You can find my Hernandez retired numbered tshirts at http://www.theprintmen.com (piazza also).

bryan
Metslifer.com

Hernandez (http://www.ultimatemets.com/profile.php?PlayerCode=0340)
Seas. G AB R H HR RBI BB IBB AVG SLG OBP
7 880 3164 455 939 80 468 471 59 .297 .429 .387

Piazza (http://www.ultimatemets.com/profile.php?PlayerCode=0600)
Seas. G A R H HR RBI BB IBB AVG SLG OBP
8 972 3478 532 1028 220 655 424 82 .296 .542 .373

I’ll admit that Piazza’s numbers are better, but Hernandez is a surprisingly productive, and in 3 of his seasons (1983, 1988, and 1989) he played in fewer than 95 games for the Mets, whereas Piazza played at least 109 games in all but one season (yes, Piazza was more durable, so points to him). However, if you go the websites I got the data from and look at Hernandez’s four peak seasons with the Mets, 1984-1987, you will see an extremely productive player; he averaged 15 HRs, 90 rbi, 88 runs scored, .305 avg. Piazza’s four peak seasons (1999-2002): 37 HRs, 107 rbi, 85 runs scored, .302 avg. I think it’s interesting to note that Piazza only generated about 15 more runs a season despite hitting about 22 more home runs a season.

During Hernandez’s four year peak the Mets’ average record was 97-65; they had one first place finish, one NLCS, and one World Championship, as well as three second place finishes where average number of games back was four. Had there been a Wild Card then, the Mets would have made the playoff during each of those seasons (in fact, when Mets fans lament lost championships in 1987 and 1988, I often think to myself that 1984 and 1985 were lost championship opportunities, Doc Gooden at least twice in each playoff round would have been good for 2 wins each round). Oh, let’s not forget that in 1988 the club won 100 games and a division title.

During Piazza’s four year peak the Mets’ average record was 87-75; they had no first place finishes, two second place finishes which yielded Wild Cards, a divisional series win, and one NLCS, one third place finish, one last place finish with a losing record (average number of games back 10) – most importantly, no World Championships.

During those peak runs, Hernandez was MVP runner-up, top 5 in MVP voting twice, top 10 in MVP voting 3 times, a 4 time Gold Glove winner, 3-time All Star, and 1 time Silver Slugger. During his peak runs, Piazza was top 5 in MVP voting once, top 10 in MVP voting twice, a 4 time All Star, and 4 time Silver Slugger.

In light of Hernandez’s offensive and defensive performance during the most successful run of the club’s history, I would argue that he is more deserving, and at least as deserving, of having his number retired than Piazza.

Wouldn’t it be unwise for the Mets to yank his number at a time when so much is going wrong with the Mets?

Imagine the potential public relations disaster a disgruntled Jose Reyes would create, and we have all seen how Jose performs when he feels slighted. (think Willie Randolph)

And to do this when he is on the verge of entering free agency and in a position to bolt the Mets and replace Derek Jeter across town, would be yet another unmitigated disaster.

Be careful what you wish for. Until Reyes moves on from the Mets or retires, poor Eddie may have to wait another decade before seeing his number on the wall at CitiField.

I would still like to see #7 – Ed Kranpool retired FIRST. No, he doesn’t have HOF numbers, but he is the only player to play his entire career as a Met and it wasn’t too shabby nor short.

Keith brought many good aspects, but I still think of him as a Cardinal. In 88 he and Straw were at odds and campaigned heavily against him for Kevin McReynolds so I don’t know how great he could have been in the Clubhouse at that point.

I’m not sold on Keith quite yet (not saying NO, but…….)

Soon the Mets will have no numbers for the team on the field.

I’ve think that with all the fans in mind, the Mets need to go to a three digit system:
#31, #16, #18, #5, #7, #57 become #031, #016, #018, #005, #007, #057

That would please future fans too who would have their say !!!!