Better Late Than Never...

The plan, all along, was to open the season with Mike Jacobs at first base.

No matter how tempting minor-leaguer Ike Davis’s arm and left-handed bat appeared to be in spring training, the Mets wouldn’t stray from their objective: Davis would remain in Triple-A.

So much for that plan, huh?

“He’s handled Triple-A as well as you’d want for a young kid,” Mets general manager Omar Minaya said before Monday's 6-1 win over the Chicago Cubs. “We want to get more production from first base and we felt “let’s give this kid a chance.’ I think we're a better team today by giving Ike Davis an opportunity.’”

Davis was calm and collected -- and more importantly, productive -- in his Major League debut; a rare combination for a rookie coming into pressure-packed situation, such as last night’s must-win against the Chicago Cubs.

The 23-year-old, who singled over the head of second baseman Jeff Baker in his first at-bat, finished 2-for-4 with an RBI.

His energy and production couldn’t have come at a better time for the Mets, who are already in danger of becoming irrelevant in the National League East if they don’t make the most of this 10-game homestand.

“We didn’t bring him up here not to play every day,” Minaya said.

The GM, however, made it clear that Davis isn’t necessarily here to stay.

But whether his stint in New York lasts until the end of the season or just another month or so, is irrelevant. With one swing, Davis ingratiated himself into the hearts of Mets fans. And now, they’re hooked.

They love Ike ...and so do his new teammates.

“It’s going to be fun to watch him mature and grow up on the job,” said David Wright. “He has all the tools and skills in the world and now it’s just a matter of learning the game mentally and putting that kind of preparation in.

“Anybody that’s going to come here and hep us produce and kind of give you a shot in the arm -- every team could use that.”