Queens 1/2

Queens, NY fellas. This has got nothing to do with the Rainbow Coalition (though I have my suspicions about a few of the runners in their cute little split shorts).

Al B. Hard Kicked ass and took names. I ran the 13.1 in 1:40 on the nose, officially. (I had it at 1:39.58 but who's counting?) That's a 7:38 average split. All my miles ranged from 7:30 to 7:45, so I won't bother listing them all.

BTW, Pedro beat up on the old Redneck. Go Mets!

duel down south

Pedro vs. Smolz down in Atlanta tonight. Guess you know how I'll be carbo loading as I stare at the tube. Tomorrow is the Queens 1/2. Today I did a nice easy 6 so as not to burn the legs. I'm shooting for 1:44ish tomorrow. That's about 8 minute miles.

Here's A Shocker:

White House signals opposition to FEMA dismantling

NEW ORLEANS (Reuters) - President George W. Bush visited the hurricane-devastated Gulf Coast on Thursday as the White House signaled its opposition to a Senate panel's recommendation to abolish the federal agency blamed for the botched response to the disaster.

Bush's trip, his 11th to the Gulf Coast since Hurricane Katrina struck in August, came as he is struggling to pull up public approval ratings that have hit a new low for his presidency.

I'm not even going to get myself started here.


Good run today. Another 6. Just cruised in the nice weather. Queens 1/2 marathon Saturday.

Happy Ending?

Costner Named in Former Spa Worker's Case

Kevin Costner was accused of performing an indecent act as he received a massage at a Scottish hotel, in a claim by a former spa worker filed with a British employment tribunal.

The 34-year-old woman claimed the actor exposed himself and carried out a sex act as she gave him the massage at the Old Course Hotel in Fife, Scotland, in October 2004, said papers filed with the tribunal.

Not sure I'm seeing the problem. Massage is about relaxation, as is the whole spa treatment. Places like the Old Course are all about catering to the client, and providing them whatever is needed for a pleasurable experience. KC did what was needed to achieve maximum relaxation. He was nude anyway. And it's not like he grabbed her hand and finished with that. Sheesh.

Did a nice 6 in the sun. A little breeze, not too warm...perfect.

The environmental President: Pure Genius

Bush takes aim at gasoline prices
Reuters
WASHINGTON - President George W. Bush, in trouble over soaring gasoline prices, ordered a probe on Tuesday into any price gouging, called for an end to tax breaks for Big Oil and suspended oil deposits into the U.S. emergency stockpile. As a short-term measure, Bush also gave the Environmental Protection Agency authority to suspend federal clean-burning gasoline rules this summer that are forcing consumers to buy expensive new gasoline blends.

The problem is, clearly, all the pesky tree-hugger regulations and limitations on our abilities to drill and refine. Folks start with that hybrid technology, but genetics won't solve this here problem. And then they start with that fuel cell mumbo jumbo. If god wanted us messin' with cells...well you know my thinking on that. If we could just get into that there tundra...

Ran a nice fast 6 today and felt good. Al K. and I have a bunch of 6s and the Queens 1/2 this week. My plan for the 1/2 is to do 8:15s for the first 9 miles and then negative split the last portion at 7:45s or better.

Congrats to GVB. He kicked ass in the Vancouver Sun Run.

Skirt in the dirt

SAN DIEGO (AP) -- Mets broadcaster Keith Hernandez's comments that women "don't belong in the dugout" drew criticism Sunday from Padres manager Bruce Bochy, who supported the female member of his training staff and said he was surprised it even came up.

Hernandez made the remarks during the second inning of New York's 8-1 victory in San Diego on Saturday night. Mike Piazza homered for the Padres and exchanged a high-five in the dugout with Kelly Calabrese, a full-time massage therapist for San Diego.

A rub job between innings! Where else but SoCal, huh? Might explain the limited offensive production over there. everyone's so fucking relaxed.

Braved the fucking torrents again this morning. Of course, as soon as I got back, the clouds broke and the sun poked its head out for a bit. Off tomorrow!!!!! Hope my boy GVB did well in the Sun Run.

Supermodel Gets Snippy

MIAMI - Former Sports Illustrated swimsuit model May Andersen was arrested after allegedly becoming unruly and striking a flight attendant on a plane from Amsterdam to Miami, police said.

Thought Fred would like the before and after photos on this one.

Sure hope my Nano is waterproof. It was seriously pissing during my run and lots o wind from the east. Sucky run weather if you ask me (though I know GVB enjoys this sort of shit). I can't wait for this week to end. I'm just done.

I Will Always Love You (Fred)

Did a nice 4.5 today. I was supposed to do a 6, but life intervened. C'est la... I ran it hard at 7:45s to make it worth something. It was cool and windy but nice weather for a run.

Lance in NYC

Lance Armstrong told The Associated Press on Wednesday that he plans to compete in the New York City Marathon on Nov. 5.
"We were looking at the Chicago Marathon, but a conflict arose with the date, and New York seems to fit our schedule better," Armstrong said in a telephone interview. "I've been training some, but I wouldn't call it serious. It's just something to fill a void in my life after I quit competing as a professional cyclist."

Why do celebrities always say "we" when talking about themselves? The royal we was old 500 years ago. And why do they need a fucking entourage every time they do anything? Lance is a hell of a competitor and probably the best cyclist ever (and he'll probably blow right by me while I'm pounding out a 3:30 in NYC). But he really needs to get over himself, don't ya think?

Did a nice 4 on the boardwalk yesterday. Pushed the kiddies in the double and still logged 8:30s. It was just such a perfect day for a run. I thought I was going to be a complete disaster after the long run from hell the day before. But I was good to go. 6er today.

One For Fred

These Are A Few Of My Favorite Things...

Here's the Al B. Hard "Favorite Things" contest. Test your skill and intellect:

Define these top 5 favorite things
5) The Chocolate Starfish
4) The Nacho
3) A Stanley Steamer
2) A Rusty Trombone
1) A Strawberry Shortcake

Supplemental: A Dirty Sanchez

Dehydration!

Boy did Al K. and I fuck up on our 20 today. It was warm and sunny and we were both pressed for time (trying to squeeze our 20 in after work). We wound up running the first 5 on limited water and the next 10 without any. We both started to bonk at mile 13. By 14 my back and whole right side were spasming and Al K. was hallucinating...no shit. We called it a day with 15 at 9:15 avg. pace. Then we drank much water and Gatorade.

Speaking of bonking, what the fuck is going on with my Mets?! Maybe they need some H2O and electrolytes too. ?

The Decider

THE PRESIDENT: I say, I listen to all voices, but mine is the final decision. And Don Rumsfeld is doing a fine job. He's not only transforming the military, he's fighting a war on terror. He's helping us fight a war on terror. I have strong confidence in Don Rumsfeld. I hear the voices, and I read the front page, and I know the speculation. But I'm the decider, and I decide what is best. And what's best is for Don Rumsfeld to remain as the Secretary of Defense.

KNOW WHAT I MEAN?


Did a fast 3 today: 7:30 pace. Doing a 20 tomorrow.

Don't Hurt 'Em Hammer

Recent Hammer Talk:





Woke up at 5am and got some prayer in. Went to the gym, worked out and later went to visit a friends Church. (CrossRoads in Manteca, Ca). It was a dedication service. They have a new building. Better than the new building was the love of God in the building. Good people. (God people). A refection of Godly leadership. Baseball is off and rolling! Go A's!! Go Giants!! Go Braves!!
A Good Day.

Boston Marathon Record

BOSTON - Robert Cheruiyot set a course record in the Boston Marathon on Monday as he and women's winner Rita Jeptoo pulled off a Kenyan sweep. It was an outstanding day for the Americans, too. U.S. runners Meb Keflezighi, Brian Sell and Alan Culpepper came in third, fourth and fifth, 23 years after the last American winner, Greg Meyer.

Maybe American Marathoners are getting better. We've not had shit in the field in a long time. The Kenyans are, once again, the shit though.

Today I am off and loving it!

LET'S GO METS

Nady, Delgado power Mets to victory
Each delivers a homer and three RBIs as Bannister wins



Mets win again.

Did a nice six in the sun on the boardwalk. Funny how a gorgeous day makes you forget aches and pains and motor baby! 42 miles finished this week. 45 next week and a 20.

Tom Terrific

METS WIN SEVEN STRAIGHT...THEY'RE THE BEST IN MLB: 8-1 RECORD!!!!
Tom Glavine was dominant after waiting out a 92-minute rain delay, striking out 11 and allowing just an unearned run in six innings. The Mets gave Glavine an early lead, and Carlos Delgado's RBI groundout in the fifth proved to be the game-winner.




Metsies beat up on the Brewers (though the score--4 to 3--doesn't suggest that). They were dominant the whole game. But Heilman (that FUCK!) came in in relief and promptly melted down. Billie Wagner closed the game out like the pro he is (balls of fire). And fuck you crosstown Mariano. "Enter Sandman" was Wagner's 3 years before anyone even translated the song for you.

A six to do later on today. Left knee has been sore for a couple days now. Hold me.

ON FIRE!

MLB.com
Mets roll to sixth straight:
The heart of the Mets' order combined to drive in nine runs, and Carlos Beltran, Carlos Delgado, David Wright and Cliff Floyd all homered off Livan Hernandez. Jose Reyes scored twice and even reliever Darren Oliver got in the act, hitting a two-run single in the seventh. Victor Zambrano allowed three runs in five innings for the win.

The Mets continue to kick ass and take names. YEAH BABY!

Did a 13 trainer today at 8:55s. Feel good! Awesome weather!

In other news, Al K. and I brewed some home brew today. It was my first time brewing, and it was a grand old time (the 3 or 4 Al K homebrews I had during the process certainly amplified the pleasure). I made what will be referred to as "Old Sock Lager"--this is a Dutch lager (along the lines of a Heineken) but it has a lot of extra fermentable sugar added and a secondary fermentation process (next week) that'll bump the alcohol content up to about 7%. We dubbed it old sock because we did not have a burlap bag for boiling the hops so we used a knotted athletic sock. Yum.

How Sweet It Is...

Rookie right-hander Brian Bannister won his first game with a brilliant effort, and Jose Reyes and Carlos Beltran drove in two runs apiece to lead the Mets to victory. New York is now 5-1 for the first time since 1985. (And first in their division.)



Did a nice slow 6 today, recup run after my 20 Sunday. Just held 9s and took it easy. Good weather for a run (and for continuing a nice long win streak...Pedro goes tomorrow).

Bond, James Bond

Got the 20 done! I know it is beautiful out now, but fuck it was cold and windy at 7 am! Al K and I started with a nice 8 mile run (9 and change pace). Then we did the LIRRC 15k. I ran it in 1:13.49, at a consistent 7:55 pace. I felt good. We finished up with a nice 2.5 mile run down. The feets are battered, but I feel good.







Connery Could Be Back for INDIANA JONES

With no official word or deals signed, Harrison Ford has hinted that he would like Sean Connery to reprise his Indiana Jones role for the impending fourth installment.

By Sawsan Antoun, FilmStew.com

The fourth installment of Indiana Jones may be moving up the development ladder faster than expected. After months of conflicting reports about the status of the action-adventure franchise, anxious fans can relax a bit now that several players, especially actor Harrison Ford, have expressed their commitment to the project.

As FilmStew reported last month, Ford told German magazine Fit for Fun, "Steven Spielberg and I now have a script in hand that we both like. I believe that we can start with the filming soon."

In a new tidbit about the project, Ford, in a recent interview with BBC1, happily hinted that Sir Sean Connery could be reprising his role as Indy's father, a role the Oscar-winning Connery originated in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. Connery, who is currently linked to a cameo in the latest James Bond film, Casino Royale, is currently at his Bahamas home recovering from surgery to remove a benign tumor.

Spielberg is attached to direct the fourth installment, with George Lucas and Frank Marshall producing. Despite reports that the director is taking a year hiatus, Ford's publicist, Marvin Levy, believes that Spielberg "would be starting something before 2007," according to E! Online, and that Indiana Jones would be the perfect follow-up to the heavy drama Munich.

While in Sydney promoting his new film Eight Below, producer Marshall opened up about Indiana 4. "It is still on the front burner," Marshall told reporters. "We really have to get the story right. The story has to be really good for any of us to do it, and there are three pretty strong-willed creative minds involved in saying yes."

Ya Gotta Believe

Ran a 4 today in the rain. Low miles because the 20 is tomorrow morn. I tried to get in and out with a little up tempo cause it was pissing. Did my 4 in 30.5 minutes (flat course). Felt good, but I'm soaked.






Now to the Mets:

What a game Friday night! There we were in our season seats (believe it or not, "Section 8") watching all the Mets give the ball a ride (including Trachsel).


Mets break out bats to back Trachsel
Five hitters drive in runs to complement righty's strong start
By Bryan Hoch / Special to MLB.com


By design, the Mets' lineup figures to score plenty of runs this season.

That was no secret, fueling any number of wintry statistical fantasies among fans. But for the players, it has proven to be even more enjoyable to see those visions come to life.

Five different hitters drove in runs for New York on Friday, including three-RBI nights from both Jose Reyes and David Wright, as the Mets rolled to a 9-3 drubbing of the Florida Marlins.

The Mets, winners of three of their first four games, have scored 19 runs over the last two nights.

"I think everybody in our lineup is seeing better pitches," Wright said. "Up and down our lineup, we're helping each other out and seeing better pitches because of everybody, not just because of the middle of our order."

With Steve Trachsel making his season debut, the Mets wasted little time jumping to his aid, plating two first-inning runs with textbook precision against Marlins starter Jason Vargas.

Reyes opened the inning by doubling to center field -- the first of three hits for the Mets' leadoff hitter -- and he moved to second base on a sacrifice bunt by Paul Lo Duca.

Carlos Beltran followed with a sharp single up the middle, bringing in Reyes. After a hit batsman and a stolen base, Wright gave the Mets a two-run lead with a sacrifice fly to center field that just narrowly missed being an even more striking play, if not for a diving catch by center fielder Eric Reed.

"Every time Reyes gets on base, we have a 99 percent opportunity of scoring a run," Beltran said.

The execution gave Trachsel the cushion he needed to flush some early nerves, continuing on to limit the Marlins to three hits over six strong innings, striking out six.

The improved offensive production also seems to offer something else: license for a starting pitcher to feel confidence in the bats behind him.

"I definitely think, on paper, we have the best team [in the National League East] offensively," Trachsel said. "It wasn't something I was thinking about during the game, but it's nice."

"We feel we can score runs for whoever is pitching out there," Beltran said. "We're pretty happy."

Ah me, Blondie

THEN




2002



Just a 3 today. Did 8 minute miles on the treadmill (raining) for a little up tempo work. I hate the treadmill, but for a short run I can do it. I read somewhere that the resistance is less than a real road run on a treadmill ('cause it is moving). I jack up the elevation to 1 to make it equal to flat outdoors.

Mets unveil model of new stadium

RUNNING NOTES: 20 miler this sunday. 15k of it is an LIRRC race. Right now, I'm just logging miles and saving myself for that. Today was another 6. Nice and easy at 8:40s.











NEW YORK -- Speaking about the Mets' 21st century field of dreams on Thursday, Fred Wilpon struggled to maintain his composure, his voice cracking with emotion.
As the Mets unveiled their digital visions for tomorrow, releasing images of a new ballpark, Wilpon was thinking not of the computer-generated plans for the striking open-air, baseball-only facility or its modern-day amenities.

Wilpon's thoughts had drifted back to his own personal field of dreams, Brooklyn's Ebbets Field.

Suddenly, Wilpon could see himself at eight years old, holding his father's hand and walking through the elaborate rotunda, embracing an afternoon in the sun to watch his beloved team.

"It chokes me up every time I look at the plans," Wilpon admitted.

Suddenly, a new slate of future memories does not appear quite so far away.

Highlighted by the exhibition of a stunning 360-degree, three-dimensional computer model, the Mets' next home was displayed in a ceremony at Shea Stadium's Diamond Club on Thursday.

"We heard Fred talking about the stadium, not in terms of dollars and cents, but thinking back to when he went to Ebbets Field with his father," New York Governor George Pataki said. "You could sense the emotion in his voice. This is not just a business venture; this is a passion of bringing people together."

Designed by preeminent architects HOK Sport, the stadium -- currently called Mets Ballpark, awaiting a corporate sponsorship for naming rights -- is planned to be ready for Opening Day 2009.

Approximated to host about 45,000 fans, the ballpark will be erected beyond the outfield of Shea Stadium in what currently serves as a parking area, with a possible groundbreaking projected for July. Under the plans, Shea Stadium is targeted for demolition.

The Mets have agreed to construct the entire stadium at their own expense; the team estimates that its private investment will total approximately $550 million.

The team will also take over the cost of ongoing maintenance on the park, a cost that the City of New York currently covers on Shea Stadium, while the new facility is expected to generate hundreds of millions of dollars for the city and state.

"If there was ever a place to say this, this is the place," New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg said. "The price is right."

Hugging 126th Street, the new stadium will feature an exterior facade and entrance rotunda immediately reminiscent of the treasured Ebbets Field, paying homage to New York's rich baseball history.

Brick, granite and stone have been selected to replicate the construction materials once used to erect the Dodgers' home in Brooklyn, while a structural steel bridge motif through the ballpark -- using exposed trusses, light towers and an iron-clad scoreboard structure in center field -- will reinforce the Mets' connection to New York City.

Mets fans will also experience the finest in present-day conveniences and comforts, with a historical twist, as evidenced by names for modern establishments like the Ebbets Club behind the plate, Coogan's Landing in left field, the "East Side" stands in right field and "The Orchard" picnic area in center field.

It is a perfect Gotham-centric theme for the Mets, who have utilized a circular skyline logo that embraces all five boroughs since 1961 and are proud of their role and place in the city's pulse.

"This is a New York team if there ever was one," Bloomberg said.

Mets COO Jeff Wilpon, who conducted personal tours of the new stadiums in Pittsburgh, Cleveland, San Diego and Baltimore, among other facilities, promised that the Mets' ballpark will feature sightlines as striking as any currently available in the Major Leagues.

Forty-two percent of the stadium's seating is set in the lower levels of the ballpark, while fans watching games from the upper deck of the park should feel as if they were sitting in Shea's loge.

Fans will also enjoy the ability to walk or stand around the stadium, enjoying a variety of new dining, shopping and entertainment options without missing a single pitch. Whereas Shea Stadium's insides have concrete walls blocking views of the playing field, the new park will feature uninterrupted views of the diamond in most locations.

"I think this will bring everybody closer," Jeff Wilpon said. "All the seats will be great seats with better viewing of the field. It's something that will help sell some more tickets and make it a little more urgent for people to buy season tickets and be a part of it."

The plans for a new stadium have gone through countless revisions and delays since the Mets first unveiled a retractable-roof, retractable-field model years ago -- a mock ballpark that featured Todd Hundley prominently on the scoreboard.

Jeff Wilpon said that the retractable roof turned out to be a "$100 million dream" that the team was forced to abandon, with construction costs escalating each year and value at a premium.

"As we looked more and more into it, it was difficult to let go," Jeff Wilpon said.

Now, the new ballpark's first pitch may still be three years away -- a span of time that seems shorter now than ever before -- but the early reviews seem promising.

"We all know Shea Stadium occupies a place in this borough, physically and spiritually," Queens borough president Helen Marshall said. "It has served its purpose well. But now, it is time to commence the construction of something new."

Like Shea Stadium, the new ballpark's dimensions will be friendly to pitchers, continuing the traditions set by Mets teams centered upon strong moundwork and defense.

One of the first entries in baseball's cookie-cutter, multi-purpose stadium generation, Shea Stadium opened in April 1964 with dimensions of 338 feet down the lines, 371 feet to left- and right-center and 410 feet to center field.

The new park will incorporate a right-field hitter's porch that will hang eight feet over the playing field, with a shorter 330-foot poke down the line. A shot to right-center will measure 391 feet, with center field slightly shorter, at 408 feet. Left field measures at 335 feet, with left-center at 379 feet.

"Even now, I'm looking forward to 2009," said Mets third baseman David Wright. "The fans will rally behind it, and there's more energy and more excitement that surrounds it. I think you have that goal at the end of the rainbow to look forward to, to get to 2009."

The construction of the park is expected to create 6,000 new part-time jobs, while maintaining the estimated 1,000 jobs that currently exist at Shea Stadium.

The new facility is also expected to serve as a centerpiece for the redevelopment of downtown Flushing and the Willets Point area; the so-called "Iron Triangle" that borders 126th Street beyond Shea's outfield parking lot may soon be erased, replaced by what the city envisions to be a hub of parks, businesses, hotels, residences and a possible convention center.

"That will help transform this area into a draw for not only New York sports fans, but for people from all over, cementing this borough's future as a world-class destination," Bloomberg said.

With a bright future on the agenda, spirits were high on Thursday at Shea -- so high, it seemed that everyone was inclined to take a crack at playing comedian.

Pataki recalled taking the subway to the Polo Grounds and invoked the names of Mets players like Choo Choo Coleman, Rod Kanehl and Jay Hook, remarking that he'd cheer them on as they got close in games: "Only 14 or 15 runs down," he said.

Perhaps the line of the afternoon came from New York State Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, who leaned over to Jeff Wilpon and intoned, "Bill Buckner called, Jeff. He asked if he could have first crack at demolishing this stadium."

Others weighed in with hopes and predictions for the first contest at the stadium in April 2009. One suggested that the Mets would be defending their third consecutive World Series title, with Pedro Martinez guarding his third straight Cy Young Award.

Those prognostications might not weather over the next three seasons, any better than one could guess the final score of that first game in the new facility. But the chances of enjoying a beautiful day at a stunning new ballpark? Decidedly better.

"No doubt about it," Bloomberg said. "It's a grand slam for all baseball fans and all New Yorkers."

Et Tu, Marlon

THEN




NOW (2004)







Got my 6 in just after the weather turned nice(r). Just nice easy miles.

Oh No, Brigitte Bardot

"WHEN LOVE WALKS IN THE ROOM
EVERYBODY STAND UP
OH IT'S GOOD, GOOD, GOOD
LIKE BRIGITTE BARDOT..."


THEN




NOW



Did a nice easy 6 today. Recuperating from a rough opening day at the stadium. (The Mets performed well; I had some troubles from the seventh inning on.)

Burn Baby Burn

Moussaoui Found Eligible for Death Penalty
AP
ALEXANDRIA, Va. - A federal jury found al-Qaida conspirator Zacarias Moussaoui eligible Monday to be executed, linking him directly to the horrific Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks and concluding that his lies to FBI agents led to at least one death on that day. A defiant Moussaoui said, "You'll never get my blood, God curse you all."




Burn baby burn! Burn baby burn! Burn baby burn! Burn baby burn!
Burnin'!


Burn baby burn! - Disco inferno!
Burn baby burn! - Burn that mother down
Burn baby burn! - Disco inferno!
Burn baby burn! - Burn that mother down
Burnin'!



Burn baby burn! - Disco inferno!
Burn baby burn! - Burn that mother down, yoh!
Burn baby burn! - Disco inferno!
Burn baby burn! - Burn that mother down
Burnin'!



Burn baby burn! - Disco inferno! (Aah yeah!)
Burn baby burn! - Burn that mother down
Burn baby burn! - Disco inferno!, yeah!
Burn baby burn! - Burn that mother down x2 Burnin’!




2 pieces of good news: METS WIN!!!! *And, yes, Loduca dropped the ball but still got the call.

Off day!!!

NY METS: "Built To Win"

Business before pleasure today: It's the last day of the run week, and I'm glad. Yesterday, I ran a nice 6 and feel like I am finally recovering (I've been VERY beaten as of late). Today I have a 6 as well, but I probably won't get out until this evening. TOMORROW:REST!!! Let's Go Mets!





Opening Day!!!!!!!! Here's a little bit on my Mets from MLB.COM:




One of the reasons Aaron Heilman put aside his preference to be a starting pitcher, he said, was an overriding preference to be a member of the 2006 Mets; another was he had no alternative. Carlos Delgado put aside whatever misgivings he had about signing with the Mets a year earlier and embraced the idea of playing with them in 2006 because he saw, in them, an opportunity to play in the postseason. And once the trade was made, he had no alternative anyway.
Country boy Billy Wagner came to the Big City for 43,000,001 reasons -- the one being an enhanced chance to play for a championship. When the Mets proposed more money and more years than the Phillies, what real alternative did he have?

For any number of reasons, the Mets that begin the 2006 season Monday are a collection of players who have no place else to go. They have banded together with one objective in mind -- win. And really, in that regard, there is no alternative either.

If the Mets are going to win a division championship -- for the first time since 1988 -- this is the year. Not because they're such a powerful force, but no other team in the National League East seems as well equipped. The Braves, though formidable with Bobby Cox in the dugout, are once again diminished; so too the Phillies, only to a greater extent. The Nationals are a third-place team if everything goes right, and the Marlins emerging as a contender is a Fish story.

If not for the Braves' extraordinary run -- it is almost habitual to pick them now -- there would be no alternative but to see the Mets as the favorites in the NL East. To invoke the title of a book not included on Tom Glavine's preferred reading list, these Mets have been "Built to Win."

They have been assembled, at considerable expense, with October in mind. What better way to mark the 20th anniversary of the remarkable '86 Mets than to add another chapter to the club's postseason resume. It's more than Mets nostalgia at work here, though. The Mets want to make 2006 another phase in a monumental business expansion that includes the cable network launched two weeks ago and a new Ebbets-esque stadium due to open its rotunda in 2009. Success on the field will enhance those ventures. What better way to fill the stands of the Son of Shea and attract advertisers to SNY than to play games deep into Reggie's month?

So these Mets have been loaded as few Mets teams have been. They don't have the wall-to-wall talent of the 1985-90 collections or the suffocating pitching of the '69 World Series team and its first four successors. And they certainly don't match the defensive brilliance of the 1999 team. But they have an overall strength in that they have no conspicuous weakness. They can win with speed, long ball or extra-base production, and they are not likely to lose late. Their starting pitching is an uncertainty -- and that's the worst kind of uncertainty to have. But it's not like any other team in the league has the Four Aces lined up.

Moreover, this team appears to have enough players of dominating skill -- Wagner, Delgado, Jose Reyes, Pedro Martinez, David Wright and perhaps Heilman -- to end the Braves' run.

"I think if we just play and don't get caught up in the hype and the Braves thing and just give ourselves a chance, we'll stay close to the top until the All-Star break," Cliff Floyd said. "By then we'll know what we have and we'll make a run. I'm not predicting anything, but I'm not going to be surprised if we get involved in the playoffs.

"We have a lot of weapons. [We] just got to keep 'em working and aimed right."

So the season that is to begin with a Glavine pitch in early afternoon Monday may not end until at least some of the leaves begin to turn. Not since 1990 has a Mets team entered a season legitimately identified as the division favorite. But what does "favorite" get you, anyway? The 1990 team disappeared in September.

Two years ago, owner Fred Wilpon suggested his team would play "meaningful games" in September, a comment he came to regret, because meaningful was out of reach well before Labor Day. There are no predictions or suggestions this year. Goodness knows no one has been foolish enough to utter a guarantee.

But if the Mets aren't playing later than Oct. 1, disappointment is guaranteed.

Marty Noble is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.