I was just thinking about the state of the Mets and asked myself, "Jarod, Why are the Mets performing so poorly?" As an outsider looking in all I can comment on is my perception of the state of the Mets though. From where I sit that perception is not a kind one. While there are times this team looked like they could possibly possess more potential than what the label spewing media perceived them to have, they failed to continue with determination and discount those naysayers. As could be seen in last nights game when Jose Reyes was wrongfully called out on that play at second, he walked back to the dugout without any passion. Then Terry Collins came out and looked like he was trying to get thrown out but backed off and tucked his tail when heading back to the dugout just like Reyes. This same defeatist attitude can be seen in the eyes of most of the team. Where's the fire the 2006 and 2007 teams had? The core offensive players are still mainly the same (Wright, Reyes, Beltran). You would think they would rub off on some of these newly promoted, acquired or signed talents. Yet they lack the identity of the successful Mets. The 1969 team had its miracle team. The 1986 team had an attitude that couldn't be shattered. The 2006 team had a confidence and swagger. This team has nothing like that. Hopefully as the season develops they can mature as a group and redefine the team dynamic under the Alderson/Collins reign.
