Ace 1A arrives

After Santana-mania subsided this afternoon, the next wave of hysteria struck when Pedro Martinez arrived at the facility and took the field.

Martinez may be accustomed to being the center of attention - and on this day he drew as much frenzied attention as Santana did - but he said he doesn't care who is No. 1 on the staff. He raved about the addition of Santana, decried the steroid troubles in the game, praised his own records and spoke optimistically about his health.

But the one bit of news that the Mets cherished more than anything was his willingness to share the spotlight with Santana.

"I know Johan is an ace," Martinez said. "And when I get the ball I'm another ace. Every time I get the ball - it could the fifth position, the sixth, anywhere you want to put me - when you give me the ball as a starter I'm the ace that day. I'm the guy styling. I'm the guy everyone's expecting to have fun and that's going to be me. I believe Johan is probably thought as being as much of an ace as I am."

Asked if it was important to get the opening day start, he said, "Not really. If I get a start in that first rotation I'm happy. I'm extremely happy. Felipe (Alou) told me one time that the day's special when you're on the mound. It's your day. No one else is as important that day."

With both aces on hand today they were equally important.