It goes without saying that the Mets had many weaknesses during their early years. But center field stood out more than the rest. For such a prominent and important position, it was a gaping hole the franchise could not fill. That began to change shortly after Gil Hodges left his managerial post with the Washington Senators to take over the Mets’ job in November 1967. “The first thing...
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In between the regretful trades of Nolan Ryan to Anaheim in 1972 and Tom Seaver to Cincinnati in 1977 was the departure of one of the most beloved players in franchise history. Months before that infamous Ryan-for-Fregosi deal with the Angels, the Mets were on the receiving end of a great trade for Montreal’s Rusty Staub. It was a move that broke the hearts of a city that had fallen in...
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There are two extraordinary connections which tie the 1969 and 1986 World Series together. One is Davey Johnson, the manager of the ’86 Mets, making the final out as a member of the Baltimore Orioles in ’69. The other centers around the pitchers who were on the mound at end of each series. Jerry Koosman’s 11 years with the Mets firmly established him as the best left-hander in...
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Here was a reason to smile. The Mets’ stingy budget was broken somewhat when Curtis Granderson agreed to a four-year, $60 million contract on December 6th, 2013. For a team coming off a 74-88 record but stocked with promising young pitchers, it had now landed a veteran to provide leadership alongside David Wright — not to mention a good bat and range in the outfield. Granderson spent...
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Think about the greatest Mets trades. Keith Hernandez for Allen and Ownbey. Gary Carter for Brooks, Fitzgerald, Winningham, and Youmans. A crop of soon-to-be Marlins in exchange for Mike Piazza. But perhaps the most impactful trade wasn’t for a player. Gil Hodges had been a Met, a member of the original 1962 club in the twilight of his playing career. More famously, he was a significant part of...
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