Everyone has been speaking of how important it is to have a good defense to back up the power arms the Mets currently possess. With a former gold-glover at third base and a Juan-derful gold-glover in center field, the Mets aren’t too shabby defensively overall.
What if the Mets’ defense was better, though? What if it were so good that divided among the 9 positions there were, say, 28 Gold Gloves? I went back into the annals of Mets history and assembled a team of who I believe are the best defensive Mets to play their respective position. Scattered throughout the years are some brilliant Mets defenders, many of which contributed to some Amazin’ Mets teams that won it all. Let’s take a look:
Catcher: Jerry Grote (Mets 1966-1977)
With an honorable mention to Gary Carter, Jerry Grote is the best defensive catcher the Mets have ever had. Despite never winning a Gold Glove, he was regarded as a key piece in the Mets 1969 and 1973 runs. One could attribute his lack of Gold Gloves to him playing at the same time as Johnny Bench, who won the award 10 consecutive seasons from 1968-1977. However, Bench seems to think some of those awards had been misplaced. Said Bench, “If Jerry Grote were on my team, I’d be playing third base.”
From 1966-1977 playing for the Mets, exactly 800 men tried to steal a base off his pitcher. Of those 800, only 486 succeeded, coming out to a 39.25% caught stealing rate. For comparison’s sake, Brian McCann led the majors with a 37.2% this past season.
In 1969, 71 men tried to steal on Jerry Grote, and 40 of them were sent packing. He threw out 56.3% of base stealers that season en route to the World Series. I think Johnny Bench‘s quote pretty much sums up his case, but the two-time all star’s numbers speak for themselves.
First Base: Keith Hernandez (Mets 1983-1989)
Surprised? No? Thought so. With an honorable mention to John Olerud, I need to give it to the guy with 11 straight gold gloves from ’78-’88 and one of the best mustaches Shea Stadium ever saw. While playing first base, Mex never once in his career had a fielding percentage under .990. He made only 5 errors in 1302 innings for the 1986 Mets, helping lead the team to its second World Series championship.
He was also a solid hitter, winning the NL MVP award in 1979 (well, actually he shared it with Willie Stargell, but Keith’s numbers were much better). He slashed .344/.417/.513 while hitting 11 home runs and driving in 105 runs. His 48 doubles led the majors and 116 runs scored led the league, while his 210 hits was second only to Garry Templeton‘s 211. That season was his second Gold Glove, and he would go on to win another 9 in a row.
Second Base: Felix Millan (Mets 1973-1977)
With an honorable mention to Edgardo Alfonzo, Felix Millan and his two Gold Gloves make him the second #17 on the right side of the infield. Millan was a Met from ’73-’77, providing them with above-average defense at second base. His two GGs came while playing for the Braves before the Mets, albeit he was still at that caliber when in NY.
He had a big year in 1973 to help the Mets to a NL championship, with 185 hits. He was known to put the ball in play a lot, as he only struck out 22 times in 638 at bats that season.
Third Base: Robin Ventura (Mets 1991-2001)
With an honorable mention to current captain David Wright, Robin Ventura mans the hot corner for me. Winning 6 Gold Glove awards in his career, his first five with the White Sox and his last with the Mets in ’99, Ventura had a knack for making the tough plays.
He had arguably his best season with the Mets in 1999, when he hit 32 home runs and drove in 120 RBIs with a .301 avg, while winning his 6th Gold Glove. Next season, he would be an important cog in the Mets machine which brought them to the World Series.
Shortstop: Rey Ordoñez (Mets 1996-2002)
With an honorable mention to Bud Harrelson, Rey Ordoñez and his three consecutive Gold Gloves (’97-’99) rounds out my infield. During the 1999 and 2000 seasons, Ordoñez went 101 games without committing an error, which was a new MLB record at the time. Unfortunately, Orioles shortstop Mike Bordick would surpass it in 2002, going 110 games without committing an error.
In 2000, Ordoñez would fracture his arm trying to tag out a runner in a game against the Dodgers. Not only did this prevent him from playing in the World Series that year, but it stunted his defense for the rest of his career.
Robin Ventura, Rey Ordoñez, and honorable mentions Edgardo Alfonzo and John Olerud all played for the Mets at the same time, garnering the title of the “greatest infield ever.”
Outfield: Tommie Agee (Mets 1968-1972)
Agee, an enormous part of the ’69 championship team and the 1966 AL Rookie of the Year, won two Gold Glove awards; One with the White Sox (’66) and the other with the Mets (’70). When I say he was a big part of the championship team, I mean it. Here are his highlights from Game 3 of the Series, which many Mets fans regard to be one of the best defensive games ever, under the circumstances.
Agee played both right and center field, but mostly manned center field. He was also an above-average offensive player, putting up three 20+ homer seasons. He also used his speed on the base paths stealing at least 28 bases four times, and from ’66-’70 he legged out a total of 24 triples.
Outfield: Carlos Beltran (Mets 2005-2010)
Carlos Beltran, former Rookie of the Year and 8-time All Star, is the second outfielder in this lineup. Unlike a few other defenders on this list, Beltran is also a formidable hitter (unless, of course, he’s facing an Adam Wainwright curveball). He won three consecutive Gold Gloves with the Mets in 2006-08. He has an above average arm, but it really known for his ability to run balls down.
He was, and still is but less so, an offensive force. He has hit 20 or more home runs in a season 11 times, and driven in 100 or more runs eight times. He has had six 20-20 seasons (HR-SB) and one 30-30, in which he hit 38 HR and stole 42 bases.
Outfield: Juan Lagares (Mets 2013-Present)
As Gary Cohen frequently and eloquently puts it, “Where extra base hits go to die, that man’s glove!” Currently, in my opinion, the best defensive center fielder in the league, Juan Lagares has wowed us Met fans with spectacular plays. Countless times I find myself saying “there’s no way anybody gets to that ball,” only to watch Lagares camp under it and make it look like the most routine of plays. After being snubbed of a Gold Glove in his rookie season, he won the award in 2014. His combination of unbelievable range and a spectacular arm will surely win him many more of those awards in years to come.
As a rookie, he led all National League center fielders with 15 assists in only 121 games played. The league caught on and stopped sending runners against him, as he only recorded 6 this past season in 116 games.
He is a marvel to watch. If he can stay healthy, the 25 year old will be making plays like that for a very long time. His offense has been improving, and could end up being a perennial .280 hitter with a solid on base percentage and plenty of stolen bases.
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These are all amazing defensive players and they have all played for the Amazins. Carlos Beltran is likely done making the highlight reel, but Juan Lagares should be on it weekly, if not daily like he seemed to be last season.
I hope you agree with me, but if you disagree with some of my choices, feel free to comment below! And, of course, as always, LET’S GO METS!
