The Lone Knuckler

RA DICKEY - SP
2011 stats - 8 W, 13 L, 3.28 ERA, 208.2 IP

In 2010, RA Dickey turned into the best Cinderella story the Mets could have hoped for at the time.  He busted onto the scene in May, didn't look back and rung up a career high 11 wins and a sub-3 ERA.  Although the stats were not as impressive as that year, Dickey did not disappoint in 2011.  With a mostly inconsistent pitching staff, and a staff with no set ace nonetheless, Dickey provided some stability in the rotation.


With Tim Wakefield's retirement this past off-season, Dickey remains the last true knuckle ball pitcher in the big leagues.  It's a roll and trait that he has fully embraced and uses it well to his advantage.  Along with the knuckle ball, Dickey has learned a two seam and a four seam fastball, to use essentially in the opposite manner of a change up.


Dickey may be leaned upon quite a bit this season to be the main anchor for a very questionable starting rotation.  Last season's 'ace in training', Mike Pelfrey, failed miserably in that role so the Mets are doing everything they can to steer him away from that spotlight.  And with the uncertainty of Johan Santana and his left shoulder for the entire season, and especially the early months, even more pressure will fall on the right arm of Dickey to deliver quality starts and innings pitched.


One characteristic of Dickey that I have learned to like over the last two seasons is his outright honesty.  RA knows that this team, right now, does not have the make up or experience to make a strong run deep into the season and he hasn't been shy about relaying his feelings.  He made a number of comments in the off-season about the lack of money and payroll the Mets are showing for this season.  It concerns him, as it should.


Who knows what Dickey will bring the Mets this season.  One thing that should be counted on is his consistency to take the mound every five days and to be a true warrior when he has the ball in his hand.