In the Bergen Record, Bob Klapisch does a fantastic job of capturing the vibe in Mets camp, and the role Jerry Manuel is playing in it, writing:

“Manuel… is a pure freelancer – an intelligent but spontaneous administrator who isn’t afraid to tweak his players… Manuel wants the Mets to know he thinks outside the box, although he’s not necessarily obsessed with tranquility.  ‘I know what’s going on with the Yankees, but to be honest, I don’t mind adversity once in a while,’ the manager said.  ‘I find that it brings a team together.  So I’m not too hung up on everyone being happy all the time.’”

In an online report for WFAN, Eddie Coleman explains why, “It has been nothing short of Camp Contentment here in Port St. Lucie.”

Over the weekend, I wrote:

It’s nothing against Willie Randolph, but his camp was far more quiet and professional, which, while it worked fine for the Yankees in the 90s, it just never felt right for this team.

Manuel’s camp, this spring, actually reminds me of a younger, high-school like camp, with lots of rooting for one another, lots of clapping, lots of team-oriented drills and talk and motivation and constant chatter from coaches and teammates encouraging each other.

Yesterday, I watched Randy Niemann and other coaches reading from a prepared speech, talking to the team’s pitching staff, about focusing on the specific task at hand, be it a big pitch, or a small drill, or one throw in a warm up, stressing how every action is part of one long process towards winning a championship and so no one task can be taken lightly.

For me, as a fan, who wants desperately for this team to win, this is all exciting and it probably warps my reality of what is really happening – because, when I hear Razor Shines talking about Championships, rings, etc., I get pumped up.  The good news is that the players seem to be responding too, and that’s what is most important.