The Mets Are Hoping To Avoid A Repeat of August 2002

Bobby V had this look in August 2002.  Will Terry C do the same in August 2012?

Ten years ago this month, the Mets did something they had never done before and have not done since.  They lost every home game they played.

In August 2002, the Mets became the third team in baseball history (and the first in National League history) to lose every home game they played in a calendar month (minimum 10 home games).  With an 0-13 record, the Mets equaled the mark of futility set by the 1969 Seattle Pilots (0-13 in August) and matched by the 1996 Detroit Tigers (0-16 in September).

The Mets also lost their first two home games in September 2002 to extend their home losing streak to 15 games, which set a new National League record for consecutive losses at home.  They did not win a home game for 34 days, going from July 31 to September 3 without a single happy recap at Shea Stadium.

Fast forward ten years to August 2012.  The Mets lost the middle game of their three-game series against the Marlins at Citi Field.  The 13-0 whitewashing was the Mets' ninth straight defeat at home, their longest winless skein since - you guessed it - August 2002.

Because of the four-day All-Star Break and the recently-completed 11-game western swing, the Mets have not celebrated a win at Citi Field since July 7, when they defeated the Cubs, 3-1, in a game started and won by Dillon Gee, who has been on the disabled list ever since.  Therefore, when the Mets take the field against the Marlins on Thursday afternoon, they will be searching for their first win at home in 33 days, just one day short of their franchise-record 34-day home winless streak from 2002.

Years ending in '2' have never been good to the Mets.  But this year was supposed to be different.  If the Mets lose the series finale against the Marlins on Thursday and Friday night's game against Atlanta, the 2012 season will be different in one respect.  It'll be the first time the Mets go 35 days without a victory at home. 

Let's go Mets.  But let's not go into the record book for futility at home.  A win - and soon - will make sure that ignominious distinction does not occur.