Baseball Like It Oughta Be (Flushing University)

The outcome was disappointing, but the Mets showed passion and fire during their three-game tumble with the Phillies last week. It produced some compelling baseball and provided an intensity that the Mets need to retain. Read more here ...

The Beatings Continue Until Morale (and Health) Improves (Flushing University)

Four days in Pittsburgh led to three losses for the Mets, who were manhandled by the unlikeliest of foes this week. The Pirates don't have much going for them, but the Mets are crippled enough to be taken down by anyone right now. Read more here ...

Murphy Deserves First Crack (Flushing University)

If Daniel Murphy's future is not at first base, then it also isn't with the New York Mets. So forget about renting a first baseman in Carlos Delgado's absence and give the kid a chance. Read more here ...

Pelfrey Gets By With Help From His Friends (Flushing University)

Despite astoundingly low strikeout totals to start the season, Mike Pelfrey has begun to re-establish himself as the type of starter the Mets hoped he would be. But unless he starts striking more batters out, will he be able to sustain this level of performance? Read more here ...

For One Night, Carlos Quiets His Critics (Flushing University)

Carlos Beltran was criticized for a lack of hustle earlier this season. On Tuesday night, his hustle led to a Mets victory. Read more here ...

Green Loses Grip on Bullpen Role (Flushing University)

Sean Green's poor start to the 2009 season illustrates a flaw in modern bullpen construction - relievers are haphazardly given rigidly defined roles and then have to fail repeatedly to finally be moved out of them. Read more here ...

Out of the Blue (Flushing University)

No one expected Omir Santos to play a meaningful role in the Mets' 2009 season. Instead, he's filled in capably during Brian Schneider's absence and has turned some heads around baseball. Read more here ...

More Thoughts on Second-Class Citizens

As I was writing this week's Flushing University column, I had to reconcile myself with a simple truth to remain somewhat even-tempered in my analysis.

There are still some people in New York who legitimately miss the Brooklyn Dodgers and are still sad that they had to watch them leave time. Many of those fans have since embraced the Mets, but the Dodgers (the Brooklyn version) still have a place in their hearts.

But I am not like some of the older guys who have had two baseball loves. My problem, as someone who was born 20 years after the Dodgers skipped town, is that my favorite team has always been the Mets.

The great majority of Mets fans today - myself included - have no connection to the Brooklyn Dodgers. I happen to fall into a smaller subset of those Mets fans who consider themselves actively antagonistic to Brooklyn Dodger-worship.

Even if you buy into the idea that the Mets are in some way the offspring of the Dodgers and the Giants, the Mets have forged a history of their own. They chose not to dedicate even one inch of the grandest space in their new stadium to any aspect of it. I can't help but to find it maddening that the most impressive design aspect of Citi Field is dedicated not to the Mets, but to a player who retired over 50 years ago and played for a team that left town.

Second-Class Citizens (Flushing University)

If a baseball stadium is supposed to be a shrine to its tenants, then the Mets have fallen short with Citi Field. It is a shrine to a franchise that no longer exists – and to a man that never suited up for the home team. Read more here ...

How Long Will Livan Last? (Flushing University)

Livan Hernandez won the competition for the fifth-starter job with the Mets this season. How long will he be able to hold onto his spot in the rotation? Read more here ...

Thinking Outside the Box (Flushing University)

Jerry Manuel has brought a unique approach to constructing an everyday lineup in his first full season managing in New York. In doing so, he has neutralized one of the biggest concerns facing the Mets in 2009. Read more here ...

Why Did It Have to Happen? (Flushing University)

Alex Rodriguez's shocking admission of steroid use while with the Texas Rangers has been the talk of the baseball world this week. Would any of this have happened if he had signed with the Mets after the 2000 season? Read more here ...

Strike Before the Stove Gets Hot (Flushing University)

Things have been moving slowly on the free agent market this off-season. Omar Minaya's decision to resign a key free agent in October may have been too hasty. Read more here.

As The End Drew Near (Flushing University)

As the Mets continue their second straight September stumble, the final inning of Tuesday night's game played out in disappointing fashion. Disappointing - but hardly surprising. Read more here ...

A Little Luis Now, A Lot of Luis Later (Flushing University)

Luis Castillo hasn’t seen much playing time since rejoining the Mets in late August. Problem is, the fewer games he plays now, the more likely he is to be a Met in 2009. Read more here ...

Not Ready For Prime Time (Flushing University)

Jon Niese had his chance on Tuesday night, but the left-hander's major league debut wasn't so memorable. Looking ahead, which September call-up might be next in line? Read more here ...

Good Things Happen in Threes (Flushing University)

Mets fans are naturally going to be hopeful that Jon Niese can successfully replace John Maine in the starting rotation. Jerry Manuel has to be more pragmatic - and he has to find a way to get the most out of his three best starters. Read more here ...

Jerry! Jerry! Jerry! (Flushing University)

The Mets have turned their season around, thanks in no small part to the leadership of Jerry Manuel. No matter how the season plays out, Manuel has earned the right to run the team next season. Read more here ...

Some Relief For The Bullpen (Flushing University)

Jerry Manuel has openly admitted that he will consider trying some different things with his beleaguered bullpen. Two small changes will increase the Mets' chances of winning the National League East. Read more here ...

Retire Mike Piazza's Number Right Now (Flushing University)

Mike Piazza was the greatest position player in Mets' history. It won't be enough to just retire his number - the Mets have an obligation to hold the ceremony in the stadium that Piazza gave Mets fans so many wonderful memories. Read more here ...