Forget the four straight fourth-place finishes. According to Darryl Strawberry, this year's Mets shouldn't get caught up with the fact three other teams — the Nationals, Braves and Phillies — are projected to finish above them in the NL East.
"The Mets have to say to themselves, 'We're just as good as anybody else.' The team has to look at themselves, create an identity, and not let other teams bully them," Strawberry, the 50-year-old former Mets slugger, said before an exclusive ticket pre-sale for Citi cardholders at Bryant Park yesterday morning.
PHOTOS: METS SPRING TRAINING
Joining Strawberry at the promotion was John Franco, who touted the team's strong starting pitching as hope for success. Now 52, Franco — like many others — is optimistic the duo of Matt Harvey and Zack Wheeler can turn into a force for years to come.
"From what I've seen, both are very competitive,'' said Franco, who pitched 14 of his 20 major league seasons for the Mets. "Harvey is a potential ace of the future, and I like everything that I've seen with Wheeler so far. He has a nice delivery and hides the ball well. I think they have a good, bright future with the Mets."
While the team projects to have a strong starting rotation, the big question mark with the Mets focuses on the rest of the team as a whole.
When asked to assess how the Mets would perform this season, Strawberry said, "It depends on how the everyday players perform.
"You need your regulars to stay healthy and consistent,'' he said. "Preparation and learning to hit in the clutch is key. They won 74 games last season, and if you hit in the clutch consistently, you can add another 12-13 wins."
Health and consistency, Franco said, is needed from day one for first baseman Ike Davis, who, after being hampered by valley fever in spring training, got off to a brutal start in 2012. His batting average did not crack .200 for good until June 30.
Franco is convinced Davis will bounce back, saying, "You know what you're going to get from David Wright — a .300 [batting average] and 25-30 home runs."
Both Franco and Strawberry agreed if the Mets are to have success in 2013, it has to be a team effort.
"You can't put your finger on one individual guy,'' Franco said. "Everybody has to perform to their capability.''
While it appears the Mets are ticketed for a fifth consecutive fourth-place finish, Franco said don't write them off.
"Nobody gave the Orioles or Athletics a chance at this time last year,'' he said. "You never know what's going to happen. Baseball's a funny game. If the Mets can just compete and stay healthy, you never know."
jdemarzo@nypost.com
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