Mets’ changes have been for better

The atmosphere in the New York Mets’ locker room has been noticeably loose these days.

Utility infielder Chris Woodward sat around last week, staring at a Carlos Beltran bobblehead doll and imitating the wobbly motion of its head. Pitcher Pedro Martinez shared his tennis philosophies with reporters while watching the sport on a big-screen television. Outfielder Cliff Floyd smacked a teammate with a handful of baby powder, leaving a handprint etched in white across his face.

Even though the Mets are at the bottom of the National League East, they remain upbeat, playful and poised. Before the season, the team’s marketers dubbed them the “new Mets.” And judging by all the new faces and attitude fostered by manager Willie Randolph, New York has lived up to the billing.

The Mets, in Washington for a four-game series that continues through Thursday, evened their record at 41-41 with a come-from-behind 5-2 victory over the Nationals at RFK Stadium yesterday.

“So far this year, Willie’s had a lot of enthusiasm,” Mets third baseman David Wright said. “The passion and fire that he has for baseball is good for the team because it really rubs off in the clubhouse. You want to work hard and do whatever you can to win. You don’t want to let anyone down.”

New York was totally revamped this offseason. It finished 2004 at 71-91 and fourth in the NL East, 25 games behind the Atlanta Braves. The Mets had the third-worst batting average in the NL at .249 — only Wright at .294 hit better than .275 among those with at least 200 at-bats — and the second-worst fielding percentage in the league. As a result, the Mets fired manager Art Howe, demoted general manager Jim Duquette and chose Randolph and Omar Minaya, respectively, to replace them.

Minaya courted top free agents, trying to sell them on the “new Mets” philosophy. Ultimately, Martinez and Beltran signed with New York. The club also re-signed pitcher Kris Benson and acquired first baseman Doug Mientkiewicz from Boston.

With that group and a handful of young talent, the Mets are a team of names New York fans are still getting used to. Catcher Mike Piazza, outfielders Cliff Floyd and Mike Cameron and pitchers Tom Glavine and Steve Trachsel are the only players left over from 2003.

“We’ve got a long ways, but I’m pleased with how [the season’s] going,” Randolph said. “I do what I think is best. I don’t do things according to how people tell me to do. It’s about the team. When things become too big a deal, then it becomes about the individual, and that’s not what I’m about.”

New York has come to resemble its new manager. Like Randolph, who played 18 years in the majors, the Mets don’t boast overwhelming power but make up for it in other areas. The Mets lead the National League with 64 stolen bases, more than seven teams had all of last year.

And most of all, individual statistics don’t seem to matter. The Mets have jelled into a close unit, buying into Randolph’s philosophy.

“This team is fun to be a part of,” Wright said. “You have guys like Pedro who really bring a fire to the team and let people know when to work and when to relax and have fun. You have the silent leaders like Carlos, Mike [Piazza] and Tommy Glavine. We have a good mix in the clubhouse. We have fun playing.”