A half game. Wow. For all our kvetching and all the injuries and all the horrible losses and all the terrible managing, the Mets are just a half game back at the end of June. Wow. The NL East has just been terrible, hasn't it... But, thems the rules.

Meet the Mets

Following yesterday afternoon's 3-2 win, Jerry Manuel told the Times in regards to Nick Evans that "You keep hitting, you keep playing. Period." That's news to me and Ryan Church.

More random Jerry news, in SI's MLB Power Rankings, Ted Keith lists the Mets at a justified 12th while saying that "Jerry Manuel, normally not even the best manager named Manuel in his own division, may be doing the best job of any skipper in the league this year."

Ted Berg sits down with triple-A pitcher Brandon Knight.

Henrry Mejia hit 102 mph on the NYSEG Stadium gun. Mejia will join Wilmer Flores in the Futures Game.

Josh Thole added another two hits and Jonathan Niese won his 3rd in yesterday's minor league action.

Ralph Kiner is awesome.

Brian Bruney has apologized to Francisco Rodriguez. Hopefully this is the last we will ever hear of this story.

Toby Hyde makes a better comparison than John Olerud = Daniel Murphy. Fernando Nieve = Jorge Sosa.

There is a Met hat cameo in Michael Jackson's music video for 'Bad.'

Marlon Anderson has left the Newark Bears looking to rejoin the Met organization.

Around the NL East

John Smoltz made his first appearance of the season last night against the Nationals and it did not go well. Jordan Zimmermann led the Nats to a 9-3 victory, which reminded me of MY defining National moment.

Nationals' president Stan Kasten thinks of himself as the "village idiot."

Thank you Tampa Bay. Prior to the Philly loss, Charlie Manuel announced that he will bench 2007 MVP Jimmy Rollins for at least two games.

The Phillies have more pitching woes with Antonio Bastardo leaving yesterday's game in the fourth inning with a shoulder strain.

The Marlins swept the Orioles with a Hanley Ramirez grand slam and homers from Cody Ross and Dan Uggla.

Oliver Perez Derek Lowe lasted 3 innings, giving up 11 hits and 8 runs in the Braves 11-7 loss to the Yankees. Alex Rodriguez homered and drove in 4.

Following Wednesday's loss to the Yankees, Brave reliever Jeff Bennett broke his hand after punching a door.

Around MLB

Cubs' catcher Geovany Soto tested positive for marijuana while at the World Baseball Classic.

MLBTradeRumors.com gives us a preview of next year's Type A Free Agents. And Type B.

The Yankees have parted ways with Casey Fossum.

Roy Halladay, Adam Wainwright, and Javier Vazquez have good curveballs.

For the love of everything holy, people of Tampa: GO SEE THE RAYS.

Xavier Nady leaves rehab after reinjuring his elbow.

Anxiety disorders are being treated more in MLB players.

Joe Mauer is an SI cover boy again.