Blogging Mets

We end the rankings out in the bullpen. The Mets have had so many top-notch relievers over the years that I did not have to include Armando Benitez in the top five.

1) John Franco (1990-2001, 2003-2004)

Franco is the all-time franchise leader in saves with 276. He led the league in saves twice with the Mets and was the team captain — a rarity for a pitcher, let alone the closer.

2) Jesse Orosco (1979, 1981-1987)

Orosco is third all-time in saves for the team. He was on the mound for the final out of the 1986 World Series; throwing his glove into the air and embracing Gary Carter is one of the Mets iconic moments.

3) Tug McGraw (1965-1967, 1969-1974)

McGraw was the closer for the 1969 and 1973 World Series teams and was the author of “You Gotta Believe.”

4) Billy Wagner (2006-2009)

Wagner’s Mets career was relatively short — he really only pitched for two and a half seasons because of injury, but he was dominant when he was on the mound. He had 101 saves in that time with a 2.37 ERA.

5) Roger McDowell (1985-1989)

McDowell also had a short Mets career, traded away for some reason with Lenny Dykstra for Juan Samuel. Man, that was bad. But McDowell, he was very good.

To see more rankings in this series, click here.

Mug Shots courtesy Ultimate Mets Database

With all of the Mets position players done, it is time now to turn to pitchers. I’ll begin with the starters. Gee, I can’t imagine who will be number one…

1) Tom Seaver (1967-1977, 1983)

Seaver leads the franchise in all pitching categories. He won three Cy Young Awards, Rookie of the Year, made nine All-Star teams and won 20 games four times. I’m still trying to figure out how they lost him again after reacquiring him.

2) Dwight Gooden (1984-1994)

Gooden won Rookie of the Year and the Cy Young in his first two seasons and it looked like Gooden would some day surpass Seaver as the team’s top pitcher. Alas, his career derailed. Still though, he is second in wins and third in strikeouts in franchise history.

3) Jerry Koosman (1967-1978)

Koosman was underrated. He almost won Rookie of the Year and a Cy Young Award. He is second in strikeouts and third in wins in Mets history. Koosman excelled in the 1969 and 1973 World Series, going a combined 3-0 with a 2.39 ERA in four starts.

4) David Cone (1987-1992, 2003)

Cone went 20-3 with a 2.22 ERA in 1988 and was dominant during his years in Flushing. He struck out at least 200 batters five times as a Met, leading the league twice.

5) Sid Fernandez (1984-1993)

This slot could have either gone to Fernandez, Ron Darling or Al Leiter, who had nearly identical Mets career numbers. I went with Fernandez because he had a lower ERA than the other two. Plus, while Darling and Leiter were more consistent, when Fernandez was on, he was sensational.

To see more rankings in this series, click here.

Mug Shots courtesy Ultimate Mets Database

Now to catcher, where the Mets have been very lucky. They have had some top-notch backstops over the years, including the greatest hitter in their history.

1) Mike Piazza (1998-2005)

That would be Mike Piazza. He is second in home runs, third in RBIs and fourth in batting average. He’ll be a Hall of Famer someday, wearing a Mets hat.

2) Gary Carter (1985-1989)

Carter wanted to go into the Hall of Fame as a Met, but the Hall insisted he be an Expo. Regardless, he’ll always be remembered as the missing piece of the 1986 World Series champions.

3) Jerry Grote (1966-1977)

How good was Grote defensively? Johnny Bench famously said that if he and Grote were on the same team, Bench would have to play third base. Enough said.

4) Todd Hundley (1990-1998)

Hundley’s 41 home runs in 1996 is still tied for the Mets single-season record. Hundley made two All-Star teams and is in the top 10 in career homers for the Mets.

5) John Stearns (1975-1984)

Stearns was a four-time All-Star, mostly because no one else on those terrible teams were worthy. But Stearns was pretty good in his own right; at one point he owned the record for stolen bases by a catcher (25 in 1978).

To see more rankings in this series, click here.

Mug Shots courtesy Ultimate Mets Database

We complete the outfield rankings with a trip to right field where I was forced to include one of the most hated players in Mets history.

1) Darryl Strawberry (1983-1990)

Strawberry is one of the best players in team history. He won the Rookie of the Year and was a seven-time All-Star. He still leads the franchise in home runs with 252. He finished second in the MVP voting in 1988 and punched Keith Hernandez in the face.

2) Rusty Staub (1972-1975, 1981-1985)

Staub became the first-ever Met to have more than 100 RBIs in a season in 1975, which earned him a trade to Detroit. Idiots. He played with a broken shoulder in the 1973 World Series. The Mets reacquired the popular Staub late in his career and he became a pinch hitter extraordinaire.

3) Ron Swoboda (1965-1970)

Swoboda will forever be remembered in Mets lore for his amazing catch in the 1969 World Series. He was all right at the plate, hitting 19 home runs in his rookie season, which ended up to be his career high.

4) Bobby Bonilla (1992-1995, 1999)

Sorry guys, but Bonilla actually put up decent numbers in his miserable Mets career. He was reacquired in 1999 for some reason and the Mets will be paying him until after we’re all dead.

5) Joel Youngblood (1977-1982)

There really was no one else. Youngblood was okay. He made the All-Star team in 1981 when he hit .350 in that strike-shortened season. That’s misleading — he only played in 43 games; he played five games after the break and missed the rest of the season with injury.

To see more rankings in this series, click here.

Mug Shots courtesy Ultimate Mets Database

Moving now to center field, where the Mets have had some pretty good players over the years, complete with All-Stars, Gold Glove winners and some memorable plays in the field.

1) Carlos Beltran (2005-2011)

Beltran had three and a half solid years in Flushing and three crummy ones; two of those because of injury. Still though, he was an All-Star five times and won three Gold Glove awards.

2) Mookie Wilson (1980-1989)

Arguably the most popular Met of all time, Wilson was also very good on the field. He is second in franchise history in stolen bases and triples. Oh, and he hit a ball that helped the Mets win a World Series game. You may have heard about it.

3) Tommie Agee (1968-1972)

Agee was solid Mets both at the plate and in the field, winning a Gold Glove. Agee could run and hit; he had 82 home runs and 92 stolen bases in his Mets career. He also made those two tremendous catches to single-handedly save Game 3 of the 1969 World Series.

4) Lenny Dykstra (1985-1989)

The crowd favorite played the game hard and well. He saved most of his heroics for the post season, where he excelled. Trading him at age 26 was one of the more puzzling moves in Mets history.

5) Lee Mazzilli (1976-1981, 1986-1989)

Mazzilli was a rare bright spot on some miserable teams in the late 1970s. He should have been the MVP of the 1979 All-Star game, hitting the game-tying home run and drawing the game-winning walk. Also dealt away at age 26, it was fitting that he was able to come back to the Mets and be part of the 1986 World Series team.

To see more rankings in this series, click here.

Mug Shots courtesy Ultimate Mets Database

The Mets position rankings move to the outfield, starting with left field. I know you are all shocked, but Jason Bay just missed the cut. If only the Mets had given him one more chance…

1) Cleon Jones (1963, 1965-1975)

Jones had one of the more underrated Mets careers. He hit .340 in 1969 and was a fixture in left for a a decade, making one All-Star team. He was steady if not spectacular.

2) Kevin McReynolds (1987-1991, 1994)

With his lackadaisical-looking ways, McReynolds never endeared himself to Mets fans. But he did but up solid numbers during his time in Flushing — he’s in the top 10 in home runs and RBIs. He finished third in the MVP voting in 1988.

3) George Foster (1982-1986)

Foster was something of a disappointment as a Met. Fans thought they were getting a slugging superstar; instead, they got a 20 homer per season guy who was at the tail end of his career. Even though Foster was released in the middle of 1986, the World Series team was basically built around him.

4) Cliff Floyd (2003-2006)

Floyd suffered through injuries throughout his Mets career, but when he limped onto the field he was pretty good. His one full season was excellent — 34 homers, 98 RBIs. Too bad he just couldn’t stay healthy.

5) Bernard Gilkey (1996-1998)

Gilkey only played for the Mets for two and a half years, but his first season was one of the best in Mets history — 30 home runs, a then-franchise record trying 117 RBIs and a .317 batting average. That season alone earns him the number five slot in this list.

To see more rankings in this series, click here.

Mug Shots courtesy Ultimate Mets Database

Now onto Mets shortstop. Number one was easy. Finding a number five was not.

1) Jose Reyes (2003-2011)

Reyes is the all-time  Mets leader in triples and stolen bases, records that won’t be broken anytime soon. Reyes won a batting title in 2011 for the first time in Mets history and was a four-time All-Star.

2) Bud Harrelson (1965-1977)

Harrelson was not exactly an offensive force; he hit just .234 with six home runs in his 13 years in Flushing. But he did win a Gold Glove and made two All-Star teams while playing on the 1969 and 1973 World Series teams.

3) Rey Ordonez (1996-2002)

Ordonez was a three-time Gold Glove Award winner, anchoring a solid defensive infield. He couldn’t hit a lick, but did I mention he won three Gold Gloves?

4) Rafael Santana (1984-1987)

Santana was the shortstop for the 1986 World Series champs. Those powerhouse teams did not need any offense from Santana, which was a good thing because he didn’t offer much.

5) Frank Taveras (1979-1981)

Sure, why not? Taveras was at least fast, stealing 42 and 32 bases, respectively, in his first two years with the Mets.

To see more rankings in this series, click here.

Mug Shots courtesy Ultimate Mets Database

We move now to third base, historically the most troublesome position for the Mets. They’ve had some luck lately finding a guy to anchor the position, but it wasn’t always that way. They say 687 men played third base for the Mets in the past 50 years. That seems about right.

1) David Wright (2004-present)

Obviously. Wright is already the all-time Mets leader in hits, runs, RBIs and walks. With his new eight-year contract, he will eventually hold all of the Mets records by the time he calls it quits. Wright has made the All-Star team six times and won two Gold Gloves.

2) Howard Johnson (1985-1993)

Johnson is also right up there among Mets leaders — fourth in home runs, RBIs, doubles and runs. He hit 30 or more home runs three times and made two All-Star teams.

3) Robin Ventura (1999-2001)

I always thought Ventura’s Mets career was a bit overrated. He had an incredible first season, hitting .301 with 32 home runs and 120 RBIs while winning the Gold Glove — one of the best Mets seasons ever. However he tailed off the following two years and was dealt to the Yankees for the final year of his contract.

4) Hubie Brooks (1980-1984, 1991)

Brooks was a pretty good player, good enough to the be main player in the trade for Gary Carter. Brooks hit .307 in 1981 as he finished third in the Rookie of the Year voting.

5) Wayne Garrett (1969-1976)

Garrett makes the list because of his longevity and for being on the 1969 and 1973 World Series teams. Oh, and because there really was no other better guy.

To see more rankings in this series, click here.

Mug Shots courtesy Ultimate Mets Database

Today’s installment of the rankings takes us to second base, where greatness was hard to find. I did manage to leave Luis Castillo off the list, which will please Mets fans everywhere.

1) Edgardo Alfonzo (1995-2002)

Alfonzo played some third for the Mets but really made his name as a second baseman. He was part of the great fielding 1999 infield, and like John Olerud was robbed of a Gold Glove. He was also an excellent hitter, batting .292 with 120 home runs in his Mets career.

2) Felix Millan (1973-1977)

Millan was a solid player with the Mets, helping them to the World Series in 1973. He will be best remembered for the game in which he went four-for-four (all singles), and being erased on four double plays by Joe Torre. He also got into a memorable fight in which Ed Ott of the Pirates basically picked him up and threw him to the ground.

3) Wally Backman (1980-1988)

Backman hit .283 in his time in Flushing and played with a ferocious intensity that endeared him to fans, who still hope for a return to the Mets dugout for Backman as manager. He’s in Triple-A now, but he might still make it back someday.

4) Ron Hunt (1963-1966)

Hunt was second in the Rookie of the Year voting in 1963 and made the All-Star team the following year. I guess he was pretty good.

5) Ken Boswell (1967-1974)

Boswell gets the nod here because there really is no one else. He did play for the Mets for eight seasons, and was on the 1969 and 1973 World Series teams, so that’s worth something.

To see more rankings in this series, click here.

Mug Shots courtesy Ultimate Mets Database

This is the first installment of a new series in which I rank the top five players at each position in Mets history. This was a difficult process at times; the Mets are, let’s say “lean” at a few positions. There were times in which it was not easy to come up with five players. Anyway, let’s begin with first base.

1) Keith Hernandez (1983-1989)

Hernandez was the leader of the great Mets teams of the 1980s. He hit .297 in his six and a half years in Flushing, winning six Gold Glove awards. He finished second in the MVP voting in 1984.

2) John Olerud (1997-1999)

Olerud is the all-time Mets batting leader with a .315 average. He batted .354 in 1998, the single-season team record. He was also part of one of the greatest fielding infield of all-time in 1999, but he was robbed of the Gold Glove.

3) Carlos Delgado (2006-2009)

Delgado his 104 home runs in his four years with the Mets (three, really — he missed most of the last season with injury). He hit 38 homers twice and helped lead the team to the 2006 NLCS.

4) Dave Kingman (1975-1977, 1981-1983)

Kingman also spent time in the outfield, but he played more than half of his games at first. He slammed 154 monster shots in his time as a Met; the only exciting thing on some miserable teams.

5) Ed Kranepool (1962-1979)

The original Met, Kranepool spent his entire 18-year career in Flushing. An All-Star in 1965, Kranepool held virtually every Mets hitting record when he retired.

To see more rankings in this series, click here.

Mug Shots courtesy Ultimate Mets Database