This might get people smiling a bit more. Johan Santana tosses batting practice yesterday. The word now is that Johan will be ready for opening day. Yay!

I know that things have been going pretty good so far for the Mets this spring but the talk about Johan Santana's elbow has definitely got me on edge. In my mind any kind of nagging arm injury to Santana could derail the Mets chances of improving over their record last season. Santana was huge for us last year and I think we're going to need that kind of effort again.

The legend will continue to grow now that word is out that Johan pitched the shutout on Saturday with a torn meniscus in his knee.

The New York Post is reporting that Johan had surgery today to repair the injury.

"The Mets announced that team medical director Dr. David Altchek and team physician Dr. Struan Coleman today successfully performed arthroscopic surgery on Santana's left knee to treat a torn meniscus."

This news makes the performance even more amazing. It's good to know that we've got a pitcher with that much talent and toughness at the front of the rotation for the 2009 season.

I found this great photo set of Johan Santana originally posted on Flickr by MetsGrrl.

...so good.
Only other 90+ wins needed and we're there! I thought we were solid, without needing to be any more than that. And given what happened last time we played the fish, I am happy to settle for that. David Wright looks like he's starting this season in exactly the same way as he started last - continuing a hitting streak. Long may the doubles continue!

Allen Barra of The Village Voice thinks so.

The Mets and Yankees Seek an Armed Revolution

How Joba Chamberlain and Johan Santana will make us forget last year's miserable baseball legacy.

Money Quote...

"Santana's six-year, $137.5 million contract, the richest ever for a pitcher, will be cheap at the price if the Mets win the pennant and—here's your late-season homemade sign at Shea—erase the disgrace. The money the Mets save from Verizon alone in those calls to the bullpen should take the sting out of his paycheck."

http://www.villagevoice.com/news/0813,armed-revolution,389214,1.html/full

After a rough first couple of weeks in spring training things are finally looking up for the Mets. John Maine threw four no-hit innings a couple of days ago. Johan Santana blanked the Red Sox yesterday. The Carloses, Delgado and Beltran, returned to action yesterday.

I found this video today. It was my first look at Johan Santana in a Mets uniform.

It’s all Johan Santana on this episode. The Mets have acquired the best free agent pitcher on the market. The cost in dollars is high but he’s worth it if this gets the Mets to a World Series win.

MP3 File

Here is the audio from yesterday's Johan Santana press conference courtesy of WFAN.