2008 Woodie Awards
New Look Mets start off season the "Wright" way
Brian Fitzsimmons
Issue date: 4/27/06 Section: Sports
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Jose Reyes joined the Mets faithful by jumping to the top step of the dugout. He waited to congratulate his left side of the infield teammate as he watched with awe while the homerun ball sailed into the beautiful New York night. This certainly wasn't an ordinary evening in Flushing, Queens simply because it was the beginning of the Amazin's new chapter. Only this chapter might have the ultimate happy ending Mets fans have longed to experience since 1986.
At the conclusion of the 2005 campaign, the Mets once again watched the Braves compete in the playoffs instead of themselves, but as the White Sox parade finished and autumn gave way to winter, General Manager Omar Minaya took initiative and played hard ball when it came to dealing with off-season transactions and trades, knowing his goal was to fill holes. Needless to say, signing closer Billy Wagner, first baseman Carlos Delgado, outfielder Xavier Nady, catcher Paul Lo Duca and some middle relief corps appeared to be more than just a possibility of serving as the missing pieces of the puzzle.
A developing Wright and Reyes has rapidly become the cornerstone of the Mets franchise and it won't be too long until they swipe the title of baseball's best left side of an infield from Alex Rodriguez and Derek Jeter.
Coming into the season, the resurgence for Carlos Beltran, who didn't play at top form due to lingering injuries in his first year as a Met last season after being the hottest free agent on the market, was disguised as if they signed another outfielder with 30 homerun-30 stolen bases potential. The looming question entering the season that all New York fans dreaded to ask themselves was, "Is Pedro going to stay healthy?"
As of this past Monday, the Mets have the second best record in baseball at 12-6, thanks to a 10-2 start and four of those victories were earned by the Major League leader in wins, Pedro. His aching toe seems fine and his oft-sore shoulder is delivering dancing high 80's pitches and low 90's fastballs when needed to kick it into the next gear. Four straight quality starts, one of which earned him his 200th career win, leave little to worry about on the mound.