Months ago I expected to draft a blog like this last month. But then that lockout imposed by a clueless commissioner happened. No doubt exists that the collective bargaining agreement reached last week could have been reached without the rancor. Nonetheless this correspondent exudes excitement about the prospect of baseball’s return. I planned to attend the original opening day; luckily for me but not for those who might have bought the original tickets for April 15, my opening day tickets now apply for the new home opener, which also includes the unveiling of the Tom Seaver’s statue and a Jackie Robinson 75^th Anniversary commemoration; on the original schedule April 15 was a night game; it is not a day game and that matters here too.

My 2021 pre-season blog noted the unresolved status of the DH; I wrote of whether the lineup included “eight hitters plus a pitcher or nine sluggers” and we know the new CBA provides for a “universal” DH. It remains interesting based on the current crop of players how new manager Buck Showalter will construct his lineup that features slugger Pete Alonso. And there may be further deals to be done to further strengthen the batting order.

The Mets already further strengthened their pitching adding Right-hander Chris Bassitt who was an All-Star last summer before a line-drive to the head took him out; his remarkable recovery include two late September starts; He joins a staff that includes the five Cy Youngs won by Max Scherzer and Jacob deGrom. Could be quite formidable if Cookie Carrasco returns to form and Taijuan Walter pitches more like the starter who made the All-Star team rather than regressed in the second-half. And a number of young pitchers showed promise and may push the vets for starts.

I am sure my Yankee fan friends including Friday’s blogger similarly exude optimism. I am “leading” two groups to Citi Field on July 26 when the Mets host the Yankees; One is Gotham; the other my FDR Lodge 613 Knights of Pythias (to benefit its Kings-FDR Tolerance Foundation. Also have a small group attending the retirement of #17 (Keith Hernandez) on July 9.

I am (certainly) ready (for my team) to play!

I feel good about the season (I admit I usually do this time of year.). 

Do you?