First Frenchy, Now Thole

Say what you want about the years of despair awaiting the Mets, Jayson Stark, but at least we have two certifiable dudes to share the misery with.

First we rejoiced when Jeff Francouer gave the first of his now-daily post-game interviews, jacked up, excited, smiling, and just seeming like he loved life. Sip quickly dubbed him "Chips Francouer," about as high an honor as Young could bequeath.

But hold up, who just saw Josh Thole's first big league press conference? The kid went an auspicious 2-for-5 in his major league debut, then he wowed 'em with his general gregariousness during the press conference.

The press asked if he'd kept the first ball he hit for a single, he had. They asked if he'd kept the first ball he'd hit for a double, he had. Was he missing anything? "I don't know, we didn't get that first passed ball, did we?" he asked, drawing laughs from the media swarm. It was as if he was joking with some frat brothers circled around a keg.

Smiling ear to ear, laughing with the press, it's not easy for everyone. Just ask Mike Pelfrey (Mr. Dear in Headlights) or John Maine (Mr. I Hate Myself and Want to Die) or just about any member of the 2007-09 Mets not named David Wright, Johan Santana or Billy Wagner.

Francouer and Thole may not be the answer in any long-term sense, but at least they're enjoyable personalities; based on the early returns, they're the most dynamic duo the Mets have had since the days of Robin Ventura and Todd Zeile. Are they good clubhouse guys? I've got no insight there, but affability can't hurt.

I mean really, if we're going to spend the next few seasons (or 6-8 seasons, in the estimate of one of Stark's contacts) like it was 2002-2004, we might as well have a few meatheads who know how to have a laugh.

- A.F.O.M.G.