If the New York Mets expect to turn the page on a 70-92 season and redeem themselves in 2010, today will not be the day fans will point to as the turning point in the team’s fortunes.

Today, Black Friday, the Mets will stock their team store with a new retro-style jersey. Last week the Mets announced they will wear the new uniforms in 2010, “inspired by the early years of the franchise,” according to a team press release, “… and combining design elements from the original 1962 and 1969 World Champion Mets.”

Inspiring — and a clear sign the team is taking immediate, corrective measures to avoid a second straight disappointing season. Nothing screams redemption like new team apparel.

A week earlier, as team’s prepared their off-season pursuits of top free agents Matt Holliday, Jason Bay, John Lackey and potential trades for Roy Halladay and Adrian Gonzalez, the Mets were hard at work renaming VIP areas and entrances at Citi Field. This news comes on the heels of last month’s announcement of the opening of a team Hall of Fame & Museum in 2010.

“The re-formation of the Mets Hall of Fame Committee is central to our concerted efforts to better connect our present and future to our past,” said Mets chief operating officer Jeff Wilpon.

“Ownership is acting upon our fans’ desire to see more Mets around the ballpark,” added Dave Howard, Mets executive vice president. “We hear our fans loud and clear and these additions continue the process that started last season.”

Perfect. If the Mets can’t field a team that can compete for the post-season, at least the organization is making arrangements to provide a “fan experience” to remember eras gone by when the Mets were competitive. This is great news if you like team history and, if you like history, the immediate future appears to look a lot like recent history.

Mets ownership is committed to reducing payroll in 2010 ($147 million in 2009). That means, scratch Matt Holliday or Jason Bay from your Christmas wish list and get ready for Marlon Byrd or Mike Cameron. John Lackey? No. Roy Halladay. Not a chance. The Mets are focused on Jason Marquis, Joel Piniero and/or Randy Wolf. This type of organizational commitment to winning has me longing for Port St. Lucie.

The Mets plan to compete with the Phillies and Braves with Johan Santana, John Maine, Oliver Perez, Mike Pelfrey and some combination of additional Type B free agent arms. The Mets plan is to improve their National League worst home run output (95) with Byrd (20) or Cameron (24).

The Mets plan for the future ironically resembles the recent history, and we know how that ended.