The Real Meaning of "One Game At A Time"

Virtually every team in just about every sport says they play "one day at a time", but how many actually do? The distinction between the teams that do and those that don't could not be better seen than in the Mets and Phillies. Both teams have had their injury woes. Teams that have come before them have been plagued by injuries as well, but those teams that can work around it and build a winning record can honestly say that they played one game at a time because it takes that mentality to create a winning team. After their first game back from the All Star break, Phillies manager Charlie Manuel was questioned about the healthy lead the Phillies have amassed. He basically said that he doesn't want his team to get comfortable. He prefers being in the situation they were in the past two years at the halfway point. The Phillies had to fight their way to the top. They had a fire inside that he likes. He says "We play for today. We don't get ahead of ourselves." This couldn't be any more true because they've proven it, day in and day out. Amidst injury problems and struggling veterans, they have made it work. Jerry Manuel is the polar opposite. In many interviews, the focus seems to be on the injuries and what the Mets plan to do when they come back. "You can get hot for two series," Manuel said. "You hit, you get your pitching going, you can make up some ground if the team ahead of you isn't playing real well. But it's hard to stay hot for three series. And that's what you're going to have to do if you get up to seven games." This was a quote in response to their loss on Thursday. Manuel seems to be more concerned with standings and the teams ahead of the Mets than his own team. He is looking ahead too much and not taking games one at a time. Either he is moving at warp speed or he's thrown in the towel. Either way, I think a better manager could've kept the Mets relatively close if he has the right mindset. The Phillies have taken their games one at a time, which is why they currently have a 5 game lead over the Marlins and an 8 game lead over the Mets. .