My 2010 Mets All-Stars (Sort of)

In the meantime, I got to thinking about these Mets anyway. Everyone is talking about all the pieces of garbage that need to go or should’ve been exiled long ago. I agree with those critics wholeheartedly. But who deserves kudos? Not just who is having a good season…that list is small to begin with. But, instead, who are the Mets All-Stars based on a different set of criteria. Forget about knockout stats. Which players are performing at or above their ability and - here’s the kicker – seem to actually give a sh*t.

So, I took a long think on this on who these type of All-Stars would be. I’m lying. It took about five minutes. Here were my findings:

R.A. Dickey: As mentioned before, the man is a g-damn revelation. I can’t get enough of him. In retrospect, he should have jammed that ball up Manuel’s rear-end when he tried to take him out. Now, that’s what we tortured fans want — a little fire! Based on my All-Star criteria above, Dickey is the Mets MVP. A castoff who’s resurrected his career and isn’t about to take for granted the opportunity and shot he’s got to pitch every fifth day.

Pedro Feliciano: This guy pitches every friggin’ day…for this bunch. And, for the most part, he does his job pretty stinking well. 59 appearances and a 2.79 ERA. As usual, lefties are struggling against Pedro hitting .238. Did I mention the guy is seemingly out there every day? For this team?? I can’t stress that enough. And, bless his heart, he continues to appear to want the ball in any situation.

Angel Pagan: Pagan has taken his opportunity to play every day and proved he’s learned a heckuva lot since last year. He’s playing smart baseball, and his performance in the the field and at the plate has been just about as good as anyone on the roster. Angel, who’d previously logged 88 games as a high-water mark (in ’09), has come into his own as a regular. In 97 games, he’s hitting .313 with a .375 OBP, nine home runs and 47 ribbies, 24 steals, and, more importantly, an energy and hustle that is mostly absent from the rest of the team. Pagan has been the most consistently good player who appears to care if the Mets win or lose.

Elmer Dessens: Dessens is with his eighth major league team. For the past few seasons, he’s managed to snag minor league deals and somehow hang onto a career that, at age 39, seem to have long passed him by. Only Dessens, whose career ERA is 4.47, has been rock solid for the Metros. #64 in the program but #1 in our hearts, good ole Elmer is sporting a 1.93 ERA in 30 appearances. Think about that. The 30 appearances are staggering enough. Add in the under-2 ERA, and it’s very difficult to wrap your head around. Dessens is a 2010 Mets All-Star.

David Wright: Like many Mets fans (I think), there is still a part of me that wants more from David Wright from a leadership standpoint — or at least for it to look more like he’s taking that role and running with it. Plus, perception or reality, that late-inning clutch situation thing seems to elude him. Still, the man leads the team in most important offensive categories and continues to play a solid third base.

Chip Hale: Yup, every good All-Star team needs a coach of some sort. My nomination is Chip Hale. The third base coach has been wisely agressive all year. I can recall few times when I’ve questioned any decision Hale has made with Mets runners on the basepaths. That cannot be said for many other members of the Mets coaching staff.

Honorable Mentions: Niese and Ike. Both have been largely more than a fan could’ve expected or hoped for. Their future is bright. But, then again, this is the Mets.

There you have it, folks. My 2010 New York Mets All-Stars. I thank these men for coming to work and doing their jobs to the best of their abilities — and pretending to care. It’s more than can be said for plenty of your cohorts.