19
2009
All Time Mets Fantasy Team – First Base
An article by 
Ever wanted to figure out what the all time best fantasy team would be comprised solely of New York Mets players based on actual single season stats?
The only eligibility to qualify was that the player had to play the position the majority of the time for the Mets in that season.
Here are twelve of the best seasons for a Mets first baseman ever.
| YR | PLAYER | AB | R | H | HR | RBI | AVG | OBP | SLG | SB |
| 1970 | D. Clendenon | 396 | 65 | 114 | 22 | 97 | .288 | .348 | .515 | 4 |
| 1980 | L. Mazzilli | 578 | 82 | 162 | 16 | 76 | .280 | .370 | .431 | 41 |
| 1984 | K. Hernandez | 550 | 83 | 171 | 15 | 94 | .311 | .409 | .449 | 2 |
| 1987 | K. Hernandez | 587 | 87 | 170 | 18 | 89 | .290 | .377 | .436 | 0 |
| 1990 | D. Magadan | 461 | 74 | 148 | 6 | 72 | .328 | .417 | .457 | 2 |
| 1993 | E. Murray | 610 | 77 | 174 | 27 | 100 | .285 | .325 | .467 | 2 |
| 1995 | R. Brogna | 495 | 72 | 143 | 22 | 76 | .289 | .342 | .485 | 0 |
| 1997 | J. Olerud | 524 | 90 | 154 | 22 | 102 | .294 | .400 | .489 | 0 |
| 1998 | J. Olerud | 557 | 91 | 197 | 22 | 93 | .354 | .447 | .551 | 2 |
| 1999 | J. Olerud | 581 | 107 | 173 | 19 | 96 | .298 | .427 | .463 | 3 |
| 2006 | C. Delgado | 524 | 89 | 139 | 38 | 114 | .265 | .361 | .548 | 0 |
| 2008 | C. Delgado | 598 | 96 | 162 | 38 | 115 | .271 | .353 | .518 | 1 |
I added Clendenon to the list so we could have at least one player represent the first decade in the franchise’s history. In truth though, the Mets have had some of the worst seasons I have ever seen from a first baseman. It was either feast or famine, and the above is surely the feast.
I added Lee Mazzilli only because that was a lofty number of stolen bases for a guy who played first base. His other numbers were not altogether different from Keith Hernandez in 1987.
Statistically, John Olerud may have had the best season in Mets history when he batted .354 in 1998. Although the Mets never won a World Series with Olerud, he may just be the best first baseman the Mets have ever had. It’s a shame they didn’t resign him in 2000 and opted for Todd Zeile instead. Maybe the Mets would have beaten the Yankees that year if they had Olerud batting third.
It’s interesting to note that Carlos Delgado holds his own in Mets history at the position. Everyone immediately thinks Keith Hernandez when the conversation comes up, and of course rightfully so. But statistically, his best season may not even be in the top five of the all time best seasons at first base.
Next up, second base.
About the Author: Joe DeCaro
Went to my first Mets game, a Mayors Trophy game at Shea, in '73. We beat the Yankees 8-4 and I was hooked. I marched in two Banner Day parades, and before the Grand Slam single, there was the "Hendu Can Do" grand slam - I was there. I've collected Mets memorabilia all my life and started Mets Merized Online to feed my addiction.
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John Olerud is easily one of my favorite Mets of all-time and it was unfortunate that he wanted to play closer to home in Seattle. Watching Daniel Murphy in his brief career reminds me of Olerud’s style, discipline, and approach to an atbat.
that’s a pretty sad list
41 stolen bases by a 1st baseman!! thats crazy
“It’s interesting to note that Carlos Delgado holds his own in Mets history at the position. Everyone immediately thinks Keith Hernandez when the conversation comes up, and of course rightfully so. But statistically, his best season may not even be in the top five of the all time best seasons at first base.”
Joe c’mon, you know better than to try to compare players across eras using unadjusted stats!! Here are the OPS+ and wRAA for each of these seasons (which adjust for each season):
OPS+
Clenndenon: 129
Mazzilli: 127
Hernandez: 143
Hernandez: 140 (this is 1986,a better year than 1987)
Magadan: 141
Murray: 111
Brogna: 119
Olerud: 135
Olerud: 163
Olerud: 128
Delgado: 131
Delgado: 127
wRAA
Clenndenon: 20.1
Mazzilli: 31.9
Hernandez: 31.9
Hernandez: 32.2
Magadan: 29.7
Murray: 9.3
Brogna: 10.2
Olerud: 29.6
Olerud: 54.1
Olerud: 35.5
Delgado: 23.6
Delgado: 20.4
In reality, Hernandez is 2nd only to Olerud offensively in Mets history (and it’s a close 2nd). He’s superior to Delgado offensively and defensively. We have to look at stats in context – 20 homeruns 20 years ago is totally different from 20 homers today.
And yes, I understand this is fantasy stats, but the same idea applies. In fantasy baseball during the 1984 and 1986 seasons, Hernandez would’ve been more valuable than Delgado in the 2006 and 2008 fantasy seasons.
Great posting here…
While Keith Hernanadez is probably considered the best first baseman in Mets history and deservedly so, John Olerud was a terrific hitter and fielder. While Keith was average at best in terms of running speed, John was a base clogger the likes of Eddie Kranepool. I too was ery unhapppy when the Mets let John get away over a few dollars!
Just another of Steve Phillips screw ups!
Olerud is from Washington state and went to college there. You don’t think maybe he wanted to play closer to home?