Mike's Mets: Dave Mills Archives

And So It Begins...

It happens but once a year... Opening Day for the Mets and their die-hard fannies. Today, things get real and exciting. Hot Stove and Spring Training are behind us and the 162-game grind begins. For Terry Collins' band of bargain basement finds, retreads, prospects and three stars (who have lost...

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By Dave Mills, posted at 11:56 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Some Perspective in the Wake of the Settlement

Editor's Note: I'd like to welcome contributing writer Dave Mills back to the blog. Please direct any comments or feedback to him. - Mike S. In the wake of the settlement of the Picard v Wilpon/Katz/Sterling clawback lawsuit, it is imperative that all of us take a deep breath, simplify...

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By Dave Mills, posted at 11:56 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Frozen Ropes

Einhorn or Einstein? It can often be wise to hold off on commenting about certain current events until additional facts are revealed. Nothing can be truer in terms of David Einhorn's investment in the Mets. If the information unearthed by ESPN-NY's Adam Rubin is accurate (and there is no reason...

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By Dave Mills, posted at 3:07 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)

As The Mets Turn

In spite of the whirlwind of analysis and criticism that can only germinate from the ultimate major market in sports, for the first 22 games of the season this scribe has calculatedly refrained from rendering judgment on our 2011 Mets. Playing, coaching, managing and administrating in the New York fishbowl...

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By Dave Mills, posted at 12:36 AM | Permalink

Curiously, What's Wrong With the Mets?

Understanding that hindsight is 20/20, much of the blame for the present travails of the Mets falls squarely on personnel decisions that should have been dealt with very differently. We will never now for sure which decisions can be attributed to whom, but Omar Minaya is the final arbiter on...

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By Dave Mills, posted at 9:16 AM | Permalink | Comments (10)

Perchance to Dream

Low Expectations May Be the Elixer For the first time in several campaigns, no one picks the Mets the win the NL East and few pick them for the NL Wild Card. Perhaps we have been blessed by the lowering of expectations? For those of us who prefer to see...

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By Dave Mills, posted at 3:06 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Spring Is Here and the Positives May Be Outweighing the Negatives

Two-thirds through spring training and halfway through the exhibition schedule, things are not so bad in Metsville. In fact, things are pretty darn interesting. Can the Mets contend? Sure. Can they win the East? Only if a lot goes well for them and wrong for the others. If the Mets...

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By Dave Mills, posted at 9:15 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Revelation and Speculation

Bay Play Jason Bay will be roaming the vast expanse known as left field at Citi Field for the next four seasons. While I am not particularly enamored with such a development, it should be good for the Mets for a couple of seasons. My biggest gripe is that the...

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By Dave Mills, posted at 1:20 AM | Permalink | Comments (10)

All the Panic is Sheer Madness

As we turn the corner on another decade, the Mets find themselves at another sort of crossroad. Should (or better put--can) they go for broke, or be clever and prudent and see exactly what they have in-house? If the latter, all they need is to complete a few minor deals...

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By Dave Mills, posted at 1:06 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)

Questions of Restraint

With the torrid pace of signings and offers that send shivers down the spines of real baseball buffs, let the word go forth to all Mets fans and especially to those who toil in the Mets front office--restrain thyself from the excesses of the few. Eight years and $128 million...

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By Dave Mills, posted at 2:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (11)

Resisting the Urge to Surge

The Winter Meetings have ended and the non-tender deadline has come and gone. To say the least, the plot has thickened for Team Omar/Jeff. Yet, for some reason, I am still not worked up about the top-three free agents (Bay/Holliday/Lackey) or the specter of paying too dearly in prospects and...

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By Dave Mills, posted at 4:21 PM | Permalink | Comments (10)

The Tweak's the Thing

In my previous post, we discussed some creative tweaking of the Mets roster. Let's try to put away all the diatribe aimed at the Wilpons, Minaya and Manuel and analyze just some of the various items that must be considered when creating a balanced major league roster. This includes a...

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By Dave Mills, posted at 12:40 AM | Permalink | Comments (5)

Sell High, Buy Low and Other Unlikely Strategies

Hot Stove has arrived and speculation runs rampant as usual. As Mets fans, we have little else to think about or cheer. So, how do Jeff and Omar set forth to right the ship? Let me throw my two cents worth in the pot... Firstly, 2009 was an aberration and...

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By Dave Mills, posted at 6:07 PM | Permalink | Comments (12)

What More Can Happen to the Mets?

My last post commenced with "The Injury Bug Bites Again," and since that Aug. 7 piece, we have seen a further injury to Carlos Delgado, no progress for Reyes, Beltran and Maine, David Wright beaned onto the DL and Alex Cora down for the count with two thumbs to the...

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By Dave Mills, posted at 11:44 PM | Permalink | Comments (5)

Short Stops

THE INJURY BUG BITES AGAIN The sight of Jon Niese sprawled out by the pitchers mound was as disheartening as anything we have witnessed this season. But following the freak injury to Luis Castillo the night before and Sheffield removing himself a few minutes later, there is not much more...

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By Dave Mills, posted at 1:11 AM | Permalink | Comments (4)

A Deep Breath Is In Order

A well-penned article by Ken Belson, with assists from Ben Shpigel and Tyler Kepner, in today's NY Times is must reading for all Mets fans. It is aptly entitled: "A Disquieting Silence Envelops the Floundering Mets." Things are not going well for the Mets and especially for the Wilpons. Lets...

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By Dave Mills, posted at 12:53 AM | Permalink | Comments (16)

Mets Three-Conomics 2009 First Edition

With the Mets just barely treading water, Jerry Manual at the helm for a full year and the trade deadline a mere 40 days away, it's time for some fluff & games and special lists. THREE MOST IMPORTANT METS THIS SEASON Johan Santana Frankie Rodriquez Tie: David Wright/Carlos Beltran THREE...

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By Dave Mills, posted at 12:36 AM | Permalink | Comments (12)

To Do or Not To Do?

The Mets are surely floundering, albeit gamely, without Reyes, Delgado, Pagan, Putz, Perez and Maine, among others. Perhaps the great unmentioned are the various nagging injuries to almost the entire playing roster, save a handful of younger players. Beltran, Sheffield, Church, Cora, Schneider and Castillo all are playing with injuries,...

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By Dave Mills, posted at 11:54 PM | Permalink | Comments (10)

Staying Power

The mind-bending string of Mets injuries, which have been compounded by illnesses and a not-fully-ready-for-prime-time farm system, have altered the expectations of most dyed-in-the-wool Mets fans. So, what's the real fan supposed to do with all the new information we are processing? Sit back and take it all in stride...

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By Dave Mills, posted at 2:56 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)

Missing

MISSING COGS In this day and age of grossly inflated salaries, intense media scrutiny and over-the-top expectations, it is not too difficult to get caught up in the downdraft of a couple of painful loses. The talk radio pundits and even many (not all) in the blogging community fail to...

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By Dave Mills, posted at 3:49 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)

A Fifth Is Down the Hatch

Little has been made of the Mets ascent to first place in the NL East simply because this is a team that is constantly overanalyzed and ripped asunder to the negative. Early spring twinges in the left arm of Johan Santana led to absurdly out-of-proportion speculation. John Maine, rehabbing from...

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By Dave Mills, posted at 5:33 PM | Permalink | Comments (7)

Restraint Runs Rampant (and why not?)

The Mets have reinvented the bullpen and have made a reasonable overture to Derek Lowe, while basically standing pat on their everyday players. In light of the painfully slow to develop free agent market, it seems to this observer that Scott Boras somewhat dictates how things evolve for a number...

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By Dave Mills, posted at 4:14 PM | Permalink

Hot Stove Warming

With the apparent signing of Francisco Rodriguez, the Mets have made the first real noise at the Winter Meetings in Vegas. But surely, Omar is on the prowl to beef up an already interesting roster. He may not have to spend wildly to accomplish the task. A blend of mid-priced...

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By Dave Mills, posted at 3:20 PM | Permalink

Mets 08 Lament (with an eye to 09)

The second guessers are coming out in droves. As if its not bad enough to have experienced the pain and suffering of the past two Septembers, we now have to listen to a laundry list of reasons and less than expert fixes. Joel Sherman of the Post suggests trading Jose...

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By Dave Mills, posted at 11:33 AM | Permalink | Comments (4)

Four Omar - Five to Go

Upon the revelation that Omar Minaya is about to be extended four more years, it is time to reflect on the still to be determined 2008 Mets campaign. Nothing is more obvious than the high quality pitching delivered start in and start out by Johan Santana. Not since Tom Terrific...

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By Dave Mills, posted at 2:11 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

The Future Is Now

Doubtless, the All-Star break was the worst thing that could have happened to the NY Mets and their fans. It is analogous to, but not quite as heinous or impactful as the Colorado Rockies nine-day break between their sweep of the D-Backs and the start of the World Series. And...

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By Dave Mills, posted at 10:30 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Omar Shows Restraint

Staying away from moving quality young talent for two month rental players is not a discipline familiar to some general managers. Omar Minaya showed restraint and respect for what may actually be a very underrated talent pool. In fact, most of the so-called baseball experts say the Mets are devoid...

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By Dave Mills, posted at 1:29 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

As the Game Rolls On

ALL-STAR FOLLIES The All-Star break has come and gone and the greatest fear of all Mets fans was front and center. Wags had the game and the World Series home field advantage on his arm and blew the opportunity. Had the game gone on and David Wright actually pitched with...

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By Dave Mills, posted at 12:55 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Short Stops -- Mid-season edition

At the midway point, disappointment surely reigns, but the less-than-Amazins are amazingly in the running to win their division. ALL-STARS (or not) The fact that David Wright (.287/15 HR/64 RBI) is the only Mets position player without a doubt deserving of an All-Star nod, pretty much says it all. An...

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By Dave Mills, posted at 4:28 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

The Willie Watch Comes To a Merciful End

To run, manage or play on a professional baseball team in New York is becoming more complex every day. There is no rumor that is not worth discussing and/or printing. There can be no honest mistakes (or any other type of error). And there is absolutely no place to hide....

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By Dave Mills, posted at 12:40 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

What's Really Under the Microscope in New York?

Too many times, one person is blamed for the failings of one or more other persons. This is certainly the case to be made for Willie Randolph. In the current mess--and it is a mess--we have a so-so manager being blamed not only for the failings of his underachieving millionaire...

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By Dave Mills, posted at 12:40 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)

Wake Me Up After 37 More Games and We'll Talk

The first quarter of the 2008 season is three games in the past and the Mets are basically treading water as a .500 team. This probably comes as a surprise to Omar Minaya and the Wilpons, who figured they made two very good deals over the winter to obtain Johan...

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By Dave Mills, posted at 2:49 AM | Permalink | Comments (7)

A Glass Half Full

The 2008 Mets season has been a bit ho-hum, but still enlightening for those of us who see the glass as half full rather than half empty. In spite of the minions of repulsive boo-birds, there is much to be pleased about early on, and a few things of which...

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By Dave Mills, posted at 2:39 PM | Permalink | Comments (6)

And So It Begins

After too much overwrought speculation and meaningless spring second-guessing, the real season has begun with a flourish. It may not matter as much for other teams in other places, but in NY, the redundancy of the written word and broadcast prognostication is mind-blowing during Spring TRAINING (there is the key...

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By Dave Mills, posted at 12:43 PM | Permalink

More Than Meets the Eye

Now that The Deal has been consummated, it seems a good time to reflect on what has transpired from several angles. Before Mets fans rejoice too much, there are some sobering realities to digest. Both the Mets and the Twins gained and lost, but the Mets took on tremendous risk....

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By Dave Mills, posted at 12:45 PM | Permalink | Comments (5)

What Am I Thankful For This New Year?

I am thankful 2007 is ending and a New Year of high hopes and expectations are upon us. Nothing can be worse than the Mets last two-thirds of the season. It was not just September. They were lucky that no one caught them earlier. Frankly, the Phillies didn't even blow...

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By Dave Mills, posted at 2:42 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)

What Does The Mitchell Report Accomplish?

Controversy swirls and speculation abounds. Some of what is being written and said is a bit off-the-wall, yet expected. The 409-page report is basically built around former Met clubhouse attendant Kirk Radomski and a painfully obvious effort to limit his own legal exposure and reduce his punishment. Most importantly, these...

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By Dave Mills, posted at 2:12 PM | Permalink | Comments (8)

Mets Lament

PREAMBLE I have not posted here for quite some time, not for lack of wanting to, but simply for lack of time. However, our intrepid publisher, Mike Steffanos, deserves kudos for the extraordinary effort he puts forth to entertain and inform his visitors on a daily basis through the longest...

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By Dave Mills, posted at 1:58 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Best Baseball of 2007

Yes, this week, the Mets are playing their best baseball of the season, including the 13-inning loss to the Brew Crew on Tuesday night. At 15 games over .500, they also sport the best record in the NL and third best record in MLB behind the BoSox and Halos, who...

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By Dave Mills, posted at 5:42 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Questions Anyone?

The best record in the NL isn't good enough for you? If I hear one more whining Mets fan on WFAN or on the blogs, I am going to stand up and scream. What do you guys want? There can only be one best record in the league. Sure, they...

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By Dave Mills, posted at 6:48 PM | Permalink | Comments (13)

Deal or No Deal

As the non-waiver trading deadline approaches, it is time challenge the semi-conventional wisdom being strewn about newsprint and the Internet and to think like a general manager. In particular, a guy by the name of Minaya. Wading into the last week of July, our beloved and oft times frustrating Amazins,...

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By Dave Mills, posted at 1:28 AM | Permalink | Comments (5)

Trying Times

The midseason travails of the NY Mets continues to be both a conundrum and a disappointment to the team, its management and its fans. However, the "less-than-Amazin's" remain reasonably well ensconced in first place due to far more inconsistent and lackluster play by the Braves and the Phillies. Those teams...

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By Dave Mills, posted at 11:26 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Short Stops

The Maine Man To say John Maine deserves to be on the NL All-star pitching staff is an understatement. The real issue for the Senior Circuit, and its millions of fans, is don't they need him to try to shut down the powerful AL lineup for an inning or two?...

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By Dave Mills, posted at 11:17 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)

What's a GM to Do?

No doubt about it--this has been a brutal two-week slump. At the one-third point of the season on June 4, the Mets were 35-19. In the intervening two weeks they have gone 2-11. And it is not a pretty sight, as just about all aspects of their game has been...

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By Dave Mills, posted at 11:01 AM | Permalink | Comments (5)

Short Stops

One-Third the Way Yes, we are already at the 54 game mark and the Amazins are on track for a 105-57 season. The Mets have done this with creative general managing, intuitive managing, instructive coaching, startling pitching and great role playing. At the same time, they have never been at...

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By Dave Mills, posted at 1:38 PM | Permalink | Comments (6)

1st Quarter Report

Hard to believe, but the Amazins are about to hit the quarter-season mark around the middle of Friday night's game against the Highlanders. So, what have we learned thus far? The 2007 Mets are far better at hitting southpaws than they were last season. Certainly, the addition of the oft...

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By Dave Mills, posted at 11:30 AM | Permalink | Comments (6)

Do the Mets Have an Achilles Heel?

There is not a MLB team without a flaw (or several). The Mets are no exception. The everyday players and bench are pretty deep. The corner outfielders and first-sacker are slightly below average and have limited range, but not exactly achilles heel material. Is the starting pitching really as good...

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By Dave Mills, posted at 12:32 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)

The Three "B's"

Notwithstanding the loss of 4 of 6 to the Braves, the Mets have looked pretty impressive during the first three weeks of the season. It could easily be said that some are playing over their heads (Alou and Green come to mind), while at the same time some have played...

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By Dave Mills, posted at 1:38 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)

Mets in Motion as 2007 Season Begins

Are the 2007 Mets a reflection of their manager or their general manager? That is a question which begs an answer. The roster is certainly quite similar to the roster that closed the 2006 season with a flair, but some disappointment. Quickly, the intuitive GM signed Jose Valentin, a man...

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By Dave Mills, posted at 11:56 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)

The Spring Continuum

With more than 40% of the Mets 2007 Spring Training schedule in the dust, there are a few cautious observations to be made and perhaps a few cogent prognostications to be attempted. The more fascinating pitching scenarios are first up, with the everyday and bench personnel making an appearance here...

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By Dave Mills, posted at 11:35 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)

Wallace Matthews Should Stick to Boxing

Once again, Wallace Matthews pens a ditty that guarantees he will never be considered for the writer's wing of The Baseball Hall of Fame. Granted, the story of the Mets oldsters has not quite been played up as much as the non-issue of the failing romance between the Highlander's left...

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By Dave Mills, posted at 10:29 AM | Permalink | Comments (4)

Short Stops

Extension for Lo Duca With no catchers to speak of in AA or AAA, the Mets have no reason not to offer an extension to this gung-ho team leader. Certainly, an additional year (2008) with a team option for a second (2009) is a no-brainer. In spite of John Thompson's...

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By Dave Mills, posted at 6:07 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

The Depth Charge

As I commented on December 1, right here on Mike's Mets, there was very little tinkering left to do with the non-pitchers. In fact, Omar only made one further move by signing David Newhan to a contract, which deposited the son of LA Times sportswriter Ross Newhan on the 40-man...

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By Dave Mills, posted at 9:37 AM | Permalink | Comments (8)

Nothing but an Arms Race Left

Funny, it is only December 1, the Winter Meetings have yet to begin, but it appears that Omar's roster of non-pitchers is about as set as its ever been this far prior to Spring Training. If I was a betting man, I would wager that ALL the remaining tinkering will...

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By Dave Mills, posted at 1:11 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)

A Great Time to Be a Mets Fan

Editor's Note: This is Dave Mills' first submission to this blog. - M.S. To be a Mets fan is to experience true agony with some rare ecstasy. Two World Championships and four World Series appearances in 45 seasons is OK, but nothing to write home about. Beats being a Cubs...

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By Dave Mills, posted at 3:43 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)

Mike's Mets

New York Mets discussion, news and historical perspective -- now getting by with a little help from my friends.

April 5, 2012

And So It Begins...

March 19, 2012

Some Perspective in the Wake of the Settlement

May 31, 2011

Frozen Ropes

April 25, 2011

As The Mets Turn

April 15, 2010

Curiously, What's Wrong With the Mets?

April 6, 2010

Perchance to Dream

March 17, 2010

Spring Is Here and the Positives May Be Outweighing the Negatives

January 3, 2010

Revelation and Speculation

December 29, 2009

All the Panic is Sheer Madness

December 15, 2009

Questions of Restraint

December 13, 2009

Resisting the Urge to Surge

November 30, 2009

The Tweak's the Thing

November 21, 2009

Sell High, Buy Low and Other Unlikely Strategies

August 18, 2009

What More Can Happen to the Mets?

August 7, 2009

Short Stops

July 24, 2009

A Deep Breath Is In Order

June 22, 2009

Mets Three-Conomics 2009 First Edition

June 16, 2009

To Do or Not To Do?

June 7, 2009

Staying Power

May 20, 2009

Missing

May 14, 2009

A Fifth Is Down the Hatch

January 4, 2009

Restraint Runs Rampant (and why not?)

December 10, 2008

Hot Stove Warming

October 5, 2008

Mets 08 Lament (with an eye to 09)

September 24, 2008

Four Omar - Five to Go

August 3, 2008

The Future Is Now

August 2, 2008

Omar Shows Restraint

July 19, 2008

As the Game Rolls On

July 2, 2008

Short Stops -- Mid-season edition

June 24, 2008

The Willie Watch Comes To a Merciful End

May 27, 2008

What's Really Under the Microscope in New York?

May 22, 2008

Wake Me Up After 37 More Games and We'll Talk

April 17, 2008

A Glass Half Full

April 2, 2008

And So It Begins

February 4, 2008

More Than Meets the Eye

December 31, 2007

What Am I Thankful For This New Year?

December 14, 2007

What Does The Mitchell Report Accomplish?

October 31, 2007

Mets Lament

August 4, 2007

Best Baseball of 2007