But staying positive here is not all that hard to do, really, because although a loss like that is a big disappointment (and whooo, suspense!), there are always moments of greatness exhibited by this Mets team, serious greatness, and not only do those moments make it all worthwhile (for me, anyway), but they also serve to illustrate how great this squad is, can be, and WILL be when everyone gets revved up again and plays up to their potential.  We've had glimpses of it all season... remember Delgado in the first half?  MAINE in the first half?  Beltran since his injury?  David's hit streaks?

Someone is always on around here.  Beltran is making up for lost time in a BIG way, Castillo's been clutch, Conine's first at-bat produces an RBI single, Anderson got a hit and a run last night... and don't get me started about Jose Reyes on Defense and on the basepads!  Yes, Delgado isn't hitting, and Mota... oof!  And the bullpen, and (super-hot) Shawn Green are not playing well...  But here's the thing.  Remember back in the first half, how, at times, the whole team was all fired up together, like when they all shaved their heads, and were having fun and winning games?  That can't be the way it is every day of the season, but we'll get it again.  Something will happen.  Maybe it'll be Pedro coming back, even just to have him in the clubhouse, or when Endy comes back, or when LoDuca comes back... something will happen, or someone will say or do something, and those guys are going to mow everyone down on their way to clinching the division.

Sounds like rose-colored glasses, baseless optimism, I know, but hear me out on this.  Last year the Mets were formidable, start-to-finish, bad-ass swagger and everything, kicking ass and taking names all season (pretty much).  This season, it's been hard, really hard, injuries all season, most of it spent without the starting lineup, no Pedro, no Duaner, no Valentin, but they've somehow managed to hang on and are still in first by a few games.  It's easy to take yourself for granted when everything comes easy, but when everything is a struggle, like it's been this season, a competitor will rise to the occasion and pull it off.  They're competitors, and they're gonna' win this.  Yep, you heard me.

Ya gotta' believe.  Seriously, it's true.  And I do, I believe a whole lot.

"Believe or Leave," that might be the sign I carry to the game Friday, cuz I think it's sign-bringing time up in here, something I don't normally do til' the last game of the season (Thank You Mets!), or playoffs ("Love You Mets, Win or Lose!").  Because real fans support their team, and I'm a real fan. 

:self-satisfied smirk of super-coolness: :affirmative emphasis head nod: :Super Heroine arms akimbo pose:

Let's go Mets!