Mike's Mets: Opinion Archives

Touching Second

We'll get back to our "Things I Hope to See in 2012" series next time out, but I wanted to take a moment and share a few more thoughts on the second base job that I touched on in part one. I have a lot of respect for the job...

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By Mike Steffanos, posted at 3:08 AM | Permalink | Comments (4)

K-Rod Trade Was the Right Move

I was working on another piece for the blog tonifht when I read the news that Frankie Rodriguez was traded to Milwaukee along with cash for "two players to be named". I was somewhat surprised when I read this. While I knew that K-Rod and his $17.5 million option wouldn't...

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By Mike Steffanos, posted at 1:47 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)

Loving the One You're With

Thanks to this post by Rob Neyer I came across this one on David Schoenfield's SweetSpot blog about the difficulty in teams producing homegrown pitchers that win at least 50 games for their franchise. The criteria was that the pitcher had to be signed by that club as a draftee...

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By Mike Steffanos, posted at 1:04 AM | Permalink | Comments (6)

Quick Hits -- Friday the Thirteenth Edition

Just a few quick thoughts on what's been happening: Beltran This is undoubtedly Beltran's last season in New York, and he seems determined to go out with a bang. As remarkable as today's three home run game was, even more impressive has been Carlos' presence in the lineup virtually every...

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By Mike Steffanos, posted at 1:10 AM | Permalink | Comments (8)

Then and Now

I was sitting in my living room watching the Mets drop last night's game to the Rockies when it occurred to me that the optimism I had at the start of the season was gone. As I sit here writing this the Mets are 5 games under .500. That's not...

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By Mike Steffanos, posted at 3:06 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)

Thoughts on David Wright

Andy McCullough, the Mets beat writer for The Star-Ledger, had an interesting column Tuesday on the possibilities of the Mets trading David Wright. Well worth the read, if you haven't checked it out already. I'm not a big fan of the notion promoted by some New York media types that...

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By Mike Steffanos, posted at 2:13 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)

Dillon Gee

At the risk of sounding hard-hearted, I'm fine with Dillon Gee shuffling back off to Buffalo where he can start games and be ready for the next time they need him. I know he pitched well here in 5 starts last September and a couple of starts this April. If...

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By Mike Steffanos, posted at 2:58 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Is Wilpon the Next Owner Out?

The decision by Major League Baseball to take control of the Dodgers from Frank McCourt has led to much speculation on the implications of this move for Mets ownership. One of the more serious problems that McCourt had in the eyes of baseball was the way he used the Dodgers'...

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By Mike Steffanos, posted at 4:58 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Opening Week Observations

I was sitting in front of my television set yesterday doing my best to enjoy yesterday's home opener. Several times during the game I found myself muttering "this team sucks" in frustration with yet another failure to deliver a big hit. This is coming from a guy who has spent...

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By Mike Steffanos, posted at 3:50 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Farm Fresh

As the Mets are in the midst of playing the rubber game in Philadelphia (not very well, sadly), players who might be part of the future of this organization are getting their seasons underway. Today is the first game for all of the full-season Mets farm clubs: Buffalo (AAA), Binghamton...

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By Mike Steffanos, posted at 5:12 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Quick Hits 4-6-2011

Back when I had more time to do this blog I frequently used to post my reaction to items I came across in my reading. I had a couple of extra minutes today, so... Mike Pelfrey as potential trade bait. Ed Ryan at Mets Fever links to a Jayson Stark...

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By Mike Steffanos, posted at 3:57 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Chris Young

I was impressed with Chris Young's effort in the Mets win over Philadelphia tonight. When a right-handed pitcher with a mid-80s fastball can pitch that well against the Phillies in that bandbox of a park, he's accomplished something. The Wall Street Journal has an interesting article on Young, with the...

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By Mike Steffanos, posted at 12:35 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)

A 161 Win Season Is Still Within Reach

The New York Post's Mike Vaccaro wasted no time in piling it on after the disheartening Opening Day loss to the fish: In so many ways, Pelfrey's quagmire reflected something the Mets are going to encounter time and again this season. They have good players; other teams have better players,...

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By Mike Steffanos, posted at 1:43 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Mets Fans Understand What's Relevant

Thanks to George Vecsey for yet another condescending piece on the Mets from the New York Times. I used to enjoy the Times' sports coverage once upon a time, but there is a certain arrogance to it now that makes them better suited to Yankees coverage. That's fine, too, whatever...

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By Mike Steffanos, posted at 1:38 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)

Jose

I started a new job this week that was supposed to be a few part-time hours. It hasn't quite worked out that way, however, as I'm unexpectedly covering for someone who is out. I believe it will get easier next week (especially if that person returns), but in the meantime...

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By Mike Steffanos, posted at 11:47 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

You Don't Need Rose-Colored Glasses to Believe

When I decided to start blogging again early last month I felt that my starting point would have to be the Mets' bizarre hot stove strategy of allowing almost all of their targeted free agents to sign with other teams at relatively low cost. The things that the Mets did...

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By Mike Steffanos, posted at 1:24 AM | Permalink | Comments (4)

Back In High School

Back in high school there were always a few people who liked to instigate fights. They would go up to a guy and ask, "Did you hear what Jimmy is saying about you?" He'd say something back, which of course would get back to the other guy, and eventually...

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By Mike Steffanos, posted at 4:46 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The Third Man?

I'm still trying to finish Part 2 of my Looking Back, Looking Ahead post. Hopefully I will have it up Sunday night, possibly Monday. I've been spending a lot of time job hunting this week and that has cut into writing time. In the meantime, I've had a few...

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By Mike Steffanos, posted at 3:44 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

You've Got to Change Your Evil Ways

All of the brouhaha over Johan Santana's tight triceps tendon brings a few varied thoughts to my mind. While I join most Mets fans in gratitude that this doesn't seem to be a serious problem, I find myself in agreement with The Eddie Kranepool Society's Steve Keane: I can understand...

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By Mike Steffanos, posted at 11:53 PM | Permalink | Comments (5)

Being a Fan

Excuse the couple of days without posts. I was writing an opinion piece Friday that work-related obstacles never allowed me to finish, and yesterday I was busy with some work around the house. I set out this morning to write a piece on Friday night's loss, but after about a...

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By Mike Steffanos, posted at 2:08 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

The Return of Luis Castillo...

... won't be today. I guess this will be cause for celebration for those fans who somehow became convinced that the veteran second baseman is the Antichrist. As for me, I actually believe a Castillo who is reasonably healthy would benefit this team. Don't get me wrong. I'm a big...

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By Mike Steffanos, posted at 6:12 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)

Monday Odds and Ends

First off a quick programming note. I apologize to those of you who were looking for one of Barry Duchan's historical articles yesterday. I know they are a great favorite of many of this site's readers, as they are of mine. As Barry explained back in February on his Metscentric...

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By Mike Steffanos, posted at 6:51 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Tough Town

Last night's game, which I attended with Greg Prince from Faith and Fear in Flushing, had all of the elements of an all-time classic except for the ending. The juice in the ballpark when Marlon Anderson hit that home run was amazing. The Mets improbably battled their way back into...

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By Mike Steffanos, posted at 4:07 PM | Permalink | Comments (6)

Ralph

Great stuff on Ralph Kiner's tribute from Dana Brand and our friend Greg from Faith and Fear in Flushing, among others. In today's Daily News, Bob Raissman commends Saturday night's tribute to Ralph Kiner, but takes SNY to task for underutilizing the Mets icon: ...since SNY became the TV home...

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By Mike Steffanos, posted at 3:26 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

(Not) Taking Care of Business

I've been writing for a while now how I don't have the same feeling watching this year's team as I did last year. Of course they get some slack for their current struggles for all the injuries they have suffered, but they certainly haven't shown the same toughness in the...

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By Mike Steffanos, posted at 3:53 PM | Permalink | Comments (13)

Sympathy for the Heilman

Fact: Aaron Heilman gave up the home run to Yadier Molina in game 7 of the NLCS last year. Fact: Aaron Heilman has struggled early this season. The above two facts are undeniable. What rather bugs me is the beating that Aaron takes from some of the faithful. Heilman is...

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By Mike Steffanos, posted at 5:43 PM | Permalink | Comments (8)

Pitch Counts

It's become something of a given that pitchers today aren't taught to finish their own games as much as they did in the good old days. That's true to a point, but it fails to take into account the changes in the game in the intervening years. No doubt that...

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By Mike Steffanos, posted at 6:19 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)

Jose: Not So Bad After All

Nice Tom Verducci piece on SI.com about Jose Reyes. Verducci compares Jose to a pretty darned good former major league infielder that you might have heard about this week: ... in his own way, Reyes gives tribute to Robinson every time he sets foot on a baseball field. It's not...

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By Mike Steffanos, posted at 6:42 PM | Permalink | Comments (7)

Washed Away

Tonight's game in Philadelphia has already been called off and has been rescheduled for the end of June. Presumably, by then we no longer see ballplayers bundled up in cold weather gear. Thanks to Mother Nature's efforts over the past couple of days combined with the vagaries of MLB Schedulers,...

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By Mike Steffanos, posted at 4:39 PM | Permalink | Comments (7)

The Fun Starts Tomorrow

As we stand here on the brink of another campaign, I have to admit that I am struggling to find something to write about. I just think all of the roster moves have been discussed to death and the pros and cons of David Wright batting second in the batting...

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By Mike Steffanos, posted at 1:53 PM | Permalink | Comments (6)

Bad Information

The last couple of decisions have been made concerning the Mets roster. Prognosticators have prognosticated, the naysayers have said their nays, and now it's just time to play ball. I wrote a piece yesterday on the yin and yang of Mets fandom, which seems to be split between optimism and...

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By Mike Steffanos, posted at 5:19 PM | Permalink | Comments (11)

This Thing Can Actually Work

When the Mets traded for Orlando Hernandez last year I wasn't thrilled. I wondered why, after Rick Peterson had finally turned Jorge Julio into a useful reliever, the team traded him straight up for a 40-year-old starter with a checkered 5 year injury history. His first couple of starts for...

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By Mike Steffanos, posted at 4:31 PM | Permalink | Comments (9)

The Pretend GM Speaks

I've been a Mets fan since 1969. There have been some good times and a whole lot more lean times. Steve Phillips' tenure as Mets General Manager offered a sampling of both. When Steve replaced Joe McIlvaine in 1997 he was taking over a club that had fallen hard since...

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By Mike Steffanos, posted at 4:49 PM | Permalink | Comments (8)

Omar Won't Let Us Down

It's true. We only have two returning starters for next year. It's true. Our bullpen, our strongest asset from last season, seems to be falling apart. It's true. Soriano is not going to be a Met ... and don't even think about Ramirez. It's true. There have been no major...

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By Steve Vogel, posted at 2:24 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Should I Stay Or Should I Go?

Editor's Note: This is the first post to this blog by an author other than myself. Please welcome passionate Mets fan Joyce Mandelkern to this web site. - M.S. Tom Glavine has a decision to make. He has known for quite some time now that he needs to make this...

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By Joyce Mandelkern, posted at 7:02 PM | Permalink | Comments (10)

Nothing Personal

There have been lots of comments and e-mails to what I wrote on Saturday and Sunday taking exception to Buster Olney's speculation on ESPN InSider blog that the Mets would somehow represent a fallback position for the Red Sox should they fail to come to terms with Daisuke Matsuzaka. What...

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By Mike Steffanos, posted at 3:38 PM | Permalink | Comments (7)

Pitching For Starters

In today's Daily News, Bill Madden pens a column about the difficult task that both Omar Minaya and Brian Cashman will face trying to add pitching in a market that has soared out of control. It's not the sort of column that you usually see around here -- much more...

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By Mike Steffanos, posted at 1:46 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)

Why I Picked On Mookie (And Don't Regret It)

I've been taking a little heat for voicing some displeasure with Mookie Wilson for his choice to wear the Cardinals clothing while cheering on his stepson Preston during the World Series. I voiced this opinion in this paragraph from my Saturday post: Yes, I know. Mookie is cute and cuddly....

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By Mike Steffanos, posted at 11:44 PM | Permalink | Comments (10)

Why We Didn't Tune In -- One Fan's Perspective

Newsday's Mark Herrmann takes local fans to task for failing to do our duty, Judy: Don't blame the Cardinals for this World Series being so bland. Don't get on the Tigers just because the Series got lower ratings than professional poker exhibition games. Please, please don't even think about saying...

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By Mike Steffanos, posted at 1:55 PM | Permalink | Comments (7)

The Baseball Calendar Turns To 2007

The baseball season ended last night with a whimper, as the representative of the "superior league" couldn't even find it in them to muster up a good fight. I no longer have to hear for the one zillionth time how Cardinals fans are the best in baseball. They can go...

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By Mike Steffanos, posted at 4:24 PM | Permalink | Comments (12)

Some Thoughts on Old Lefties

There are a couple of 40-something southpaws who are occupying my thoughts this week for very different reasons. One of them did not endear himself to Mets fans when he pitched here a few years ago, and the other one finally earned our respect over the past two seasons after...

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By Mike Steffanos, posted at 4:11 PM | Permalink | Comments (7)

Enough Talking

I started reading some of the local and national takes on last night's game this morning, but had my fill of it really quickly. Other than a well spent half hour checking out some of my fellow Mets bloggers, that's it for my reading for the day. I get the...

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By Mike Steffanos, posted at 2:24 PM | Permalink | Comments (8)

We Now Pause For a Moment of Sanity

As you could probably tell, I'm a pretty big Mets fan. My 72-year-old Mom, however, makes me seem like a dilettante in comparison. She's not a fan that would be classified as cerebral by any stretch of the imagination; she simply roots for the Mets with raw emotion and heart....

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By Mike Steffanos, posted at 1:20 PM | Permalink | Comments (9)

Tune Out If You Must, but Please Shut Up

Is it just me, or is anyone else getting tired of all the stories being written about how "unwatchable" these playoffs are? Sorry if we're not producing a show that's compelling enough for the rest of the country. If I might make a suggestion, if you feel that you aren't...

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By Mike Steffanos, posted at 12:46 PM | Permalink | Comments (7)

Let the NLCS Begin

The Mets have submitted their roster for the National League Championship Series that begins tonight. The official press release on this is on-line at Mets.com. It seemed that a large number of those who followed the team thought that Cliff Floyd would be left off, but that has not proven...

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By Mike Steffanos, posted at 12:20 PM | Permalink | Comments (8)

Unburdened by Expectations, Just Having Fun

Our old friend Wallace Matthews is back, beating on the "anything less than a title is a total failure" drum. I'm sure there are at least some of you out there buying into this. While I understand the thinking, I would wonder why any of us would chose to be...

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By Mike Steffanos, posted at 12:36 PM | Permalink | Comments (13)

More Work to Do

The great thing about the playoffs is that you have so little time to bask in the glow of a great win before you're worrying about the next game. Still, as I wrote last night, that win ranks up there with some of my personal favorites all-time. It seemed like...

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By Mike Steffanos, posted at 3:36 PM | Permalink | Comments (6)

Hand-Wringers Need Not Apply

Yes, I know that it sucks that Orlando Hernandez is out for at least the first round of the playoffs, and the Mets will be going into battle without Pedro Martinez and El Duque. Instead, we will open our first playoff series in six years with John Maine on the...

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By Mike Steffanos, posted at 2:12 PM | Permalink | Comments (10)

Suspect Math

I've mostly decided to join the Mets in taking today off, at least from blogging. I had a lot of work to do for a couple of clients, and I'm bored with all of the endless speculation on what might happen. Besides, I find it somewhat hard to understand how...

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By Mike Steffanos, posted at 6:13 PM | Permalink | Comments (5)

Going To the Game Tonight

I will be at the game tonight with Greg Prince. Hopefully the weather will cooperate, unlike last time. We'll be sitting in the Mezzanine, section 3, Row L, seats 13 and 14. I'll have an orange Mets cap on. Stop by and say "hello" if you get the chance. I'm...

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By Mike Steffanos, posted at 2:20 PM | Permalink | Comments (8)

A Special Night with No Apologies

I'm still somewhat numb from last night, working to get my mind around the fact that the Mets have won the eastern division championship. At times like this, I always find myself looking back to all of those times when it wasn't great to be a Mets fan. You don't...

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By Mike Steffanos, posted at 2:47 PM | Permalink | Comments (20)

Looking Ahead While Waiting For the Clinching

This past weekend was certainly frustrating for Mets fans, but not unprecedented. For those of us who were around and paying attention twenty years ago, we suffered through much the same sort of thing as we waited for the Mets to clinch in that magical season. That really doesn't make...

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By Mike Steffanos, posted at 1:45 PM | Permalink | Comments (9)

Willie Should Be Manager of the Year

There has been a lot of discussion over this recently, and I thought I'd throw my two cents in. Apparently, Joe Girardi is the favorite for manager of the year in the National League because the Marlins were such a surprise this season. What Willie Randolph has accomplished with the...

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By Mike Steffanos, posted at 2:35 PM | Permalink | Comments (14)

Don't Let Your Tomahawk Hit You on the Way Out, Boys

I felt as if I had already written enough on the Braves this year, culminating in this piece where I dared to say that what happened in Atlanta this season was far from a shocking outcome. When the Mets came back to win and eliminated the Braves from any possibility...

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By Mike Steffanos, posted at 3:57 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)

September 11

It's the old wound that seems to be opened up fresh every year just from a date on the calendar. You can't ignore it. Cable television networks still do specials every year, ostensibly to commemorate the date, but also cynically to cash in on our continued fascination and sell a...

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By Mike Steffanos, posted at 1:35 PM | Permalink | Comments (7)

Down and Out in Atlanta?

When I was a kid and first starting to follow sports, I didn't have a father to explain things to me, so I had to figure everything out on my own. I would devour the sports pages from the Daily News and Post, convinced that the columnists like Dick Young...

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By Mike Steffanos, posted at 12:47 PM | Permalink | Comments (6)

Myths and Legends about the Guy Hugging the Dog

In keeping with our holiday Myths and Legends theme, we'll finish up with a couple that I deal with personally while writing this blog. Myth 1: I am against statistical analysis of baseball I get this one because of my frustration with people who see this useful tool as the...

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By Mike Steffanos, posted at 3:03 PM | Permalink | Comments (5)

More Myths and Legends

For the benefit of the dozen of you reading this on the holiday weekend, and in keeping with yesterday's theme, lets look at a couple of myths that have surrounded the Mets in recent history and have some fun with them. Myth 1: Beltran should bat second This one has...

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By Mike Steffanos, posted at 2:26 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Mike's Mets

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

March 15, 2012

Touching Second

July 13, 2011

K-Rod Trade Was the Right Move

May 20, 2011

Loving the One You're With

May 13, 2011

Quick Hits -- Friday the Thirteenth Edition

May 10, 2011

Then and Now

April 28, 2011

Thoughts on David Wright

April 24, 2011

Dillon Gee

April 22, 2011

Is Wilpon the Next Owner Out?

April 9, 2011

Opening Week Observations

April 7, 2011

Farm Fresh

April 6, 2011

Quick Hits 4-6-2011

Chris Young

April 3, 2011

A 161 Win Season Is Still Within Reach

April 4, 2010

Mets Fans Understand What's Relevant

March 12, 2010

Jose

March 2, 2010

You Don't Need Rose-Colored Glasses to Believe

February 25, 2010

Back In High School

February 20, 2010

The Third Man?

March 2, 2009

You've Got to Change Your Evil Ways

September 7, 2008

Being a Fan

August 23, 2008

The Return of Luis Castillo...

April 14, 2008

Monday Odds and Ends

August 24, 2007

Tough Town

July 17, 2007

Ralph

June 7, 2007

(Not) Taking Care of Business

May 3, 2007

Sympathy for the Heilman

April 18, 2007

Pitch Counts

April 17, 2007

Jose: Not So Bad After All

April 16, 2007

Washed Away

March 31, 2007

The Fun Starts Tomorrow

March 30, 2007

Bad Information

March 19, 2007

This Thing Can Actually Work

March 3, 2007

The Pretend GM Speaks

November 29, 2006

Omar Won't Let Us Down

November 27, 2006

Should I Stay Or Should I Go?

November 13, 2006

Nothing Personal

November 5, 2006

Pitching For Starters

October 29, 2006

Why I Picked On Mookie (And Don't Regret It)

Why We Didn't Tune In -- One Fan's Perspective

October 28, 2006

The Baseball Calendar Turns To 2007