Kuzul

Led by 23-year-old David Wright and 22-year-old Jose Reyes, the Mets were one win away from the 2006 World Series. With young core players like Wright and Reyes, the Mets looked to have a very bright future, many feeling that they would make the playoffs for years to come.

However, one Yadier Molina home run and one wicked 12-6 Adam Wainwright curveball later, Carlos Beltran and the Mets went down looking. The Game 7 loss to the Cardinals in the NLCS was the last time New York played a playoff game. Since then, the Mets have suffered two historic September collapses and have also failed to make the playoffs the next two seasons.

2011, however, begins a brand new era, and a fresh start. Although many aren’t picking the Mets to have a good season this year, New York can silence the doubters and make the playoffs if a number of things happen.

Here are 10 things the Mets need to make it back to the playoffs for the first time since 2006.

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Led by 23-year-old David Wright and 22-year-old Jose Reyes, the Mets were one win away from the 2006 World Series. With young core players like Wright and Reyes, the Mets looked to have a very bright future, many feeling that they would make the playoffs for years to come.

However, one Yadier Molina home run and one wicked 12-6 Adam Wainwright curveball later, Carlos Beltran and the Mets went down looking. The Game 7 loss to the Cardinals in the NLCS was the last time New York played a playoff game.

Since then, the Mets have suffered two historic September collapses and have also failed to make the playoffs the next two seasons. Amid the financial chaos that surrounds the Metropolitans today, spring training has begun and another season lies ahead. Most Mets fans are pessimistic about their team, but there are four reasons to be optimistic.

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