On December 6, 1989, the Mets and Reds traded left-handed closers, with the Mets sending Randy Myers to the Reds and obtaining John Franco in return.

Myers was very effective in his three full seasons (five overall) with the Mets. He posted a 17-13 record, with 56 saves. He shared closing responsibilities with Roger McDowell in 1988, and became the Mets’ full-time closer half way through the 1989 season when McDowell was traded to the Phillies. In the 1988 LCS, Myers recorded two of the Mets three wins.

Myers was known as “Randall K,” because he threw hard and recorded his fair share of strikeouts. It helped that his middle name is “Kirk.” As a Met, Myers pitched 240 innings, striking out 264 and walking just 97 hitters. Myers had a 2.74 ERA with New York, and a 126 ERA+.

Myers was a bit eccentric. He would often show up at the ballpark in hunting camouflage outfits, and sit alone at his locker reading hunting and body-building magazines.

Myers was a four-time All-Star (none while he was with the Mets). As a Red, Myers was part of a lights-out bullpen, with fellow hard throwers Rob Dibble and Norm Charlton. That trio helped the Reds win the 1990 World Series and was dubbed “The Nasty Boys.”

After spending two seasons in Cincinnati, Myers pitched for the Cubs, Blue Jays, Orioles, and Padres. He retired after the 1998 season. Myers led the National League in saves in 1993 and 1995 as a Cub, and led the American League in saves in 1997 with the Orioles.

Franco, a Brooklyn native, had a long career (14 years) with the Mets, and is honored in the Mets Hall of Fame. His 424 career saves are the most by any left-hander in baseball history.

As a Met, Franco notched 276 saves, including his 300th career save in 1996 and his 400th career save in 1999. Franco lost his role as closer in 1999, when the Mets acquired Armando Benitez. Franco threw 702.2 innings as a Met, allowing 683 hits and striking out 592 hitters. His ERA with New York was 3.10, along with an ERA+ of 132.

Franco led the National League in saves in 1988 (39 with the Reds), 1990 (33 with the Mets), and 1994 (30 with the Mets). Franco was a four-time All-Star, including in 1990 with the Mets.

In thinking about Franco’s Mets career, certainly the 300th and 400th career saves stand out. However, his “Mets moment” may have come in Game 2 of the NLDS in 2000. The Mets were down one game to none, and had blown a lead in the ninth inning of Game 2. They were facing the prospect of returning to Shea Stadium down two games to none in a best-of-five series.

The Mets took the lead in the top of the tenth, and after he faced one batter in the tenth, Benitez was taken out of the game. Franco came in to close the game. It all came down to facing Barry Bonds with two outs and the tying run on base.

Was it a strike? I don’t think so, but I’m happy it was called a strike. The Mets tied the series at one, and ended up winning the NLDS in four games (how about that Game 4 performance by Bobby Jones?).

Franco retired after being released by the Astros in 2005 at 44 years of age (just two months shy of his 45th birthday). He holds the Rolaids Relief Award for his performances in 1988 and 1990. He has a 23.4 career bWAR.