When the Mets unveiled their lineup top three in Saturday’s spring opener, the joy in a sold-out Clover Park was overt for what it represented:

Francisco Lindor was coming off arguably the best position player season in franchise history and an NL MVP runner-up showing.

Juan Soto was actually there. In the flesh. The best at-bat in the world, snatched from the Yankees on the richest contract in MLB history.

Pete Alonso was the one who almost got away, but the fan favorite was back in uniform — and in their hearts.