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...
Good morning, Mets fans! Tuesday night’s loss to the Red Sox in Boston marked the Mets’ first three-game losing streak of the season and pushed them a game and a half back of the Phillies for the division lead. After only scoring 10 runs in their last seven games, New York put half that run total up in Wednesday night’s win against Boston. Brett Baty drove in three runs from...
Good morning, Mets fans! While everyone has all of their attention on the Juan Soto sweepstakes, which seem to be heating up, the Yankees are still keeping their eyes on the pitching market. The club in the Bronx officially spoke with both top free agent pitchers, Max Fried and Corbin Burnes, via Zoom this past week, per Mike Puma of the New York Post. Reportedly, nine team officials including...
Good morning, Mets fans! While this free agent class is overshadowed by the big fish on the market, Juan Soto, there is still a future first ballot Hall-of-Famer on the marker. On Wednesday, it was reported that the Houston Astros are “having conversations” with Justin Verlander on a potential return to Houston in 2025, per Astros GM Dana Brown on ESPN’s Baseball Tonight...
For a team whose name is derived from the residents of the location they inhabit, the Mets have had some notable moments away from America. This weekend will be the latest as they and the Philadelphia Phillies embark on the third regular season series to be played in London. Save for the many games in Montreal against the Expos plus several in Toronto, New York has previously played in two other...
There are 10 players eligible for induction into the Hall of Fame who have the Mets on some portion of their resume. Next is one of the most feared hitters of the 1990s and early 2000s whose short stint in New York to conclude his career was highlighted by a personal milestone. The way Gary Sheffield prepared to swing and swung was much like the way he carried himself. He was a presence that...
This offseason, we’re looking at the Mets’ history with free agency. Leading off the list of forgettable signings were Roger Cedeño, Jeurys Familia, and James McCann. Next is a second baseman who starred for another NL East club, came to New York in a trade, but regressed once he was re-signed. Luis Castillo’s career as a Met is defined by a single play. Misplay would be more...
This offseason, we’re looking at the Mets’ history with free agency. This list may change in the coming years in terms of rankings and new additions (Maybe Carlos Correa? Possibly Justin Verlander?). But for now, we’ve featured an underdog pitcher at No. 10 up to the greatest center fielder at No. 2. And at the top of the list is a player who joined the team mid-season via...
The Mets of the late 90s are remembered for the acquisition of Mike Piazza in May 1998, Robin Ventura’s “Grand Slam Single,” and the postseason run of 1999. But the foundation for a winning culture began during a season in which they had low expectations and little experience with success. Bobby Valentine’s first full year as Mets manager may have been his most...
The 18-year wait for a division title ended on a Monday night at Shea Stadium, but it was a certainty for months. The Mets took over the NL East lead on April 6th and never gave it back, maintaining a healthy margin all summer long. Their superior play was rewarded with a postseason clinching earlier than any other team and occurred after a 4-0 win over the Florida Marlins. José Valentín...
The only thing more unique than Mike Piazza’s journey to the Mets was the way in which he arrived in professional baseball. He was chosen in the 62nd round of the 1988 draft by the Los Angeles Dodgers as a favor by manager Tommy Lasorda to his friend and Mike’s dad, Vince. All Piazza did in his first five seasons was bat .337 and average 33 homers and 105 RBIs—remarkable for any...
Whether good or bad, you always knew Al Leiter’s feelings in real-time. He wore emotions on his sleeve — and just about anywhere else he could. Leiter would’ve made a terrible poker player, but he was a terrific left-hander for the Mets with an infectious passion that the team fed off of during the late 1990s and early 2000s. At age 32, Leiter had been part of two World Series winners and...
