Yeah, yeah, let’s jump for joy because the Mets won last night. But the fact is the Mets should have shut out the Diamondbacks and Pelfrey should have gotten the win. The kid pitched brilliantly for 8 innings. Why didn’t Willie let him pitch to a second batter in the inning? The worst case scenario, Pelfrey might have given up a two run home run still maintaining a one run lead. Then Wagner could have been summoned. I hate to second guess but last night the Mets went from a brilliant game to another night where 5 pitchers had to be used. Sure, it was good they won and maybe that homer by Beltran gets him going but that was one of the most frustrating wins I have ever witnessed.

And again it has happened this afternoon. The Mets had a 4-0 lead for Johan “maybe I should have stayed in Minnesota” Santana who pitched brilliantly. Joe Smith and goat of the month Billy Wagner blew a 4 run lead. Then Aaron Heilman, great last night, bad again today gives up a lead off double in the 10th. Mets lose 5-4 in a game they should have won without question.  

Now I’ll wait till the All Star break to see how the Mets are doing before I start to believe again. Even a 5 game winning streak now would not convince me this team is for real. How many times can you get burned? The Mets are like the Space Shuttle, each part is very intricate but it’s so difficult to get all the components working in unison. Frankly, I have had about all the aborted launches I can handle for one season. So with my pessimism taking over, I provide you a list of alternative things to get excited over this baseball season assuming the Mets are going nowhere –

1)                The continuing progress of Citi Field. Workers are installing seats and completing interior sections of the ballpark. The field boxes are being constructed with concrete being poured. Later this summer, the scoreboards and field will begin to be installed.

2)                Follow the Brooklyn Cyclones where some of the recent Mets amateur draft picks may be making their professional debut. Some games are likely to even be televised.

3)                Continue to monitor the progress of some of the Mets hot prospects like Fernando Martinez and Mike Carp with the AA Binghamton Mets. The 22 year old Carp is having resurgence this year.

4)                Root for the Yankees to not make the playoffs this season. This of course is pathetic and is like rooting for Exxon-Mobil not to make a profit this quarter.

5)                Go to some minor league games in the area. It’s a lot cheaper than Shea and comes with no agita.

6)                Look forward to the end of the season when we can have a retirement party  for Orlando Hernandez, Moise Alou (who is likely headed to the disabled list again), Carlos Delgado, and very likely Pedro Martinez. If frustrated enough by the end of the season, say goodbye to Ollie Perez and agent Scott Boras too.

7)                If the Mets are not to be in it then I’m rooting for a Red Sox-Cubs World Series. What could be better than a Wrigley-Fenway matchup?

8)                Speculating on who the next manager and/or general manager will be for the Mets. I have been a Willie and Omar guy from the start but with a 140 million investment and nothing to show for it, the Wilpons have every right to make a change or two.

9)               The destruction of Shea Stadium now more likely to happen in October rather than November. It will be sad and cool at the same time.

10)           Finally I will look forward to the winter meetings in December and focus in on the Mets next big acquisition. I’m sure it will cost millions and more young talent and likely prove to be a bust.

Yes folks, my confidence level is at an all time low. And be fair, this Mets act has been going on for over a year now. Am I really that far off base?