It's a word that's been hard to come by as a New York Mets fan the past twenty or so years. Thank you, Johan Santana. 

There's been Carlos Beltran not swinging at a called third strike to end the 2006 playoff run, the heart-wrenching collapses of 2007 and 2008, the signings of Mo Vaughn, Jeromy Burnitz, Roberto Alomar and Jason Bay (and about 100 others). Even the World Series run in 2000 was crushed by the cross-town, star-studded New York Yankees. A team that has always been better, drawn larger crowds and gladly taken the spotlight on the city's obsession with baseball.

But 2012 has the feeling of something different.

With low expectations coming into the season, Mets players (mostly Double-A All-Stars) and Terry Collins have given fans a reason to believe. A reason to smile. An opportunity to feel good.

Johan Santana's performance last night was (excuse my pun) "amazin'."

Coming off major shoulder surgery last year, ...

Read Full Article at Bleacher Report - MLB By Matt Monagan