Am I talking about Oliver Perez or am I talking about myself? Most likely, you are thinking we both are. Yes, I am an Oliver Perez fan, hell, I’d even say Oliver Perez is one of my favorite players on the team. Yes, I bought my first ever authentic Mets jersey with Perez’ 46 on the back. How many of those have you seen around Shea or Citi? Probably just one. In my opinion, there is no one more important to how the Mets do this season. If Ollie can rebound from injury and pitch the way he did in 2007, I give the Mets a shot this season. If he’s “injured” or melts down like he did in 2009, we will have no shot whatsoever at the playoffs.

Before I go into why I think Ollie is so important, I would like to at least try to explain why I am a fan of “Big Game” Ollie. Ollie Perez is one of the biggest enigmas in sports, on one day he could pitch like Sandy Koufax, the next game he could pitch like Kei Igawa. It all started for me during the 2003 season. I was dating a girl from San Diego and was vacationing there and as we decided to go to Jack Murphy Stadium to see a Padres game, I was first introduced to Oliver Perez. Now, I don’t remember his statistics and I can’t even remember who they played but I do remember Perez was electric. I would guess 7 plus innings and 10 plus K’s. I thought “God, I wish the Mets could get this guy!” Funny how things turn out.

Perez impressed me that as I got back to the hotel that night I actually watched the replay of the game on San Diego channel 4. Being a fantasy baseball guy, I knew who Ollie was but after this night I would always consider myself a fan. As I got back to Vegas, I picked him on fantasy naturally. Maybe it was cause he looked like he had so much promise, maybe just the illusion of how awesome San Diego is, maybe I just enjoyed my date at the game, maybe it’s cause he was one of the first guys about my age to be in the big leagues but for some reason I like Ollie P. He’s lefty, he’s intense, he’s fiery, he’s got a world of talent, he’s a little crazy, he wears his socks high and he’s a Met. Finally, he is the underdog, you all hate him, he got booed on Opening Day at Citi and I love the guy that everyone hates. Any of these are great reasons to be a fan of someone in my opinion.

I always kept tabs on Oliver even after he was traded with Jason Bay to Pittsburgh for Brian Giles. One day, as I listened to WFAN, it was announced that another former Padre, Xavier Nady was headed to Pittsburgh for Roberto Hernandez after the Duaner Sanchez fiasco. The throw in, in the trade was a guy struggling in the minors, Oliver Perez. This is great I thought, get him outta Pittsburgh and we had a guy who could shock us in 07. But Ollie wasn’t satisfied with waiting until 07. Ollie was called upon the pitch the biggest game of the season, game 7 of the NLCS vs. the Cards.  Perez would earn his nickname Big Game Ollie as he pitched 6 strong innings giving up one run (yes, I know Endy saved his ass.) However, after this game I was hooked as the president of the Ollie P fan club.

As the 2007 season started, I knew Ollie was going to make the team after game 7. So I went ahead and ordered my jersey. People thought I was crazy, Perez? He’ll pitch one year and be gone they said. Well, Ollie won 15 games in 07, and pitched decent again in 08. During these two seasons, he would garner the nicknames Good Ollie and Bad Ollie, as he would constantly pitch 2 good games followed by a disaster. What also made people scratch their heads was that he would dominate the Yanks, the Phils and the Bravos, then he would get lit up by the likes of the Pirates and Nats. Hence, why I called him an enigma.

2009 was a disaster for everyone, Ollie included. Ollie participated in the WBC for Mexico after signing a huge 3-year, $36 mill. contract. From what I’ve heard, Mexico did little training and alot of partying during the tourney. Ollie obviously flubbed it a bit since signing his contract. Unfortunately, a knee injury and lack of preparation led to a terrible 2009. Ollie’s life also adjusted in 2009 as he got married. 2009 was just a year to forget for everyone and I hope we can move far away from it this season.

Well, Omar and the Coupon’s wanted some return on their 36 million so Ollie has been training since November in Arizona, a sort of psychological sports camp for pros. From everything I’ve heard, he was embarassed by last season and has trained hard to make 2010 a year to remember. I can only hope that this guy with so much talent has finally got his head on right and is ready to dominate the NL EAST.

Like I mentioned right in the start, there is no other player more important to the Mets in 2010 then Ollie. What do I think the Mets are lacking? A true number 2 pitcher. Pelf, may have that ability but he is still young and inexperienced. He also has alot of work to do with getting his head on. Maine, I like him but he cannot stay healthy and he was just a toss in, he does not have the upside Perez and Pelf do. Maine at best is a 4 pitcher, he is not going to be a standout guy, he is important to our team but he is not someone to take over and dominate.

Perez can dominate when right. If Ollie can step up and become that number 2 pitcher behind Johan, the Mets can make a legit run at the NL East this season. Without him, forget it, we would be lucky to finish in 3rd. Trust me, I got very frustrated with him last season as well. However, I know how important he is to this team. The best thing we can do is support him and hope that everything can work out this season.I’m going to remain loyal, as I know in the end Ollie P will be a difference maker for our Mets. If not, I know my cell phone will be ringing with texts saying how much everyone hates him after every bomb he gives up. My prediction for 2010, Ollie Perez is back on track and gets his 15 plus wins, take it from this Vegas kid, you can bet on it!!!