The Subway Series opener ended in absolutely excruciating fashion.  In all that I’ve seen in my years as a Mets fan, I never witnessed something like that, and I never want to again.

Not even the greatest of mind-altering drugs could swing one’s emotion so drastically and quickly than that dropped pop-up did Friday night.  From euphoria to devastation in 0.24 seconds. 

If I felt awful, then I can imagine what Luis Castillo was feeling inside.  If you saw the second baseman during his post-game locker room interview, then you got a pretty good idea.

Appearing completely distraught, Castillo made no excuses.  He stated the obvious that the play was a routine one before solemnly repeating, “I feel bad … I feel bad.”  Postgame Reaction Video (courtesy of SNY.tv)

I can’t crush Castillo here, and for those of you who know me well know that I never would.

I’ve always been a huge fan of this sparkplug of a second baseman, who was as important to Florida’s 2003 World Series run as Josh Beckett, Miguel Cabrera, or pick a Marlin.

I lobbied for the Mets to sign Castillo from that particular year’s free agent crop, and not an unproven Kaz Matsui.

Instead the Mets waited another four years to finally acquire Castillo, doing so via a deadline deal with the Twins in 2007.

Needless to say, Castillo has been a shade of the All-Star/Gold Glover he was for so many years in South Florida, but the Mets second base situation could be much worse.

Chase Utley types are exactly a dime-a-dozen, and Castillo can still contribute now that he has returned to playing shape.  His poor play last year was not a reflection of his potential, but more likely the result of Hideki Irabu-like eating habits.

Call for Castillo’s head if it helps you sleep at night, but the last thing the Mets need is another fill-in at second base.  Especially when their starting second baseman is batting .281 and has scored the third-most runs (34) on the team.

Remember That Debacle?:  Even more baffling than Friday’s finish is the fact that Mets brass gave Matsui a three-year, $22 million contract the same year Castillo received a three-year, $18 million deal from Florida. 

Apparently, a three-time All-Star and Gold Glove winner has less value to the Mets than a Japanese shortstop who had yet to play a single game at the major league level.  Oh, and it gets even better for those of you who don’t remember back to that infamous period of Mets history back in 2003.  The Mets signed Matsui at a premium price and proceeded to move budding star Jose Reyes from shortstop to second base to accommodate Matsui.  Ahhhh … the good ol’ days.

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Luis Castillo vs. Kaz Matsui