TONIGHT, there will actually be a baseball game worth watching at Shea Stadium, which in itself constitutes a rarity in a season that has been miserable since that Mets took a 15-2 spanking from the Cubs on Opening Day.
In retrospect, the Mets began playing for next year after that lopsided loss on March 31, as their pattern of play got worse before it got better. But there will be a buzz in the building tonight in anticipation of a pitching match-up between two young talents with potentially promising futures.
Dontrelle Willis, who starts for the Marlins, is worth the price of admission alone, having posted a 7-1 record with a 2.38 ERA in nine starts. Willis (No relation, I think) is a 21-year-old left-hander who is gaining national attention with his high-kicking delivery that has been described as a cross between Fernando Valenzuela and Mark “The Bird” Fidrych. He has also been compared to Vida Blue and Dwight Gooden, which is lofty company for someone who was an otherwise unknown until being called up from Double-A Carolina in early May.
He made the Mets believers on June 16, dazzling them with a one-hitter. Willis has been virtually unhittable recently, having won six consecutive starts while giving up just four runs in his past 42 2/3 innings.
The Mets can only hope Aaron Heilman, a 6-5 right-hander, has similar success. A first-round draft pick in 2001, he’ll make his major-league debut tonight as the Mets continue their much-needed youth movement.
Any debate whether the Mets are rushing their young prospects up too soon begs the question: “What is the alternative?”
The only purpose left in this season is the opportunity for their best prospects to learn big league baseball while playing big league baseball. It’s better Jose Reyes hits .183 this year and understands his strengths and weaknesses, than he starts from scratch in August or April.
What about his confidence? If somehow it is shattered beyond repair, then his mental makeup probably wasn’t big-league caliber in the first place.
“You’re not going to get to this level unless you believe in yourself,” said Ty Wigginton, who has made the most of his opportunity out of spring training to be the Mets everyday third baseman. Playing in the big leagues, “is what it’s all about,” he added. “This is my dream and I’m getting to live it. Anyone would rather play up here than in the minors.”
Heilman, 24, gets his shot, beginning tonight, to offer another ray of hope that this 2003 season isn’t a total waste. His teammates at Norfolk and Binghamton, several of whom have already tasted the big leagues, like the pitcher’s qualities. Good attitude, aggressive, respectful.
It tells you something about his conviction and belief in himself that he turned down a $1 million contract from the Twins after his junior year at Notre Dame and went 15-0 as senior. Let’s hope the Mets do better drafting than signing free agents.
Wigginton knows what Heilman should be thinking tonight. There is no room for doubt. “I always believed my ability would come out and somebody would realize that I could help a ballclub,” Wigginton said. “I just needed the opportunity and when I got, I wanted to make the most of it.”
Willis has done that with the Marlins and is comfortable enough with his new fame to sign autographs near the visiting dugout for 15 minutes before last night’s game. If the Mets are lucky, Heilman will taste some success too, giving them someone else worth watching.
