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I would say this 2008 team has faced quite a bit of adversity. Whether or not that transalates to "fight" will be determined over the next 6 games. They can't get through a national TV broadcast without the C word being mentioned. They have been patching together 3 starting position players all season (RF, LF, 2B). They have had season ending injuries to their #3 starting pitcher and closer. They went through a month or more of "Will he or won't he be fired?" followed by a managerial firing. Yet, still, they are right there with a playoff spot for the taking. I'm certainly not making excuses for them if they don't win, but these players have played through a lot of shit and have put up a lot of W's.
As for 1999, I'll agree that was a totally different team...but there are similarities. The 2008 team has received major contributions from players that were left for dead (Delgado and Tatis) which is very similar to the contributions Henderson and Ventura made in 1999. Both teams got of to a mediocre start and fired managers and/or coaches in June. After each of those firings, both teams were one of the best in baseball for several weeks. Both entered September looking like they were probably headed for postseason play before stumbling down the stretch. The big difference is in the bullpens obviously.
I was pretty down on them going into the last 6 games of 1999 and I didn't think they were going to make it. But then they surprised me. That's all I'm looking for now.
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