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Mets clinch playoff berth

After 18 years and 149 games, the New York Mets have done it again. They are National League East champions. The Mets did it by beating the Marlins 4-0 Monday at Shea stadium for their 91st win of the season. The Phillies` hopes of winning the division are over, well behind the Mets in the standings. Also over is the amazing 14-year streak of the Braves winning the division championship.

In only the second season of general manager Omar Minaya and manager Willie Randolph, who took over the team after a dismal m71-91 season, and have reshuffled the team, the Mets are making a run for the World Series. They enter October the traditional way as division champs. It is only the 5th time in 45 years that they reached this milestone. The last time they did so was in 1986, when they won their second World Series.

Hopes for a third championship have slowly developed since April 6 when the Mets took the division lead. Their 91-58 is the best in the major leagues. But their task is by no means complete, with the team struggling recently against left-handed pitchers, with a 5-14 record against lefties since July 31, and ace pitcher Pedro Martinez`s health in question.