Photo by Ed Delany of MMO

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 approached Hall of Fame eligibility.

However, speculation of performance-enhancing drug use combined with the era in which he played kept him from being a sure-fire inductee. It took four years before he cleared the 75 percent threshold.

Piazza earned his spot in Cooperstown by garnering 83 percent of the electorate and would soon be announced as the second player to be inducted as a New York Met. Joining him was Ken Griffey Jr. — who interestingly surpassed the record for the highest voting percentage previously held by the other Hall of Famer who entered as a Met, Tom Seaver.

A 62nd round selection by the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1988, Piazza became the lowest-drafted player to get enshrinement. He was named the 1993 National League’s Rookie of the Year after hitting 35 home runs. Piazza would establish himself as one of the premier power hitters in baseball before a whirlwind sequence of trades over an eight-day span in May 1998 landed him with the Mets. It turned out to be one of the best deals the franchise has ever made.

The numbers he put up in Los Angeles are no doubt impressive, but his greatest achievements — and his greatest impact on an organization — came during his seven-and-a-half years in Queens: leading the Mets to consecutive postseason appearances including the 2000 National League pennant, six All-Star appearances, and the unforgettable home run in the first game in New York City following the events of September 11th. On his way to becoming the most prolific home run-hitting catcher in baseball history, Piazza compiled 220 of them with the Mets while also driving in 655 runs. He still holds the highest slugging percentage in team history, ranks second in OPS, and third in homers.

In his retirement statement, Piazza left no doubt about where his closest loyalties lie.

“One of the hardest moments of my career was walking off the field at Shea Stadium and saying goodbye,” he said. “My relationship with you made my time in New York the happiest of my career, and for that, I will always be grateful.”

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Lindor Walks off Cards

After making a habit of delivering clutch hits in 2024, Francisco Lindor had another one leftover in the first month of 2025. But it was still uncharted territory for the Mets’ shortstop. April 18th at Citi Field marked the first time Lindor had a walk-off home run in his five seasons in New York.

There was little doubt it too. His 250th career homer was crushed into the upper deck in right field. Lindor didn’t need to watch it, or celebrate it much for that matter, but just about everyone else in the ballpark certainly did.

Not only did the Mets shortstop finally earn his first All-Star nod in New York, but he also made the 30-30 club for the second time in three years.

Nimmo Finds Nine

Among the many offseason exits, Brandon Nimmo had all indications of being a career-long Met. For his career, he is one of the best outfielders in team history. One part of the franchise record book that he shared a place at the top is single-game RBIs.

Nimmo wrote his name in that second at Nationals Park on April 28 while also getting out of a major early-season slump. He went 4-for-6 with two home runs and drove in nine to match what Carlos Delgado did at Yankee Stadium nearly 17 years earlier. Even more impressive was that all of Nimmo’s work came in the span of just three innings as New York routed Washington, 19-5.

David Peterson (23) – Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images

Peterson Goes the Distance

David Peterson had a strong first half. That was never more evident than how he fared during his June 11th outing against the Nats.

He blanked Washington in a 5-0 victory for his first career complete game and the first Mets shutout by a left-handed pitcher since Steven Matz in 2019. It was also just the third complete game by a New York pitcher over the last five years.

Peterson allowed six hits and didn’t give up a walk. With 97 pitches through eight, Carlos Mendoza gave the lefty a chance to finish the job. He retired the Nationals in order with a lineout, a strikeout and a groundout.

Fireworks on Independence Day

While the June tailspin signaled the team’s eventual second-half struggles, the home series against the Yankees was a promise that it could have been an aberration. Despite less-than-favorable starting pitching matchups, the Mets held their own. Back-to-back home runs to start the opener from Jasson Domínguez and Aaron Judge were answered by a two-run homer from Juan Soto.

The lead went back-and-forth before Jeff McNeil came through with a seventh-inning homer that turned a one-run Mets deficit into a one-run advantage. The upper-deck shot, interestingly enough, was against Luke Weaver. McNeil did a little more to preserve the win with a sprawling save of a ground ball in the ninth.

Late-Game Explosion in Baltimore

It was hard to find a time when the top four in the batting order was in rhythm. July 8th was one of those times.

Trailing 6-2 into the top of the eighth, and with a 4-34 record thus far this season when trailing after seven innings, the bulk of the Mets’ lineup muscled its way back into the game. Two singles were bracketed by two-run homers from Lindor and Pete Alonso to match the Orioles at four apiece.

Juan Soto singled in the tie-breaking run on the first pitch of the 10th to score Lindor. With Edwin Díaz having already been used, it was Huascar Brazobán who finished off the save.

Alonso Does it

As fans cope with the departures of longtime favorites, none will be as hard to accept as losing the beloved “Polar Bear.” Even if there was a very real possibility he’d be in a different uniform before 2025, seeing him in orange and black instead of orange and blue will take time. That final season, at least, gave Pete Alonso the opportunity to make club history.

It was inevitable as long as he remained a Met: setting the all-time career home run record. Darryl Strawberry held it at 252 for nearly 35 years. On August 12th, he ceremoniously passing the crown over to Alonso.

A tracer that just cleared the fence in right-center field.

Welcome Nolan McLean

Within less than two months, the 24-year-old right-hander showed why he already has ace potential.

The Mets’ pitching needs had been at an emergency level by the time he was called up from Triple-A to take the mound on a Saturday afternoon versus the Mariners. His 5.1 scoreless innings were exactly what they needed.

McLean had exceeded expectations with that first outing. Then, he proceeded to take it up a few levels. He held the Braves to two runs over seven innings on August 22. Five days later, he faced the Phillies at Citi Field: eight innings, no runs, no walks. He became the first Met to win in each of his first three starts.

Over 48 innings, McLean had a 2.06 ERA with 57 strikeouts.

Díaz Walks the Tightrope

The importance of this win, at the moment, was huge. With both the Mets and Reds neck-and-neck for the final Wild Card spot, this could’ve meant the difference between a postseason berth and being on the outside looking in. No matter what, it’s still one of Edwin Díaz’s greatest escapes.

Not even a bases-loaded, no-out situation or an untied shoe could stop him. Díaz tied his cleats and prevented Cincinnati from scoring, even getting over to cover first as Luisangel Acuña made a marvelous play at second base to help get the final out. New York preserved it’s 5-4 lead in the ninth…somehow.

Rally Time at Wrigley

The clutch gene was lacking all season. The ability to get off the mat was lacking. But on September 23rd, some of what made 2024 so special was unearthed in Chicago. Down 6-1 entering the fifth, the Mets came all the way back as Lindor and Alonso’s run-scoring hits preceded Brandon Nimmo’s three-run homer.

New York and Chicago traded scores before Francisco Álvarez answered in the loudest way possible. Alvarez spent much of the year either injured or in the minor leagues. Now, with less than ten working fingers, he had given the Mets their biggest swing yet. New York held that 9-7 lead with a six-out save from Díaz.

Juan Soto Goes 30-30

One of the most sought-after (and well-paid) free agents ever enjoyed one of the greatest statistical years by a Mets position player. Soto’s final totals in walks, home runs, runs scored, OPS+, and bWAR were each among the franchise’s all-time single-season top 10 in their respective categories.

Hitting more than 40 homers might’ve been expected for the 26-year-old slugger. Stealing 38 bases, easily a career-high, was not. It tied him with Pittsburgh’s Oneil Cruz for the most in the National League and helped Soto finish third in the MVP voting.

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10. Marathon in Oakland

Game 2 of the 1973 World Series against the A’s was (for 23 years) the longest played by time. It remains one of the craziest as well. This game lasted four hours and 13 minutes and featured a fair share of miscues on both sides. Even the umpires were prone to mistakes, none more famous than a missed call when Bud Harrelson tried to score on a fly ball to left field.

Fortunately for the Mets, they salvaged a split with a 10-7, 12-inning victory. The blinding sun did no favors to fielders trying to make otherwise routine plays. Not even Willie Mays, in his final appearance, was immune. The A’s Mike Andrews contributed two errors in the late stages, which led to him being forcibly dismissed by owner Charles O. Finley.

9. Subway Series Victory

After coming agonizingly close to beating the Yankees in the first two games in The Bronx, the Mets could claim a win once the series got back to Shea Stadium. The Yankees, as usual, didn’t make it easy.

The Mets rallied to tie it in the sixth on a Todd Zeile RBI double. Then, in the eighth, Zeile singled and Benny Agbayani drove him home with a go-ahead double. Bubba Trammell added an insurance run with a sacrifice fly. John Franco earned the win and Armando Benítez closed the door, snapping the Yankees’ incredible 14-game World Series winning streak.

8. Carter’s Two Homers

The Mets evened the ’86 World Series with the Red Sox behind two home runs from their future Hall of Fame catcher, Gary Carter, who was making his first World Series appearance after 13 big-league seasons. The first blast came in the top of the fourth against Sox starter Al Nipper, and the second was a mammoth shot over the Green Monster on a curveball from reliever Steve Crawford.

Carter’s three RBIs and multi-homer game were the driving force behind the Mets’ 6-2 victory at Fenway Park.

“All I got on my mind is getting that World Series ring,” he said in the postgame interview. Carter was ensured he’d get that ring a few days later.

7. Wright Has the Power

He had spent 12 seasons waiting to make the Fall Classic. He had spent many months just hoping to be healthy. In his first World Series at-bat in New York (and the first World Series game at Citi Field) with a runner on base, David Wright sent a towering drive over the left-center field fence and sent the crowd into a frenzy. Wright’s classic swing put the Mets on top, 2-1. New York went on to capture their lone win of the series, 9-3, with Wright tacking on two more RBIs in the sixth with a single to center.

6. Dykstra Provides a Spark

Being down 2-0 in the series following a pair of losses at home, the Mets were in desperate need of a quick start in Boston. How’s a leadoff homer in the top of the first? Lenny Dykstra went deep against Red Sox starter Oil Can Boyd on the third pitch of the game.

Dykstra’s homer kicked off a four-run inning and helped swing the momentum in New York’s favor. Bob Ojeda took it from there, delivering a wonderful start against his former team as the Mets cruised to a 7-1 victory.

5. Seaver, Swoboda Save the Day

The Mets’ ace didn’t pitch like one in the 1969 World Series opener with the Orioles. He did on this afternoon, however, with New York holding a 2-1 series edge.

Tom Seaver went all 10 innings and allowed just a run on six hits. But he had some help. With the Mets up 1-0 in the ninth and runners on the corners, Brooks Robinson drove a sinking liner to right field. Ron Swoboda was not a great defender, but he was here. In fact, he made a catch that’s still unbelievable. His diving, backhanded grab before the ball touched the ground prevented the O’s from taking the lead.

The Mets won in the bottom of the 10th on a controversial error made on a J.C. Martin bunt, giving New York the chance to close it out at home.

4. Agee Takes Over

Is it possible for one player to win a game by himself? The Mets’ center fielder put that question to the test in the first World Series game at Shea Stadium.

Tommie Agee was known best for his glove, and he showcased that with two incredible catches. In the fourth inning with men on first and third, Agee made a backhanded running catch at the 396-foot mark on a ball off the bat of Elrod Hendricks. Then in the seventh, with the bases loaded and Nolan Ryan pitching, Agee dove by the warning track in right-center and hauled in a liner by Paul Blair.

Those two defensive gems overshadowed his leadoff home run against Jim Palmer. Agee saved five runs and created one for his own team in a 5-0 Mets victory.

3. “The Dream Has Come True”

The Mets were supposed to be World Series champions from the beginning of the 1986 season. They fulfilled that promise. The way in which they did it showed that for all their dominance, they had character and resolve when it mattered most.

For all the dramatics that played out in Game 6, the winner-take-all Game 7 was anything but a sure thing for New York. Boston jumped out to a 3-0 lead and held it into the sixth. That’s when the Mets’ offense finally got to Bruce Hurst. It loaded the bases for Keith Hernandez, who delivered the biggest hit of his career when he drove in two with a single to center. New York went on to score eight runs over the final three innings — including MVP Ray Knight‘s seventh-inning homer off Calvin Schiraldi and Darryl Strawberry‘s cherry-on-top blast in the eighth.

Jesse Orosco prevented the Red Sox from evening it in the top half of the inning, holding the tying run at second. He got the final three outs in order and initiated a celebration that was some six months in the waiting.

2. The Miracle is Complete

In April 1969, humans were hundreds of thousands of miles away from setting foot on the moon just as the Mets seemed far away from a World Series title. By October 15, both distances had been covered and both feats had been achieved.

With the Orioles up 3-0 and poised to take the series back to Baltimore, Cleon Jones was hit by a pitch (the famous “shoe polish” tactic from manager Gil Hodges). Donn Clendenon belted his third homer of the series to pull New York to within a run.

Al Weis, emblematic of the unlikely nature of the Mets’ unexpected success, delivered in the seventh with a game-tying home run — the only round-tripper he hit at Shea all year — to finish off a fabulous .455 batting average over the five games. Two doubles and two Oriole errors in the eighth led to a 5-3 Mets lead.

It was an advantage the Mets’ superb big-game pitcher would protect. Jerry Koosman allowed just one hit over the final six innings while his hitters mounted their comeback. The final out came off the bat of Davey Johnson and landed in the glove of Cleon Jones in left field.

1. Game 6

It’s been talked about, shown, and debated a million times over (at least). In film, in books, and in spoken word, October 25, 1986, is among the greatest days in the history of the universe for Mets fans and (for a while) among the worst for Red Sox fans.

Wally Backman and Hernandez flew out to start the bottom of the 10th with New York down two runs. It brought Boston within one out of its first title since 1918 and the Mets to within one out of their season being a colossal disappointment.

The rest is a sequence of events that remains unbelievable. A Gary Carter single, a Kevin Mitchell single, a Ray Knight single, a wild pitch by Bob Stanley, all leading up to Mookie Wilson‘s grounder.

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Within that 14-year span, he broke records, made seven All-Star teams, was an elite third baseman both in the field and at the plate, and was the face of a franchise that far too often didn’t come close to meeting the standards he was at. In spite of setbacks, many beyond his control, he carried himself as a true leader—a player that fans could relate to and be proud of. Wright built a legacy that has made him a Mets immortal and among the most Amazin’ to ever wear orange and blue.

Welcome to the Bigs – July 21, 2004

It was meant to be. He rooted for the Mets growing up in the Tidewater area of Virginia. After being drafted in 2001, Wright blossomed in the minor league system and never gave the organization reason to question him as a cornerstone player-in-waiting. David went hitless in his major league debut at Shea Stadium versus the Montreal Expos, but made several impressive plays in the field. The necessary tools to become the third base fixture and team leader were evident.

Although it was a small sample size of 69 games and 263 at-bats, Wright finished ’04 with a .293 batting average, 14 home runs, and 40 RBIs while carrying himself in a manner unusual for a 21-year-old. It was one of the few bright spots in an otherwise dismal Mets season.

Glove Not Required – August 9, 2005

Easily his greatest defensive highlight occurred at Petco Park during his first full big-league season. San Diego’s Brian Giles lifted a soft fly ball over Wright’s head in the seventh inning—a certain hit (usually). It would’ve been tough enough to make the play with a mitt. So as he ran back for the ball, he tracked the trajectory and where it was headed—leaving him little choice about the next course of action.

Wright reached out with his throwing hand. While falling down, he held on to the ball before landing on the grass in shallow left. It was one of the best catches you’ll ever see, by a Met or anyone.

Subway Series Classic – May 19, 2006

What’s the lasting image of David Wright? For many, it’s him running out of the batter’s box after a drive to straightaway center field and leaping with hope multiple times before exulting after he had delivered the game-winning hit to beat Mariano Rivera and the Yankees.

He faced a legendary closer with the score sitting at 6-6 in the bottom of the ninth. On a 2-2 pitch, Rivera threw his patented cutter down in the strike zone.

Johnny Damon couldn’t get it. Paul Lo Duca scored to ensure a thrilling victory in one of the best Subway Series games ever. It was also a series that carried extra significance for the Mets, as it came in the midst of their best regular season since the start of the decade, coupled with the emergence of a new face of the franchise.

A Homer Happy All-Star Debut – July 10 & 11, 2006

Ignore the fact that after the Home Run Derby, Wright’s second-half power numbers tailed off significantly. But that night (and the next) was a national coming-out party for David. He ended up second to the Phillies’ Ryan Howard in the derby. But nobody told him the contest was over.

Wright stepped up for his first All-Star Game at-bat and hit a liner off former Met Kenny Rogers in the second inning that cleared the short left-field fence. Wright was one of six Mets selected to the National League squad in a season when the East was already a runaway by the unofficial midway point. The American League’s comeback victory prevented Wright from potentially being the game’s MVP.

Welcome to the Club – September 16, 2007

His third base predecessor Howard Johnson did it three times. Darryl Strawberry accomplished it as well. Now it was Wright’s turn to enter the select 30-homer, 30-steal circle. An opposite-field homer against Philadelphia made David the first 30-30 Met since HoJo in 1991.

While September 2007 was certainly a month to forget for his team, Wright did not suffer down the stretch. In fact, he had a 1.034 OPS over the regular season’s final 27 games and would’ve made a strong case for NL MVP if the Mets hadn’t completely cratered.

Lone Walk-off Homer – August 7, 2008

He held the Mets record for walk-off hits before it was broken by Wilmer Flores, but only once did a game-ender leave the park. It couldn’t have come at a better time for the player or the club. Both Wright and the Mets were struggling. New York had lost five of six, and manager Jerry Manuel even considered sitting David for this afternoon’s contest versus the San Diego Padres. But Wright proved his worth. He singled in the first, doubled in the fifth, and punctuated his three-hit day with a two-out, two-run homer against Heath Bell.

First Mets Citi Field Blast – April 13, 2009

Who better? And how ironic also, considering the original canyon-like dimensions helped to severely limit Wright’s power numbers for years to come. After he laced a double down the right field line in the bottom of the first for the Mets’ initial hit in their new ballpark, Wright came up with two on and two out in the fifth, and the Mets down by three. He had enough lift and distance to send it about 390 feet. Back then, that was *barely* enough to get it over “The Great Wall of Flushing.” That briefly tied the score at five, but the San Diego Padres would be the home-opening spoiler.

The Hit King – September 26, 2012

He had already become the leader in nearly every significant offensive category: RBIs, runs scored, extra-base hits, and total bases. A little more than eight years into his career, David surpassed Ed Kranepool for the most hits ever by a New York Met. But it didn’t happen in typical David Wright fashion. The record-breaker was a dribbler down the third-base line. The attempted throw to get Wright out sailed wide of first, and he advanced on the throwing error. But they all count the same. After that infield single, the count was a historic 1,419.

“Captain” Made Official – March 21, 2013

Dating back to his start in the big leagues, Wright embodied the qualities that make a team captain. Eight full seasons into his career, and having signed an extension earlier that off-season, the Mets gave him the title he deserved. Wright became the fourth player in franchise history to have the honor, joining Keith Hernandez, Gary Carter, and John Franco. It was the first time anyone held the title since Franco left the team in 2004. A leader by example, he exemplified professional success and personal character, which earned respect from those in the clubhouse and throughout the league.

Your All-Star Host – July 16, 2013

When the Mets hosted a Midsummer Classic for the first time in almost 50 years, the man playing in his seventh served as an unofficial ambassador. His duties included participating in the Home Run Derby and receiving the ceremonial first pitch from Tom Seaver, who not surprisingly, has the most All-Star selections of any Amazin’ with nine. Wright also won the fan balloting at third base and manager Bruce Bochy slotted him in the clean-up spot of the starting lineup. He singled in the seventh inning off Greg Holland—the last of his three at-bats in the game and, as it turned out, his final All-Star appearance.

Returning with Thunder – August 24, 2015

In the top of the second inning at Citizens Bank Park, Wright prepared to take his first swing in 133 days. Once a mainstay in the Mets lineup, he had missed over four months. First, it was a hamstring injury, and then, because of the dreaded spinal stenosis, the ailment which would ultimately cause the premature end of his career. It wasn’t a certainty he’d ever return.  Now, Wright was facing Phillies starter Adam Morgan. The 1-1 pitch went over the heart of the plate. David swung and did not miss. It wasn’t just a home run, it was a moonshot.

The Fist-Pump – September 7, 2015

This was the unleashing of stored energy. Wright ran from first base off a liner to right-center by Yoenis Céspedes in the seventh inning of the series opener with the Washington Nationals. The ball was retrieved on the warning track by Bryce Harper. Wright turned for home. With his team eying a first postseason berth since he was a rising star in 2006, the emotion of the moment came out soon after he slid safely ahead of the throw from Anthony Rendon and the tag from Wilson Ramos. The Mets won that day, the next, and ultimately completed a three-game sweep to sew up the division title.

A World Series Homer to Remember – October 30, 2015

He had spent 12 seasons waiting to make the Fall Classic. He had spent many months just hoping to be healthy. In his first World Series at-bat in New York (and the first World Series game at Citi Field) with a runner on base, he sent a towering drive over the left-center field fence and sent the crowd into a frenzy. Wright’s classic swing put the Mets on top, 2-1. New York went on to capture their lone win of the series, 9-3, with Wright tacking on two more RBIs in the sixth with a single to center.

Farewell, Captain – September 28, 2018

On the penultimate day of the regular season, Wright bid goodbye to a New York audience that watched him grow up. With setbacks that would’ve forced a less determined player to quit, Wright was too proud to go out that way. After returning the previous night for his first at-bat in more than two years, an anticipatory sellout crowd at Citi Field was there for the finale. Wright made two plate appearances: drawing a walk in the first and popping out to foul territory in the fourth. Before the fifth inning started, it was time for the final send-off and an ovation that was both long and very much deserved.

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When it began in 1997, it was more than just a novelty. City bragging rights were on the line, and the stakes were heightened further when the teams met in the World Series just a few years later. The energy is almost always electric, and this weekend is certainly no exception, providing another chance to etch new moments into Subway Series history.

June 16, 1997

The inaugural regular-season meeting turned into Dave Mlicki‘s finest hour.

The 29-year-old started this historic meeting and proceeded to become the only Met to throw a shutout at Yankee Stadium—current or previous. Although he allowed nine hits and two walks over 119 pitches and managed to record a 1-2-3 inning just once, he struck out eight and avoided trouble.

Bernard Gilkey scored three times, with his initial run coming on a John Olerud first-inning double off Andy Pettitte as the Mets jumped out to a 3-0 lead. They added two more on Olerud’s seventh-inning single and another on Gilkey’s ninth-inning sac fly. The Yankees had more traffic on the bases in the ninth, but despite three singles, Mlicki preserved his scoreless effort—striking out Derek Jeter to finish off the 5-0 victory.

July 10, 1999

Mariano Rivera and the Yankees had won 124 straight times after taking a lead into the eighth. That wasn’t going to stop the Mets, even if they had to overcome six home runs.

A Mike Piazza 482-foot moon shot in the seventh was countered by the power of Yankee bats.

Down to their final out and behind by a run, Matt Franco helped defy the odds. His bases-loaded single to right field brought in Rickey Henderson and Edgardo Alfonso to put an exclamation point on a 9-8 win that remains arguably the best Mets victory of the Subway Series era.

June 27, 2008

Carlos Delgado came out of a slump in historic fashion by setting the Mets’ single-game record for RBIs in a 15-9 rout. This was the opener of a cross-town, two-stadium doubleheader, but Delgado helped make Yankee Stadium feel like Shea. With the score tied at four, Delgado drove in two with a fifth-inning double into the right field corner. His next opportunity came in the sixth with the bases loaded. One swing turned a relatively close game into a blowout on a no-doubt grand slam to right center.

His 443rd career homer put him ahead of Dave Kingman on the all-time list, the same man who previously held the single-game franchise mark for RBIs. The contest was 12-5 in the eighth, but Delgado didn’t ease up. Locking in on a LaTroy Hawkins pitch, he rocketed it into the right field stands that were now half-empty, and many of those who remained were happy.

June 12, 2009

You know the Subway Series has weight when a regular season loss still stings. I needed a drink just to help while researching on Baseball Reference. For those who saw it, I’m sorry. For those actually at Yankee Stadium, I’m really sorry. For those who were lucky to miss it, don’t watch. Here it is in excruciating detail.

The Yankees trailed by one and were down to their last out with runners on first and second as Francisco Rodríguez graced the mound. Alex Rodriguez popped it up in the vicinity of second baseman Luis Castillo, who drifted to his left for an easy game-ending catch … not.

It clanked off the heel of his glove. Jeter scored, as did Mark Teixeira. Yankees 9, Mets 8. The career of Castillo, as well as the ’09 season, never recovered.

May 28, 2013

Matt Harvey continued his stellar first full season with ten strikeouts and one run allowed, but encountered tough luck.

Hiroki Kuroda’s seven shutout innings, followed by David Robertson’s easy eighth, made Harvey prime for a loss. That Yankee lead disappeared after a rare spurt of Amazin’ offense, however. The Mets honored Rivera in his farewell season by having him toss out the series finale’s honorary first pitch. He also threw the last pitch—but this time, the only ceremony was to initiate a Mets win.

He came back onto the Citi Field mound with the Yanks up 1–0 in the ninth. When he left, the Yankees had lost 2-1 and Rivera didn’t record an out. Three straight hits by Daniel Murphy, Wright and Lucas Duda engineered the game-ending rally.

September 12, 2021

This game rekindled the tension and combativeness of the Subway Series. The Mets opened the three-game set with a 10-run outburst, followed the next night by an emotional 8-7 Yankees victory on the 20th anniversary of 9/11. Then came the finale: also known as Francisco Lindor‘s first signature Mets moment.

For all his struggles during his initial season in Queens, this night was a turning point. His home run in the second turned a 2-1 deficit into a 4-2 lead. His next long ball in the sixth increased the Met lead to two. After exchanging words with the opposition (with support from Javy Báez) an inning later, Lindor backed up the talk with more action: a tie-breaking blast to deep right field that put his team in front for good in the eighth.

June 25-26 & July 23-24, 2024

The Yankees hold a 84-67 advantage dating back to ’97. The Mets, however, have had the edge of late, including last season’s four-game sweep. Outscoring them 36-14 and hitting 13 homers, it was just the second time the orange and blue went unbeaten against the Bombers in a single season.

How well did it go for the Mets? Lefty reliever Jake Diekman, sporting an ERA of 5.63, was given the chance to face Aaron Judge in the ninth inning of a 3-2 game…and struck him out. Just like we all thought he would.

The finale was a Mets party in the Bronx: a 12-3 victory at Yankee Stadium in which Gerrit Cole was inefficient for the second time on the year while Lindor hit two homers and drove in five.

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If there was a “nice guy” Hall of Fame, he’d be a first-ballot inductee. Beyond his playing ability, Curtis Granderson was the epitome of professionalism. Hard work, hustle, class and his smile earned him tremendous respect league-wide over his 16-year career.

Granderson arrived in Queens following four seasons in the Bronx with the Yankees. At his introductory press conference, he stated, “real New Yorkers are Mets fans”. This, among other things, made him easy to root for. He totaled a 10.9 bWAR during his time with the Mets and was a significant factor during their run to the 2015 World Series when he slashed .259/.364/.457 with 26 home runs. He hit 30 more homers the following year, one of four times in which he equaled or exceeded that number.

The Case For

Granderson made seven stops—from Detroit to New York and elsewhere—between 2004 and 2019 in a career that included 344 home runs, 937 RBIs and 153 stolen bases. He was a true five-tool player with the Tigers. That array of talents was showcased best in 2007, when he accumulated the highest bWAR of his career (7.6), along with the rare 20-double, 20-triple, 20-homer, 20-steal season. Only two other major leaguers at that time had ever achieved such a feat.

If 2007 wasn’t his best season, however, then 2011 was. As a Yankee that year, Granderson hit 41 home runs and established career-highs in slugging percentage (.552), OPS (.916), OPS+ (142), runs (136) and RBIs (119). He led the majors in runs scored and the American League in runs batted in. He also stole 25 bases, earned his only Silver Slugger Award and finished fourth in AL MVP voting. The next year, he hit 42 homers and earned his second-straight All-Star selection (third overall).

Although Granderson never won a Gold Glove, he was a solid outfielder who finished with 32 Defensive Runs Saved. Additionally, by the definition of the character clause, he has that in abundance: his philanthropic efforts helped earn him the 2016 Roberto Clemente Award.

The Case Against

It was only in that 2007 season when Granderson had a WAR higher than 7.0. His career 47.2 WAR is below fellow 2025 candidates Jimmy Rollins, David Wright, Torii Hunter and Dustin Pedroia.

According to JAWS, a metric which is calculated by averaging a player’s career WAR with the total WAR from his seven-year peak, Granderson ranks No. 33 among center fielders. It’s better than a handful of Hall of Fame players but behind non-Hall members Devon White, Brett Butler and Bernie Williams.

By the standards of the similarity scores on Baseball Reference, Granderson’s number is closest to quality players who are admittedly not getting in: Justin Upton, Bobby Bonds, Ron Gant and José Bautista.

The 2011 season was the only one in which he finished in the top five of MVP voting. He was No. 10 in 2007 and No. 18 in 2015, and three All-Star appearances is particularly low for someone vying for the Hall of Fame.

There was nothing in particular that stood out when it comes to his postseason resume either. Over 16 series, which included 15 games as a Met, he had a .741 OPS with nine homers, nine steals and 30 RBIs.

Final Thoughts

With all due respect, this is an open and shut case. Grandy is not a Hall of Famer, and the better question is whether he’d receive the necessary five percent of votes to simply remain on the writer’s ballot. He had a few years that can be considered elite, but in order to get to Cooperstown, you need more than a few. Overall, Granderson was a very good player with an exceptional reputation.

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We now know the ‘when’ is July 19. That’s the day one of the best in franchise history joins the rest.

It’s easy to claim Wright as a forever Met—not because this is the only organization he played for. The seven-time All-Star took a liking to the team while growing up a deep fly ball away the Triple-A club in Norfolk, VA.

Wright wore orange and blue for 14 seasons, breaking the team record in hits, runs scored, total bases, and batted in, and compiling the highest bWAR among position players. And he did it with professionalism and joy that fellow Mets fans could be proud of.

He excelled through the minor-league system after being drafted in 2001. For more than 40 seasons, the Mets pretty much had a revolving door at the third base position. July 21, 2004 ended that. It wouldn’t be long before his on-field skill and pleasant off-field demeanor were readily present.

Wright didn’t wilt in the New York spotlight. By his second full season, he had fully embraced it. Meanwhile, the Mets were emerging as a National League force.

In 2006, Wright reached his first postseason. The Mets cruised to the division title behind the best in the game at the hot corner. Wright was one of two NL players to bat better than .310 with 25 homers, 116 RBIs, and 40 doubles.

Fast-forward to 2015, and Wright was in the postseason again—his second and final time. In between, there were many successes and setbacks—both for himself and the team he represented.

By historical and logical measures, the Mets had the 2007 NL East title sewn up. But not even a seven-game lead with 17 games remaining was safe. The seams burst over the final three weeks. Wright, however, was not to blame. He had a 1.034 OPS in September with 38 hits and nine doubles. By year’s end, he became the third Met to have a 30-homer, 30-steal season along with a 149 OPS+. It’s a certainty that had New York not relinquished the division to the Phillies, Wright would have been the MVP.

Next year came another late-season demise in spite of Wright’s efforts. During this September, he posted a .993 OPS with a .416 on-base percentage and 21 RBIs. Overall, Wright’s 2008 featured a career-high in homers (33), at least 40 doubles for the fourth straight year, and his 124 RBIs were a single-season team record.

By now, the Mets were now building their roster around Wright. But their new stadium certainly wasn’t. Although he christened Citi Field with the home team’s first home run, long balls were sporadic at best. The dimensions penalized right-handed power hitters, and they especially hurt the team’s biggest name. Wright managed a mere five homers at Citi in 2009 (as opposed to the 21 he hit at Shea in ’08). He had just 10 for the year and struck out an alarming 140 times.

The cavernous Citi Field layout wasn’t the only misfortune. In a year marred by the team’s financial ruin, injury, and underperformances, the typically durable Wright found himself on the disabled list—the result of a rising fastball to the helmet during an at-bat versus San Francisco’s Matt Cain. He was batting .324 at the time. He returned two weeks later with post-concussion symptoms and hit only .239 for the rest of the season.

As the Mets sank deeper into mediocrity, he remained the reliable star fans could cling to. In 2010, despite a higher strikeout rate (24%) and the lowest batting average since his rookie year, he regained his power stroke and hit out 29 while driving in 103 (the fifth time he eclipsed 100 RBIs).

Wright was on a Hall of Fame track as he approached age 30. But 2012 would be the last time he’d play in at least 135 games. From there, we were left to enjoy Wright in small doses. Although he was healthy enough to participate heavily in the All-Star festivities in and around Citi Field in 2013, a right hamstring injury a month later limited him to 58 RBIs. A left rotator cuff contusion early in 2014 cost him a significant portion of his power. He hit only eight home runs.

Dependability had been one of Wright’s signature traits. From 2005 through 2010, he played in 935 of the Mets’ 972 games. Seeing him man third base and bat in the heart of the Mets order had become a summer ritual in Queens. There was little reason to think his May 2011 lower-back stress fracture, which kept him out for two months and derailed any hopes of a productive year, was anything but an aberration. The way he played in 2012, with 21 homers, 93 RBIs, and a .306 average in 156 games quieted any concerns.

Through it all, Wright remained as stand-up a person as ever. He spoke with tact on behalf of the team in good times and in bad. He never threw anyone under the bus even when it would have been very easy to do so. And through this trial by fire, he became the de facto leader in the clubhouse—a role that would only grow in stature.

Following the 2012 season, he agreed to a seven-year contract extension to effectively ensure him “Met-for-life” status. This had been a franchise that shied away from long-term contracts to players in their 30s, but Wright was a special case. He would later be named the fourth captain in team history.

But while he was gaining stature, he was losing opportunities to build a Cooperstown resume. In 2015, while trying to recover from another hamstring issue, he was diagnosed with spinal stenosis. This was considered, at best, career-threatening. But Wright was not about to let a pennant race go by without taking part in it.

When the leader of the Mets rejoined the club in August 2015, he homered into the upper deck in Philadelphia in his first at-bat. In a key September matchup with second-place Washington, Wright scored from first base on a double. Unleashing energy and frustration of the recent past, he demonstratively fist-pumped and let out a primal scream as the Mets were closing in on a division title. In the NL East clincher in Cincinnati, he put the icing on the cake to help finish off a blowout victory. And it was appropriate that in the first World Series contest at Citi Field, Wright delivered a booming home run to left field in the opening inning of Game 3.

The 2015 postseason, however, was his last sustained period of on-field action. He could only get through 37 games of 2016 before his back flared up again. Career mortality wasn’t just nipping at his heels, it had him by the ankles and wouldn’t let go.

Wright was too prideful to go out a broken man. With an opportunity to show his appreciation to New York on the field, he vowed to be in uniform for the last series of the 2018 season. On September 29, his final appearance, an anticipatory Citi Field sellout crowd there to say goodbye. Wright charged onto the diamond alone to his customary spot at third base. After four innings, he departed to a long ovation and tears in many eyes.

The announcement of David Wright’s number retirement and induction into the team Hall of Fame coupled with the acquisition of Juan Soto brings about a certain synergy. Money notwithstanding, the 26-year-old superstar chose the Mets above everyone else. When Wright signed his contract extension in November 2012, under much different circumstances, he did the same albeit under much different circumstances. Regardless of what happened after, it was a rare showing of loyalty even if it wasn’t reciprocated.

Wright’s dedication to the Mets—through the best and worst days—is a big reason why he connected so well with the fans. And that’s what will make July 19 so special.

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Mark Vientos. Kyle Ross-Imagn Images

Pre-Grimace Era

3. The Lindor Flu Game

Before this September, Francisco Lindor‘s presence in the lineup was an everyday occurrence. After exiting early on May 1 with flu-like symptoms, Lindor was not a starter for the next afternoon’s game at Citi Field versus the Cubs. But he was the finisher. He entered as a pinch-hitter in the sixth and delivered a two-run double. Then in the bottom of the 11th, down by a run with men on first and second, he went the other way with an extra-base hit down the left-field line. Brett Baty and Harrison Bader scored easily. Even if Lindor was still feeling bad, he made Mets fans feel great. Four RBIs and a walk off isn’t bad for an off day.

2. Mark Vientos Maximizes His Opportunity

He made the most of his time in the majors—even when it was just for a few days. Mark Vientos‘ brief stint in the bigs while filling in for Starling Marte might have had tremendous long-term effects. He hit a walk-off two-run home run in the bottom of the 11th as the Mets avoided a sweep against the Cardinals on April 28. About 48 hours later, he was sent back to Triple-A. It would be less than three weeks before Vientos got the call-up again. It was an opportunity he never let go.

1. Torrens Saves the Day in London

A two-game series in the UK was on the brink of a two-game Phillies sweep before Luis Torrens made a play that was both intelligent and physically impressive. The Mets had rallied to take the lead with three in the top of the ninth and held a 6-5 edge with the bases loaded and one out for Philly. Nick Castellanos hit a weak grounder in front of home. Torrens picked it up, then stepped back and touched the plate. He heaved it to first just before Garrett Stubbs slid in and knocked him over. Pete Alonso handled the throw in time to complete the first-ever game-ending  2-3 ground-ball double play.

Walk-off Home Runs

3. Francisco Alvarez vs. Orioles (August 19)

The young catcher endured a tough year full of injuries and slumps. So when he connected off of Baltimore’s Seranthony Domínguez, Francisco Alvarez savored it. He was given the green light a 3-0 count in a tie game. What followed was a no-doubter to center field, estimated at 421 feet. Alvarez didn’t waste time to celebrate as Citi Field went wild.

2. Mark Vientos vs. Reds (September 6)

Now established as the Mets third baseman, Vientos was on his way to a 111-game performance highlighted by 27 home runs and an .838 OPS. Perhaps the best highlight in this regular season full of them came as New York extended its win streak to eight. He started the Mets scoring with a two-run shot in the first and ended it with a two-run shot in the tenth. The latter was a low and inside pitch that he golfed over the left-field wall. The Mets won a big game…and Vientos lost his shirt.

1. Jesse Winker vs. Orioles (August 21)

Two days after Alvarez’s dramatics, the veteran who had been a friendly pest to Mets fans throughout his career unofficially became a true member of the orange and blue. Winker’s first home run as a Met came at the perfect time. Domínguez was the victim again. This homer went nearly to the same spot as Alvarez. And like his teammate, Winker showed his emotions once it was official—stopping to slam his helmet before rounding the bases in full flow.

Pitching Performances

3. Jake Diekman Owns Aaron Judge

Admit it. The left-hander in the midst of a terrible season pitching to Yankees’ slugger in the bottom of the ninth with a runner on and a one-run lead had all the makings of a Yankees walk-off. Everyone thought it—except maybe Carlos Mendoza. With a depleted bullpen and Edwin Díaz unavailable, the call went to a man with a 5.28 ERA to get the save. Diekman got Judge to strike out looking with a 96 mile per hour fastball on the inside corner. He then retired Ben Rice to preserve the Mets victory. Diekman was DFA’d two days later.

2. Sean Manaea‘s Development

After observing the Braves Chris Sale, Manaea lowered his arm slot to mimic the fellow southpaw and possible Cy Young winner in the NL. From July 30 on, he struck out 83 over 75.2 innings as the Mets won 10 of his 12 appearances. Not only was he missing more bats, but he was providing length. He went into the seventh inning 10 times and posted nine quality starts. He didn’t allow an earned run against the Twins, Cardinals, and White Sox while unofficially garnering ace status. Manaea was one example of the remarkable performance of the entire the rotation down the stretch—posting a 2.67 ERA in September.

1. Severino Blanks Marlins

The right-hander wanted it. The Citi Field crowd wanted it. Complete-game shutouts are rare these days. The atmosphere on this Saturday afternoon on August 17 reflected that into the ninth inning. Luis Severino was carrying his scoreless effort against the Marlins, but hit Jake Burger with his first pitch. Mendoza went to visit with his starter and, after a brief conference, left him in to try and finish it. Severino retired the next three batters to preserve a four-hitter. His 113th and final offering got Derek Hill to swing at strike three.

Miscellaneous OMGs

3. Pop Star Second Baseman

While Grimace was the mascot of the Mets’ revival, “OMG” was the anthem. Jose Iglesias signing a minor-league contract on December 5 went, as expected, unnoticed. He arrived to the Mets on May 31. His insertion was one of many catalysts to New York’s charge—slashing .337/.381/.448  and ending the regular season with a 22-game hitting streak. Oh, and the singing career isn’t bad either. His song blared each home at-bat, fans recited every lyric, a sign with the title letters was carried in the dugout and showed up among the crowd. And after a June 28 win over Houston, giving the Mets their 16th victory in the turnaround month of June, Iglesias transformed into “Candelita” and performed it live on the field.

2. Lindor Homers to End No-No

He did what MVPs are known to do. For much of this September afternoon game in Toronto, the Mets offense was lifeless…and hitless. Blue Jays starter Bowden Francis cruised through eight with a 1-0 lead. Lindor led off the ninth, fell behind 0-2, and proceeded to end the no-hitter and the shutout all at once. The homer to right field was the wake-up call they needed. New York went on to score five more in the frame and win the game.

1. Exorcizing the Demons in Atlanta

The blast against the Blue Jays was Lindor’s biggest home run for less than three weeks. Entering the doubleheader of make-up games at Truist Park to conclude the regular season, both the Mets and Braves needed one win for a playoff berth. Everything was pointing to a do-or-die finale when New York was down 3-0 through seven. But the Mets’ resilience showed in the eighth. The six runs scored were an afterthought as Edwin Díaz gave the lead back. Mets fans’ thoughts went to another nightmare in Atlanta. New York’s shortstop and face of the franchise dispelled all negativity with one swing of the bat. Credit to Starling Marte for getting on ahead of Lindor’s heroics. Edwin Diaz redeemed himself in the bottom of the ninth and the Mets put champagne on ice.

Postseason Heroics

T3. Still on the Mark

The playoff stage really had an effect on Mark Vientos—because it made him better. It was exciting enough that he had a great regular season. But Vientos became a star in October. He slashed .327/.362/.636 with a .998 OPS, five home runs over 13 games and his 14 RBIs set a new Mets postseason record. Four were collected on one plate appearance against the Dodgers in Game 2 of the NLCS, when he finished a terrific at-bat with a second-inning grand slam.

T3. Masterful Manaea

The culmination of his second half adjustment came in the Division Series with Philadelphia. After splitting the first two games and hoping to finish it at home, Manaea made sure the Mets would have the edge. He honored his late aunt with a brilliant outing of one run on three hits and two walks with six strikeouts over seven against a potent Philly lineup. Leading 2-0, he escaped a sixth-inning jam with two on and none out by fanning Bryce Harper and getting Nick Castellanos to hit into a line-drive double play. New York would soon break it open to get one step closer to the NLCS.

2. Grand-cisco Lindor

Citi Field had never seen a Mets clinching celebration. Game 4 versus Philly was that opportunity, but the offense was squandering their chances to score. Down 1-0 in the sixth, New York loaded the bases for the third time. With one out, the Mets needed someone to step up. Lindor had been the one to do it most frequently in 2024. So why not now? The 2-1 pitch was sent out and into the bullpen. It was the kind of situation he was brought to Queens for. He circled the bases like he expected it to happen. Surrounding him was the loudest cheer this 15-year stadium had ever experienced. Three innings later, after a 4-1 win, it got to host the party fans had long been waiting for.

1. Pete Alonso Saves the Season

It may have been the best moment of 2024. It certainly was the best moment of Alonso’s career. On a night when he tripped over his own bat, dropped a pop up, and prolonged his struggles at the plate, the Mets’ first baseman erased all those bad memories—and so much more—when he came up with two runners on and his team down two with two outs left in New York’s season. Alonso has 226 regular season home runs as a Met. There might not be another, depending on how free agency goes. Regardless, he earned a special place in team history with his top-of-the-ninth drive over the right-field wall in Milwaukee.

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What unfolded in the bottom of the 10th inning has been relived to a tremendous degree. Here’s a brief summary of what led up to the defining moment of the Mets’ greatest team.

After an exhausting NLCS with the Astros, it was expected that New York would have an easier time against Boston — coming off a dramatic playoff win of its own. Not so. The Mets were playing from behind very quickly: losing the first two games at home before taking the next two in Boston, but falling at Fenway in Game 5. That put them in a desperate situation against the soon-to-be Cy Young and MVP winner in the American League.

Roger Clemens looked the part, too. Through four innings, he didn’t allow a hit. He gave up two runs, which allowed the Mets to tie it in the fifth, but was otherwise dominant over seven frames. Controversy ensued when Clemens was removed for a pinch-hitter with the Red Sox threatening in the top of the eighth. Whether or not Clemens asked out because of a blister on his pitching hand or it was manager John McNamara‘s decision to replace his star pitcher, we’ll never know.

The Red Sox took the lead following a key seventh-inning throwing error by Ray Knight, but New York immediately jumped on Clemens’ replacement, Calvin Schiraldi. Lee Mazzilli singled and was safe at second when Schiraldi’s throw on Lenny Dykstra’s bunt couldn’t be handled cleanly by Spike Owen. A sacrifice bunt and an intentional walk loaded the bases for Gary Carter. On 3-0, Carter swung and lined one deep enough to left fielder Jim Rice, which allowed Mazzilli to score.

The Mets had a golden chance to win it in the ninth, starting with a walk and another botched defensive effort by Boston on a bunt. Howard Johnson, after initially attempting to move the two runners over, struck out. Fly-outs by Mazzilli and Dykstra sent the game to extras.

Red Sox center fielder Dave Henderson led off the 10th and added to his postseason heroics with a home run to left field. If that wasn’t enough of a back-breaker, Boston added to its lead with Marty Barrett‘s single to score Wade Boggs.

Backman and Hernandez flew out to start the bottom of the 10th to bring Boston within one out of its first title since 1918 and the Mets to within one out of their season becoming a colossal disappointment.

The rest is, well, miraculous. A Carter single, followed by a Mitchell single, then a Knight single, the Stanley wild pitch, and finally Mookie’s grounder. A sequence for all-time that carried the Mets to an improbable win and a Game 7 victory two nights later.

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For a team that spent three weeks walking a tightrope, Game 5 of the National League Championship Series against the rival Atlanta Braves was the latest (and most dramatic) example of the Mets’ ability to avoid elimination.

New York staved off a sweep in Game 4 with a bottom-of-the-eighth-inning rally, highlighted by a John Olerud single. Olerud opened the scoring the next afternoon with a two-run first-inning homer off Greg Maddux. Atlanta responded and tied it in top of the fourth, but bats on both sides went silent. The 2-2 deadlock lasted into extra innings. As darkness fell over Shea Stadium, so did rain clouds. Stranded runners (both sides totaled 31) piled up. Run-scoring opportunities went by the wayside.

Mets manager Bobby Valentine used eight relievers to keep Atlanta at bay. That was until the top of the 15th when Keith Lockhart tripled and drove in Walt Weiss. That three-week-long tightrope had frayed to its last threads. The Braves thought they put the Mets away after pummeling them in late September, and again after taking a one-run lead in the eighth inning of Game 4, and again on this night. Each time, they were wrong.

Untested Kevin McGlinchy was in to try and close it out in the bottom of the 15th. The 22-year-old right-hander battled Shawon Dunston for more than nine minutes and through six foul balls before a leadoff single to center. Matt Franco worked a walk, Edgardo Alfonzo sacrificed both runners 90 feet, and Olerud got an intentional pass to load the bases. Todd Pratt, who entered the game when Mike Piazza’s strained left forearm wouldn’t allow him to continue past the 14th, also walked. Game tied.

Ventura, playing through pain, could send everyone home and both teams south. On a 2-1 count, he drove McGlinchy’s pitch to right-center field. Deep enough to certainly score the winning run and deep enough to clear the right-center-field wall.

Then, the longest game in postseason history had a spectacular conclusion. Then came an unusual postscript.

After Ventura touched and rounded first base, he incessantly waved overly-enthusiastic teammates away so he could round the bases. But their exuberance was too much to allow their hero to savor a home-run trot. Instead, they mobbed Ventura before he reached second. Instead of a 7-3 final, it was (and remained) 4-3. “As long as I got to first base, I don’t care,” Ventura said. “It means we won.”

“I’ve been in long games,” said a mentally drained Valentine afterward. “But not games where every pitch meant so much.”

On Thursday at Citi Field, Ventura will throw out the ceremonial first pitch to former teammate Edgardo Alfonzo.

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