Shea Stadium has never been drearier. A little less than two hours after the final out of Game 7 of the NLCS and the rain is pouring down on a nearly empty Shea Stadium. The workers are cleaning up the aisles, preparing the Stadium for another long winter.

Brutal is the only word to describe the loss for the Mets. Oliver Perez pitches the game of his life. Endy Chavez makes the catch of his life. But the team still loses.

Blame will fall on Aaron Heilman and Carlos Beltran. But the Cardinals deserve a lot of credit. Jeff Suppan was superb and Adam Wainwright’s curveball was wicked.

The mood in the clubhouse after the game was somber. Plastic wrapped the TVs and computers and the couches had been removed in anticipation of a champagne celebration. Some players talked about what a great season this was, while others looked ahead to next year. Fred Wilpon walked the room, shaking hands with every player and coach.

One thing is clear: players get over losses like this quicker than fans. While many of you were probably throwing things at your TV and will be in a bad mood until Tuesday, the players generally seem to move on after the final out is recorded.

Some questions to ponder as you replay the game in your mind:

1. Should Willie Randolph gone to Billy Wagner in the ninth?

2. How do you rank this season: a success (97 wins), a disappointment (losing to the Cards) or somewhere in between?

3. What changes need to be made this winter?