| 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. |
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| 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 more to a player's greatness than stats. |
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| 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. |
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| 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 Center Field, Right Field, and RH Starting Pitcher, LH starting pitcher, RH relief pitcher, LH relief pitcher, and Manager. This will round out the Mets All Time Greats list from me. |
Center Field
Carlos Beltran (2005 – Present) – Carlos has been grossly under-rated and under-appreciated in his time with the Mets. His had a poor 2005, in his inaugural season as a Met (only 16 HR's). I gave him a mulligan, citing moving from KC, to Houston, to NY in less than one year is tough on anyone. He rebounded well in the subsequent seasons, and has established himself as a classy individual who plays a stellar CF. He has proven he hits well in the clutch (Adam Wainwright's curveball not withstanding). When people slam Beltran, which seems to be frequently, I have only one question. Who is a better all around CF than Carlos Beltran? That includes: running, fielding, throwing, power, average, RBI, big hits, big plays in crucial situations. In my opinion, there isn't anyone currently better. Carlos Beltran will be the type of player Phil Simms was as QB for the Giants – they won't appreciate him until he is no longer here.
Mookie Wilson (1980-1989). To this day, he is beloved by the Shea/GHMP faithful. He will always be remembered for that improbable at bat against Bob Stanley in game 6 of the '86 series. Mookie was an underrated CF. He caught most everything hit in his direction, and his arm wasn't as bad as portrayed by the media and fans alike. Mookie never took anything for granted; he ran every hit out as if it were his last; you never saw him loaf after a ball, nor not bust tail down the baseline. In one three day span in the early '80's, Wilson scored from second on a ground ball DP. Both times it came at the expense of the Cardinals. Mookie was rightfully inducted into the Mets Hall Of Fame in 1996. It was a sad day when the Mets traded him to Toronto for Jeff Musselman.
Tommie Agee (1968-1972) – Had a difficult/injury plagued inaugural season in ’68. After getting off to a slow start in ’69, did turn his season around. Agee is best remembered for the longest HR in Mets history at Shea, and for the two amazing catches in game 3 of the 1969 World Series - all this after leading off game three with a homerun off Jim Palmer. Agee earned the Gold Glove award for CF in 1966 and 1970. Agee died unexpectedly of a massive heart attack walking down a Manhattan street on January 22, 2001. Agee was 58. The Mets elected him posthumously to their Hall OF Fame in 2002. Although Agee only played with the Mets for five seasons, he was a steady force not only in the field, but in post season play for a young team.
* All are on Staubs list
Right Field
Darryl Strawberry (1983-1990) – Simply the best RF the Mets have ever had. We keep thinking about what Darryl didn’t accomplish. Look at what he did accomplish: 252 HR’s as a Met; 733 RBI as a Met; 191 SB’s as a Met. He still has the most HR’s of any Met in history. Darryl possessed a str
ong throwing arm, and one of the most beautiful/sweetest swings one could imagine. He could launch a ball into the stratosphere with a graceful looping swing. Whitey Herzog refused to let Strawberry beat him, and would intentionally walk him if Darryl’s run could beat the Cards. We all know of Strawberry’s indiscretions and addictive behavior, and thankfully he appears to be on the straight and narrow now. He offers some great insight in his pre and post game analysis, and was deservedly awarded induction to the Mets Hall of Fame this summer (2010).
Rusty Staub (1972-1975, 1981-1985) – Rusty, lacking speed, played a very good RF. He along with Keith Hernandez and Edgardo Alfonzo are the smartest ball players to don a Mets uniform. Rusty played through an injured shoulder in the 1973 World Series, and that did hinder the Mets. The Mets made a huge mistake trading Rusty to the Detroit Tigers on December 12, 1975 for Mickey Lolich and Billy Baldwin (not the actor!). Staub went on to have some good years with the Tigers and Expos. He is the only player in baseball history with 500 hits with four different teams (Astros, Expos, Mets and Tigers) and along with Ty Cobb is the only player to hit a HR before his 20th birthday, and after his 40th birthday. Staub for years held the single season record for RBI with 105. In his second stint with the Mets, Staub became a prolific pinch hitter. He helped younger players with his insight and was key in helping Keith Hernandez stay with the Mets after the 1983 season.
Joel Youngblood (1977-1982) – Played asolid RF with a strong arm. Didn’t possess the power that most RF’s have, but was a solid force for horrible Mets teams in the late 1970’s/early 1980’s. In his best season, 1981, he was limited to 43 games due to injury. He finished the season with
a .350 average, but was not eligible to win the batting title due to too few games and at-bats. Youngblood was a versatile player who could also play 2B. He was better suited for RF with that howitzer of an arm, and he was a player who hustled every play. For these reasons, Youngblood ranks in the Mets top three for RF.
* Staub is not on Staub’s list
Righthanded Starting Pitcher
Tom Seaver (1967-1977, 1983) – “The Franchise.” What more can be said. Although not a favorite of mine, Seaver is still the greatest pitcher to ever sport a Mets uniform. With the Mets he won three Cy Young awards, struck out over 200 hitters in nine straight season’s for the Mets. He won 198 of his 311 victories with the Mets, many of which were bad teams. Due to a contract dispute, the Mets traded Seaver on June 15, 1977 to the Cincinnati Reds for Dan Norman, Steve Henderson, Doug Flynn, and Pat Zachary. To the NY Media and Mets fans alike, that day is known as the Midnight Massacre.
Dwight Gooden (1984-1994) – This player had the greatest four year period of any pitcher I’ve ever seen. He terrified opposing teams and hitters. Being at Shea when he pitched was electric. Won the Rookie of the Year (1984) award when he was 19 years old, and his only Cy Young award when he was 20 (1985). He was as dominating as a pitcher can be. Unfortunately an undisciplined life off the field led to his demise. Gooden has the highest career winning percentage among Mets pitchers (.649).
David Cone (1987-1992, 2003) – C
one would have won the 1988 Cy Young if not for an historic season by Orel Hershiser. In that season, Cone was 20-3 with a 2.22 ERA and 213 strikeouts in 231.1 IP. In seven years with the Mets, Cone went 81-51 with a 3.13 ERA. He struck out 1172 batters. He struck out over 200 batters four times for the Mets. A terrible trade in 1992 sent Cone to the Blue Jays for Jeff Kent and Ryan Thompson – this after acquiring Cone in one of the best Mets trades ever. The Mets obtained Cone from the KC Royals for Ed Hearn after the 1986 season.
* All are on Staub’s list
Lefthanded Starting Pitcher
Jerry Koosman (1967-1978) – Kooz is the best lefty starter the Mets have ever put on the field. Although his Mets record is only 140-137, it does not begin to tell Koosman’s worth. He was a dominant post season pitcher. In League Championship play, Koosman was 1-0 in two games. He was lit up for six runs in 4.2 IP in 1969 against the Braves, but against the Reds in 1973, he was 1-0 with a 2.00 ERA. In the World Series, his lifetime Mets record is 3-0 with a 2.39 ERA. He was the winning pitcher for the Mets in clincher in 1969 (game 5). In 1976 Koosman should have won the Cy Young award (21-10 – 2.69 ERA), but lost to SD’s Randy Jones. The Next year, Koosman lost 15 games with an abysmal Mets team.
Al Leiter (1998-2004) – Al was the Gem in an unheralded trade with the Marlins during the 1997 off-season. Leiter pitched well for the Mets in the post season in 1999 and 2000. He became the Mets go-to guy during a rebuilding period for the Mets, which saw them go from mediocrity to the post season. Leiter had a career record of 95-67 for the Mets, with a 3.42 ERA. Possessed a devastating cut fastball that would sawoff the bat of righthanded batters.
Sid Fernandez (1984-1993) – Could be a dominating pitcher, but usually ran out of gas in the fifth or sixth inning. Sid’s biggest downfall was his lack of stamina. His fastball usually on clocked in at about 89 MPH, but batters would miss as if he were shooting BB’s. He hid the ball very well, and before the batter’s would know it, the ball was upon them. Had a tremendous 1986 World Series in limited action due to being relegated to the bullpen. In ’86 he made three appearances in the Wo
rld Series, all in relief. He struck out 10 in 6.2 IP, gave up one run for a 1.35 ERA. He slammed the door on the Red Sox in game seven by striking out 4 in 2.1 IP (innings 3, 4, 5). He kept the Mets in the game by holding the Red Sox at bay (no pun intended) while trailing 3-0. If not for Sid’s performance, the Mets might have lost.
* All are on Staub’s list
Righthanded Relief Pitcher
I will keep this list to two players for each for righthanded and lefthanded RP. Staub lumped both lefty's and righty's together in his book.
Roger McDowell (1985-1989) – was the biggest character in Mets history. Even kookier than Tug McGraw. McDowell had one flaw; he should have been lefthanded. McDowell pitched well in big spots. Didn't see him in the '86 series due to pitching five innings against Houston in the sixth game of the NLCS. McDowell excelled at keeping the team loose, whether it was giving an unsuspecting teammate or coach a hot foot, being dressed as the upside down man, or just doing the totally unexpected to keep his team loose. McDowell was a terrific athlete who along with Jesse Orosco switched back and forth between the corner OF spots to pitcher when the Mets were in an extra inning game with the Reds in '86. McDowell had a good Mets career, although too short. He was sent to Philadelphia along with Lenny Dykstra for Juan Samuel during the 1989 season.
Turk Wendell (1997-2001) – Came to the Mets from the Cubs, along with Brian McRae. He didn’t seem like much at the time, but Turk turned out to be not only one of my favorite Mets ever, but was adored by the Shea faithful for his histrionics and idiosyncrasies. Turk had a rubber arm, could pitch out of jams, and never seemed to be bothered by the pressure. He used to trot in from the RF Bull Pen, with his animal teeth strung around his neck on a leather necklace, pick up the rosin bag, and slam it down when he was ready to pitch. He wouldn’t back down from a hitter. It could be Barry Bonds or the Bat Boy – it didn’t matter. Turk would bear down and come at you. In 1999 he appeared in 80 games for the Mets, going 5-4 with a respectable 3.05 ERA. With the Mets he had a career post season ERA of 2.84 in 13 games. Turk had the guts that you don’t see today. He would brush
a player off the plate, and hit him if necessary. He was old school baseball, and for that, he is on my list as the Mets RH relief pitcher.
Lefthanded Relief Pitcher
Jesse Orosco (1979-1987) – Was on the mound striking out Kevin Bass for the last out in the 1986 NLCS and was also on the mound striking out Marty Barrett for the final out of the 1986 World Series. Orosco made you nervous when he came in the game, but he was a gamer. Back in the day, relievers weren't brought in to pitch to one batter or only one inning. Jesse was the man in big spots. He would bear down even after giving up a big run, and wound up victorious in huge situations. He will be forever adored by Mets fans for the most famous strikeout in Mets history, where he struck out Marty Barrett in game seven of the '86 Fall Classic, flinging his glove in the air, and landing on his knees while being mobbed by his mates.
Tug McGraw (1965-1974) – Scroogie. The one who coined “Ya Gotta Believe” in 1973., which became the rallying cry for the 1973 NL ChampionMets. In the late 1960's Tug would spot start as well as relieve. He is the first Mets pitcher to defeat Hall Of Fame great, Sandy Koufax. On the field his slapping of his glove hand against his right thigh after a save became part of his routine. Althoug
h he didn't pitch in the 1969 World Series, he did get a save for Jerry Koosman in game 2 of the NLCS against the braves. Unofficially considered the biggest character in Mets history, McGraw was a solid relief pitcher who was adored by the fans. He was traded by the Mets to the Phillies on December 1, 1974. It was a void that took years to fill.
* Turk Wendell is not on Staub's list
Managers
Gil Hodges (1968-1971) – Will always be held in high regard by me and many Mets fan. The first Mets manager to bring credibility to the Mets. In his first year, the Mets won 73 games (1968). In his second year, the Mets were on top of the world. 1968 was the only losing season the Mets had under Hodges' leadership. He instilled discipline to young team, held them accountable, and taught them how to win. He was the quiet leader, who no one questioned. Gil Hodges died unexpectedly of a massive heart attack just prior to the start of the 1972 season. What he would have accomplished if his life wasn't cut short is left to imagination.
Davey Johnson (1984-1990) - His lifetime winning percentage as Mets manager is second to none (.588). Under his command, the Mets never finished below second place, and finished first twice (1986, 1988), culminating with the World Series Championship in 1986. Johnson was the type of manager whose greatness wasn't realized nor appreciated until he was gone. His biggest problem might be that he didn't enforce many rules on the reckless Mets of the mid 1980's.
* Both are on Staub's List
The great thing about this sport is that it can be debated, argued, disagreed, and agreed upon. By no means there isn't room for debate among my choices. As I stated in the first of this three part series, I based my list not only on stats, but having watched the majority of these players play. Hope you've enjoyed.
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