All Opposite Field, all the time...

NOTE: Metsfanforever.com is proud to welcome its new author, Mr. Optimistic. I will be sharing the load with Mr.Optimistic from here on in. Welcome to MFF and Good luck! 
By: Mr. Optimistic

So, I read an interesting article in the Daily News today. Just when we thought the whole Tony Bernazard mess was over and done with, we get this: http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseball/mets/2010/03/01/2010-03-01_new_pull_for_mets.html. 

 In summary, the article is about how the Mets went to an extreme in spring training last year, trying to hit everything to the opposite field, based on Bernazard's belief that this was the approach needed to put them over the top. Injuries notwithstanding, that didn't seem to be very effective last year. Now, I'm a big proponent of Bernazard bashing, I was never a fan of his and think all he did was undermine the management of the Mets, but let's get over him. Time to move on and start figuring out what needs to be done to fix the mess that was the 2009 Mets. It seems that the team has gone back to basics and while they fully understand that having the ability to hit to the opposite field is extremely important and a key to winning, the organization has now expanded their repertoire and gotten back to emphasizing and practicing pulling the ball. As Jeff Francouer said, "if I'm in a 2-0 count, I'm trying to crush the ball for a HR...I'm not looking to the opposite field". He also said, he was shocked when he came to the Mets, because all they asked him to do in BP was hit to the opposite field. They almost never practiced pulling the ball (his strength). Seems pretty strange to me.

On a different note, I can't help but get psyched up that when I go to mets.com, the little countdown clock is now at 14 hours, 30 minutes until first pitch of the first official spring training game. I know, I know, it's just spring training, but this is where it all begins...can't wait to see the almost fully healthy team back on the field together again, finally, even if it's just spring training...and besides, once that spring training countdown clock turns to zero, the clock starts again with the countdown to the actual season and that just means we're not that far from the real thing.