Right off the bat, I should say that I am not going to delve into personal attacks against my counterpart. Hailing from the respected (ha!) state of New Jersey, my estimable adversary in this debate is a good man. We have spent many a night together meticulously

crafting sports articles, editing for accuracy and brevity, and designing pages with the utmost care.

So I will not call him an idiot or an imbecile or a fool or a moron, even though in the past few days he unquestionably has exhibited such characteristics when brazenly and

Mistakenly predicting that the New York Mets would overcome the forces of good (read: the St. Louis Cardinals) in the National League Championship Series. No, I will not simply point out

that he is ignorant; I will go the extra step to show him the error of his ways. I want to help Mr. Volonnino help himself.

And, with that in mind, I present my 12-Step Acceptance of Impending Mets' Defeat Program.

If Mr. Volonnino recognizes these factors, there may be hope for him yet.

1. The empirical evidence. The Cardinals thoroughly destroyed the vaunted Atlanta Braves and their even more vaunted pitching staff in a three-game sweep last week in which St. Louis won by a combined 24-10 score. Cardinal hitters shelled Greg Maddux, Tom Glavine and Kevin Millwood, who combined for a 13.09 earned run average.

2. The Cardinals' history. With the exception of the New York Yankees, who seem to buy championships, no other team has won as many championships as the Cardinals have. From Dizzy Dean to Stan Musial to Bob Gibson to Ozzie Smith to Mark McGwire, the team has been a model

of consistency in turning out superstar players and nine championships spread over five decades (soon to be 10 championships over six decades).

3. The fan base. Cardinal fans are rabid. No team's fans in the New York metropolitan area compare to those of the Cardinals. Earlier this summer, Sports Illustrated called St. Louis the best baseball town in America, and The Sporting News called St. Louis the best sports town in America.

4. The element of surprise. Because St. Louis isn't the media capital of the world, the Cardinals have been lost in the pipe-dream speculation of a Subway Series between the Mets and Yankees. After first baseman Mark McGwire went down with an injury, the Cardinals quietly built the second-best record in the National League. Chances are good that the Mets will have their hands full with an explosive offense and stifling defense St. Louis showcased against Atlanta.

5. The Big Mo. The Cardinals have the momentum entering the series, having swept the Braves in three and having an extra day of rest while the Mets were sweating it out against the

Giants. The taste of victory is all too sweet, and the Cardinals have that flavor lingering in their mouths.

6. Defense. Employing the best middle-of-the-field defense in baseball, the Cardinals have reason to be confident because shortstop Edgar Renteria, second baseman Fernando Vina and center fielder Jim Edmonds will form a black hole up the middle. Grounders, line drives and pop-ups will go there to die.

7. The St. Louis starters. With one of the most consistent rotations in baseball (outside of, perhaps, the beaten Atlanta Braves!), the Cardinals can count on solid pitching outings from a number of talented pitchers. Ace Darryl Kile will give the Mets fits, as will rookie southpaw Rick Ankiel. And with Garrett Stephenson, Pat Hentgen and Andy Benes also able and ready, there appears to be no letdown of strong arms.

8. The St. Louis relievers. Once believed to be a liability, the Cardinal bullpen has become one of the team's greatest assets. Dave Veres is a strong closer, one championship away from

being one of the best. Mike James, Mike Timlin and Matt Morris can all go long, solid innings should a starter falter early.

9. The Cardinal bench: Undoubtedly the Cardinals' biggest strength. Do you start J.D. Drew

or Ray Lankford or Eric Davis? What a dilemma. And what about clutch-hitting Craig Paquette?

And do you start streaking Placido Polanco or hard-hitting Fernando Tatis at third base?

Decisions, decisions.

10. Will Clark. The man has been amazing since coming over from Baltimore to man first base in McGwire's absence. He said he can focus now that he's on a team that takes the game seriously. He batted .345, hit 12 homeruns and drove in 42 in 51 games in Cardinal red. Talk about focus.

11. Jim Edmonds. The best all-around center fielder in the game since...Willie Mays? If he consistently puts in seasons like he did this year, he may even be better. He makes dazzling over-the-shoulder catches like Mays did and bats like him, too. Edmonds hit .295 with 42 homeruns and 108 RBI during the regular season. He was even better against the Braves, hitting .571 with two homeruns and seven RBI in three games.

12. That big guy. It's Game Seven, bottom of the ninth, two outs. You're down three runs with the bases loaded. The pitcher is scheduled to bat next. You smirk. You point your finger down the bench at the burly man with the red goatee. "You. Grab a bat." The man heads to the batter's box and launches one into the night. Game over. You win. The man is Mark McGwire.

Unfortunately, that scene will never play itself out because the Cardinals will win in six. I know. I give the Mets too much credit. I don't want to shatter Mr. Volonnino's world too much. He's a nice guy, just seriously misguided.