A Lousy Season Filled With Highlights

Well, here we are. The final day of the 2012 season. Despite a horrendous second half of the season, there were still a number of highlights.

I can't wait for game 162 to finally end this afternoon so we can all be put out of our misery, but let's not ignore the fact that there were some great moments this season.

First off, remember when the Mets were in first place (or at least tied for first place)?

Sure it was April 5, and it was only after one game, but they were in first at one point. They went on to be 46-40 going into the All-Star break. This team had us thinking, "Could this be it? Is this a winning team?!" What a tease...

Despite coming back down to earth in the second half (hitting just .246), David Wright had a stellar first half. Wright was hitting .351 in the first half, and his defense improved immensely this season (He can finally throw to first base!).  

Speaking of Wright, he is now the franchise leader in hits, passing Ed Kranepool. In just 1,255 games with the Mets, Wright managed to compile 1,419 hits. 

June 1, 2012. What Met fan will forget that date. It's the day Johan Santana threw the first no-hitter in franchise history. It only took 8,020 games to get it done, but finally, fans can say the team has a no-hitter, and for the first time, they weren't the ones being no-hit. Sure it was due to a blown call, but let's not nit-pick.

There was the call-up of Matt Harvey. In 10 starts with the Mets, Harvey was 3-5 with a 2.73 ERA. In 59.1 innings of work, he allowed just 42 hits and had 70 strike outs. He was shut down early due to an innings limit, but we were given a taste as to what the future holds for the Mets rotation in 2013.

While we're on the subject of the 2013 rotation, I'd like to see Jon Niese next season. This has been a great season for Niese, and one that I feel has been largely overshadowed. He has quietly gone about his business this season, earning a 13-9 record and a 3.40 ERA. 

Ike Davis provides one of the few positives from the second half of the season. After barely hitting over .100 in the first half, and facing rumors that he may be sent to the minors, Davis fought his way out of a disgusting slump to hit 31 home runs and get his average up to .225. The average still isn't where he or anyone else wants it to be, but who would have ever thought he would hit 31 homers this season.

Finally, I saved the best for last. Robert Allen Dickey. The man, the myth, the legend. R.A. Dickey has been the greatest story for the Mets this season, if not in all of major league baseball. 

The 37-year-old knuckleballer began his year by climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro for charity, wrote a New York Times bestseller, appeared in his first All-Star game, won 20 games and is a candidate for the Cy Young award. Oh, and did I forget to mention that he has done all of this with a torn abdominal muscle since April. Not too shabby, Mr. Dickey. 

So, you see, it wasn't all horrible. 

Below is a video of the Mets thanking fans for sticking with them throughout the 2012 season.

Mets Morning News: Murphy And Duda Are Corner Infielders, Ignoring OffField Distractions, & Pitching Prospects

Joel Sherman of the New York Post writes that Mets officials believe Daniel Murphy and Lucas Duda are best suited as corner infielders.

"The Mets also privately fret if Davis will hit lefties consistently; something they have far less concern about with Duda. What worries them with Duda is if he will subtract from his offensive value — which even executives around the league believe is legit — by being such a defensive liability in right. Murphy, meanwhile, has been seriously injured each of the past two seasons turning pivots at second.

Thus, the Mets want to verify their beliefs that Duda and Murphy are above-average hitters. If so, they will at least have the option to consider dealing Wright and/or Davis to continue to deepen the young talent base."

Terry Collins sat down with The Star-Ledger to discuss the 2012 season. He won't let his players feel sorry for themselves or be distracted with off the field issues.

"You know what? Jose’s not here...The first time I hear someone say, 'Oh, Jose would have caught that ball,' we've got problems...So our payroll’s down...How many guys here care what our payroll is?"

David Lennon of Newsday writes of how the trio of Matt Harvey, Jeurys Familia, and Zack Wheeler shouldn't be labeled the next Generation K. Also, don't expect to see any of them called up before their time.

"The temptation with those three guys doesn't really exist at the moment," [Sandy] Alderson said. "Obviously, when you bring somebody up -- whenever you do -- they still have to perform. So on the one hand, you're tempted to bring somebody up to fill innings, but on the other hand, they better be ready. Because if they're not, there are obviously consequences to that, too."

Bay Sees 30 Homers In His Future - Let's Hope They're All In 2012

Photo by Flickr User: slgckgc

Andy Martino of the New York Daily News was able to get Jason Bay to open up about his struggles since joining the Mets, and  how he believes he can have a resurgence at the plate in 2012.

Bay believes he can hit 30 home runs this season. Do I believe that? I don't think it's likely. He's only hit a combined 18 home runs in the two years he's been in New York. Do I hope that he can? Absolutely.

With Bay, I feel his struggles have been more mental than physical. Perhaps one of the better things to happen to Bay this offseason was hearing that the walls at Citi Field were being moved in. Maybe this will provide him the little confidence boost he needs to get off on the right foot in April.

Despite appearing calm, cool, and collect at all times the past few seasons, David Wright told Martino:

"I have seen him snap. When no one is looking, and when there are no cameras around, and the younger players can’t see him, he will let it out."

It's okay, Bay. Let it out. After watching some of your plate appearances the past few seasons, I've wanted to rage, Paul O'Neal-style, as well.

No matter how bad he has struggled at the plate, I have always rooted for Bay. He's just a likable guy.

I attribute that to his work ethic.

"I would hate to be running down the line, and that one time you dog it, all of a sudden a guy throws it away," Bay told the Daily News. "I don’t want to be that guy who doesn’t run hard. I don’t want to be that guy — desperately...I would just hate to have a mark on me for my effort. It would irk me to no end if someone said, ‘yeah he was decent, but he was lazy.’ Or ‘he didn’t respect the game.’ Because I can control that."

No matter how bad he was at the plate, Bay never carried those struggles over to the outfield. Throughout the season, he made some spectacular plays in left field. He works hard, and I respect that.

It's that hard work that has saved Bay from feeling the wrath of many Mets fans. I don't know how much longer this will last if he doesn't get off to a good start this season.

While my expectations for Bay are not incredibly high, I will continue to root for him and wish him the best in 2012.