Mets banking on Delgado to stay hot

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Manager Jerry Manuel knows if his New York Mets are to make a serious postseason run in 2009, they will need Carlos Delgado to pick up where he left off at the end of 2008.
After struggling through June (.228, 14 home runs, 45 RBI), Delgado took off in July and put up MVP-like numbers (.313, 24 home runs, 70 RBI) through the end of the season.
"I still think there were some health issues with Carlos," Manuel said. "Hopefully, he has all those things behind him and I look for him to continue to play the type of baseball he played at the end of last season."
The 37-year-old first baseman -- who has driven in 100 or more runs in nine of the past 13 years -- insists there was nothing wrong with his health.
"I wish I could say it was something else," Delgado said. "It was just a horrible swing and my timing was off. I wasn't afraid or scared I was losing it. There was nothing wrong with my bat speed or my strength.
"My swing was bad."
Delgado, who will play for his native Puerto Rico in next month's World Baseball Classic, said his mental approach going into this season is different.
"I think more than physical preparation, is your mental approach," Delgado said. "Up here, I'm ready to go. My mental approach is going to be a little different than it was at the beginning of last year when I was struggling. So, I would hope to get off to a better start."
If all goes well this season, Delgado will reach 500 home runs, 1,500 RBI, but Manuel is talking team accomplishments not individual statistics this spring.
Manuel has also suggested Delgado's leadership could make the biggest difference.
"I welcome the responsibility," Delgado said. "After you've been around here a long time you learn some things. I think I can help a lot with some of the younger guys and help this ball club pull together.
"I'm not a rah-rah guy, but if something needs to be said, I'm going to say it."
Delgado said the acquisition of Francisco Rodriguez and J.J. Putz puts the rest of the bullpen back in its role -- something that was missing last year, especially down the stretch after closer Billy Wagner went down.
"I'm one who believes players are better when they're in their roles," Delgado said. "It was important we were able to get those two (Rodriguez and Putz)."
As for the past two Septembers, Delgado is ready to move on.
"It doesn't make any sense to cry over spilt milk," Delgado said. "It was tough going home in 2007 and 2008 because we were right there. It was a hard lesson, but thinking about what happened last year isn't going to make us better this year.
"The last couple of years have been a little test for the character of this team."
Delgado will be in camp through March 1 before reporting to Fort Myers to join his teammates for the WBC, where he will wear No. 21 -- the number of former Pirates star and Hall of Famer Roberto Clemente.
Clemente's number has been retired in Puerto Rico, but Delgado recently received permission from the Clemente family to wear the number at the Classic.
"We all understand what the Clemente legacy means," Delgado said. "It's quite an honor that the family said I could wear the number."

(Frank O. Schaeffer is a sportswriter for Scripps Treasure Coast (Fla.) Newspapers, The Stuart News, Fort Pierce Tribune and Vero Beach Press Journal.)