28
2012
Roger Clemens and Mark McGwire – They Could Have Been Mets
An article by Barry Duchan
Whatever their legacy may be, there is no doubt that Roger Clemens and Mark McGwire were among the most dynamic, history-making, baseball players of their generation – and both easily could have been Mets.
The Mets drafted Clemens out of high school in the twelfth round of the 1981 amateur draft, but did not sign him. After putting up outstanding numbers at San Jacinto College, he transferred to the University of Texas where he led the Longhorns to the College World Series title.
Clemens was then drafted with the 19th pick of the first round by the Red Sox in the 1983 draft. The Mets had the very next pick and drafted Stan Jefferson with the compensation pick from the Braves’ signing of Pete Falcone. (Earlier the Mets drafted third baseman Eddie Williams with their own pick – number 4) . Would they have taken Clemens again if Boston hadn’t selected him one pick earlier ? Clearly, the Mets were scouting the Texas pitching staff since they later selected Calvin Schiraldi with their third choice in the first round.
As for McGwire, the Mets had the first choice in the 1984 draft and wound up taking Shawn Abner, but before the draft, strongly considered McGwire, clearly the best power hitter available with their number one pick. There were even reports that indicated the Mets were in negotiations with McGwire but when Mark and his father wouldn’t commit to signing, the Mets (and 8 other teams) passed on him and let him go to Oakland with the 10th pick.
Of course, who’s to say that even if the Mets had drafted and signed Clemens and McGwire, they wouldn’t have subsequently traded them away before they got more than a cup of coffee in the major leagues, as they did with Schiraldi, Abner, and Jefferson, but just imagine the 1986-1990 Mets (and maybe even beyond) with Clemens and McGwire!
About the Author: Barry Duchan
I've been following the Mets since 1962. Have to admit I was a Yankee fan as a kid, but I found it to be so much more interesting to see how a young team could build itself up rather than following a team where the season didn't really begin until October. I remember them all - Casey, Marv, ChooChoo, Don Bosch, The Stork, etc. As the years went on, I became more and more of a Mets fan, and a Yankee hater once Steinbrenner and Billy Martin entered the picture. After retiring, I relocated with my family from Long Island to Chapel Hill, NC in 2005. I spend a lot of my time now checking out all the various Mets blogs. Fortunately, I still get to watch almost all of the Mets games (except those that are blacked out here).
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NL East Standings
| Team | W | L | Pct. | GB |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Braves | 23 | 18 | .561 | - |
| Nationals | 23 | 19 | .548 | 0.5 |
| Phillies | 20 | 23 | .465 | 4.0 |
| Mets | 16 | 24 | .400 | 6.5 |
| Marlins | 11 | 31 | .262 | 12.5 |
Last updated: 05/18/2013
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Oh well
Sorry about the remark, but NOT a fan of either one so not sad.
Shawn Abner or Lil’ Abner. You could write a book about how many first round busts we’ve had.
Billy Beane and John Gibbons back to back in the 1st round in the 80 draft but we did come away with Straw that year so in that case 1 outta 3 aint bad when you get a slugger like the Strawman. Think about the dynasty we may have had if we did have Clemens and Big Mac on the team. Also in the 80 draft in the 8th round we selcted Lloyd McClendon ahead of Eric Davis. We could’ve had both Straw and Davis, best buddies in the same OF. Shoulda, woulda, coulda.
We also passed on Reggie Jackson in the draft back in the 60s, I forget what year. Instead we drafted some bum catcher who never amounted to anything in baseball. Mets really have some bad luck when it comes to drafting position players.
That was in 1966 the year I was born. We took Catcher Steve Chilcott instead of Reggie
In 20 years we will have two other guys to write a piece called “We Coulda Had” who we drafted but didn’t sign in 2012 who could be Hall of Famers, All Stars or Roid Users!
The old Coulda Shoulda Woulda!
Here is one I want to read about….
We coulda had Babe Ruth……If we had not waited until 1962 to form a team! LOL
Nothing personal about your piece Barry, Just pointing out that what seems like it’s not worth signing one year is something that could worth it 20 years of hindsight later!
We didn’t sign half a draft! and at least one of them if not two of them will go on to have a fine career despite all the excuses being made on Sandy’s defense for not signing them and by the time anyone notices how wrong that was they will be playing and winning someone else!
The moral of the story is, If you draft them then SIGN THEM! Cause whatever it takes to sign them is chump change compared to what you pay in Salary and Prospects once they show you they ARE worth having!