The New York Mets: Before and After 2006
As we all know, 2006 was an amazin' season for the Mets. But how about before. Most of you remember 1986. But start from the beginning. The Mets were born in 1962, and started playing at the Polo Grounds, and our mascot was named Mr. Met just a year later. And then in '64, started to play at Shea Stadium.
Just 7 years after birth, the Mets won a championship, beating the Orioles, it also was a great year for Tom Seaver, now in the Hall of Fame. Then again, in 1973 they went to play the Oakland Athletics in the World Series, but unfortunately, they didn't add a 2nd title in their 11-year existence.
It was pretty much quiet for the Mets until 13 years later, when the Mets met the Red Sox in the World Series. Great players like Keith Hernandez, Jesse Orosco, Dwight Gooden, Darryl Strawberry, Ron Darling, and Mookie Wilson enjoyed the magical season. The Mets were falling in the series, and almost did fall in Game 6, but most of you remember the mishandled ball by Bill Buckner, that sent Knight home, to advance the series. The Mets ended up winning Game 7, and the World Series. It ended an amazin' season for the Mets.
The Mets didn't have great years in the '90s, except 1999. We won the Wild Card, and made it to the playoffs. Unfortunately, it ended early. Fast forward a year later, and your in 2000. The Mets made it to the World Series to play the New York Yankees, pretty much beginning the term of 'Subway Series'. The Mets couldn't hold on though, and lost the series to the Yanks. Bobby Valentine ended his job as the manger in 2002. Art Howe took over, and did exactly NOTHING. Steve Phillips got fired as the Mets GM, and then Omar Minaya took over in 2004, and he knew exactly who to call to take over as manger for the 2005 season. He ended up contacting Willie Randolph. Willie turned the team around from a 71-91 record in 2004, to an 83-79 record in 2005. He also signed CF Carlos Beltran to a big deal, but he didn't impress in 2005. That changed dramatically in 2006.
A lot of new players came in 2006. Only 1 player on the Mets team was there playing as a Met in 2003. That was Tom Glavine. The Mets went 97-65 in 2006, and won the NL East Division Title for the first time in 18 years, also ending the Braves NL East Title streak of 14 years. Beltran ended up with 41 homers, 116 RBI. Reyes smacked up 19 homeruns, and 81 RBI as a lead-off hitter! David Wright had 26 homers, and 116 RBI. Delgado, a new Met, hit 38 homers, and 114 RBI. The Mets went on to the playoffs, sweeping the Dodgers in the NLDS, but having a very close series with the Cardinals in the NLCS. That series went 7 games, and despite Endy Chavez's remarkable catch to save a homer from happening, Mets lost 3-1 because of a bomb by Yadier Molina in the top of the ninth.
So far, 2007 is going well, but what about the rest of the season, and the seasons to come? Will the Mets have success in Citi Field starting in 2009? Will the Mets win the division title again? Will the Mets save a World Series title for Shea? It's for you, the fans, to decide that. Without you, the Mets wouldn't be here. Let's Go Mets!
Comments
The Mets record was actually 97-65 in 2006.
Posted by: Sam | April 23, 2007 09:46 AM
Well, over the past years, upon Omar becoming GM for the Mets & good ol' Willie becoming manager, then signing Beltran & pretty much the entire Mets lineup being revamped just a few years ago, they continue to make good moves. Signing Alou was a breath of fresh air, not saying Floyd was bad, but his injuries did have an effect on the lineup. He's really the only player that got traded on the off season that I will miss, I didn't like Woodward & Trachsel was way too inconsistant. Although Nady was a good player, Oliver Perez will come through for us in the long run if he can continue to pitch the way he did on saturday, which I was at Shea for. Luckily, Chavez did an amazing job in left & his catch in Game 7 of the NLCS was the best play I've ever seen in any sport in all 17 years of living (lol yes I'm young), especially when facing elimination. We also have a lot of talent waiting to be brought up from A, AA, & AAA, especially Lastings Milledge & Ricky Ledee. Like I said, once Pedro comes back, it's gonna be an even better. So far, we've managed to sign Pelfrey, who's bound to have a good year, Smith has just been plain awesome, & Schoeneweis who will get better as well. We have a solid pitching staff & a great variety of bench players. Also missing Mota, Williams, & Sanchez has also been an issue this season, but when all is said & done, the Mets will come out on top this season & for many years to come & when Citi Field goes up, all the other teams will go down!!!
Posted by: Sean Tobin | April 23, 2007 05:29 PM
Ricky Ledee a prospect? in 2007?
Posted by: Derek C. | April 23, 2007 07:24 PM
In order for the Mets to beat the Braves, they need a solid contribution from David Wright and Carlos Beltran, that is not happening!!
Mets should trade for Scott Kazmir!
Posted by: jon | April 23, 2007 07:51 PM
ok lots to say... first of all to Sam... in the article it did say 97-65, so I don't understand what you're trying to correct. Sean, Ledee sucks and thats why he's in the minors. he doesn't produce. And, Jon, seriously... if we traded players every time they had a few bad games we'd never get anywhere. Come on everyone, have a little faith. We're not doing that badly and there is plenty of time for those who are in a slump to come around. LETS GO METS!!!
Posted by: me | April 24, 2007 10:33 PM