thursday night, and Johan Santana pitched a brilliant three-hit shutout on short rest on Saturday.  But on the season’s final day, when the Brewers’ CC Sabathia was pitching a four-hit complete game gem to put the Mets in a must-win situation to keep pace, the Mets’ bullpen — what else? — failed them, and their lineup’s big bats couldn’t save the game, or the season.

With considerably less media fanfare, but with a painful end befitting the franchise, Shea Stadium closed for good with that Marlins win — the second time in as many seasons that Florida has ended New York’s playoffs hopes at home.  Shea will always be remembered for the big apple that pops out of the top hat and the flights coming in and out of Laguardia — two features that will be a part of the ew Citi Field.  So really, who cares?  So long, crappy stadium.

Other important MLB action: The White Sox and Twins both won, forcing the Sox to play a make-up game today against the Tigers, who can’t be happy that their painful season is forced to last another day.  Sox lose and go home, win and they host a tiebreaker against Minny.  No pressure.  Just don’t think about choking.