Cooperstown -- As America’s Pastime, baseball would seem to have an obligation to join in the festivities (such as they are) marking America’s semiquincentenial (that’s a 250th birthday, for those of you scoring at home), and during last weekend’s Cooperstown festivities, the National Baseball Hall of Fame rose to the occasion by honoring a former ballplayer who 50 years ago took time out from his center field position to play a game of Capture the Flag. Rick M

Hey Mets fans, consider this a reality check. A wake-up call. A figurative slap across the cheek designed to snap us out of our collective, group-text-level despair. Edwin Díaz is gone. Pete Alonso is gone. Brandon Nimmo is gone. And for good measure, let’s toss Jeff McNeil into the emotional blender as well. These were real Mets. Long term Mets. Homegrown Mets. “They were here when times were bad” Mets. The kind of guys you don’t just watch—you invest in. Jerseys were purcha

Ralph Kiner once said, “All of Rick Aguilera’s saves have come in relief appearances.” And just like that, he taught us everything we...