For so many years we were sold a faulty premise -- that New Yorkers will not stand to wait for building from within, as if the New York Yankees' dynasty was not fueled as much by the homegrown core of Derek Jeter and Andy Pettitte and Mariano Rivera and Bernie Williams as by the team's wild free-agent spending.

Austerity has shifted the New York Mets' pendulum far in the other direction.

But in terms of likability, and energy and enthusiasm, this Mets team -- now five games over .500 for the first time in two years, and coming off a sweep in Philly -- demonstrates that you don't have to break the bank to put an appealing product on the field.

Does that mean the current success will be sustainable in the short term?

Click to read the rest of Adam Rubin's take, and use the comments section below to give us yours.