An ext.R.A.ordinary Story

One month ago today, May 25th, the Mets rotation was in disarray.  Sporting two starters on the DL and another banished to the bullpen to be lost forever (or at least we hope), the starting 5 needed saving.  On that day R.A. Dickey, who looks like he just jumped off an old roll of Brawny paper towels, would make his second start for the Mets.   He stepped into an unenviable spot and was unlikely to be the savior the Mets so badly needed.  Or so we thought.

Fans were relying on him to keep the subway series momentum going and help the team gain ground on their division rivals.  He responded with 6 strong innings, during which he held the Phillies (2^nd in the NL in runs/game at the time) scoreless.  Who would have imagined (back on May 25th) that Dickey was just getting started.  His story, demeanor, and performance have thrust him onto a seemingly unsaid mission to preserve the hopes of Mets fans and, in the process, be the very savior this staff was so desperately seeking.

Robert Alan Dickey was selected in the first round (18th overall) of the 1996 draft by the Texas Rangers.  Back then he was more of a gunslinger type, throwing upwards of 92/93 MPH.  He spent most of the next 8 yrs bouncing between AAA and the majors and from 2001-2004 he was unimpressive at best.  Through 233 Major League innings Dickey sported a 5.40 ERA, not exactly what Texas scouts were expecting from their former 1st round pick.  To make matters worse, fellow pitchers  Jake Westbrook and Gil Meche (who went 21st and 22nd respectively in R.A.'s draft class) were enjoying some early success and showing signs of development as Dickey faltered.

When an injury to the rhomboid muscle caused his velocity to dip into....TO READ THE REST OF THIS ARTICLE AND OTHERS LIKE IT HEAD OVER TO METSZILLA.COM BY CLICKING HERE: http://www.metszilla.com/?p=2388