Like most good catchers, Mike Piazza is a thinker. He’s analytical, philosophical and realistic. And sometimes, these qualities don’t play well in New York.

Ask Piazza if an early-season series with the Braves gives the Mets a chance to make a “statement” and, first, he looks at you as if to say, “Are you serious about that question?” And then he’ll say something like, “Dude, it’s the very beginning of the season. We’ll have over 150 games to play after the Braves leave town.”

Piazza is, of course, on the money with his answer, but this being New York (and I know, because I’ve lived here for 30 of my 38 years), a lot of fans want to hear a George Steinbrenner-esque response like “We’re out to show the Braves we’re the best team in the East, especially when they’re in our house.” Etcetera.

I'm not out to slam the New York media here. The New York media know Piazza is right. But questions like the “chance to make a statement” example have to be asked, because someone just might say something provocative. And, there are a number of extremely vocal fans who want to hear fiery soundbites.

Fact is, back in the '70s, most New York baseball fans mocked Steinbrenner for having a “football mentality.” Now, many New Yorkers mimic him. Use of the term “must-win” in April and May has become commonplace. We can now have a “huge series” in June.

And when a guy like Piazza won’t go there, won’t entangle himself in the rhetoric, you can hear the grumbles coming through the speaker of your radio. “Where’s the fire?” people want to know. “Where's the intensity? Does he want it bad enough?”

It’s pretty humorous … but I thought I’d throw it all out there before we get into Piazza’s feelings about the upcoming season. As you know, the Mets were the busiest of teams this offseason, answering the call of the fans for more offense by going into the trade market and snatching players like Roberto Alomar, Jeromy Burnitz, Roger Cedeno and Mo Vaughn and pitchers like Shawn Estes, Jeff D’Amico and David Weathers. The buzz all winter on the streets of New York has been that the Mets are ready to finally overtake the Braves, who’ve had a stranglehold on the National League East for eight years.

So, what does Piazza think? Are the Mets loaded for bear? His eyes roll.

“I’m excited,” he says, “but unfortunately there’s this notion that the team that goes out and makes the most moves in the offseason and spends the most money is an automatic. We’re not. In this game, we can come out and play a college team and hit balls right at guys and lose. It’s not like other sports. Talent is important, but there’s a certain element -- that includes luck -- that you need between the lines to be successful. It’s not always the best team that wins. It’s the team that plays best, the team that puts it all together, that wins. Last time I checked, no team ever won anyting in the winter.”

Where’s the fire? Where’s the intensity?

It’s there, don’t worry. Piazza would just prefer to save it for the field. Save it for the 130-something games he expects to catch and the 600 or so plate appearances he wants to maximize.

“Let’s play it out,” he says. “At the end of the season, everyone will know for sure.”

Jeff Bradley is a senior writer for ESPN The Magazine. E-mail him at jeff.bradley@espnmag.com.