New-Look Mets Need a Fast Start for Once

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. —  It was in the second series of the 2001 season, a three-game set in Montreal, when the Mets allowed 25 runs. Or one per Expos fan. That’s when Mike Piazza knew something was up.

“Any time you get swept in any situation, it’s tough,” Piazza said. “But that one right there was tougher than most.”

The Mets never really recovered from the first weekend of the season. Or from all of April. Or May. They had no spring in their spring. By June 1 they were 10 games below .500 and 13 games out of first place. Given how they eventually mustered a dramatic rally and came within three games of first place with nine to play, imagine what a decent start would’ve meant.

“Or just an average start,” Piazza said. “If we had just broken even, things would’ve been very interesting at the end. But we never really gave ourselves a chance.”

OK, with April and a promising new season just days away, here’s a tip for the Mets: Give yourselves a chance.

Do like the flowers at this time of year and bloom. Instead of being the chaser, become the chasee. Build something, don’t blow something.

And for your purposes, “spring break” means give yourself a break, not take one.

Usually, a 162-game season can’t be parceled out into sections. Nor is one more important than the other. A summer swoon, for example, can ruin any great spring or fall. Slumps and funks are just part of the journey. They happen at any time.

“But since I’ve been here,” opening day starter Al Leiter said, “I don’t remember us having what I would call a great April or a very good spring. It stinks having to play catch-up all the time.”

Already, the spring storm clouds are threatening. The Mets aren’t taking much positive momentum into April. They’re wrapping up a somewhat ugly, mostly uneven spring training and giving off mixed messages. On paper, they’re a beautiful collage of power hitting, speed and slick infield fielding. On the field, they’ve been another piece of work.

“A little sloppy” is how Mo Vaughn described it.

Steve Phillips made a lot of sensible moves in the off-season to build a team for October. But what about the first few months? The Mets, for some reason, usually make it tough on themselves. As impressive as the Mets appear to be, remember that the Braves helped themselves, too. And you know what always happens when the Braves grab the lead. Like a pitbull with a mailman’s leg, they don’t let go.

If another bad start is forthcoming, then you can almost predict the excuses that’ll be given for it. There are four new faces in the lineup and the chemistry, especially in the field, might take time to develop. You only needed to see Roberto Alomar and Jeromy Burnitz allow a fly ball to drop between them the other day to realize that.

Vaughn didn’t play at all last season because of a ruptured biceps. The season before in Anaheim, he led the league in strikeouts.

His timing might need, well, more time.

“I’ve hit almost non-stop from November until spring training,” Vaughn said. “My manager was telling me to take it easy. But I wanted to be even with everyone else once spring training started. It’s getting there. I have no doubts about what I can do.”

Then there’s Edgardo Alfonzo. He’s playing third base for the first time since ‘98, but more importantly, he’s playing for a contract. You think he might feel a little urgency in April? More than anyone else, Fonzie summed up the Mets last spring. He developed back problems and couldn’t raise his batting average much above .250 or drive in many baserunners. It was a dreadful sight, watching a top five second baseman suddenly hit with Rey Ordonez-like results.

But last season’s early stumble wasn’t all about hitting. Steve Trachsel and the since-departed Kevin Appier had rough moments, too.

Trachsel didn’t get his first win until April 30 and then, after getting whacked for four homers in a single inning and prompting Manager Bobby Valentine to erupt, was sent to Triple-A on May 18. That probably was the low point right there, when the Mets had to tell a pitcher they’d just signed for millions that he needed remedial work in the minors.

“I remember in ‘99, after we brought a lot of guys in, our April and May wasn’t that good, either,” Piazza said.

The Mets stood 27-24 after the first two months in 1999 and needed a one-game playoff to squeeze into the postseason. So at least it says something about their ability to rally.

“Yeah,” Leiter said, “but I’d rather get out of the blocks and stay ahead. Like the Seattle Mariners last year.”