We’ve heard by now all the basics, the players are having fun. The fans are excited. There’s a spark in the air once more. But we’re not going to talk about any of that right now.

I found myself, like most Sunday afternoons, in the liquor store. Whether there be a long winning streak to celebrate, or a losing one to mourn, one must be prepared. As I walked down the aisle, I passed the area they keep the somewhat novelty wine, not paying much attention. But something caught my eye. Sometime in the last few weeks they added something to the mix. The Met wines.

For those who like me, had forgotten all about them, months ago they announced there would be three Met wines for charity, part of a project that includes players from both the Yankees and the Sox. As the team’s loses piled up, the product never quite appeared up here in the western tundra’s of the state. But with the sudden 180 of the offense and defense, there they were: CaberReyes. Schardonay. Santana Wine.

I have not bought a bottle yet. I was hoping to consult Hot Foot Alcohol Expert IMFM on which is the best. Hopefully its just a start of a bright future in which I can purchase many mlb authorized licensed food product.

For those who missed it, David Wright will not be playing at Yankee Stadium, which personally is always a godo thing. Brewers OF Corey Hart was the winner of the vote to choose the final spot, with the Rays Evan Longaria getting the AL nod.

For those hoping for last minute reprieve from the warden, the spot opened by the injury of Soriano has too been claimed as well. Rockies Matt Holliday was chosen by Rockies manager Clint Hurdle, who according to ESPN did so because Holliday did well in player voting.

Yeah, no way at all that it was because its one of his guys. None. David needs some rest anyway. His last day off resulted in a nice little offensive surge, so imagine what more than one day off will give us.

First the injury update, according to Marty Noble of Mets.com OF Moises Alou had his MRI rescheduled for today because the weather delayed his flight. C Brian Schneider should be released today, Noble points out that even though the Mets say his condition (infected left thumb) is improving this is the second time Brian’s release date has been moved forward.

Roger Rubin of the Daily News writes because of the rainout yesterday P Nelson Figueroa’s next start will be skipped which will set up a Johan Santana start vs Arizona on the upcoming road trip. Rubin also added that manager Willie Randolph was not overly enthused with the extra time off:

“We’re playing pretty good ball right now and, even though we’ve been using our bullpen, no one’s really been overtaxed or anything like that,” he said. “(Aaron) Heilman and some of these guys have been struggling off and on but they’re not tired.”

With Moises Alou’s status still up in the air Ed Ryan of Mets Fever suggests 29 year old Mets minor league outfielder and former Marlins prospect Chris Aguila. Aguila is off to a great start with the New Orleans Zephyrs. The other day I ran across a recent Q & A Aguila had with Scout.com’s (Inside Pitch) Chad Bower. Aguila has his head on straight and is looking for any kind of chance to help the big club.

If you haven’t had your fill of the Carlos Delgado booing and curtain call saga than you can read the NY Post’s Kevin Kernan’s about face on the topic, or recent friend of Mets Blog’s Matt Cerrone, Bob Raissman of the Daily News and his break down of how the media has handled all of this.

According to Matt Cerrone of Mets Blog Jose Valentin will be in NY soon for an exam by team doctors and if the exam goes well he’ll report to Port St. Lucie for extended spring training.

Lastly, Flip Bondy of the Daily News has a great piece on Jane Jarvis, who for 15 years was the organ player at Shea Stadium.

Jane Jarvis is 92 years old and was a big part of Shea Stadium’s past. I haven’t heard of any plans of honoring her this season and there is no mention of anything like that in Bondy’s column. Sometimes it amazes me how Mets ownership misses stuff like this. For example Shea’s “Sign Man” Karl Ehrhardt, who has since past away, was the topic of a article in the NY Times from 2006, it took the Mets a long time to reach out to him and finally make him a part of the 40th anniversary celebration of Shea Stadium. The people and sounds that filled Big Shea bring back fond memories and should be a part of Shea’s last year standing. That is how you reenforce tradition. Common sense is not so common I guess.

This Red Sox fan celebrates himself right out of a souvenir.

Video via Big League Stew.

Here’s a few random things that I found either this weekend or this morning that I found interesting enough to share.

• According to Marty Noble of Mets.com if there is ever a marathon game and the Mets run out of pitchers, ex-Univ. of Nevada pitcher Ryan Church could be the man the Mets might rely on in that spot. Thursday night, with the Mets in extra innings and Scott Schoeneweis the only pitcher left in the bullpen Church said,

“If [Schoeneweis] had been used, I would have started thinking about it, As long as I come out of it as the winning pitcher, I wouldn’t mind.”

• Mets and Yankees players could bump into each other on the streets while both teams visit Chicago at the same time, a first in 28 years, MLB.com

• Before last nights start Bart Hubbuch of NY Post’s Mets Blog caught up with Mets reserve OF Endy Chavez and talked to him about his decreased playing time thus far this year. Seems like Endy is handling it like a pro,

“It’s not an easy thing,” said Chavez, I understand the way it is,” he said. “We’re playing good and winning, and that’s the most important part. We’re also facing a lot of left-handers, which hurts me. I just try to stay patient and hope my time will come.”

• Over at his Hard Ball Blog for the NY Post, Joel Sherman writes about the other thing the Yankees and the Mets have in common besides visiting Chicago this week. Aging stars, Carlos Delgado for the Mets and Mike Mussina for the Yankees and whether they have anything left in the tank.

Delgado is to the Mets what Mike Mussina is to the Yankees: A once standout player whose current organization is hoping he can recapture just a piece of his past.

• On April 26 at Shea the Mets will honor the legacy of Hall of Fame sports writer Jack Lang in a pre-game video ceremony. While the Mets pay tribute to Lang they will raise funds that will benefit The Epilepsy Foundation of Long Island.

As a member of the New York Chapter Baseball Writers Association of American, Lang notified 44 players of their election to the National Baseball Hall of Fame including Mets great, Tom Seaver.