2010 Mets Home Opener: Nothing To Complain About on This Day

Hope springs eternal. That's the best way to put it when one talks about the 2010 Mets season.

After a rough season last year where everything went wrong, it was imperative they started the new season on a positive note.

Opening Day win was a must for this beleaguered Mets team. Mets fans boo their own players in home openers, and several guys heard it in the ceremonies including the trainers.

The last thing this team needed was to hear more catcalls in the first home game of the season.

These guys can speak this tired cliche of how it's one game, but they are not fooling anyone. They knew the situation.

Fortunately, the team will attend the Welcome Home banquet tonight with good vibes after blowing out the Marlins this afternoon.

It was a referendum for everybody.

David Wright experienced a year he wanted to forget. He struggled to hit at Citi Field, and it had an effect on his performance last year. He was one of the reasons why this team was terrible last year.

Wright is a proud guy. He is determined to do whatever it takes to be the player he can be. Last year was an embarrassment by his standards, and he recognizes it.

Maybe today will shut his critics up. He hit a two-run home run of Marlins ace Josh Johnson in the second inning to give the Mets a 2-0 lead.

No one needed that moment more than Wright. It was a feeling he enjoyed. Fans shared the same feeling by giving him a rousing ovation.

Citi Field turned out to be a funhouse when that moment came. From there, the fans knew the team was going to win with their ace on the mound.

Johan Santana wasn't spectacular, but he pitched efficiently, getting out of jams in the middle of the innings.

It looked like the Marlins were going to tie it up in the middle of the game, but Johan got Josh Johnson and Ronny Paulino out to end the threat.

When Marlins manager Fredi Gonzalez took Johnson out of the game, the Mets padded their lead off Marlins reliever Clay Hensley. That was the ballgame.

In New York, the new guys need to make a first impression right away. It's the way it is.

Jason Bay earned his money today by getting two hits, which included a triple to start the sixth inning. Bay scored the Mets' third run of the game in that inning.

Bay played well on defense too.

Gary Matthews Jr. was seen as an afterthought, but he showed that he can be effective for the team. He hit the ball a couple of times along with scoring couple of runs.

Rod Barajas not only called a great game, but he showed the lumber well by getting on base couple of times.

Those three received polite applause for their performance.

Fernando Martinez needed to make an impact for his team. He read the ball well couple of times with the sun blaring at him.

If he plays good defense and hit the ball efficiently, there's a good chance the Mets could trade Carlos Beltran later this year. There's no reason for Martinez to lose his job if he keeps this up.

Jerry Manuel was no dummy. He recognized everything went right for the Metropolitans all day. He did not want to ruin a good thing, which is why he used Francisco Rodriguez to close out the game despite the score.

Looking at his bullpen options, he knew he did not want to keep the people at the game any longer they should have to.

He did the right thing in going with his closer. Let the folks go home with something to be proud of.

It's only one game, but this was just no ordinary game.

This team went through a lot with injuries and losses last year. Not only did the Mets play terribly, but they saw their two hated rivals playing in the World Series. The Yankees compounded the misery by buying a World Series championship.

The offseason didn't go well either for the Amazins.

Let's be realistic. There's a good chance this team is going to be terrible. With that said, people have the right not to think about the future.

Along with the Mets, the fans should bask in on a good day.

They deserve it.