John Maine and the New York Mets capped a 6 game west coast trip with a dominating performance against Brad Penny and the LA Dodgers. Although the Mets only managed 3 wins during the trip, a 12-1 victory in LA gives them confidence that they are still among the elite teams in the National League. Not only did the offense come alive, but John Maine's 8 1/3 innings allowed the NY Mets bullpen some time to rest and relax. I might have been pretty peeved if I was taken out so close to a complete game, but Maine seemed fairly reasonable in his response.

Maine stated, "I didn't say anything, I don't think much convincing would have been needed. I threw a lot of pitches -- what are you going to do?"

His integrity and focus on what's best for the team is a good sign from this young and developing leader.

Willie Randolph commented after the game,
"John keeps showing some leadership for this team." All signs that the 25 year old University of North Carolina at Charlotte grad is really maturing into a special pitcher, and player for the NY Mets organization.

Maine definitely was cruising through the Dodger line up like a hot knife through butter, but lets face it, the Mets spanked Brad Penny like a whore at a sailor's picnic. Maine reached 97 mph on the speed gun, which by all accounts is a very good sign, but only managed 4 punch outs. I think every New York Mets fan on the planet would trade a stike out pitcher for a guy who can manage the game into the 8th inning. It's the reason we spent all that money on the Tom Glavine experiment.

Speaking of which, I for one am extremely glad that Glavine is gone. He was always a Brave, never wanted to be a Met, and now he can go hold hands with John Smoltz and kiss Bobby Cox's ass all he wants. All he had to do was manage the last game of the year for the Mets in 2007, and they would have made the playoffs. Instead he throws batting practice and the Mets cap off the worse collapse in MLB history. Glavine never bled blue and orange, the Mets should have never signed him. Besides, who needs Tom Glavine when you can develop a guy like John Maine into the inning eating, game managing star you always wanted behind your aces?