The New York Mets have had some terrific fielders make stops in Flushing over the years. Some were mainstays, others made brief visits and continued on their way. Bud Harrelson, John Olerud, Tommie Agee, Dave Magadan, David Wright, the list goes on.

The offensive aspect of the game has and will continue to be baseball’s bread and butter, but elite glovework is something to behold and to be celebrated. Let’s see who made the cut in the Metsies’ top-five all-time defenders.

5) Juan Lagares

Anyone with a rooting interest in the New York Mets during the 2010s held out hope as long as they could that Juan Lagares‘ offensive output would finally come close to the pristine defense he contributed.

Injuries slowed the Dominican product’s development at the plate, but Lagares — originally a shortstop — was an absolute natural and a literal joy to watch roam the outfield grass at Citi Field.

During his tenure in Queens, Lagares racked up an 11.5 ultimate zone rating per 150 games, good for fifth among MLB outfielders with at least 4,000 innings played since 2013, and took home the 2014 NL Gold Glove in center field.

Former Mets teammate Curtis Granderson called Lagares, “by far the best outfielder I’ve seen, that I’ve played with, that I’ve gotten a chance to watch,” per Marc Carig, then of Newsday.

4) Jerry Grote

From 1966 when he was acquired from Houston through his 1977 trade to the Dodgers, Jerry Grote accumulated 11.3 defensive wins above replacement (Baseball-Reference.com) behind the plate, serving as a foundational pillar to the 1969 World Series champion Miracle Mets and the 1973 NL champion Amazin’s.

Per The Sporting News in 1971 (via Grote’s SABR.org biography), Mets all-time ace Tom Seaver called the Texan native “an outstanding catcher,” adding, “Pitchers like to work with him and you know when he’s behind the plate he’s going to keep the base runners honest.”

St. Louis staple Lou Brock, the greatest base stealer of his generation and arguably the best bag swiper of all-time not named Rickey Henderson, told The Sporting News in 1967 (same source), “For quickness in getting rid of the ball and accuracy, I’d have to pick Grote,” when asked who the best defensive catcher in the game was. That’s the highest of praise.

3) Carlos Beltran

Arguably the best outfielder to ever don the blue and orange was Carlos Beltran. The Puerto Rican product signed a seven-year, $119 million deal with the Mets ahead of the 2005 season.

From then through his trade to San Francisco in 2011, Beltran could be found gracefully patrolling the Flushing outfield.

From his climb up Tal’s Hill in extra innings at Houston to the countless dives and cannon throws during his time with the Mets, Carlos Beltran set the benchmark for Mets outfielders.

After winning his third consecutive NL Gold Glove in 2008 — the third Mets player to do so in franchise history — Beltran gave a glimpse into his mindset as a ballplayer.

“I take a lot of pride in being a complete player. Even on the days when I don’t get a hit, I feel like I can make a difference in the field.”

Beltran’s 34 defensive runs saved from his Mets debut through the time of his trade are clear evidence of the difference he brought.

2) Rey Ordonez

The second Mets player to win three straight Gold Gloves was, in this writer’s opinion, the best fielding shortstop to ever suit up for this team. Though his bat wasn’t much to speak of (.246/.289/.310 over nine MLB seasons), Rey Ordonez was a magician with the glove.

Unlimited range, a rifle of an arm, and an uncanny ability to keep his bearings despite contorting himself twice over to make a play made Ordonez a fan favorite and a nightmare for back-up-the-middle hitters.

Every so often, as a viewer, you’d catch opposing players reacting after Ordonez dove or leaped or slid a hit away and couldn’t help but laugh at the incredulous looks.

Ordonez’ 63 Total Zone rating (per FanGraphs) is the most accumulated by any player in Mets history. Even today, clips of his exploits at shortstop make the rounds on social media and they’re still just as awe-inducing.

1) Keith Hernandez

In terms of individual awards for defensive play, there’s never been a more decorated first baseman in major league history than Keith Hernandez.

The leadership he brought to a just-turning-the-corner Mets squad after his 1983 trade from the Cardinals was invaluable, and his offensive contributions were instrumental, but his defense was arguably the strongest aspect of Hernandez’ game.

Over his 17-year MLB career (10 with St. Louis, seven with New York, one with Cleveland), Hernandez won 11 NL Gold Glove Awards, consecutively, from 1978 through 1988.

When Todd Zeile was signed to replace John Olerud at first base after the 1999 season, the Mets called on Hernandez to show Zeile the ropes at an unfamiliar position.

Then-Mets general manager Steve Phillips told the South Florida Sun-Sentinel at the time, “There isn’t a person alive who knows the position better than [Hernandez]”. Phillips wasn’t necessarily wrong.

The Mets employed Hernandez’s services again in 2010 for Daniel Murphy‘s attempt to improve at the position, and, per the New York Post this spring, current Mets first baseman Pete Alonso, entering his second MLB season, would be thrilled to reach the peaks Hernandez did as a defender.

“Keith has got 11 Gold Gloves, he is a great first baseman,” Alonso said. “There is no denying that and I want to be as fine-tuned as he was when he was in the game.”

Apparently, being the best defender in franchise history carries some weight around here.

Honorable Mention: Robin Ventura

Robin Ventura came to New York ahead of the 1999 season, signing a three-year, $32 million deal to man the hot corner at Shea Stadium.

Having won five American League Gold Glove Awards at third base with the Chicago White Sox from 1989 to 1998, the California product continued on that path, anchoring — by fielding percentage (.991) — the second-best infield in MLB history alongside Olerud, Edgardo Alfonzo, and another guy who we’ll get to in a bit, in 1999.

During his time with the Mets, Ventura took home his sixth Gold Glove (1999) and posted a 38 Total Zone rating in just three seasons, good for fourth all-time in franchise history.