Mets could be apple of New York’s eye again
Team will rule NL East with Beltran, Pedro, and future stars like Wright
![]() Kathy Willens / AP With future stars like third baseman David Wright, the Mets are poised to become the kings of New York again, writes NBCSports.com's Mike Celizic. |
Video: Baseball from NBC Sports |
Nats name Riggleman Jim Riggleman was officially introduced as the manager of the Washington Nationals. |
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You can insert here the usual caveat about it being too early to declare a pennant race over when it’s barely one week into a six-month schedule. But after you do, take a good look at New York’s other team, the one that is 20 years removed from its last World Series victory. Tell me this isn’t the team that’s finally going to break Atlanta’s 14-season stranglehold on the NL East.
I don’t think you can. The Mets have spent a lot of time rebuilding, retooling, tinkering and doing everything they can think of to field a champion without getting it right. But last year, they started to put something together. This year, it looks as if it’s ready to come of age.
They did big things in the market during the winter, adding Carlos Delgado’s big bat at first base, Paul Lo Duca behind the plate and Billy Wagner’s 100-mph heat in the bullpen. Gone is Mike Piazza, the face of the franchise when it got back to the World Series — losing to the Yankees — in 2000. Gone, too, are all the bad hires that characterized the team while it was struggling to get out of its own way.
What’s left is a powerful lineup studded with talent: Jose Reyes, a potential superstar shortstop at the top of the order, Delgado, Carlos Beltran and David Wright, a third baseman destined for greatness.
The Mets have pitching, they have defense, they have offense, and they have a New York kind of guy pulling the strings, former Yankee great Willie Randolph, who’s looking very comfortable in his second year as manager.
The Mets are leading the National League in pitching with a 3.33 team ERA, nearly three runs a game less than the offense is producing. And if getting out of the blocks is essential to a good season, they’re doing that, winning five of their first six games.
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In other years during Atlanta’s run, the Mets often thought they had that breakthrough team. Then they actually play the Braves and learn they have another thing coming.
So these nine upcoming games are crucial. Win six of them, and the season is theirs. Win five and the prospects of a happy October get much brighter.
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But, although the Yankees are the team of legend and literature, owned by the Mad Shipbuilder and drowning in riches, the Mets have had their moments. And because they have been so rare, the Mets’ triumphs shine more brightly.
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