I have been rooting for Royce Ring to make the bigs since seeing him in Binghamton in 2004.   He got a few appearances lats year, with Willie Randolph positioning him mostly as a "lefty specialist" before he got banished back to Norfolk. 

This year he has shined in AAA with the Tides.  In 34 Games he has a 2-1 record with 10 saves and an impressive ERA of 2.97 earning him a spot on the Eastern League All-star team.  A week ago he was brought up to the Mets and he made his 2006 debut last night on ESPN.  I thought he looked good and, with he exception of Mike Lieberthal's monstrous homer,  the hits that did lead to baserunners were all on "pither's pitches".  He showed some good pop on the fastball and a nasty sweeping curve ball.  He struck out two excellent Philadelphia hitters, badly fooling Chase Utley with a curve ball to end the 7th and blowing away Ryan Howard to lead off the 8th.

In a league short on effective lefty relievers, I think he is going to be a very nice addition to the roster.  While his motion would lend itself to being tough on lefties, he has that across the body "sling-shot" delivery of Wagner, he apparently was very tough on Righties as well last year.  I am hoping Randolph lets him audition as an all-purpose reliever and not just a specialist.

Put me on record as saying this guy is a keeper.