It’s only two weeks into the 2022 baseball season, but the look, the feel and the vibe around the entire Mets franchise just feels different.
Different in a good way.
There’s a sense of energy, direction and just overall positive vibes across the board surrounding the team.
Ownership makes a big difference, but it has a certain trickle down effect.
One of the things I expected from Steve Cohen the minute he took over the Mets was to see him hire the best and brightest people to lead.
It was a hallmark of Cohen’s Wall Street tenure and I figured it would follow into his next venture, the New York Mets.
Cohen found the perfect caretaker for his franchise in Buck Showalter.
I know a lot of the new school folks love to make the argument that the manager doesn’t matter much, but take a look at the Mets.
The Mets just flat out feel different under the guidance of Buck Showalter.
The team is playing a cleaner, crisper brand of baseball.
Yes, the Mets are getting some outstanding pitching to start off this year.
However, the good feelings of the state of the franchise go well beyond that.
Look at the Mets franchise player Francisco Lindor. A year ago, Lindor was a lost puppy.
Between the rat/raccoon fiasco and joining forces with his buddy Javy Baez on the thumbs down charade, Lindor acted like a player unaware of the gravity of playing in New York.
Two weeks into the year, he looks like a different guy.
Do I think Buck Showalter has had a significant impact on the way, Lindor has handled himself on and off the field?
Absolutely.
With Mickey Callaway and Luis Rojas, I had many moments wondering about the leadership and the direction of the Mets franchise due to the inexperience in the dugout.
With the way the Mets are handling their business and performing on the field, it sure seems like the team has taken on the personality of their new manager.
If that ends up being the case for 162 games, the Mets are in for one whale of a season.
You can listen to my podcast New York, New York on The Ringer Podcast Network every Sunday & Thursday plus my Ringer Gambling Podcast every Tuesday & Friday on Spotify/Apple Podcasts. You can watch me nightly on Geico Sportsnight on SNY.
