Tag: Florida Marlins

Hall of Fame Case: Gary Sheffield

There are 10 players eligible for induction into the Hall of Fame who have the Mets on some portion of their resume. Next is one of the most feared hitters of the 1990s and early 2000s whose short stint in New York to conclude his career was highlighted by a personal milestone.  The way Gary Sheffield prepared to swing and swung was much like the way he carried himself. He was a presence that...

Mets Worst Free-Agent Signing No. 7: Luis Castillo

This offseason, we’re looking at the Mets’ history with free agency. Leading off the list of forgettable signings were Roger Cedeño, Jeurys Familia, and James McCann. Next is a second baseman who starred for another NL East club, came to New York in a trade, but regressed once he was re-signed. Luis Castillo’s career as a Met is defined by a single play. Misplay would be more...

OTD 2016: Mike Piazza Elected to the Hall of Fame

His statistics minus context would have guaranteed him election on the first ballot. A 143 OPS+, a career .308 batting average, six seasons with at least 100 RBIs, plus 427 home runs. Impressive numbers made more so because of where he played on the field. The unofficial title of “Greatest Hitting Catcher” was deservedly given to Mike Piazza as his career concluded and as he...

Mets Best Free-Agent Signing No. 1: Mike Piazza

This offseason, we’re looking at the Mets’ history with free agency. This list may change in the coming years in terms of rankings and new additions (Maybe Carlos Correa? Possibly Justin Verlander?). But for now, we’ve featured an underdog pitcher at No. 10 up to the greatest center fielder at No. 2. And at the top of the list is a player who joined the team mid-season via...

A Look Back at the 1997 Mets

  The Mets of the late 90s are remembered for the acquisition of Mike Piazza in May 1998, Robin Ventura’s “Grand Slam Single,” and the postseason run of 1999. But the foundation for a winning culture began during a season in which they had low expectations and little experience with success. Bobby Valentine’s first full year as Mets manager may have been his most...

OTD 2006: Mets Beat Marlins To Clinch NL East Title

The 18-year wait for a division title ended on a Monday night at Shea Stadium, but it was a certainty for months. The Mets took over the NL East lead on April 6th and never gave it back, maintaining a healthy margin all summer long. Their superior play was rewarded with a postseason clinching earlier than any other team and occurred after a 4-0 win over the Florida Marlins. José Valentín...

OTD 1998: Mike Piazza’s Mets Debut

The only thing more unique than Mike Piazza’s journey to the Mets was the way in which he arrived in professional baseball. He was chosen in the 62nd round of the 1988 draft by the Los Angeles Dodgers as a favor by manager Tommy Lasorda to his friend and Mike’s dad, Vince. All Piazza did in his first five seasons was bat .337 and average 33 homers and 105 RBIs—remarkable for any...

OTD 1998: Mets Trade for Al Leiter

Whether good or bad, you always knew Al Leiter’s feelings in real-time. He wore emotions on his sleeve — and just about anywhere else he could. Leiter would’ve made a terrible poker player, but he was a terrific left-hander for the Mets with an infectious passion that the team fed off of during the late 1990s and early 2000s. At age 32, Leiter had been part of two World Series winners and...

Five Greatest Trades in Mets History

Most everyone when they talk “Mets” and “trades” usually discuss the bad ones. We’ve heard them all: Seaver to the Reds, Ryan-for-Fregosi, Dykstra and McDowell for Juan Samuel. But the Mets have been the beneficiaries of transactions and here are five of the best in the team’s 60-year history. 5. Donn Clendenon from the Montreal Expos  On the verge of...

OTD 2008: Injured Johan Santana Delivers in the Clutch

The best pitched game of Johan Santana’s Mets career? Most would naturally say the no-hitter on June 1, 2012 and you’d find little argument against it. But considering the circumstances, a case can be made for the penultimate day of the regular season 13 years ago — part of an emotional weekend with the playoffs at stake and Shea Stadium’s days numbered. Facing...

Amazin’ Memories: Mets Get Their Superstar Catcher

It was 22 years ago today that the New York Mets acquired catcher Mike Piazza from the Florida Marlins. The trade would change the trajectory of the franchise in more ways than one. One of the most feared sluggers in the game at the time, and a perennial MVP candidate, this would go down as one of the most lopsided deals the Mets ever made and this time it was in their favor. In return for the...

Reliving the 2000 Mets: Hampton Emerges, Rickey Exits

As the team made Pittsburgh their fourth and final stop on a 14-day, 13-game road trip which covered roughly 7,300 miles, the Mets had also yet right a steady course when it came to on-field performance. A couple of wins were followed with a string of losses. A solid victory was countered by a discouraging defeat. New York’s frustration exemplified itself in the Steel City on May 10, with...

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