The 2008 season begins today. Although Jerry Manuel’s tenure as Mets skipper began with Tuesday’s game, it really feels like things begin anew today away from the circus like atmosphere of Angel Stadium appropriately located across the street from Disneyland.

The Mets open a 3 game set in Colorado. Gee it seems like they were just there. That’s because they were just 4 weeks ago but don’t get me started with the schedule makers right now. With the Willie Randolph firing fiasco now behind, it’s time for the Mets to do what they have not been able to do for over a year, relax and play winning baseball.

There are no more excuses. Whatever distraction Randolph’s eminent firing may have placed on this team is over now. Symbolically, the ousting of Randolph and Peterson may actually detach the club from the collapse of 2007. Of course many of the players are still here but it does feel somewhat like a rebirth for this team.

It should not go overlooked that the Mets won 2 of 3 from a very good team this week. What was the difference? I wonder if the pressure to win for Willie would have caused David Wright to strike out to end the game on Tuesday evening. Maybe David was relaxed and totally focused and that is what enabled him to hit a low curve ball into left field to tie the game. Who really knows for sure?

There is an excellent article in today’s Daily News. In it, the effect of Jerry Manuel’s confidence and demeanor is contrasted with Willie Randolph’s penchant to be stubborn and unwilling to take advice. If the article is accurate in regards to Randolph’s personality then it’s highly likely the team will react better under Manuel. No one is questioning Randolph’s desire to win but his thin skin and almost paranoid attitude at times may have taken its toll on the players. Willie’s remarks about SNY’s portrayal of him and his being treated differently because of his skin color did not do much to dissuade the conception.

One thing is clear, the Mets still have a shot of making 2008 special. There are 91 games left to the season. They are currently 5 losses behind the Philadelphia Phillies. Talent wise the Mets are a better team than the Braves and the Marlins and New York pitching is better than Philadelphia’s. Now we will finally know if these Mets have what it takes to reclaim the National League East.

The Mets are in a unique position. This group has never had to come back to win a title. They led all the way in 2006 and led until the last day of the season in ’07. Now the Mets must dig down and find what it takes to overcome the other teams in the division. It won’t be easy and the Mets need one more win just to be back at .500. The schedule, although silly, is benefiting the Mets right now. They have three games with the worst team in the National League (Rockies) followed by 3 games against the Seattle Mariners, the worst team in baseball. The last time the Mets faced a worst team, they were swept in 4 games at San Diego. Over the next 6 games we will find out if this club has turned the corner or not.  One way or the other, it should get interesting.