I know what you are thinking. "You are a Mets fanatic again because they are winning now". Well, to tell you the truth, you're actually right. It is not that I haven't been a Mets fan for the last five years, it's just that I am a much happier fan this year. Sitting on 53 wins at the All-Star Break (the best in a mediocre National League) along with six All-Stars (all pictured far below) makes this season the most enjoyable I've ever witnessed in my long and of sad lifetime as a Mets fan. With this great start, however, the Mets are back to the top of the NL East- a position they haven't held for any length of time for quite a while- and are poised to put together a second half of the season to remember. Having quite a bit to do with our recent success has been the two individuals pictured above. Third-basemen David Wright and shortstop Jose Reyes. Wright and Reyes. Reyes and Wright. Like Bacon and Eggs before them, these two are quite good by themselves- but together, they are a thing of beauty. They are... well, amazin'! Reyes gets on base- maybe steals second- then Wright knocks him home (much like what happened above against the Marlins on July 9th). Reyes is the most exciting player I have ever seen in a Mets uniform, both with dazziling speed, great hitting, and exciting defense. Wright, on the other hand, is a perfect blend of power and average- enough average to consistently hit over .300, and enough power to hit in the Home Run Derby this season. Both young men are headed to the All-Star Game of July 11th, along with three of their teammates (catcher Paul Lo Duca, outfielder Carlos Beltran, and pitcher Tom Glavine). Because of their recent success, my love for the Mets has been rejuvinated. I've "watched" just about every Mets game this season, whether on television or the pitch-by-pitch on the internet. They have been playing better than I have seen any Mets team play, and if they get deep into the playoffs, they may (*gasp*) trump a certain football team if the two are playing simultaneously. At any rate, there is still a whole half of the season left, and the Mets still have to solve some problems in their pitching rotation if they want to be successful, but with twelve game lead in the NL East and the best record in the National League, it is hard for a fan not to look forward to the postseason. As a dedicated fan, 'ya gotta believe' that the Mets can get the job done this year!
