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Mets' Maine looks for encore

Date published: 3/22/2008

BY RICH CAMPBELL

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla.

"John, will you sign my glove?" shouted a woman.

"John! John!" a group of kids screamed as they extended baseballs and pens in his direction.

Yes, the same player who used to strike batters out while pitching for North Stafford High is now an established big leaguer. After completing his first full season in the majors last season--and a successful one, at that--Maine is now dealing with everything that comes along with his status: The autograph requests, the expectations and the pressure of the New York spotlight.

He's taking it all in stride, believing that the best is yet to come.

"I just go out there and compete, and I think a lot of people see that," Maine said. "I think that they like that and respect it."

Last season was Maine's fourth in the majors, but it was the first in which he had a secure place in the starting rotation. The stability did wonders for his physical and mental approach to the game.

In 191 innings, he went 15-10 with a 3.91 ERA, striking out 180 batters and walking only 75. He tied with two-time Cy Young Award winner Tom Glavine for the team lead in wins.

"He got more innings and more experience," said Nationals catcher Paul Lo Duca, who was the Mets' starting catcher the last two seasons. "When he was over in Baltimore, he was up and down, up and down. Being in a situation where you never really get your feet wet, always battling for a spot, it puts a little pressure on you. I think he finally got to settle in knowing he was going to pitch every fifth day regardless of what happened. It made his mind settled. He has always had the stuff, and he progressed from there."

Maine had an outstanding first half of the season and could legitimately claim he was snubbed from the National League all-star team. He went 10-4 with a 2.71 ERA before the all-star break.

Date published: 3/22/2008

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