Cone Heads! (well not quite)

So as I’m sure you’re all aware, the Mets all shaved their heads last night.
Well not all, and what’s your excuse Aaron Heilman?

Then they came out and battered Matt Cain quickly, in what seemed like five minutes they scored three runs, and then a fourth. Sure you’d like them to have added some more, but they secured the win, a 3-run handicap was plenty for Glavine who himself secured career win number 294, and I’ve actively started considering being there for 300. Runs in the first inning, a vintage 2006 win. Sometime soon we’re going to see the Reyes single followed by a quick Wright home-run. 2-0 with the other team thinking, “Wait, we started the game already?”

I love that these Mets love to play together, and can get behind some team bonding activities. It’s a friendly activity that keeps everyone friendly and happy. Being part of the team is important, it helps you shake off tough losses, struggle through slumps, and just plain learn from the experiences of the other 24 guys. It’s one of those invaluable traits of the 2007 Mets that few people take into account when making predictions and projections.

The Mets are still looking to “click on all cylinders” and I think this was one of their ways of trying to get in sync. Still, the Mets have a 20-12 record, and are tied for first place. Atlanta’s just barely hanging on, despite beating the Mets four of six. What will happen when the Mets do click? I expect one day we’re going to wake up to find the Mets comfortably in first, and the Brave fans quietly calculating Wild Card standings.

Beltran’s First Inning Runs

Feb 21, 2007 02:13 PM

Beltran seems confident this year, and thirsty to improve. It’s good to see a player that had a good year last year still striving for more. He wants to win an MVP, and steal more bases. This will lead to more walks for Delgado, and will put David Wright in the situation to really hurt teams early. The Mets excelled at first inning runs last year, and with Reyes poised to steal at least as many, and probably more, and Beltran looking to eclipse his totals from the last two years in this year alone, the Mets look like they’ll be able to continue the trend of scoring first.

When Reyes and Beltran are on, opposing pitchers are looking at the possibility of having to retire both Delgado and Wright or risk at least two runs. Another bonus, especially on the road, is the effect on the Mets pitchers. Having a lead early is obviously a good thing, and with a lot of the Mets starters being young and inexperienced, this could help them settle in and help win games.