**Posted by Allan**

So here we are, staggering into the All-Star break somehow clinging onto first place. So many unexpected things have happened over the course of this season, so here are my midterm report card grades:
(Note: I'm not gonna mention the individual problems with RISP because everyone on this team stinks at it)

The Opening Day Lineup:

Paul Lo Duca: (B) Paulie had a very nice beginning of the season, batting over 300 for most of the year, but when the mets as a team started playing poorly, so did Duke. His avg. is down to around 280 but he is one of the most durable catchers in the MLB . His D is up, and hes been a tremendous leader.

Carlos Delgado: (D+) What can we say about Delgado, besides that hes been awful. A batting avg around 240, hes been playing much better as of late. His power has been on and off all season, and his lack of consistency getting on base had me questioning is he was done. His D has been atrocious and he cant buy a hit with a runner on 3rd and 1 out. All in all, an extremely disappointing 1st half for Deli.

Jose Valentine: (D) Jose had his dream rejuvenation year last year, but that was last year. Hes been slumping all year, even before he went down with the injury. His D has been much worse then last year due to his knee brace or whatever it is. His job many be in jeopardy with 2 guys waiting in line.

Jose Reyes: (A) Theres not much negativity going on in Jose's world, as hes been a model of consistence on a very inconsistent team. He is stealing on a regular basis and has kept his batting avg up all year long. His D has also been spectacular as well as his walks. Keep it up Jose!

Davis Wright: (B) David started off the year awfully alongside Delgado, the difference is, hes broken out and consistently hit since that April. He brought his avg up to a nice 28oish, and hes been a great leader in the clubhouse. However, he needs to spend less time with his extra curricular activities and more time in the batting cages. David was moved up to the 4 spot and will be very important going forward.

Shawn Green: (B-) Shawn has been a nice surprise for mets fans this season. He is hitting a respectable 270 and is a nice veteran presence in the clubhouse. His D has been a little better this year and he is showing he isnt as slow as we thought he was on the base paths. Not much else you can say about Shawn, except that he should never shave his head ever again!

Carlos Beltran: (C+) Beltran is hitting the same 270 as Green, but we expect more from the top vote-getter in the NL. His lack of veteran leadership has been well documented, but he has been pretty solid all around. As usual, his D has been spectacular and he is using his speed a little more with Wright instead of Delgado batting behind him.

Moises Alou: (MED excuse) No this is not a typo, Moises Alou is a New York Met. I cant really give him a grade since he hasnt played since Julio Franco pulled a fastball. When he has been in there, hes been great, batting over 315. Obviously, he doesnt move in left feild, but everyone expected that when we got him. Hopefully, he wont get lost on the way to shea when hes ready to come back.

The Starters:

Tom Glavine: (B) Known for his consistency, he has been none of that this year. When hes on, hes lights out, as hes shown he can be last year. He has been a victim of a lack of run support and some spotty D behind him. Lets try to get 300 so we can actually focus on the mets as a team, Tommy.

John Maine: (A+) As everyone knows, the Maine event deserves to be in the midsummer classic. Hes been great all year, picking up right where he left off during last year's playoffs. Hopefully, we will see him in a mets uni for many years to come. 

Oliver Perez: (A-) Ollie has been great this year, especially in clutch situations. His 3 wins Vs. Atlanta and his win Vs. the Yankees have made him a instant fan favorite. He has had a couple of shoddy starts, but hes been fairly consistent throughout the season.

Orlando Hernandez: (B) A little more inconsistent then the rest of them, El Duque has looked spectacular many times during the year. His stuff has looks extremely nasty, and if he controls it, hes will be unhittable.

Jorge Sosa: (B+) Me and Sal had a argument about wheter this was a good pickup, and so far, I have been completly right! Jorge shocked the world when he came up and actually retired batters. With a couple of bad starts sprayed in, Jorge had been spectacular as a 5th starter.

Relievers: 

Aaron Sele: (C-) While not the automatic bandage that Darran Oliver was, Aaron has pitched adequately in his long man role. Like the starters, Aaron has been inconsistent from appearance to appearance.  However, he looked very strong in the last couple  of outings while trying to save his job.

Scott Schoenweis: (D-) Why oh why did we give this man a big 3 year contract? While looking great away from his adoring fans at Shea, he has been awful in high pressure situations in the numerous chances that have presented themselves to him. Maybe the first step in the right direction would be changing to an actual Major league number!

Joe Smith: (B) Starting the year out of this world, Smith had quickly been pulled back down. Chad Brad's replacement shows tremendous potential, as long as the bases arent loaded.

Pedro Feliciano: (A+) There isnt much to complain about Pedro, as hes been near perfect all year long. He will see his role change as he continues to dominate.

Guillermo Mota: (D+) Guillermoid has been everything he was last year and a Indian. Many speculate that his success last year was due to those 'riods, so I dont know what we will see out of him in the 2nd half.

Aaron Heilman: (C+) This was the hardest player to judge, as he has pitched better than given credit for. Hes given up way to many home runs, and he has to watch his back as Feliciano might be stealing his 8th inning spot. 

Billy Wagner: (A+) Billy has been spectacular this season, blowing just one save all year. I dont know about you but I have total confidence when Billy runs in from the 'pen.

Bench: (Due to lazyness, I will not give comments to the guys on the bench.)

Damion Easley: B+

Ramon Castro: A

Endy Chavez: A-

Julio Franco: F (sorry old man)

Ruben Gotay: A

David Newhan: D

Carlos Gomez: B+

Other Players:

Ambiorix Burgos: B-

Mike Pelfrey: C-

Jason Varges: F

Dave Williams: D-

Sandy Alomar Jr: D

Ben Johnson: D-

Lino Urdinetta: F