Steve and the Tank! - Billy Wagner is either a hero or a fool

Monday, May 19, 2008

There were some signs of life this weekend in the Bronx, but not from the hapless Yankees, the signs of life were from the hapless Mets. After losing 3 out of 4 to the hopeless Nationals, Billy Wagner called his teammates out, the second public outburst this year by Wagner (who trumps Joba or any other relief pitcher in the league with a 0.00 ERA.)

The Mets out hit, out pitched and out played their crosstown rivals at Yankee Stadium. They stole bases, they hit and ran, had 2-out RBIs, home runs and also dead on pitching. They were firing on all cylinders. They even touched the unhittable Joba for a run. More importantly, they looked like they were having fun. The look on Jose Reyes (two home runs in two games) face in the dugout was the Jose of old, the wise guy joker. Even Carlos Delgado looked like he was having fun. (Even after an obvious three run home run was called back.)

We will see if this was a weekend sighting of the spunk that the Mets need or a real change. The Mets head to Atlanta to play a team that is not as good as them, but seems to be inside their heads. The NY Media was all over the Nats and Yankees series being "tests" for the Mets, a test that they get a collective B- on (D+ against the Nats, A+ against the Yankees, but the Yankees is weighted higher due to the pressure and national stage.)

The real test begins at 1pm tomorrow against their old friend Tom Glavine. A pounding on Tom would just what the doctor ordered.

Posted by Steve in Washington, DC