I have taken a couple of days to react to the mea culpa from the Mets a couple of days ago. Here goes… Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.

I have seen this act before. In fact I have seen it far too many times. Years ago I use to look forward to listening to Fred Wilpon with Mike Francesa. Perhaps it was his fatherly ways that made me feel like he really cared. And I do believe he does really care. Fred doesn’t come out much anymore, at least to talk to the media. Now it’s his son Jeff, heir apparent to the throne, who makes the occasional public remarks.

I thought that Jeff Wilpon, Omar Minaya, and David Howard said all the right things during Francesa’s hour and a half interview. But talk is cheap. I am getting too old to assume things are going to be much different. I hope they prove me wrong.

It’s not that these people are trying to dupe us. I do not believe that for an instant. I honestly believe they want the Mets to succeed. It would be psychopathic on their part not to want to win. But it’s the Mets approach and determination that frightens me.

I think it is somewhat easy for Jeff Wilpon to go on the air and say all the things he knows the fans want to hear. I mean what else could he say? If he said anything short of “this year was unacceptable” the fans would have crucified him. What choice did he have? But he did have a choice to make more severe changes than firing a couple of coaches and he did not. For example, if on Monday he announced Bobby Valentine or someone else was the new manager, I would have reason to believe it’s not just words. I do believe cutting ties with Jerry Manuel and his coaches was the move they should have made. If the feeling is the season was unacceptable, why not back it up by firing those responsible.

Omar was Omar. He danced around all the questions really never providing real answers. To some degree, he must measure his words. I don’t blame him for defending Daniel Murphy against Francesa’s tirade in regards to the young first baseman’s shortcomings. Part of me wanted to hear Minaya say we (the Mets) will have to go find a power hitting first baseman but that would have been self defeating. Not only must he protect Murphy because there is a good chance he will man the position again next season but he may want to trade him. How could Omar possibly agree with Francesa publicly and not devalue his commodity. So for that, I have to give Omar a pass.

I must admit, I really like David Howard. At least he’s very honest and is not afraid to speak his mind. He really appears to be the only one in the front office that has a pair. Howard made an appearance recently on Fox Business News countering the claim from author Erin Arvedlund that the Mets would soon have to sell the team. He really let her have it denying the claim. Had the Mets shown as much tenacity on the field as Howard did in that interview, they might have finished at .500.

Honestly, I really could not find much fault with anything Wilpon, Minaya, or Howard said. But that still doesn’t make me feel confident that anything will change. Because let’s face the facts. The New York Mets have been a franchise that has never been able to sustain any kind of success. Every season where they have won, it’s a one-off. Even during the 1980s the Mets won just one time. Why is it so hard for a team who makes New York its home to produce a perennial winner? The Yankees have done it. Why can’t the Mets?

Sure we can argue the difference in payroll, that’s part of it. But another part is the Mets do not seem to foster a winning attitude. It is more likely a good player will improve their game if they become a Yankee than they will if they become a Met. Why? I don’t have the answer but I think attitude is a big part of it and that attitude starts at the top. Saying all the right things is good but following it up with action is better.

I have no doubt the Mets will make some deals and sign a free agent or two. But will they be difference makers or will they be bargains? And when they come, what will the message be to them?

I recall the criticisms of George Steinbrenner years ago. The press ridiculed him for being a bully and making winning the only thing that mattered. Look at the results of the message he sent. He won six world championships and more pennants and division titles than any other team by far since he bought the Yankees. The Yankees always appear to be focused while the Mets appear to be all over the place.

This winter, I promise not to get too excited when I hear a rumor or the consummation of a deal involving the Mets. This time, they will have to prove it to me on the field next season. Till then, I will continue to have my doubts.