Well Friday the 13th is a female dog ain't it. The Mets are 55-59 on August 14th, 2004. The season has been disappointing at times, most times, and enjoyable at others.

There's been many high spots for the Mets, and many low spots. Many players have stepped up for the Mets, and many players have been underproductive.

This column is about the Top 5 players for the Mets this year, and the Bottom 5. The 5 biggest surprising and productive Mets and the 5 big busts for this year.

Top 5

1. Mike Cameron
   Cameron had an injured hand in the beginning of the season and he was not hitting at all - hitting around .197. But in the last month, the Mets' centerfielder has 11 home runs and 25 RBIs. He also had 20 runs, 26 hits, 7 stolen bases, and hit .268. With his home run last night against the Diamondbacks, he tied a career high with 25.
   
   Cameron was signed by the Mets for his defensive excellence. But, his bat is the reason why he's loved. Although many people expected him to hit 18-20 home runs this season, he?s currently on pace for 30-35.
   
2. Richard Hidalgo
   On June 17th, the Mets acquired Richard Hidalgo from the Houston Astros for David Weathers and Jeremy Griffiths. If I can steal a line from Stuart Scott, Hidalgo was "as cool as the other side of the pillow."
   
   Cool in the bad way.
   
   Hidalgo was hitting .256 with 21 runs scored with 15 doubles, two triples, four home runs, 30 RBI, with 17 walks and 53 strikeouts in 58 games for Houston this year. With the Mets in 49 games, Hidalgo has 32 runs, 50 hits, 5 doubles, 1 triple, 15 home runs, 33 RBIs, 17 walks (same amount as he had in 58 with Astros), 2 stolen bases, and is hitting .267.
   
3. Al Leiter
   This season Al Leiter is 8-4, with the Major's best ERA with 2.52. He goes for his 9th win of the year against the D-Backs. Leiter is cursed with throwing a lot of pitches in a short outing. He got beat up last game against the Cardinals, Leiter allowed six runs on eight hits at St. Louis on Sunday and left after four innings. He's been the Mets' most consistent starting pitcher.
   
4. Brandon Looper
   The Mets' closer has been big for the Mets. Looper this year is 2-3 with a 2.07 ERA. In 51 games, "Loop" has 23 saves in 61 innings pitched. He's given up 64 hits and 16 runs, with 14 of those being earned, and 3 coming from long balls. He doesn't walk many, walking only 9 batters this year, while striking out 47.
   
5. Jim Duquette
   Yes, the General Manager of the Mets' has out-performed better than 21 other Mets. Duquette made three huge deals for the Mets this year. He sent David Weathers to Houston for Hidalgo, he sent Scott Kazmir to the D-Rays for Victor Zambrano, and Ty Wigginton to the Pirates for Kris Benson. Duquette, since Phillips was fired last year, has been impressive. Last year he got rid of Alomar, Burnitz, and Armando Benitez.

Bottom 5

1. Mike Piazza
   Piazza, one of the game's most feared hitters is on the DL for the 2nd straight year. Piazza this year is hitting 17 homeruns and 44 RBIs.....yes. Mike Piazza, M-I-K-E P-I-A-Z-Z-A is hitting 17 homeruns and 44 RBIs.
   
   He started the year off hot hitting 3 home runs in the first two games of the year. He broke the catcher's career home run mark this year. The Mets moved him to first base to keep him healthy and have him stay in the lineup. He stayed in the lineup was not productive or healthy.
   
2. John Franco
   The age-less John Franco, probably the Mets worst pitcher in the bullpen, has a 5.59 ERA, with 27 K's, a 1.53 WHIP, and 0 saves. Johnny is 2-7 this year, pitching 38.2 innings, giving up 37 hits, 25 runs, 24 earned runs (5 coming from long balls) and 22 walks.
   
   His worst performance was the day before the All-Star break where he game up a 1-0 breaking ball to Bobby Abreu, who crushed it over the wall in Philly for a 5-4 victory. With the win the Mets would?ve been in first.
   
   His best outing, well best pitch, was against the Yankees on July 3rd. The Yankees loaded the bases against Franco, who then fell behind Posada 3-0 before sneaking a knee-high fastball past the Yankee catcher for a called third strike. Franco ran off the feud, pumping his fist in the air. But he?s given up long ball after long ball, and he needs to retire.
   
3. Cliff Floyd
   The Mets' leftfielder's production has been unacceptable. Floyd is hitting .267 this season, with 43 runs, 79 hits, 20 doubles, 15 homeruns, and 53 RBIs. He's struck out 77 times in 296 at bats. It just feels like Floyd strikes out in every big at-bat. Floyd doesn?t want to be with the Mets, and complains about his injuries.
   
   He's an AL guy, and definitely not my guy.
   
4. Kaz Matsui (defensively)
   Offensively, Kaz is one of the best the Mets have. He's clutch as ever. But his glove is gut-wrenching. Kaz's fielding percentage is an embarrassing .954, he has 23 errors at shortstop. That is the NUMBER ONE, NUMERO UNO, #1 reason Kaz will be the Mets second basemen next year.
   
5. Jason Phillips
   He had a hot year last year - the Mets' best player in my opinion, but he?s just bad this year. Last year he hit 11 home runs, had 58 RBIs, and hit .298. This year he has 5 home runs, 25 RBIs, and is hitting .201. His biggest hit was in the Astros series a couple months ago when he hit the game-winning home run in the 13th inning.

There's the list, I checked it twice, I don't give a damn if you think I'm naughty or nice. The World Series rings have only came to the Mets twice, and will remain twice after this year.