MEET THE METS

Hello there streaking, surging, gung-ho Atlanta Braves.

Good to see you hit the road. Okay, it’s only to the nation’s capitol, but you sure did make the headlines while piecing together all those big bad victories in an attempt to scare the first place New York Mets and their frantic fans.

You Bravos rank right up there with the rampaging Philadelphia Phillies, played a hunk of games at home in rehearsing for the road. Well, here you go Atlanta, you get to meet up with the woe some Nationals, a game ahead of those even worse Cincinnati Reds. The Phils’ long win streak at home did come to an end Sunday but they are still playing in the Liberty Bell City today and versus those brutal Miami Marlins, who even thought they had caught up to New York’s team in Flushing Queens.

Well, the Citi Field Mets just came home from the west coast after spending 10 games in Los Angeles, San Diego and Los Angeles. Not bad, they settled for a split against the Dodgers, Pades and Angels. They flew home sporting a 40-22 overall record, best in the National League and four in back of the Bronx’ New York Yankees, No. 1 at 44-16.

Yes, of course it doesn’t matter where the wins come from, you can’t change the schedule. Except that the road is the road and the first place Dodgers are the pre-season favorites, the Padres are a half-game behind, and well the American League Angels are having some difficulties after firing manger Joe Madden.

But while the Mets’ 64 games have included only 27 at home (19-8) and 36 away (21-14), Atlanta has had an advantage and nursed it with 20 more wins at home (20-14) then on the road (14-13).

Right below, Philly has traveled the same road, going 17-16 at the home of our founding father Benjamin Franklin and 13-14 playing elsewhere. Then there’s Don Mattingly’s Marlins at even-steven with 29 home games playing at15-14 and 12-17 when taking to the road, only a plus-three, which is probably why they hang in fourth place, which in the Eastern Division is presently lined up with the Mets still 5 1/2 ahead of the defending World Series champions, 9 up on the Phillies, 11 on Miami, and 17 better than Washington.

Hurray for the Nats, they can at least brag about being justahead of those burned-out Reds, even in the loss column and two up in wins.

As for these Mets, the big improvement belongs to new manager Buck Showalter, who is completely different from the previous two, one who was a nice young guy whose resume was highlighted by no managerial experience and being pitching coach of the Cleveland Indians and followed by a young nice New York franchise employee who the Mets thought would fit right in. Where? Well actually no where. Yup, the one guy knew his pitching and the next one knew out to dish out signals from the dugouts.

Showalter has everything over them, age, experience, three American League Manager of the Year awards and many other honors, as well as presence of mind and a huge knowledge of the game. He managed the Yankees, knows New York, New York, has the respect of players young and old to go with the support of the Mets fans. Whereas one of the two previous managers mentioned stroked his short beard and the other always had his pen in hand, 66-year-old Showalter will always be alongside his pitching and hitting coaches in the dugout.

Yes, he’s in charge and that’s why this team is on top of the heap. This was who it needed and the results are laid out in Flushing Meadow and on the road.

Happy for present Mets president Steve Cohen to be basking in first place for the franchise he grew up in Long Island rooting for. He said he would shell out to bring the Mets and their fans a world championship and he’s on the right road.