PEDRO'S BACK

While it has been a good season for the Mets - still on top of the National League East - it hasn't been the most stunning five months or so in their history. Win some, lose some, play like champions, play like fools. It has been a pretty mixed bag.

Last week's sweep by the Phillies was probably a low point - hopefully it won't get any worse.

But at the weekend everything changed and it wasn't just because Willie Randolph's team turned around and swept the Braves, it was because the mood in the clubhouse was suddenly turned on its head.

Pedro Martinez came back.

Hopefully he'll continue to pitch half decent following his rotator cuff surgery, like he did in his win over the Reds yesterday, but Pedro's the whole package.

He brings more to the table, like enthusiasm, spirit, energy to the team, those essential ingredients that make the world of difference and go on to shape champions.

It has been a reasonable enough year for our church up to now too. Gained some people, lost some people, seen some good stuff happening, had some disappointments.

But there's a whole new feeling in the air right now. We've turned a corner, kicked it up several notches. There's anticipation, faith, excitement like I've never seen among us. We're ready for what's next.

Pedro's back!