An Ace in Queens: Can Johan Santana Adjust to New York?

Bonilla put up decent numbers, but he failed to click with the New York scene and was ultimately moved, although he returned for a year in 1998.

John Olerud, whose former Toronto Blue Jay manager Cito Gasten believed would be virtually criushed by the New York media, thrived in the city and had some of his better years in Queens.

Whether Santana succeeds ultimately in New York will depend on thick skin and support of management, his teammates and even the fans. And, of course, his talent.

Mets' fans are notoriously more patient with their players than Yankee fans. When Piazza was acquired by the Mets, fans at first reacted badly to Piazza's slow start.

Soon though, there was a collective realization that everyone had to get behind him and that his success was tied to the ballclub's future. That's when the fans began to support him. Soon Piazza became a hit, in more ways than one.

There will be more expectations on Santana. After the Mets' brutal seven game slide with seventeen games remaining in 2007, the ace lefty will be expected to lift New York to the playoffs and beyond.

As Met announcer Bob Murphy used to say toward the end of close games, "Fasten your seatbelts."

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