PORT ST. LUCIE — Travis d’Arnaud is here for one reason. To win.
That’s an attitude the Mets need as much as they need talented players.
“I was the younger brother, I always wanted to win, that was my most favorite thing about baseball, winning, for as long as I could remember,’’ d’Arnaud told The Post Tuesday as he sat in the dugout at Tradition Field.
“I’ve already attained one of my life goals — to make the majors — now the next step is to get the ring,’’ said d’Arnaud, who grew up in Southern California. “That’s all I’m going to focus on until I get it. It’s the goal. Watching guys win the World Series gets me fired up. I want to be able to be on the field and experience that. That’s what I am going to keep striving for every day.’’
D’Arnaud’s focus on winning is Derek Jeter-like. And remember, he’s a Met. Long ago the Mets had such focus as a team.
D’Arnaud has been getting rave reviews around camp for the way he frames pitches and the way the ball is jumping off his bat. SNY’s Bobby Ojeda, an ’86 Met who was 20-5 that season, counting the postseason, walked past d’Arnaud and said: “Kid, I’d love to throw to you.’’
The young catcher smiled, knowing a pitcher’s life is about the perfectly framed pitch, and said: “I try to make the difference between 2-1 and 1-2.’’
Later, Ojeda said: “When you have a catcher, who is outside of himself, and is thinking about the pitcher, that means so much. I really like this kid. He’s not afraid to talk about winning.
“This youngster is on the right road. That’s the type of mentality this ballclub, any ballclub could use. We’re at least starting to hear the word ‘win.’ Is it going to happen? I don’t know, you don’t know, but I don’t want to hear, ‘We’re going to compete.’ ”
Baseball is about winning.
“I care about the Mets past and I want to win now,’’ d’Arnaud said.
The catcher is the heartbeat of a team.
Veteran outfielder Chris Young was impressed by d’Arnaud when the youngster pointed out last week: “We’re here to win the World Series.’’
First things first, D’Arnaud, 25, must stay healthy. Too many injuries have sidelined him. He was called up late last season and got 99 at-bats, but most importantly proved to the pitchers he would be there for them. That was Job One. This spring, he is much more relaxed.
Manager Terry Collins said he noticed a difference in d’Arnaud’s demeanor at David Wright’s wedding in December.
“He’s a fun guy with great confidence,’’ Collins said. “There’s something about him, he knows how to act, even around the big guys.’’
D’Arnaud’s brother Chase, 27, played for the Pirates, had injury issues and was put on waivers this week. If he winds up a Met: “That would be amazing,’’ Travis said.
Their father, Lance, is super competitive, too.
“I still remember the first time I beat my dad in basketball, he was so mad he ran into the house,’’ said Travis, who was 9 at the time. “I remember the first time I beat him in ping-pong, the same thing.’’
This is one fun family. Back at his mom and dad’s home in Long Beach, Calif., there is a pool, a pool table in the garage, along with a menagerie that includes dozens of bearded dragons and the perfect Wiffle ball driveway.
Travis has won a bunch of championships, including a Pony League World Series, a CIF championship, a South Atlantic League Championship and an Eastern League Championship.
If he ever could help lead the Mets to a championship, d’Arnaud said with a smile: “I don’t even know what my body would feel like.
“For 25 guys to celebrate like they’re 12 years old, that’s something everybody wants and as far as the city is concerned, it would be so great to bring a Mets’ championship back to New York.’’
You gotta to believe. You gotta dream.