It has been a rough stretch for the New York Mets in recent years. Yes, they moved into the fantastic Citi Field in 2009 and had a run to the National League Championship series in 2006. For the most part, however, they have been one of baseball’s biggest disappointments since their World Series appearance in 2000.

In 2007, they had a spectacular collapse at the end of the season where they blew a seven game lead in the National League East with 17 games remaining. The following year, they blew a 3.5 game lead in the month of September and failed to make the playoffs.

And since the opening of Citi Field, the team has played abysmal baseball: They have had three straight losing seasons, while the organization has been mired in the Bernie Madoff scandal.

There are signs of a light at the end of the tunnel for the Mets in 2012, though. The NL East standings remain tight at the beginning of June and all the teams in the division now have either 28 or 29 wins.

The Mets were treated to a bit of history last night, too, with their star pitcher Johan Santana throwing the franchise’s first ever no-hitter.

It remains to be seen this year if the Mets will fade early, collapse late, or actually make the playoffs. But whatever happens, there is actually something worth checking out at Citi Field these days.