ESPN, they had a great article by Phil Rogers who ranked all the outfields in baseball, and I was surprised to see the Mets ranked at number 4. Only the Angels, Tigers, and Braves were ranked higher. I thought it was ironic because besides all the comments and questions I get from fans concerned about the starting pitching, worries about the outfield ranked second. In my 2007 Mets Preview last month, I gave the Mets outfield a grade of A- and I had this to say about them:

In the 2006 season the New York Mets got some excellent production from their outfielders, something that they had not really experienced very often since the their inception in 1962. Simply put, they were in the top 7 in every offensive and defensive category that mattered most. That’s quite an accomplishment considering that the heart of the Mets offense lies in their infield and not their outfield. The best part is that in 2007 not only do they have a chance to repeat that success, but I actually believe they will be significantly better. 

I love this time of the year! Football season is over and everyday you come online or turn on WFAN or ESPN, the talk is all baseball. It’s only a matter of days now as Mets pitchers and catchers report on Thursday, and the full-squad workouts begin on February 21st. The Mets Spring Training Opener is scheduled for February 28th against the Detroit Tigers.

“This is the absolute best time of the year,” Wright said a few days ago. “There’s no better feeling than starting the baseball season. It just feels right.”

I can almost smell the fresh, green grass, despite the frigid temperatures here in Staten Island, New York. There’s already a growing buzz about baseball everywhere I turn. There’s an exciting feeling of anticipation as the Mets embark on a new season. They certainly have some unfinished business to take care of, and all of us know it, but the memories of last years broken dreams are fading fast as spring draws nearer. I can’t wait to see them take the field on February 28th because even though the game doesn’t matter, it signifies the beginning of a new dream and a new hope for the ultimate prize, a World Series victory. So until then, I sit and wait like most Met fans for the exhibition opener, so that we can once again hear those glorious words, “play ball.”