It begins as just a year, actually a good year — 1908 or 1918 or 1940. The Cubs or the Red Sox or the hockey Rangers win a championship.
And then it is something else. An albatross, a relentless reminder, a taunting chant.
When does 1986 become that for the Mets — something once great that grows more and more distant and distressing each year? That haunts at least as much as it elates?
It is 32 years and counting since the Mets last won it all, and does their current collection make even the most optimistic fan see an end to that?