On the Mets beat

It's not often that I quote Keyshawn in this space, but kind of fits today. Listened to some talk radio on the drive down to Philly, specifically 1050 ESPN, and I had to say I was a little surprised by the backlash over Mike Pelfrey's complete game on Monday night. The bottom line is this: the Mets never should have publicly expressed concern over his innings in the first place.

Pelfrey is only 24, is fine physically, and two more innings Monday were not going to kill him He threw just 108 pitches. I know what the studies say about a young pitcher exceeding his previous year's total by 30 or more innings. I know there is plenty of evidence to prove it. But Jerry Manuel has been talking about pushing Pelfrey deeper into games since May, and now that he actually has a chance to do so, I say why not?

Pelfrey, a first-round draft pick, is obviously very talented. The Mets' goal now is to develop that mental edge, to transform him into the type of elite pitcher than can dominate a game every time out. That comes from pitching deep into games, from throwing back-to-back CG victories. There's a reason why Pelfrey was the first Met to do it in 13 years, since Bret Saberhagen -- because only special pitchers are capable of doing it.

I'm sure Manuel was feeling a little nervous in the eighth inning when Pelfrey had to score from first base or risk getting run over by Jose Reyes. But Pelfrey is not fragile like Pedro Martinez. He's young and can handle some degree of physical exertion. And if there was a play at the plate, Pelfrey could have just given himself up, which he already was prepared to do.

If the Mets keep worrying Pelfrey with pitch counts, inning totals, etc., etc. that could backfire and make him too cautious. Keep giving him the ball and take the training wheels off. The way Pelfrey is pitching now, it looks like the sky's the limit.

My colleague Ken Davidoff tackles the same topic in today's Newsday while Anthony Rieber details the John Maine saga and the wrecking ball that is Carlos Delgado.