Currently, Damion Easley has played 1,696 career games in his career without playing a post-season game in his career.  An article for Sportsline reminds us that this is the most games any active player has gone without ever making the playoffs. 

Is Damion Easley cursed?  Should we be scared about having him on the Mets?

Easley had his first chance at the playoffs in 1995, when he was playing for the California Angels.  The ‘95 season was a strike shortened season, and after 144 games the Angels were tied for the AL West division lead with the Mariners.  The Angels lost the tie-breaker game, and finished the season half a game out of the division lead, and a game and a half out of the Wild Card. 

Who knows what would have happened if the season was 162 games, but was it a coincidence that Easley’s first legitimate shot at the playoffs was tampered with by a short season? You tell me. . .

Easley then suffered through the miserable years of the Tigers, from the second half of 1996 - 2002, without ever a close shot at postseason play.  In 2003 he was a member of the Devil Rays, an organization that hasn’t had a record above .500 until this year. 

At this point in his career Easley is already a veteran and wanted to sign with a team that will let him play in the playoffs.  So, after the 2003 season Easley signed with the Florida Marlins who were just coming off of a World Series victory, and had rising stars in Dontrelle Willis and Miguel Cabrera.  But the 2004 and 2005 Marlins both finished in 3rd place with a record of 83-79, and a post season visit continued to elude Mr. Easley. 

Easley signed with the Diamondbacks in 2006, who finished below .500 and failed to compete in post season play. 

Seeking a contending team, Easley signed with the Mets in 2007 who appeared ready to win a second consecutive NL East title.  Most of the season looked like they would, as the Mets had a healthy lead in the NL East for most of the season. 

The first omen of 2007 against Easley came on August 18th, when he broke his ankle and was injured for the rest of the season.  He probably wouldn’t have been able to play on the post-season Mets - but still he could have been part of a team that made the playoffs.  Unfortunately, that was not in the cards for Easley and the Mets collapsed in the final weeks of the season and failed to make the playoffs. 

This year, fingers have been pointed and coaches have been fired in order to solve this team’s problems.  While Easley is probably my favorite 2nd baseman on the team, is he the problem?  Is he the curse on the team that is holding the Mets back from the playoffs?  Will he be cursed forever?

If the Mets don’t make the playoffs, we’ll be closer to answering those questions.