I’ve had almost 6 months to think about what transpired in game 7 of the NLCS - the wounds have healed, my heart beat is almost back to normal, and I’m just about ready for another full season of Major League Baseball.

With the best offense in the National League returning from last year’s club, I’m pretty excited. If Sunday night’s season opener is any indication, they’ve come back with fire in their eyes and won’t settle for anything less than a World Series Championship.

Two of the biggest questions of spring training were how well the old guys on the pitching staff would hold up to injuries/age - Pedro is on the DL, Glavine turns 42 this month, El Duque is pushing 60 - and whether or not the young guys will develop and produce enough to make this team a contender again - will John Maine be reliable, will Ollie find the strike zone, and will Pelfrey be as good as advertised?

The good news is that Glavine has proven to be consistently effective despite rarely (if ever) hitting 90 on the radar gun, not to mention that the Mets still have one of the best bullpens in baseball - capable of going 6-7 innings if need be. And let’s not forget about that defense - already superb in the infield - which gets at least a slight boost with Moises Alou replacing Cliff Floyd in left field. I love Cliffy, but his cement feet in the outfield (usually due to several nagging injuries) really limited his overall effectiveness. Shawn Green is a liability behind the plate and in right field, but with Lastings Milledge right there threatening to take his spot I think he’ll have a little extra fire lit under him to perform well.

Welcome back, Baseball, and please don’t hurt my heart again.

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