Good morning from Port St. Lucie, where there’s a chill in the air and the sun is just coming up.
Had dinner last night with a friend on the Mets’ beat and like most people I speak with in the media he’s not enthusiastic about them having a good season.
Drove around a little last night and this place has changed over the past few years. Really built up. New hotels and restaurants, including a sushi place not far from where I am staying.
Walked into the lobby and three hotel staffers remembered me by name. Felt like Norm for Cheers. Was a good feeling.
Heading to camp in a few minutes. David Wright is at the WBC and Johan Santana is still here from when I traveled with the team on a regular basis.
Will make a run at Santana for obvious reasons, including a new one – the president of Venezuela died yesterday. Need to get a reaction from him. Ironically, the Mets are playing the Venezuelan team today.
Also Ike Davis to see what he knows about being added to the WBC now that Mark Teixeira is injured. Yankees can’t be too happy about that. I never have, and never will, be a fan of the Classic. It means so much more to players from other countries, especially Latin America than it does to players from the US. But, Felix Hernandez isn’t pitching (could it be that new contract?) and the Japanese players in the majors aren’t all participating.
Wright is on board, but many big name players are not. Have to wonder why.
No, there are no plans to ask Sandy Alderson whether he plans to jump out of any airplanes. Insert your reaction here.
Lot of Mets fans in the lobby. One lady I remember is a regular. She holds court every morning at breakfast. Had cards promoting the blog made up to pass around. Have to think differently now.
Have a great day folks and I’ll be posting regularly here now while covering the Mets beat.
