"It's not how you start, it's how you finish," Santana has said throughout the summer.

The Mets learned that lesson the hard way last season. If they had Santana down the stretch last year, the historic collapse never would have happened. To his credit, Omar Minaya went out and made this trade happen.

One September collapse is enough to give any GM pitching religion. Across town the Yankees have made a habit of finishing strong. Brian Cashman didn't have to live through what Minaya lived through last season. He didn't have to see a patchwork rotation fall to pieces as aces aged overnight. He didn't have to watch Glavine give up seven runs in one-third of an inning in the last game of the season, a helpless and hopeless ending.

The Yankees thought their kids were ready for September and every other month. It didn't work out that way. The Yankees have learned their lesson and will make CC Sabathia their offseason target, just like Minaya did last winter with Santana. No, this is not last September for the Mets.

This is a Santana September. There's a world of difference.

New York Yankees News News » Santana will save Mets from September swoon
Santana will save Mets from September swoon
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