The Mets didn’t hand anything on a silver platter. In ‘07, the Mets did have the biggest choke in MLB history, I don’t doubt that, but the Phillies had to win games to overtake that spot. Had the Phillies not had an unbelievable September, the Mets would have entered the playoffs on their face, but at least they would have made the playoffs. Last year the Phillies led most of the season. They almost pulled an ‘07 Mets with a terrible two months, but got it together at the end (amazing what a bullpen can do).

On to talking about other teams. Beltran at least could of had some originality. You are right though, aside from Rodriguez running his mouth (maybe he should throw a pitch in the jersey before he decides to mouth off), the Mets haven’t said much. There’s a reason behind that.

A) Anytime they talk to the media, they are faced with collapse questions, so what are they really going to say? Funny what humility does.

B) What would they actually say? “You watch out Phillies, we’re gunning for you?” This isn’t the WWE.

David Wright made a comment in 2007 asking “What has Jimmy Rollins ever won?” Well he ran his mouth and won an MVP. The next season we won a World Championship. When you talk and back it up, the talk has some meaning. The Mets have learned their lesson. When you can’t back it up, you’re just embarrassing yourself.

Actually the Mets have talked. By front office/management making comments about “we choose not to address the Phillies”, or “let Hamels say what he wants, we have more class”, you’re still talking about another team. Don’t play some high road BS. If someone is going to take the high road, they take the high road, they don’t talk about taking it.

Also, aside from Hamels, what exactly have the Phillies said? Classless winners? Come on buddy, you gotta back a comment like that up (or was that directed toward Hamels?).

Speaking of Hamels. The hype over his comment makes me laugh because most people who talk about it didn’t actually hear the interview. Hamels was obviously baited into saying it, and only said it after being asked if the Mets were choke artists four times. Lets be honest Jeff, he kinda has a point. Even in 2006 when Beltran watched strike three go by him in game seven, the choke was on.

Reyes… Oh Jose… The guy has the talent to be the best player in baseball, but he has the maturity and emotional level of a six year-old. That’s the issue I have with Reyes. His dancing, his pouting, it’s ridiculous. There’s a difference getting emotional and pumped about a play (You can never fault a player for emotion), then doing the cha-cha around the bases. Howard doesn’t admire his home runs as much as say Bonds used to, but he needs to take it time and let it land before he crosses the plate.

Aside from that, it’s going to be a good season. The Mets bullpen is definitely improved. Not even by adding KRod (who I think might be a real bad contract) and Putz, but by ditching Schoenweis & Heilman. I think the Mets bench is fairly thin, and the only New York team Livan Hernandez should be pitching for is the Long Island Ducks. Ibanez is an upgrade over Burrell based on consistency alone, but losing Romero is a big blow to the bullpen (Jack Taschner isn’t the solution either).

In closing… You don’t boo Chase Utley. Also Jeff, you wish you’d hear David Wright say “World F**king Champions”.