I get it. I really do. At this point, no Mets’ fan in their right mind thinks Johan Santana is going to be ready for Opening Day. And it appears the start will go to Jonathon Niese. And out of any other options in the rotation, Niese is probably the one that most deserves it. Shaun Marcum? No. Dillon Gee? No. Matt Harvey? No. Hmmm, on second thought… Look, I’m not even saying that I’m [...]

David Wright is correct, his rib injury could have happened anytime. It could have happened carrying groceries from the car. That isn’t the issue. The issues are Wright was injured while at the World Baseball Classic – whatever he was doing at the time, it was away from the Mets – and did not report his injury in a timely fashion. Also an issue is Wright has a strained left intercostal muscle and faces the [...]

Updated on March 13 at 2:00 PM According to Andy Martino of the Daily News, Johan Santana spoke with Sandy Alderson today to clear the air about what’s been reported about him and his coming to camp unprepared and not ready to pitch. Santana didn’t say anything all the newsworthy, says Martino, but the Mets lefthander looked like he was in a better mood, talking, and clearly wanting the subject changed. “I’m not going to [...]

I spent last week on Lanai, a beautiful and remote Hawaiian Island. Sports, for the most part, was far from my mind. To say that is a rarity for me, is a major understatement. Still weeks from Opening Day, I considered it an opportunity to relax before the frenzy of another baseball season began. Wearing my Ike Davis shirt the last morning, I was approached by an individual asking if I was an Ike Davis’ [...]

According to the Star-Ledger, New Jersey Governor Chris Christie spent some time on SiriusXM’s Mad Dog Radio channel yesterday discussing the Mets. Christie has been a long-time Mets fan, and will be in the stands on April 1 when the Mets take on the San Diego Padres on opening day. Christie went through a list of players he likes, which he considers the nucleus, and includes David Wright, Ike Davis and Daniel Murphy. He’s also excited [...]

My dad and I have never gone to a Mets game together before. Sure we’ve watched countless games on TV, been to see the Ducks and the Islanders, went to the Giants ticker-tape parade together, and have even caught a few Orioles games when we visit family in Maryland. But never have we both made it to Flushing with each other. Whenever I have gone, it has always been with friends. We have always tried [...]

Updated on 3/3 As most of us expected, Johan Santana has shown up to camp and is none too happy about being the center of attention this morning according to Andy Martino of the Daily News. A displeased Santana had this to say to reporters,  ”What is spring training for? Training.” While true, spring training is for training, Santana hasn’t trained or thrown a pitch off a mound since February 19. Adam Rubin adds that [...]

During an interview on WFAN with Mike Francesa, Terry Collins said that Jon Niese would get the Opening Day start if Johan Santana is not ready. The manager still believes Santana has a chance to make the start, “It’s not doubtful,” Collins said. “If he’s not ready for Game 1, I think he’ll be ready for Game 4.” Niese, 26, took a big step forward. He became reliable, proved to be durable, and most of [...]

Terry Collins told Jorge Castillo of the Star Ledger that Johan Santana is on target to start his first spring training game on March 10 or 11. That would give him about five starts, assuming there are no other setbacks, before Opening Day. Frankly, I don’t care if he’s starting Opening Day. I just want him to get fully healthy as soon as possible, even if that means missing a few starts early in the [...]

Based on the Mets 50-year history of mostly losing records, trends would normally dictate that the team would have a losing record on Opening Day. However, it’s the complete opposite. The Mets have a 30-20 record in the season’s first game—a .600 winning percentage. Maybe there’s just something about Opening Day that gets the team amped. But actually, the Mets lost their first six Opening Days and eight of their first nine. Starting in 1971 [...]