In 2012, the New York Mets won their first four games, and out of nowhere, looked a little bit like a competent team. They kept playing games, and didn’t stop playing well, reaching a 46-39 peak the day before the All-Star break. They were in second place, 4.5 games out of the National League East and in position to win the second wild card.
Most people will remember what happened next: from that 46-39 high point, the Mets went 28-49 the rest of the way and finished 74-88, 24 games out of the division. But I don’t think Mets fans learned a lesson.