Rating The All Time Best Mets By Position: 3B, SS, LF...

Having recently completed Few And Chosen: Defining Mets Greatness Across the Eras, the 2009 book written by former Met Rusty Staub and Phil Pepe (NY Daily News until 1984), it gave me an idea.

The premise of Staub's book is a list of the five greatest Mets at each of the eight everyday positions, RHP, LHP, RP's, and managers. The book was good, and I agreed with some of Stuab's points, but I felt he dealt too much with stats. I understand that stats are important, but being a Mets fan and watching them daily for 37 years, sometimes there is so much to a player's greatness than stats.

I enjoyed Staub's insight, and as I have said many times, he, along with Keith Hernandez and Edgardo Alfonzo, is one of the most intelligent ballplayers to ever don a Mets uniform.

Staub listed five players for each position. I will limit my selections to two or three. I will not reveal Staub's list due to respect that he is selling a book. I will say if whom I chose is on Staub's list. In this post, I will cover Third Base, Shortstop, and Left Field. In coming posts I will round out the rest of the Mets line-up of All Time Greats.

Third Base

David Wright (2004 – Present) – Although still young, he has already become the Mets All Time thirdbaseman. He has shown HR pop and a a reliable RBI man, 2009 not withstanding. Wright has garnered two Gold Glove award as well as two Silver Slugger Awards, and if able to bounce back from an abysmal 2009, will be the best Mets thirdbaseman ever.

Robin Ventura (1999 – 2001) – Though not a Met for many years, Ventura anchored the best defensive infield in MLB history. In 1999, he won the Gold Glove at third, Rey Ordonez won at SS, Edgardo Alfonzo should have won at second base, and John Olerud could have won a Gold Glove at first. Ventura was a true leader, and the one credited with introducing the Mets to the Doors LA Woman, using the phrase Mr. Mojo Risin. Ventura had little time with the Mets, but he greatly improved this team from the moment he arrived. He was a tremendous hitter with the sacks juiced, and was a key RBI man for a year or two with the Mets.

Wayne Garrett (1969 – 1976) – Garrett was the first Mets thirdbaseman I remember. When I first started following this club in '73, Garrett was the man at third. Never a “great” player, Garrett played a respectable third for the Mets. He was on some good teams ('69 and '73) as well as some poor Mets teams (pick a year!). The old redhead takes me back to my first memories of the Mets, and for that reason alone, he is on my list of All Time Great Mets.

* Ventura isn't on Staub's list

Shortstop

Bud Harrelson (1965 - 1977) – An All Time Met. Harrelson was not big, listed at 5' 11” and 160 lbs, Harrelson had a heart 10 times his body weight. He was a quiet defensive anchor of the great 1969 Mets team that upset the Baltimore Orioles in the Fall Classic. Harrelson had a self deprecating dry sense of humor, and was greatly loved by his teammates. Buddy won the Gold Glove for SS in 1971, and was elected to the All Star game in 1970. Harrelson later went on to manage the Mets from 1990 – 1991, but didn't have much success. His teams were 71 – 49 and 74 – 80 respectively. Perhaps best known for his “brawl” with Pete Rose in the 1973 play-offs. Harrelson made the dry comment after game two that Jon Matlack made the Big Red Machine look like Harrelson at the plate. The Reds took it out of context, and Rose made sure Harrelson paid for it when he slid hard into second. It was then the brawl broke out. Harrelson, with the heart of a lion, never backed down, despite giving close to 30 pounds to Rose, who was a hulk of a man. Nonetheless, the Mets went on to win, and met the A's in the World Series. As with Garrett, Harrelson is the first Mets shortstop, along with Teddy Martinez, that I remember, and his strong will and defensive prowess, makes him a no doubter on my list.

Jose Reyes (2003 – Present) – The most enigmatic, energetic spark plug in teams history. Mookie Wilson is second, but Jose has set the bar. Jose has become a lightning rod for the media's ire, most of which is unfair. The Mets go as Jose goes, and the crowd loves his hustle and enthusiasm. Whether it's his choreographed handshakes after a homerun, or stretching doubles into triples, Jose is the catalyst for this Mets team. He had overcome injury problems in his first couple of years, but had a forgettable 2009 caused by a major hamstring injury. Reyes has finished among the league leaders for the Gold Glove at SS, has led the league in triples two times, and in seven short years, has set the Mets all time high in triples. By the end of his career, Reyes should be my #1 player at Shortstop.

Rey Ordonez (1996 – 2002) – Without question the greatest defensive SS in Mets history. Ordonez garnered three Gold Gloves for his stellar defense. A terrible hitter throughout his career, Ordonez earned his way with his leather. Ordonez never hit better than .258, and had a a career high of only three HR's in 2001. Ordonez could be moody and was extremely immature. If he was a little more attentive and worked harder, he could have been a better ballplayer. Ordonez defected from Cuba, and the Mets were able to draft him. If he showed that same aggression towards his baseball skills, he would have been much better. That being said, he is still on the list because of his great defense.

* All are on Staub's list

Leftfield

Kevin McReynolds (1987 – 1991, 1994) – the best defensive LF the Mets have ever had. When the Mets made the trade for McReynolds after their 1986 World Championship, I was upset. I never thought much of Big Mac, and felt he was grossly overrated. Once he arrived in Flushing, he proved me wrong. McReynolds was another whipping boy for the NY Media. They hated him because he was low key, didn't seek the limelight, and just went about doing his business, then went home. The press hated this, and took it out on him. Big Mac just kept producing. He could have won the 1988 MVP, but I believe he and Darryl Strawberry canceled each other out, thus leaving Kirk Gibson to win the award, unjustly. McReynolds was the first LF to lead the league in OF assists (17 in '88), but didn't receive the Gold Glove. It went to Pittsburgh's Barry Bonds. Again, McReynold's was robbed. He hit for a respectable average, had some HR pop, and hit well in the clutch. I still haven't seen a LF who could cut off the gap the way he did, cutting off a potential double.

Cleon Jones (1965 – 1975) – Among the greatest pure hitters in teams history. Wasn't a great defensive LF, but was adequate. Cleon excelled at the plate, where he hit for average. Finished third in hitting in 1969 with a .340 average. Cleon was the one involved in the famous “Shoe Polish” game in the World Series in 1969. Cleon claimed he was hit by the pitch thrown by Baltimore's Dave McNally. The umpire said Jones wasn't hit. Then Gil Hodges came out of the dugout and produced the ball, with Jones' shoe polish on it. Jones was awarded first base, and he Mets went on to win the game. Jones batted .353 over his career in the NLCS, and .234 in the World Series. His career post season average is a respectable .284.

Cliff Floyd (2003 – 2006) – Was a great clubhouse guy who spoke with honesty and candor, endearing him to not only teammates, but to fans as well. Floyd had one stand out year with the Mets (2005), but his other three years with the organization were spent nursing injuries. Floyd played through pain, wasn't a bad defensive LF, and was a solid hitter in the Mets lineup. I look a the downfall of this current Mets team commencing with the departure of Cliff Floyd. Prove me wrong. He had class, and went out of his way to take a young player under his wing to show him the ropes. Just ask David Wright. Because of this and his selfless play, Cliff Floyd rounds out my All Time Mets left fielders.

* All are on Staub's list

In the coming days I will list my All Time Mets for the remaining positions. Who are your choices? Are they different? We urge viewers to leave their list of 3B, SS, LF in out comment section.