Really, when?

When is enough really enough?

For this fan base, how many more empty promises and 'meaningless' September games will we have to go through (I know it's only April, but I believe everyone can see which way the ship is headed)?

Last October/November was such a promising month for the Mets: ownership finally got rid of Omar Minaya and Jerry Manuel and then promised the future would be brighter with Sandy Alderson and Terry Collins running the organization.  Alderson explained immediately that the team would not be big spenders and crash the off-season free agent party, that they're long term goal was to get the long term payroll under control and build from within.  For the most part, that's happened.  Chrises Young and Capuano were the biggest free agent signings, each for a year.  Youngsters such as Josh Thole, Brad Emaus, Lucas Duda, and Ike Davis were with the team on Opening Day. Collins did his part as skipper during Spring Training, energizing not only his players but the fans and media as well.  We all were ready for Opening Day, and although that day was a bit of a disappointment, the ensuing days were great.  3-1 was a very, very nice start to the season for the Metropolitians.

And then it all went downhill.  The squad has gone 2-10 since then and many of the ghosts of the Minaya/Manuel era seemed to be floating above the clubhouse each day.  The pitching staff has be abysmal as a collective unit.  No one can get the big out at the appropriate time.  The offense is way to stagnant in to many big moments.  I don't pretend to say I view the stats of all the MLB games played, however I doubt there have been many teams that have had as many bases loaded opportunities as the Mets and yet have done nothing with those opportunities.  The team as a whole strikes out too much; trying to work the count and draw walks have shown the reverse results.  Lastly, the defense has been horrendous.  The squad leads the majors in runs allowed due to defensive mishaps.  Not turning the double-play, not hitting the cut-off man, the pitcher airmailing the ball into the stands, it's all happened of late.

Speaking on behalf of Mets fans, I understand that 2011 is not a year that we should be expecting to make the playoffs.  But what all of us were hoping for is a competitive team that will be in every game and will allow us to openly be proud of being a Mets fan.  We haven't received that yet and not only is it frustrating but it has become disheartening because we believed this past off-season.  We thought things would be different.  Even if just slightly.  We feel lied to.

5-11

That's More Like It

Again, that is why the season is 162 games long.  After Friday night, the 'same old Mets' thoughts were creeping through the minds of the fans and some of the media as well.  There was the feeling that 2010 never ended, instead just rolled over into this March.

But 42 hours can change a lot, especially the feeling about the team.  The Mets finished the weekend by taking the last two games against the Marlins and won their first road series of 2011, something that didn't happen until August (I believe) last year.

Starting pitching was the key in both victories as Jon Niese allowed only two runs in 7 innings on Saturday and R.A. Dickey followed that with just one unearned run in 6 innings this afternoon.  The bullpen ended up getting a decent amount of work in while finishing out these two games because no one was particularly solid, but that's a good thing.  It allows all the arms to get some action early on.

Ike Davis, David Wright, Josh Thole and Willie Harris (!!!!!) all contributed with big at bats this weekend and the positive vibes transcended to the rest of the squad.  This is more like the offense that we expected coming out of Spring Training, putting 15 runs on the board while collecting the two Ws.

They now get a well deserved day off on Monday after traveling up north.  Their next stop, Citizen's Bank Park in Philadelphia.  Tuesday night is the first of 18 against the Phillies, and the Mets will give the ball to Chris Young who will be making his first start in a Mets uniform (he'll be opposed by Cole Hamels).

2-1