Between now and then, they pretty much have to swallow every Hamels verbal swipe, every question about their fortitude. Hey, if the collar fits, wear it. They can try to fire back at the Phillies. But that will not play well.

"Guys can talk, but it is not about talking in December or February," David Wright said. "It is about going out and winning. You have the right to talk when you win. Instead of us talking or worrying about what they are saying, we have to go out and take care of our baseball business."

Wright is part of a narrowing core of Mets who fell to the Cardinals in October '06, and wilted before the onrushing Phillies the past two Septembers. Unless something changes, history — not Cole Hamels — will harshly judge Wright and Carlos Beltran, Carlos Delgado and Jose Reyes, Oliver Perez and John Maine. They are still the ones who can do something about this, unlike Pedro Martinez and Billy Wagner. They are still the ones who can do something about the highest payroll in the NL and no NL titles, about the biggest hype and no days in the World Series, about the strutting but no parades.

This is no longer Willie Randolph's fault. This is about Minaya's architecture and the leadership of Jerry Manuel, wingman to Randolph and now director of his own collapse.

Minaya has again tried to make the Mets more bulletproof. He stocked the endgame with Francisco Rodriguez and J.J. Putz and — just as instructive — removed several bullpen figures who upper management thought projected fear in the big moments.

Manuel, in his first spring training in charge, is running a camp full of drills and reminders of team first, that common sacrifice is an area that can help the Mets move those vital few inches from almost to kings. He also is unsettling the group, recognizing that the greatest separator between the Mets and Phillies might be how much tougher mentally Philadelphia has been.

"The expectations should be there," Manuel said, running toward the fire. "No doubt about it. We feel we have a good team. Until we do something, it will be talked about in that (negative) light."

So opportunity begins anew for the Mets, 1 p.m. today vs. the Orioles. The date of the last game will determine just how much Cole Hamels gets to keep talking. There is a long way from here to there to see if this era of Mets history gets a re-write. They are a team full of A-Rods, trying to prove they are not just talent, but sturdy finishers, as well.

Chokers today, what tomorrow?

Philadelphia Phillies News News » Mets' past is as much a problem as the Phils
Mets' past is as much a problem as the Phils
PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. - Cole Hamels is not the Mets' problem, the cold hammer of facts is. More from the New York Post