Early Morning Madness: Attitude edition

So far, so good. Sure it's only two games, but I like the way Jerry Manuel is handling himself, and more importantly, his team.

He's laying down the law, making it clear he's not going to take any crap from the players, and if they don't give everything they have, they simply won't play.

The team seems like a weight has been lifted off of them. I've never seen them so happy, jovial, and excited to get out and play the bottom of the tenth inning as they were last night. A good start for Manuel, now the Mets just need to keep it going.

As Jerry says, "Gangstas on the field, ladies on the bus."

** * **

A hand must go out to the Oliver Perez and the bullpen for their performances last night.

Ollie was not anything special, but after he gave up three runs in the bottom of the fifth inning, Manuel brought him out for the sixth, and he allowed only a single before inducing and inning ending double play.

The bullpen then came out and let up only one hit, a single in the bottom of the seventh inning off of Joe Smith. Lights out.

** * **

Every time I think Carlos Delgado is cooked, he does something to surprise me.

One at-bat he looks absolutely lost at the plate, swinging way too early or way too late. A few innings later he comes up and hits a screamer over the center field wall. He then proceeds to look like he's playing in a fog the rest of the game.

Part of me wants the Mets to call up Mike Carp, badly. But, and this part of me must be living in my little pinky toe, thinks Delgado is just a few lucky hits away from getting in the groove. His problem is that he's started to go to left field a whole lot less. Bunt more, I say. And if at all possible, hit the ball to the left side of the mound.