Santana Strikes Back

Any other pitcher would have been worried last night before facing the Philadelphia Phillies. Especially after he had given up three homeruns in his previous outing. And then this Citizen's Bank Park - a stadium where even normal infield popups sometimes make their way into the bleachers. On top of that he would face his new team's nemesis, the Phillies. Everything pointed to a long and stressful night. But then, Johan Santana isn't just any other pitcher. Far from that, actually, as he once again proved last night. Even the most critical New York Mets fans, maybe even the idiots who booed Santana in his home debut, had to be amazed by watching their new ace lead their team to a 6-4 victory. On the road, against their division rivals, a team they couldn't beat last year when it mattered most.

Santana pitched a tremendous game that can't be limited to his numbers. He gave up 3 runs in 7 innings of work and struck out 10 batters. But it was more than that, it was his presence that mattered more than any statstic. In a game the Mets desperately needed for their confidence, Santana took the mound with force and did what he has been doing for years now - dominate and show the people that he is one of the best pitchers of our generation. And he proved what he can be for the Mets. He can be that guy, who will go out every five days and lead your team to victory. He is the horse, the leader of your staff. A Cy Young caliber pitcher. A true ace. Or you could say something the Mets got one year to late. Last year they missed just this front of the rotation starter when they blew a huge division lead to those Phillies at the end of the regular season. But this year it is a different story.

You shouldn't judge great players like Johan Santana by one bad night (like his home debut against Milwaukee). You rather should relax and wait for the inevitable to happen, which actually, just happened last night in Philly. Santana now posts a 3.25 ERA with an even 2-2 record. Some might say it's not worthy of the 137 million contract Santana got from the Mets in the offseason. But he's also not getting paid to only pitch four regular season games. Especially not in April. Who still is worried with Santana's performance so far has to remember that the venezuelan has been a notoriously slow starter in his career. Actually his 3.25 ERA is his best April ERA since he became a starter in 2003. And if you consider that start as slow, well, then watch out National League!

Unfazed with his team's former choking acts against the Phillies, Santana went to work and did what he has proven to do year after year in the majors. "I had the same approach I usually have", said the 29-year old left hander. "Sure, you can sense a bit of a different atmosphere. But I always try to be myself. I want to go out and enjoy every moment out there." Mets fans surely enjoyed every strikeout and every moment of last night's performance. Just like Santana's teammates. "There aren't too many pitchers in the game that can single-handedly bring your team to another level", explained third baseman David Wright. "But Johan is certainly one of them." So, the Phillies now know about Santana and his teammates are aware of him and his meaning to their team, too. Hopefully all Mets fans realize soon what they really got in this tremendous pitcher and that there's no need to boo him anymore...