Today, at 1 pm, Johan Santana will start for the Mets, as the team begins its season against the Reds in Cincinnati.
Ben Shpigel of the New York Times explains how Santana is finally finding his rhythm as his second season with the Mets is about to begin.
According to Shpigel, “There was a pecking order 
in the clubhouse, including a dominant personality, Pedro Martínez, who is no longer around but whose happy-go-lucky nature has appeared to rub off on Santana.”
…i have been saying this all spring, actually, in that, pedro’s absence, has seemingly made santana boss, and it’s like the torch had been passed from pedro to johan in terms of who the emotional leader is of the pitching staff… last spring, santana was following pedro, and the other pitchers took their queue…
…this spring, santana was laughing a lot, always smiling, but working hard, and he was clearly the center of attention when it came to the pitchers, who took their queue from him, especially Oliver Perez…
For more on Santana, read Steve Popper’s report in the Bergen Record.
Speaking of starting pitchers…
The Braves will retire Greg Maddux’s No. 31 at home on July 17.
…naturally, on July 17, the Braves will play the Mets… typical…
In 65 career starts, Maddux was 35–18 with a 3.31 ERA against the Mets.
Now if only Johan's skill could rub off on Ollie…
Ollie has plenty of skill, he needs Johan's focus and determination. Instead he's distracted by shiny things.
you mean his brain could be transplanted
i'd like to see a chicken brain implanted in ollies head lol
that would be a step up – I don't think Ollie's body could handle the shock.
ill tell u they interviewd johan on the screen at the stadium yesterday and he seems so pumped and confident – he seem to be truely comfortable here and i bet he will be a real leader of this team – it was great to see
It has nothing to do with Pedro. Pedro was only with the team for half the year, and not the early half.
It's just that second year 'I belong' mentality.
But he did start out with the team last year — only to get hurt. And he was there all of spring training in 08. Whether he was on the DL or not, Pedro's presence could have impacted how others stepped up or didn't. I tend to agree with Matt that without him, others like Johan are more likely to emerge as leaders. I think that's what we're seeing this year.
but carver he didnt have the same impact that he had when he came back from the '07 season
rusty, matt's point is that Pedro's very presence on the team — no matter how he pitched — kept others from stepping into a leadership role. That's because Pedro has such an overwhelming dynamic personality. He was alpha dog in there among the pitchers. And not just because of his personality, but also his status as one of the best pitchers of his generation. I can definitely see Matt's point. I agree with it.
This is also the case with other veterans to varying degrees.
So does anyone think that Ollie will have even one start as good as Lowe's last night? I don't. Also, does anyone think they are going to play today? Forcast looks bad.
Lets hope it gets rained out. Tomorrow was scheduled as an off day (makes lots of sense to have an off day the 2nd day of the season) so let's just play it tomorrow night, therefore us stuck in the office can watch Santana dominate tomorrow night!
Sure he will have 1 start similar to that. Who knows if he will go 8 innings or not but he will have one similar. But Lowe did cost another year and another 3-4 million per.
What we keep forgeting is there is a good chance he just did not want to go to NY.
I still think Ollie's contract can end up to be a better deal than Lowe's.
Lowe pitched well last night, but will he still be able to bring it like this half way into the season at his age? I don't think so. You can never assess these contracts at this point in the season.
I was actually in favor of signing Ollie for what we did over Lowe for what the Braves paid and obviously you can't assess much after only one start from Lowe. I'm just a little down on Ollie since he came into camp out of shape and his last start really scares me. He's a guy that needs to be focused 100% and I'm worried that he will have a hard time focusing after signing a big contract.
Agreed. I too am disappointed in Ollie's seeming lack of motivation this spring. However, I want to wait till there are actual games before I start judging Ollie too harshly. Everything up to now this year doesn't count.
Hopefully Santana will stay on Ollie's case all year long. Ollie is high maintenance — always has been and probably always will be. So the fact that he needs someone like Santana is no surprise.
agree.. Ollie's contract can end up better than Lowe's. the Braves may get what they paid for this year. But that contract will come back to bite them as the years pass & Lowe gets older/injured…imo
I agree Ollie's contract may end up to be a better deal.
I agree its too early to assess these contracts.
The fear is that while the Mets may have done all the right things in an attempt to be fiscally responsible and looking at both pitchers long term.
In 2009 Lowe may (I stress may)have been the player we needed to cement the rotation.
It's up to Ollie to make good on his contract and so far before pitching a game there is reason for some (again just some) concern.
agreed
yes on both points – ollie will be more good than bad in my opinion
You realize Lowe went 8 innings, 2 hits, no runs right? Ollie hasn't had a start that good since September of 2006…I actually have fairly high hopes for him, and while I wanted Lowe, I agree that he got too much, but man did Ollie's last spring start scare me.
On the game getting in today, why do you think they will play today? I'm just asking because the forecast I've been seeing does not look good. I'm hoping you've seen something better. I wonder if Johan has ever pitched in the snow.
Agreed.
there is snow in venezuela – in the mountains lol
OPENING DAY!!!!!!!!!! I THINK I'M GONNA PEE MY PANTS!!!!!!!
HAHAHAHA !!
hahaha, ME TOO!!
I'm so excited for 1pm! <4 hours away! :)
He really does seem like a leader who wont be scared to get in someones face. Not saying Pedro didnt want to win but Johan seems more serious and will definitely not sit there quielty like he did last year when games were blown left and right for him. I dont know if its cause its early in spring but Ollie and Maine look horrible with fastballs barely reaching 88 mph. Lowe would have been an unbelievable steady and reliable starter. oh well
Cue, not queue. A queue is a line of people waiting.
The other pitchers may have been waiting in line for Pedro and now Johan too, as well as their cue(s).
Thank effin' God. Of course, the forecast is for rain and snow all day in Cincinnati. Who knows if this game even happens.
And i'm sure it's been said all over here this weekend, but I don't have the time to go read all of the comments…Lines for food at Citifield blow my dad. Bathrooms are ok, but food sucks balls.
love the lando picture – iwoulda gone for a can of colt 45 lol
In response to King_Vod in the last thread:
Again, I have no clue how much snow it takes to cancel or delay a ballgame. I expect light rain showers turning to snow showers throughout the day, but in terms of accumulations – probably a dusting **at most**. Does that cancel a ballgame? Don't ask me!
Matt, the word you're looking for is "cue". A "queue" is a line.
; )
Yes, they may have been "queueing" up behind Pedro. :) But they can't "take their queue" from him.
;) Sorry, I live in Europe, where "queue" is a normal everyday word, and is actually used in place of "line".
Opening Day baby…Lets Go Mets!!!
Seriously I hope we don't get rained/snowed out today I have been waiting for today since the end of last season.
like i said before – seriously doubt it
Yeah I hope you are right. Haha I guess its just the gloomy weather here in queens that has me worrying.
YEAH THERE WERE THUNDERBOOMERS HERE IN STATEN island but it stopped about 20 minutes ago
ill be wearing the depends lol
That would be great. And the potential for a rain/snow out is why the off day is there.
its supoosed to rain in cincy tomorrow
SNOW?!?!?!
I have already planned a thoroughly unproductive day for the love of God.
What am I gonna do…. work?
break out the beer pong table ill be over in 15 minutes lol
About to leave for Citi Field to watch the game from the Pepsi Porch or somewhere inside our new home if it continues to rain. just wanted to stop in and wish all my Met Fan Brothers a very Happy Opening Day!
LETS GO METS!
Enjoy, Mr. Met.
Enjoy that Mr. Met. Here in Rochester, NY, some of us are headed over to Acme on Monroe Ave. You know, just in case anyone from Rochester still was looking for a place to watch the game.
I can guarantee healthy doses of beer, Mets love and Phillies bashing. And good pizza.
Lowe 2 hits 8 innings!! Yeah baby! Go Ollie. Oh did I mention ZERO walks. You wont see a line like that all year from Perez. Cmon Minaya everyone saw this from a mile away. And the argument that he is much older and the years on the contract are ridiculous is a poor argument. Everyone should now see how hard it is to make the playoffs let alone win a WS and when you have a reliable innings eater like Lowe it should have been a no brainer even if he falls apart after 2 years. Win Now the Team is built for that
ollie is like the girl with the curls – when he is good he is very good when he's bad to quote o.j simpson "look out" !! i just cant understand why there is'nt any middle ground with him
No, the team is built to be a contender for years….Reyes, Wright, Beltran, Johan, KRod, JJ, Murphy, Pelf…this is NOT a team built to win now….it is a team built to contend for years.
And can we give Ollie one start before we bail on him?
Yeah, you are a real fan…….
you are absolutely right kon – i just don't know if the putz is staying beyond this year
He better be here next year, or even I may turn to the Dark Side of The Nattering Nabobs of Negativity!
If he performs as he has most of his career, I think he will be back….he better be! I think it is a club option….I HOPE it is!
oh the little boy who loves his putz is going to be so sad when putz is gone next winter. you really have a deficinecy in the upstairs. Unless you are a 4 year old girl or boy how can you actually post how you have a love fetish for any ball player. please get help. you need it….
Actually dude, YOU are the one posting about the "love fetish"….I do have sympathy for what your life must be like man.
Would you be happy with anything less than a trip to the WS this year?? If you arent we are bulit to win this year! Yes they are putting in some pieces like Murphy for future years but trust me if i told Minaya listen you will win a WS with Lowe this year but then he will be finished with a career ending injury or you will have ollie for 3 years with decent up and down numbers…What would anyone choose?? I think Minaya wouldnt mind losing the years and the money for a WS ring. They are so tough to get. Win now!
Well, I don't necessarily disagree with most of that….I just think that we are very well set up for years now.
And yes, if Lowe would guarantee a WS title, yeah, I would have done it.
But, we don't have him and aren't going to, and I really wish everyone would give Ollie a few real game starts before giving up on him.
Sorry about the "real fan" comment….I just think opening day has to be a day for optimism!
lucky -bas^ard lol – the pepsi porch is awesome !!! ill be at the public house
(1) it's cue, not queue.
(2) if ollie following johan led to his results – and that's a good thing – i wonder if you watched any baseball at all this spring.
tomato tomhto – just samantics guys
btw whoever voted a 1 on the confidence rating pole is a moron
Probably a Philly fan who thinks they're being smart…..
oxymoron doncha think 4decades lol
I have a few guesses as to who may have voted that way……
obviously you don't since you didn't post any. go kiss and hug putzy. hey, you can sponsor a putzy doll day…..
remember to hold hands while crossing the street little richie
LOL! You can also call him Rod Kanehl or Old Metsie…those were two of his past names before being banned for obvious reasons….
oops poll lol
ok guys cya later – getting ready to go to the metsblog get together
Have a good one Rusty…sorry I cannot be there buddy…please say hi to Matt and any of the other good folks you think I would want to say hi to….
What does Putz make next year? $8 million?
A steal for an elite closer but it's a ton for a set-up man. We could trade him for some very solid prospects then us the money saved to sign a new set-up man.
Yeah all valid points, but if JJ is as great as he was for the last few years (other than when he was hurt last year) he will be the game's best setup man…..if he is instrumental in getting us deep into the playoffs and making us forget the Pen of Horror from last year, I think we have to keep him….a 1–2 punch like this is hard to find, and if it lives up to its potential, I think we will all agree about it…..
Testing this new comment system.
It is absurd that Peterson tried to get Santana to change the way he pitches. He deserved to get the boot for that alone.
"Honey", I said "It feels like Christmas morning. Baseball's back". My Belgian wife just rolled her eyes. This otherwise great woman just doesn't get it.
Peterson was way too much of a tinkerer, but he is fascinating to listen to.
imo, santana is the leader of the mets. Im glad that he is pumped to get the season started….SO AM I GUYS!!! LETS PLAY BALL!!!
"…naturally, on July 17, the Braves will play the Mets… typical…"
Who cares?