Santana's presence a force of nature

Remember when Kaz Matsui joined the Mets? (I know, we'd like to forget.) A swarm of Japanese journalists and photographers followed his every move in spring training, whether he was taking batting practice, fielding grounders or just stretching.

Well, there is a new sensation in camp and unlike Matsui, it is legitimate. Johan Santana attracts followers wherever he goes and with good reason. So when he threw live BP for the first time Friday, it was big news. And of course, he did not disappoint.

I noticed it and Metsblog.com confirms that the Mets will not be using any silly taglines this season. Good. They only get mocked.

I'm sad to see that the joy is gone for Jose Reyes, and that he won't be doing anymore complicated handshakes. Here's a guy who has fun out there, and now -- because of media pressure and the idea that his celebration with Lastings Milledge somehow cost the Mets the season -- he'll be having less fun.

I have friends, Mets fans, who hated the handshakes and loved it that Milledge was traded. It never bothered me. In fact, I enjoyed them and wanted to see Milledge stay.

But what drives me crazy is this idea, perpetuated by the likes of David Lennon in the above-linked story, that the Marlins "had nothing on their minds but tee times and fishing trips until they saw Reyes and Milledge dancing on the ashes of Florida's season."

First of all, Florida's season was burned up long before that series. The idea that Reyes and Milledge somehow fired the team up and that led to Tom Glavine's first-inning meltdown in Game 162 is ludicrous. Florida came into the series smelling blood -- you recall the Mets were floundering, yes? -- and said publicly that they wanted to be spoilers.

And even if the team was fired up afterwards, momentum is only as good as the next day's pitcher, and it's Glavine who cost the Mets in the finale. Had he pitched well, the Mets might have won, whether the Marlins were geared up or not.

So Reyes will play with less exuberance. And if he gets off to a slow start, the media will hammer him and say, "He's not the same Reyes." And we'll wonder why.