The Mets took three out of four from a quality Cardinals team last week, and then followed that up by losing five out of six to the Yankees and Milwaukee. They gut out wins, and then at the drop of a hat absolutely fall apart and look like a T-ball team doing it. Their up-and-down play is driving me so crazy I’m having arguments with myself. I almost beat myself up on the way to work this morning with this conversation I had while walking up 8th Avenue.

Me: With all that’s happened to the Mets this year, they’re still only two games out of first place. Ya gotta believe.

Me: The only reason they’re close is because the Phillies are struggling, but Raul Ibanez will be back and you know those guys will get themselves together. And even the Marlins have passed the Mets now. The Mets have been playing like buffoons all season. They’ve lost so many games that had nothing to do with injuries. The …

The Knicks plan to meet with Mavericks PG Jason Kidd tomorrow on the opening day of the free agency period. The Mavs can pay him any amount to the league maximum to retain his services ($8 million). The two ways the  Knicks can acquire him is through offering the mid-level exception of $5-$6 million dollars or a sign-and-trade. The team has commodities such as Nate Robinson and David Lee who are on the block.

Kidd, played with the New Jersey Nets for 6 1/2 seasons while leading them to the finals in back to back years. He would be an upgrade over PG Chris Duon and provide the team with heart and playoff experience. In his 14th year he missed one regular season game and he finished fifth in assists (8.7) and third in steals (1.98). The future Hall of Fame point guard has won two gold medals (2000 and 2008) and is known for making his teammates play at a higher level. A scouting director said his value now lies …

When I was a little kid, coloring books were still really popular. Nowadays, with the spread of the Internet and new forms of electronic entertainment, it seems like books are taking a real hit. Sad to think that, 20 years ago, a nice new book could be someones prized possession for the week or month or year it takes to complete. In today’s society, kids are using the Internet before they can even understand many of the words on the screen.

But every once in a while something comes along that brings us back, to that stinky paper smell that we love. In 1997 it was Harry Potter, and in 2003 it was The Da Vinci Code. Well another six years have gone by, and there’s a new must read on the shelves. The New York Yankees Coloring & Activity Book by Peg Connery-Boyd and Brendan Fitzgerald is the new feel good book of the year! Talk about a crowning achievement for children’s literature. This is the best coloring book I have ever seen. The crossword …

Jordan Hill (Arizona-8th overall)- With Tyreke Evans, Ricky Rubio, Johnny Flynn and Stephen Curry all off the board the Knicks selected Hill. The 6′10″ junior  forward averaged 18 points and 11 rebounds for the Wildcats last season. He played for three different coaches at Arizona but improved his scoring and rebounding each season. Donnie Walsh  was high on his athletiscm, ability to run the floor and block shots. Drafting Hill also provides insurance if the Knicks make a sign and trade with David Lee.

Toney Douglas (Florida State-29th overall)- The Knicks purchased this pick from the Lakers for $3 million dollars.  Douglas was a All-America Third Team selection and the ACC Defensive Player of the Year. The 6′2″ guard averaged 21. 8 points (led the ACC). The senior also guided the Seminoles to the NCAA Tournament for the first time in a decade and into the ACC Tournament championship game for the first time in school history. He also provides the Knicks insurance if they decide to make a sign and …

Marcus Camby (Clippers)- The Clippers are expected to draft Blake Griffin with the first overall pick. With Zach Randolph and Chris Kaman owed a total of $66 million dollars it makes the expiring contract of Camby expendable. By drafting the 6′10″ Griffin it adds more size to the the Clipper frontcourt. The Ex-Knick will make $7.6 million next season and Donnie Walsh should look into bringing him back. Even though he missed 22 games last season the former NBA Defensive Player of the Year pulled down 11.1 rebounds and blocked 2.1 shots per game. The Knicks have ranked last in the league in blocks the past two seasons.

David Lee (Knicks)- Lee has been rumored to being dealt to Portland, Memphis, Detroit and Oklahoma City. Possible scenarios include Lee being dealt in a sign and trade to acquire Ricky Rubio. Lee had a breakout season for the Knicks last season leading the league in double-doubles while averaging 16 points and 11.7 rebounds per game. However, Lee is looking to sign a long term deal worth $7-9 million dollars …

ESPN radio and Alan Hahn of Newsday are reporting the Knicks bought the Timberwolves 28th overall pick for three million dollars. The Knicks now have two picks in the first round (8 and 28). Donnie Walsh could be adding picks to move up in the draft. There is a possibility they could trade into the top 5 or use the 28th pick and cash to move into the teens. If they decide to stand pat they should look at these players if they are available: Jeff Teague, Patty Mills, Chase Budinger, Toney Douglas, Danny Green, Tyler Hansbourough and Darren Collinson.

The Knicks were looking to acquire the Wizards 5th overall pick but they traded that to the Timerwolves yesterday. Donnie Walsh said there is a 95 percent chance the Knicks will not make a move before the NBA Draft. The Daily News speculates if Ricky Rubio, Stephen Curry and Tyreke Evans are all off the board the Knicks could look at Duke SG Gerald Henderson with the 8th selection. However, they should be looking at Johnny Flynn, Jrue Holliday and Brandon Jennings instead.

What makes Henderson appealing is his high basketball IQ and strong character traits. His father played in the NBA for 13 seasons including a one year stint with the Knicks. The 21-year old worked out for the Knicks back on June 10th. What turned me off about Henderson is he struggled during the NCAA Tournament  knocking down just 1-out-of 11 three pointers in three games. He shot 1-14 in a 23 point loss to Villanova, which marked his final collegiate game.

Possible scenarios:

1. Instead they draft  Flynn, Holiday, Jennings, Demar Derozan, Jordan Hill (If Curry and Evans are gone)

2. …

Ranger great Brian Leetch was elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame today (along with other first-time-eligible players Steve Yzerman, Brett Hull and Luc Robitaille). And it couldn’t have happened to a nicer, classier guy. Leetch played parts of 17 seasons for the Blueshirts, serving as captain from 1997-2000, and finished his career with Toronto and Boston (we don’t need to get into that now). He was one of the best American-born hockey players ever to play the game, and was also one of the greatest defensemen ever to lace up the skates in the NHL.

His list of awards and accomplishments is long: Of course he’s a Stanley Cup winner, Conn Smythe Trophy winner (first and still only American to win that award), two-time Norris Trophy winner (’92 & ‘97), Calder Trophy winner (’89), two-time First Team NHL All-Star (’92 & ‘97), three-time Second Team NHL All-Star and he played in nine All-Star games. He is one of only five defensemen in NHL history to record over 100 points …

The New York Knicks have a discussed a blockbuster draft trade with the Washington Wizards. Rumors have swirled that the Knicks would acquire the Wizards fifth pick and be able to keep there own selection (eighth). The Knicks covet Stephen Curry and there is no guarantee he will be there at eight. Wilson Chandler, would likely be involved in the deal as he has showed his potential last season. The 6′8″ swing-man had a breakout season averaging 14.4 points, 5.4 rebounds and 0.9 blocks. He is also just 22-years old and is under contract for the next three seasons.

However, the Knicks would rather trade ex-Wizard players Larry Hughes and Jared Jeffries. This past season the Wiz tried to trade for Hughes when he was on the Bulls for Mike James and Etan Thomas. They also inquired about Jeffries during the trade deadline. However, moving Jeffries will be difficult since he is owed $13.2 million dollars over the  next two seasons.

Hughes was productive in Washington averaging a career best 22 points during …

In the blink of an eye the Mets bullpen went from the best in the National League to a weakness on a team that is filled with weaknesses. The rotation has had trouble staying healthy, and each starter has traded turns being hot and cold. Fernando Nieve is now their best starter (ok, it’s really still Johan Santana, but it sound more dramatic the other way). The Mets’ punchless offense can’t rely on Brian Schneider to hit a three-run homer every game. And the team’s fielding has been horrible all season. The bullpen had been their one saving grace. But not anymore.

J.J. Putz was not effective at all before going on the DL, but since he’s been gone, Bobby Parnell has completely fallen apart. Parnell taking over the eighth-inning role seemed like an upgrade at the time, but it hasn’t exactly worked out like that, to put it mildly. What happened to him? He’s a one-pitch pitcher who’s struggling with that one pitch I guess is the answer. His …

Earlier in the season, when talking about injuries, Jerry Manuel said he wouldn’t worry about who’s not on the team but instead would only concentrate on who they have on the roster at the moment. We’ll just have to go to battle with who we have, he seemingly said. He wasn’t going to sit around waiting for Carlos Delgado to get back, because who knows if the first baseman will even return or what shape he’ll be in if he does. And last season, with the all the injuries the Mets had (granted, not as many as this year), Manuel and the rest of the team rarely ever brought it up or used the depleted roster as an excuse. But somewhere along the line, Manuel has changed. He brings up the injuries after almost every game and constantly references all the players on the disabled list and how the team is hoping and waiting for their return. It’s time for him to stop making excuses and mentioning the injured players day after …

What’s more humiliating: Losing a game on a dropped pop-up, losing 15-0 or losing two out of three to the 2009 Washington Nationals? After the apocalypse of facing the Red Sox and the Phillies, the Yankees and Mets turned to the apocalypse of facing each other, and it wasn’t pretty.  Both teams were awful on Friday, the Yanks had no answer for Fernando Nieve (Fernando Nieve?) on Saturday and the Mets got completely embarrasssed on Sunday. They both got a break in the schedule (and the drama) with the Nationals and Orioles. Or so they thought. When the dust settled it was one bad week for both teams. How many Luis Castillo drops, 15-0 games, blown saves and losing to last place teams can one fan take? With a week like this, how can we have a Player of the Week? So here’s another all-Schmuck edition.

Winner

Luis Castillo: Who else could it be? We’re obligated to put Castillo here. What went from one of the most boring, unmemorable, poorly played games turned into …