Negative: Well so much for the Mets making a statement early in the season to the Atlanta Braves. They made a statement and here it is. Regardless of the fact that we have Santana, you can still beat us at will. I know it’s early but seeing the Mets play so futile against the Braves is very frustrating for Mets fans. The reality is that the Mets have simply not jelled yet as a team.

Positive: Even with their lackluster beginning there have been good signs. Santana pitched extremely well again in his second start. In 40 previous outings in which Santana gave up only 1 run, he never lost. Welcome to the Mets Johan. Now you too can enjoy the frustrations felt by one of the greatest Mets of all time, Tom Seaver. Also the Mets bottom of the order has produced nicely. They haven’t been the pushovers I feared, at least yet. Carlos Delgado is not hitting for power yet but he has been getting his hits and getting on base. We know the top 4 guys will be okay even though they were stymied in Atlanta. John Maine had a blazing fastball on Saturday but was never able to get into any rhythm. How much of that was the fact he hadn’t pitched in 7 days?

Negative: Besides the fact the Mets lost both games in Atlanta another concern is Aaron Heilman, the Teflon reliever. Sure he had a great spring but this business about spring training is nonsense. It means nothing. In a 1-0 game, his job has got to be to hold the opposition. Aaron blew 7 games last season and helped to put away yesterday’s game. Oh and do you remember a fellow by the name of Yadier Molina?

Positive: How about the defensive play of David Wright? That guy is flat out becoming a real All Star player. I was so glad to see him make plays like he did yesterday especially in front of Larry “Chipper” Jones* who was critical of Wright receiving the Gold Glove award last year.

Outlook: Don’t forget, the 1986 Mets opened the season with a 2-3 record. However, I don’t think this current Mets team has the talent that team of 22 years ago had. Never the less it’s too early to go crazy here. Look at all the teams expected to win that are struggling at the outset. The Yankees are 3-3, the Red Sox are 3-4, the Phillies are 2-4, and the Tigers are 0-6! Cleveland and the Cubs who are also expected to contend are only 3-3. It’s simply too early to assume the worst even though Mets fans are. I actually heard Mets fans calling into WFAN radio yesterday after the game suggesting Willie should be let go. Gees, it’s only been 5 games. Now if in 50 games the Mets are floundering then it’s a more valid argument but now it is ridiculous. 

David Wright is the voice of the Mets, make no mistake about it. In addition to him getting better and better on the field, he has become a huge clubhouse presence. Yesterday after the game this is what David had to say as quoted by the Daily News. “We need to play better”, Wright said. “This is an early season test, and we’ve failed so far”. Enough said. We, as fans, have been so jaded by last year’s collapse we (I include myself) will panic at every opportunity. Let’s all take a deep breath. This is not football. There are a ton of games left.

*Mike Piazza to Chipper Jones on why he calls him Larry, his real name: Mike: “Sorry, I just can’t call a grown man Chipper”.