Ready or Not … Mets Fans Should Like Ike

Desperate times, to paraphrase, call for… Ike Davis.

Perhaps the most hopeful sign to come out of an otherwise desultory Spring Training for the Mets was the surprising success of young Ike Davis, son of former major leaguer Ron Davis.  The plan was not to rush him, even if it meant going with the uninspiring platoon of Mike Jacobs and Fernando Tatis at first base.

But then even the plans for Ike, like the rest of the runaway train that has been the Mets season to date, have already changed, just two weeks in to the season.  Out goes Jacobs, in comes Davis for his Major League debut tonight, and with him something for fans to get excited about.

The Mets didn’t think Davis was ready two weeks ago out of camp, or at least that’s what they said.  More likely, they were looking at the calendar and thinking about his arbitration and free agency clock, as has happed with several other phenoms in recent years, like Matt Wieters.

But that is Baltimore and this is New York, and the Mets need to do this.  The fan base is revolting, the media has lost any optimism it may have had in March, and Omar Minaya and Jerry Manuel have been sizzling in their seats for months.

And I still think it’s the right move.  Whether they will admit it or not, Mets brass must know that this is a lost season.  It must be used to retool, restructure and restore the faith of the Flushing followers.  Davis might need more seasoning, and being in the minors would give him the extra pre-game instruction he may need, particularly in the field and on the basepaths, but he might as well get the experience on the big league level.

At least, for one night, the eyes of the New York baseball fan will be at Citi Field and a 23-year-old who carries the hopes of a franchise into the starting lineup.