Every team has an "ace," whether he pitches like an ace or not. The Cubs have Jake Arrieta, who has taken the league by storm over the last two seasons and won the 2015 National League Cy Young Award. The Red Sox signed David Price to a very lucrative contract, though some might argue that their ace is Steven Wright-- a journeyman who currently leads the American League in ERA. The Marlins have the fiery Jose Fernandez, who is already being considered for the NL Cy Young Award for his impressive season. Struggling teams, like the Reds and the Braves have mediocre-to-decent-at-best aces, with the Reds' Dan Straily, and the Braves' Julio Teheran.

Some teams have multiple aces, and if you look at the New York Mets, you can easily make an argument for any of their starting pitchers as to who is the true "ace" of the team. Matt Harvey, Jacob deGrom, Steven Matz, and Noah Syndergaard have all made good cases. However, there is one missing piece: Bartolo Colon. Yes, you read that right: BARTOLO COLON. The Mets have a plethora of young phenoms that are going to be the future of this organization going forward, yet it's Colon that is the driving force. One of the most interesting stories in baseball this year, the 43-year old former Cy Young winner is pitching in Cy Young form and has taken the Majors by storm with an incredible story. Through controversy and criticism involving his on-field performance and his off-field life, Colon has silenced the critics with a 7-4 record and a 2.87 ERA, with his 7 wins tying Steven Matz for second on the team. Colon has recently accomplished several feats: becoming the oldest player in history to hit his first career home run, striking out his 2,300th batter, and earning his 225th career win. However, he is more than just a player to Mets fans.

Colon is no Tom Seaver, Dwight Gooden, Darryl Strawberry, or Mike Piazza. Meaning, he is no Mets legend per se. However, Mets fans and Colon have a bond, and they share the bond with each other throughout the season. Every time Colon is introduced, he gets the loudest ovation. Every time Colon comes up to bat, everyone stops what they are doing to watch. Every time Colon leaves the mound, whether he struggles or succeeds, he receives a respectful applause from the Citi Field crowd. He is the definition of a true professional, one of the last of their kind in the MLB today. Sure, you have your Mike Trouts and your Carlos Beltrans, but the level of connection with a fan base that Bartolo Colon has cannot be unmatched. Colon brings veteran experience, which could tremendously assist these young pitchers in their futures. He is perhaps the most pivotal piece that this Mets team needs. As his career winds down, all we hope for is that Colon retires strong, and leading this Mets clubhouse back to the playoffs will definitely accomplish that.