No, not Mike Piazza, Carlos Beltran or even Pedro Martinez. They are still in Port St. Lucie, putting a bow on Spring Training.

The original Mr. Met, the one with the swollen head even before his namesake team reloaded during the offseason, will hit the streets of Manhattan on Wednesday to trumpet the coming start of the 2005 season.

Standing at the top of a double-decker bus decked out in Mets colors and balloons, Mr. Met will expose fans to Opening Day fever by handing out schedules and T-shirts with the club's motto: "Next Year is Now."

The Mr. Met juggernaut is scheduled to make several stops from 10:30 a.m. ET to 3 p.m. Included in the itinerary are Wall Street, Washington Square Park, Union Square and Bryant Park.

The tour will end with a visit to Central Park.

This is not the only parade the Mets plan to hold in 2005. But six months' work remains before they can retrace Mr. Met's route under a blizzard of confetti.