BY DAVE RAGAZZO

NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM

What’s not to love about Mets pitcher R.A. Dickey?

The 37-year-old has re-invigorated his career by becoming a knuckleballer and is having his best season ever as a pro in 2012.

A good guy in the locker, he has provided much needed leadership to the Mets who were predicted by many to finish last in the NL East.

Dickey has been solid all year and put out another great performance in last night’s 9-1 drubbing of the Tampa Bay Rays. Dickey gave up a first inning infield single, which could have been called an error on David Wright, and that was it. He also added 12 strikeouts to cap off his night.

After Johan’s historic no hitter against the St. Louis Cardinals a few weeks ago, the Mets are planning on appealing the lone hit that Dickey surrendered to try to get their second no hitter of the season (and team history).

Dickey however wants no part of a change.

“"It would be weird,” Dickey said to Newsday’s David Lennon. “I don't know if it would be quite as satisfying. I think the asterisk beside the no-hitter would get more attention than the no-hitter, you know? Plus, you're not pitching the eighth, ninth inning with the pressure of a no-hitter going.”

It would be a little bit cheap,” Dickey continued. “But, for the integrity of the game, I think it's worthy of a review, just to make sure."

Again, what’s not to love about R.A. Dickey?

The humility that Dickey has shown regarding this issue is great to see from a guy who has been the league’s best pitcher. On the season, Dickey is now 10-1 on the season with a 2.20 ERA. In 90 innings pitched he has struck out 90 batters while only walking 19.

He has gone seven plus innings in his last five starts and has now won nine games in a row.

His performance has gotten him mentioned in the early CY Young race and he looks to be the leading candidate for starting the All-Star game which is only a month away.

"I've never seen anything like this," Mets manager Terry Collins told MLB.com after yesterday’s game. "Never. I've seen some dominant pitching, but nothing like what he's going through right now."

He still will have a few more starts to solidify his campaign as All-Star game starter, but if he keeps pitching like this, he will be the hands down favorite.