Opening Day 2009.  I can't believe that it is here already.  It has been another long off-season, and just when you think you couldn't take the cold weather, same story lines, WBC games or spring training games, Opening Day sneaks up on you and is here. 

This will be my fourth year following the season on Section Six.  It is funny, the name Section Six comes from my first section I had a ticket package in, Section 6 of the Mezzaine at old Shea.  So much has happened since that first year, I found it funny to go back and read past entries about the Mets.  Each Opening Day I treat like the start of the new year, where I reflect on the past season and what I hope to happen the upcoming one.  No doubt 2009 is going to be a fun year with CitiField open and hype around this 2009 Mets team.  Everywhere I read there are bold predictions for this 2009 team.  World Series winners here, NL East champs there.  I will stick to what I said in my Spring Training entry, if the Mets play hard, team, inspired baseball then we will part of a special season.  Manuel brought team baseball back to the Mets this preseason and it certainly feels like this 2009 team is on the brink of something special.  I am a bit concerned with the depth of the rotation.  I am concerned with what Sheffield will bring to the Mets, even though it is a low risk/high reward opportunity.  But hey, every team has concerns and soft spots now. 

If the formula is correct I expect the Mets to make up a lot of those 29 blown saves from 2008.  I expect them to play inspired, team baseball every inning of each game, and if they do this, I feel confident that this 2009 Mets team will put to bed the deamons from 2006 and 2007.

A new year.  A new stadium.  A differnt approach. A fresh beginning.  If only life was like the baseball season where you could start 0-0 each year.  It is going to be an eventful season.