Way To Go Carlos

Let’s hear it for Carlos Beltran. The Mets quiet Center Fielder said in Spring Training, “To Jimmy Rollins: ‘We are the team to beat’”. With the addition of Johan Santana, certainly most Met fans feel this way. I would guess that most Met players feel this way to. Still, the comment stresses the Mets confidence and cockiness, despite finishing behind the Phillies last season.


The comment obviously goes back to last spring with Rollins declared the Phills the team to beat, despite the Mets having won the division the year before and viewed by most experts as the team to beat. What made Rollins comments specifically hard to swallow, as a Met fan, was his ability to back it up and lead the Phillies to the NL East title.

Now it’s Beltran’s turn. He had a good year in 2006. He put up good numbers last year but somehow did not seem to be the clutch hitter he was the previous season. Now, by making this comment, Beltran needs to lead by example. He has publically challenged himself to do for the Mets what Rollins did for the Phillies last year.

Beltran has also, always been rather shy and reserve. At least that is the way he comes across. By making the comments, he is showing he has taken a leadership role with the team, or indicating he is ready for one. I see this as a very good sign.

The more I read, the more I hear, the more I see, the more I am ready for the season to begin. Considering the way last season ended, I did not expect to feel this way. Again, in large part this is due to the addition of Santana, but it is not just that one ballplayer. The Mets are acting like they expect to win and that is the first step.

Let’s Go Mets!