but its understandable that the Mets are taking the long view

• Canadas James Hinchcliffe has a slightly different mindset behind the wheel since earning his first career IndyCar win earlier this year. Hes armed with a higher level of confidence and its paying off with a breakout season. The subtle change in his mental approach is something Hinchcliffe really noticed just before picking up his second victory in four races last weekend in Brazil. "I think that the biggest thing is just knowing yourself that you can do it," Hinchcliffe said Wednesday from Indianapolis. "That youve been in that position and you came out on top." The 26-year-old driver from Oakville, Ont., saw an opening on the last turn of the final lap at the Sao Paulo 300 and took advantage. He squeezed past Japans Takuma Sato for the win. "That little extra bit of confidence -- it doesnt affect anything in the weekend up to that point," he said. "It doesnt change the way you practise, it doesnt change the way you qualify, it doesnt change the way the first seven-eighths of the race go. "But if you find yourself in a position to be fighting for the win in that last couple of laps, just having done it and having been in that position, you just know you can do it. Whether or not it falls your way on that day or not, you never have that doubt. I think thats very important." The Canadian recorded his first win March 24 in the season opener at St. Petersburg, Fla. Hes now fourth in the driver standings behind Sato, Andretti Autosport teammate Marco Andretti and Helio Castroneves. "I think such a big part of it is being able to come back with the same team for the second year in a row and know the guys that Im working with right off the bat," Hinchcliffe said of his recent success. "It really let us hit the ground running." Hinchcliffe was named rookie of the year in 2011 after picking up three top-five finishes with Newman/Haas Racing. He added five more top-five results last year with Andretti. Next up is the Indianapolis 500 on May 26. "Its good to have got that one sort of tangible goal out of the way (with the win)," he said. "Now for us its really just about being consistent. We want to keep being competitive week in and week out. "We want to keep having mistake-free races. I think if we do that, we might find ourselves in a good position come the end of the year. Its still just about learning for me." Hinchcliffe started racing in karting competitions over a decade ago. In 2003, he competed in the Bridgestone Racing Academy F2000 Series. It was a steady rise from there, with the affable Canadian moving up to the Atlantic Championship and Firestone Indy Lights before jumping to IndyCar in 2011. So now that he has two wins under his belt, whats next? "Who knows? This sport is so fickle, there are so many elements that are outside of a drivers control that its really tough to set specific goals career-wise," he said. "I hope to have a long career in this sport. I love IndyCar racing. "It was always my dream to get here so now its my dream to stay here as long as possible." Hinchcliffe said hes still got a lot to learn and gets "another lesson" every weekend he races. He wants to build on that knowledge and continue to make progress regardless of the results. "My biggest thing is I want to leave this sport with the respect of the people that I respect in it," he said. "I think thats one thing that no matter what kind of position youre in -- good team, lower-end team, winning races or finishing 20th -- thats something that you can control." <a href="http://www.cheapnfljerseysmall.biz/">wholesale nfl jerseys</a>. The Asian Football Confederation president and Blatter are embarking on a two-month showdown for the top job in world football after being the only candidates to be nominated by last weeks deadline. Bin Hammam helped to manage the first two of Blatters three election victories, but the former allies have grown apart. <a href="http://www.cheapnfljerseysmall.biz/">wholesale jerseys</a>. The Penguins and Crosbys agent confirmed that the 23-year-old is back on the ice as part of his regular summer training program, the Tribune-Review reports. <a href="http://www.cheapnfljerseysmall.biz/">http://www.cheapnfljerseysmall.biz/</a>;. Orlando seemed to tie the game at the buzzer, but Jameer Nelsons three- pointer failed to leave his hand before the horn sounded. Rose went 10-of-10 from the foul line and dished out five assists for Chicago, which clinched the No. <a href="http://www.cheapnfljerseysmall.biz/">cheap nfl jerseys wholesale</a>. And the faint light that represents their playoff hopes got a little bit brighter as a result. <a href="http://www.cheapnfljerseysmall.biz/">cheap jerseys from china</a>.C. -- Free-agent centre Kwame Brown has agreed to terms on a one-year, US$7-million contract with the Golden State Warriors.MINNEAPOLIS -- Canadian first baseman Justin Morneau will be activated from the disabled list before the Minnesota Twins play Wednesday. The New Westminster, B.C., native took another round of early batting practice Tuesday, his 31st birthday, to test his sore left wrist and reported no problems. He told Twins manager Ron Gardenhire he wants to play first base, rather than be the designated hitter. In 20 games this season, Moorneau is batting .dddddddddddd230 with five doubles, four homers and nine RBIs. He spent the minimum 15 days on the DL. To make room for Morneau, the Twins optioned first baseman Chris Parmelee to Triple-A Rochester. Parmelee is hitting .179 with 21 strikeouts in 84 at-bats. Centre-fielder Denard Span wasnt in the lineup Tuesday because of a sore right hamstring, and Gardenhire said Span is day to day. ' ' '

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