“We got into being a little bit mentally lazy and overly secure. … I think that caused a lot of the homers this year. I really do. …[The new dimensions] will help us focus and concentrate and not be so ready to go out there and throw a fastball away and hope they hit it to center field.”

~ Dan Warthen, as quoted by the Wall Street Journal

In 2011, the Mets allowed 58 home runs at home and 89 on the road (4.19 team ERA). In 2010, the Mets allowed 47 home runs and home and 88 on the road (3.73 team ERA), and 81 home runs at home and 77 on the road in 2009 (4.46 team ERA).

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I think Warthen’s characterization of his pitchers being “mentally lazy” is more of a secondary issue, with the primary issue being the team is lacking quality pitching up and down the staff, regardless of the venue. I think this argument suggests his pitchers need to grow up and become stronger mentally, and while that might be true and fair to ask of someone like Jon Niese, I think it’s unrealistic to expect a pitcher like Mike Pelfrey, who is now six big league seasons into in his career, to adapt and adjust to.