Theres a new Mets publication at your newsstands called “Meet the Mets”. Meet the Mets is Maple Street Press’s annual guide that provides diehard fans with in-depth and insightful perspectives of the New York Mets. Trying to distinguish itself from generic baseball guides, this provides fans with a publication fully focused on our beloved Amazins.

Included in this inaugural edition is an investigation of the trade of Johan Santana to Flushing and what it means to the psyche of Mets fans, written by accomplished Mets author Matthew Silverman, 2008 Mets performance projections from statistician Pete Palmer, and a detailed look at the 2008 team with real scouting reports from MLB scouts and an analysis of the Mets economics and how Citi Field will change them.

You can pick up a copy of Meet the Mets throughout New York and New Jersey at stores such as CVS, King Kullen, Stop & Shop, Barnes and Nobles, Borders, Duane Reade, Waldbaum’s, and Rite Aid.

The 17-9 Mets overtook the 13-12 Braves today in a final score of 5-4. Ricardo Ricon (2-0) got the W for the Mets today, pitching 1.2 innings while only giving up one hit.

Jon Niese was impressive, and gave up only 1 hit through the first four innings but ran into trouble in the fifth where he walked in a run, but was able to force a double play after that. He was replaced by Ivan Maldanado who got the final out in the inning.

Catcher Raul Casanova went yard off of Braves starter Tim Hudson to start the run scoring for the Mets. Rafael Arroyo drove in the winning run in the bottom of the 9th and Carlos Beltran finished the game with 2 runs scored.

5 more days till Opening Day…is anyone else as antsy as me?

The Mets lost to the Cleveland Indians today by a score of 5-2.   The game was called after 7 innings due to rain.  For a full recap, go here.

Oliver Perez struggled today, leaving pitches up in the zone and surrendering 4 HRs.  Perez finished with 5 runs on 7 hits, while striking out 6 and walking 2 in 5 innings.  Joe Smith (Happy Birthday) and Nelson Figueroa followed with scoreless innings.

Carlos Beltran went 1-for-3 at the plate and hit his first home run of the spring.  Brian Schneider went 0-for-2 in his first game back.  Fernando Tatis added the other rbi.

Orlando Hernandez will make his Grapefruit League debut tomorrow when the Mets take on the Cardinals.  Mike Pelfrey is also slated to pitch as the two pitchers battle it out for the fifth starter spot, live on SNY.

Bad day for Ollie but thats what we can expect from him.  Some days he’s looks like an ace, others, not so much.  All eyes on El Duque tomorrow with just about a week left until opening day.   

The Mets defeated the Baltimore Orioles tonight by a score of 7-0. For a full recap, go here.

Johan Santana showed us why we traded for him by throwing 6 shutout innings.  He was dominant throughout, surrendering only 5 hits while walking 1 and striking out 7.  Dirty Sanchez and Wagner pitched scoreless innings in relief.

Santana is a pretty good pitcher, but you know what, he likes to hit as well.  Santana lined a double to right-center and later scored.  Jose Reyes was 2-for-2 with an rbi and a walk.  Fernando Tatis and Gustavo Molina each hit 2 run doubles in the 8th.

Pedro Martinez makes his second start of the spring tomorrow against the Nationals.  Matt Wise, Feliciano and The Show are all expected to pitch as well.

I knew we got this guy for a reason.  I thought it was a good idea from the beginning.  Lets hope we can get another good outing from Petey tomorrow to distract us from the fact that our position players are quite fragile.  

The Mets beat the Indians tonight by a score of 3-1. They are now 14-7-1 this spring. For a full box score, go here.

John Maine continued his strong spring, and struck out 7 Cleveland hitters tonight while showing off his much improved changeup. Maine pitched 5 2/3 innings allowing 1 run on 5 hits with 1 walk. The Show, Heilman and Wagner each pitched scoreless innings in relief.

Raul Casanova had the big day at the plate going 2-for-3 with an rbi. Fernando Martinez also had an rbi in his only at bat. Ruben Gotay, in his first appearance back from an ankle injury, struck out in his only at bat.

The Mets will play their second consecutive night home game tomorrow versus the Orioles. Johan Santana is the scheduled starter and Duaner Sanchez is also slated to pitch.

Well its good to see Casanova get a few hits because he may end up seeing some time in Queens this season. No word yet on whether Brian Schneider will play tomorrow night.

The Mets defeated the Marlins today by a score of 8-2. For a full box score, go to MLB.com.

Another great outing by John Maine, who gave up no runs for the second consecutive start. Maine surrendered just 3 hits through 5 innings of work, striking out 6 and walking 1. The Show, Steven Register and Rudy Lugo each pitched scoreless innings.

Carlos Delgado recorded his first hit since coming back from injury, going 1-for-4. Carlos Beltran started in CF for the second straight game and went 2-for-3 at the plate with a double. Robinson Cancel and Anderson Hernandez added 2 rbi each.

The Mets come home to St. Lucie to face the Cardinals tommorow. Luis Castillo is expected to make his first start of the spring at second. Johan Santana is scheduled to start.

I really think Maine is the x-factor in this rotation behind Santana and Pedro. Another year like he had last year would go along way to help this team go far in the post season. Beltran reported limited pain after his second day in the field, which is always a good thing. He expects to be close to 100% for opening day.

The Mets defeated the Baltimore Orioles today, by a score of 6-2.

Oliver Perez bounced back after two shaky starts by looking sharp through 4 innings, giving up just 1 run on 3 hits while striking out 1 with no walks. Billy Wagner, Aaron Heilman, Joe Smith and Ricardo Rincon each pitched scoreless innings in relief. Duaner Sanchez gave up the other Orioles run, on 2 hits in his inning of work.

At the dish, the big story today was Angel Pagan. Amidst trade rumors that would send him to Boston, Pagan went 1-for-2 including a long home run to right center in the seventh, his first of the spring. Jose Reyes went 1-for-3 with a triple, and Fernando Martinez promptly brought him home with a good opposite field single. Carlos Delgado continued to struggle in his second game back, going hitless in 3 at-bats with 2 strikeouts. In 2 games back this spring he is 0-for-5 with 5 strikeouts. Carlos Beltran faired no better finishing 0-for-3 with a walk. Mets catching prospect Raul Casanova added a 2 rbi single in the 8th.

The Mets travel to Jupiter tomorrow to take on the St. Louis Cardinals.

Perez looked much better today, giving up only the one run on some good hitting by the O’s in the first. Luis Castillo was the subject of most of the game, due to a prank that included Castillo’s hat, gum and plastic cups. Castillo may travel with the team to Jupiter tomorrow or could wait until the Mets next home game on Saturday to finally get in a game.

The Mets lost to the Boston Red Sox this afternoon by a score of 4-3.

Nelson Figueroa gets the loss giving up 5 hits and 4 runs in 3 innings of work. Figueroa had his scoreless streak of 7 and 1/3 innings snapped with a second inning home run by Mike Lowell. Steve Register followed Figueroa with 2 scoreless innings. Rudy Lugo, Joselo Diaz, and Nate Field each pitched scoreless innings in relief.

At the plate today, Angel Pagan continues to make a push toward a roster spot, going 1-for-3 with a 2 RBI triple. Pagan also added a great diving catch to bail Figueroa out of a bases loaded jam to end the second. Ryan Church, the only Met regular in the lineup went 0-for-2 with a walk. Damion Easley, and Anderson Hernandez each went 1-for-3 while Endy Chavez was hitless in 4 at bats.

The Mets come home to face the Orioles tomorrow at 1pm. Oliver Perez is scheduled to start.

All in all, pretty close considering the lineup and pitchers the Mets put out there. Pagan continues to impress, making it tough to deny him a spot on opening day if he keeps this up.

Today the the NY Mets (8-4) take on the Boston Red Sox (3-8) at Tradition Field in Port St. Lucie. Lineups courtesy of Newsday’s David Lennon on his blog:

 Mets:

• Jose Reyes (SS)
• Brady Clarke (LF)
• David Wright (3B)
• Carlos Beltran (DH)
• Carlos Delgado (1B)
• Damion Easley (2B)
• Ryan Church (RF)
• Angel Pagan (CF)
• Brian Schneider (C)

Red Sox

• Jacoby Ellsbury (CF)
• Jed Lowrie (2B)
• Jason Varitek (C)
• Kevin Youkilis (1B)
• Brandon Moss (RF)
• Kevin Cash (DH)
• Alex Cora (SS)
• Keith Ginter (3B)
• Chris Carter (LF)

Today’s starting pitchers:

Mets: LHP Johan Santana will take the mound for his 3rd start as a Met. In his last outing, Santana went 3.0 innings giving up 1 ER, 2 hits and striking out 4.

Red Sox: LHP Jon Lester is 1-0 in his career against the Mets with a 3.60 ERA.

Today’s game will be broadcast on SNY at 1:10pm. As always you can head into the Hot Foot Bleachers to chat about the game with your fellow fans.

Hot Foot is seeking a midday correspondent to cover afternoon games and news.

This is a *paid* position. You will not be writing for free.

If you’re available to write from noon to 4pm, please contact me.

At SI.com, Jon Heyman discusses holes that the major contenders need to fill.  For the Mets, he writes the issues are backup firstbase, and backup right field.

He writes:

Carlos Delgado’s hip problems have to be a concern even if he’s telling Mets people he’s good to go. The MRI was said to be negative, and Delgado insists these hip problems aren’t a recurrence of last year’s hip problems. Yet his age was starting to show last year, when he was “cheating” against harder-throwing pitchers (starting his swing early to stay ahead). And now Moises Alou has joined him in sick bay with hernia surgery that will probably keep him out till May.

Heyman also writes how a trade for former Mets’ OF Xavier Nady is unlikely, while a deal for Tigers 1B/OF Marcus Thames is more logical.

Somehow I see Omar sitting on his hands and letting this all play out.  For all we know, everyone except Alou will be healthy come opening day.

In memory of Hall of Fame sportswriter Jack Lang, who passed away at the start of the year at the age of 85, the NY Mets have generously designated April 26th as Jack Lang Day at Shea. I was surprised to hear that not many people know who Jack Lang was. With the help of ESPN.com, I would like to share with you some of the highlights of Jack’s life, because it was an incredible one.

Jack Lang began covering the Brooklyn Dodgers for the Long Island Daily Press in 1946, including the day Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier of Major League Baseball. When the Dodgers left for warmer weather in 1957, Lang covered the Yankees until the Mets began playing in 1962. While Lang was at spring training in 1977, the Press closed. Within 4 hours, he was hired by the News to cover the Mets.

One of the more pleasant parts of his job came later, when he was elected as the secretary/treasurer of the Baseball Writers’ Association of America. It became his job to tally the Hall of Fame scores, and call the winners. This earned him his nickname of “the good-news” man. In 1986, Lang was honored by the Hall with the J.G Taylor Spink Award.

Many current and former Mets remember him fondly:

“He’s a man that loved baseball to the core of his soul and he was a good friend and objective, as well” - Tom Seaver

“He’s from the era of 16 teams and traveling on trains with the guys. There was a different relationship with the beat writers and the players at that point. A good guy, a good man” - Fred Wilpon

“He was a true historian of the game. The world of baseball is a lesser place now without him” - Rusty Staub

In honor of Lang, his family has chosen the Epilepsy Foundation of Long Island as their charitable partner for this fund raiser to raise awareness of this disorder, which affects Lang’s grandson and over 40 million people world wide.

To support this cause, please consider buying tickets for the April 26th game to see the Mets play the rival Atlanta Braves from the Epilepsy Foundation for the same price as it would cost you to attend the game. Tickets are as follows:

• Picnic Area: $50 (Include Party Tent, BBQ Buffet, and Left Field Bleacher Seating
• Upper Level Box Seat: $27
• Upper Level: $10

To purchase tickets or to make a donation in memory of Jack Lang, contact Pat Maher, Development Dept of the Long Island Epilepsy Foundation at (516) 739-7733 ext 141.

According to MLB.com the Florida Marlins reached a new stadium deal which will be built by 2011. It will be a 37,000 seat park on the grounds of the Orange Bowl and will have a retractable roof.

The cost of the project is $515 million, with the Marlins contributing $155 million plus overrun costs. Once moved, they will be known as the Miami Marlins.

One of the Mets leaders had a good take on ESPN’s Jayson Stark’s “unnamed” Phillie who said that this year, there will be brawls. David Lennon writes on his blog for Newsday that David Wright wants to keep the fights off the field…but the bleachers are another story:

“And if you want to talk about fighting, there’s a lot of fights going on in the stands. We’ll let the fans do the trash-talking for us and let the fans take care of business fighting-wise. I’m not condoning it, but it happens.All of a sudden you just see security running everywhere so you know what’s going on.”

In an earlier post on his blog for Newsday, Lennon talks about Carlos Beltran’s reaction to Jimmy Rollins‘ “plagiarism” jab. Beltran seemed in good spirits about everything, saying:

“I have nothing against Jimmy, [...] He plays hard, he does his job, he’s always hustling. Philly found a way to play better at the end and they won the division. But this year is going to be different.”

Beltran looks ready to stand by his comments about the Mets being the “team to beat” and I am glad for that. As Billy Wagner suggested, you can’t just say “oops, I was kidding!”. And I, for one, thought Wright’s comments about the brawls was an excellent way to handle it. Trust me David, I am going to be at the home opener on April 8th, I’ll keep everyone in line…maybe.