The Big Blue Wrecking Crew Sweeps the Giants out of Shea

What a difference a month makes. Who would have thought that the Mets, the same team that collapsed last summer and started so badly this year, would be within 1.5 games of leading the division by the All-Star Break? With the injuries and turmoil of this year, the Mets have spent more time looking like the "Bad News Bears" than division contenders. But that has all changed now. Now they play with a killer instinct and seem to be finding a way to win consistently, not sporadically.

In case you haven't heard, the Mets will no longer have to wait around for Alou' to "ride to the rescue". While playing in a rehab game, he torn his hamstring and will need surgery. I don't wish any bad luck or injury to any player on the Mets, but I couldn't be happier when I heard the news. Now the Mets and Omar can move on and do what's needed for the future of this club. Alou' should have never been resigned for this year, and the Mets wasted the off season thinking that he'd play 100 games for them this year. Omar and Witless Willie must have been doing some magic mushrooms when they made that decision. Now they can bring up Carp, Murphy, or F. Martinez to fill that roll if they can't or won't make a trade.

In today's game the Mets continued to get major production from a "bench" player. It seems that everyday there is someone else stepping up and delivering the big hit and setting the tone. Today Tatis had 2 doubles to the wall, and a long homerun into the bleachers. He ended his day with 4 RBI and a .500 average [for the season] with runners in scoring position. It's amazing what a little hunger for success can do for a player. Tatis literally had to beg for a job, and now he's making Omar look like a genius. Maybe some of the other players on the team will take a few lessons for Tatis.

Although David lost out on the All-Star balloting, [he may still make the team if Hurdle picks him to replace Soriano], he had 2 doubles, 2 walks, and scored twice. It was nice to see Argenis Reyes playing second. He made a great play behind 2nd base and played flawlessly in the field. He also had another hit today. If I was Castillo, I'd be worried about my future with the Mets. Nobody but Guinness and Omar thinks Castillo's signing was a good thing, and A. Reyes may give management reason to rethink Castillo's contract. Nick Evans also had a hit and played well in the field. I like the young kids playing and hope they get more chances in the future.

About the only thing that went wrong today was Maine's pitching. Regardless of what Guinness says, how can you not have an "out" pitch if you strikeout 8 hitters in 5 innings? From what I saw, there were alot of swings and misses on fastballs today. What did John in was the walks. He had 5, and they came in long ABs. Mazzilli mentioned after the game that he believes John's left arm issue did affect him today. I think so too. It looked like John was flying open and trying to avoid hurting the left forearm again. I think some rest and a talk with Dan Warthen will straighten him out before his next start. He still has 8 wins and is on pace to duplicate last year's win and strikeout totals. After last season's 2nd half troubles, I have to believe John will work on some things over the off-days of the break and come out ready to roll thru the league.

If you haven't noticed, the Mets have won 6 games in a row. That hasn't happened since August of '06. All too often I and others would scream and complain about Witless Willie's idiotic comments about the teams play and effort. I think we can all agree that Jerry is proving how stupid Willie was as a manager. Jerry won't come right out and say it, but you can tell that he knows more about baseball and the motivation of players than Witless Willie could ever know. With basically the same team of players, Jerry has changed the energy and focus of the team. They play hard, they don't give up, they fight till the last out, and they're all smiles and jokes in the dugout. Jerry handles the media better and doesn't act offended when someone asks him a question. He jokes around with the players and media and the team is responding to his reward system. It's so nice to see someone as the manager of the Mets that "Gets It". Willie might be a good man, but he's a lousy manager. That, has been proven in a short time by "Jerry the Jester".

What do you all think about the job Jerry has done? What about the Alou' injury? How should the Mets handle the outfield spot vacated by Alou'? Tell us your thoughts.