Being a Mets fan for all my life, I’ve seen them do great, tremendous even. I’ve seen them one step away from the pedestal of victory. I’ve shed tears of despair. I’ve seen their collapse and all the more recent struggles the Flushing bats have gone through.

Winning isn’t everything, but it is important. The Mets haven’t won a World Series since 1986, but they’ve been so close. A fan doesn’t just take pride in winning, however. Especially if you’re a Mets fan. It’s a rare event to be proud of them winning, because of the rarity of a win.

But this year, even if the Mets haven’t made it to the playoffs, this year is a proud year.

First, Johan Santana threw the first no-hitter in Mets history.

Then, knuckleballer R.A. Dickey throws several one-hit games, unbelievably close to a no-no every time.

But Dickey was consistent. He won. Numerous times. 20 times, in fact. The guy became an ace. The Mets’ go-to starter. Dickey is the first Mets pitcher in 22 years to be a 20 game winner. That’s something a Mets fan can be proud about. Even through all the struggles, the years since a playoff berth, the World Series championship drought… With this bright (but lets face it, a soon to be fading) light named R.A. Dickey, we can be proud.

Read more at NY Times. Here’s a link. http://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/28/sports/baseball/ra-dickey-wins-20th-game-for-the-mets.html?_r=0