In terms of the Mets, what Hall of Famers, past, present, and future, who already have Mets caps on their plaques or who might get one one day? Who, currently in the Hall of Fame, could’ve worn Mets hats? Players have input on what cap they choose to wear, but that is ultimately up to the Hall of Fame.

While the Mets have numbers retired at Citi Field, only two have Mets ballcaps in Cooperstown. Casey Stengel and Gil Hodges are also in the Hall of Fame, but they wear Brooklyn Dodgers (Hodges) and New York Yankees (Stengel) hats, respectively. 

Mets With Caps In The Hall

Tom Seaver

We start with The Franchise, the man who has a statue outside Citi Field’s main entrance. From 1967 to 1977, and again in 1983, Tom Seaver made seven All-Star teams with the Mets and helped the Mets win the 1969 World Series and the 1973 pennant. He won all three of his Cy Youngs as a Met in 1969, 1973, and 1975. Seaver is the Mets’ all-time leader in wins (198) and strikeouts (2,541). Seaver was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1988. 

Mike Piazza

The second Mets representative in Cooperstown and the greatest hitter in Mets history. Mike Piazza was traded to the Mets in 1998 and helped turn those teams into contenders, leading them to back-to-back NLCS appearances in 1999 and 2000, while winning the pennant in 2000. Piazza was a seven-time All-Star and a five-time Silver Slugger as a Met. Piazza hit 220 home runs, 655 RBIS, and a .296 average with the Mets. He was voted into the Hall of Fame in 2016.

Guys In the Hall Who Could’ve Had Mets Caps

Gary Carter

This is the most notable and the one many argue should’ve been in the Hall of Fame as a Met. Gary Carter was traded to the Mets in 1985 and was the last piece of the puzzle for the 1986 World Series championship team. Carter brought leadership to the team and, along with Keith Hernandez (we’ll get to him), was named a co-captain. Carter made the All-Star team four times and won a Silver Slugger during his five-year run in Queens. He’s, of course, most remembered for starting the dramatic comeback in Game 6 of the 1986 World Series.

Carter was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2003 as a Montreal Expo, a team he spent 12 years with. Famously, Carter expressed a desire to go into the Hall in a Mets cap. However, the Hall of Fame determined that his accomplishments in Montreal during those years warranted his induction as an Expo. While Carter may not be in the Hall of Fame in the blue and orange, his number should be in the rafters of Citi Field. He spent many years in Montreal, but he’s most remembered for his time with the Mets and the 1986 team.

Gary Carter in 1986. Photo by Westchester County Journal News

Future Mets Hall of Famers?

Carlos Beltran

It’s almost certain that Carlos Beltran will be announced as a Hall of Famer on Tuesday. The question, of course, is what team he will represent in Cooperstown. While Beltran was put on the map as a member of the Kansas City Royals, as well as his 2004 run with the Houston Astros, Beltran spent seven seasons with the Mets and made the All-Star team in six of those seasons.

New York signed him on the heels of that great postseason run with Houston. He became one of the best free agent signings in team history and the best center fielder they’ve ever had. All three of Beltran’s career Gold Gloves and both of his Silver Sluggers came as a Met. Beltran has been a member of the Mets front office since 2023. If Beltran’s name is called, expect him to become the third player to put on a Mets cap. 

Keith Hernandez

One of the biggest omissions from the Hall of Fame, Hernandez is regarded as one of the best first basemen of all time. In 1983, the Mets needed a veteran to teach the club how to win. After a successful run with the St. Louis Cardinals for nine seasons, including winning the National League MVP in 1979 and the World Series in 1982, Hernandez was traded to the Mets, and he would guide them to their most successful era in team history. He was named captain, won six of his 11 Gold Gloves with the Mets, played on three All-Star teams, and, of course, helped them win the World Series in 1986. 

Nowadays, Hernandez is recognized for his 20-year run on the SNY broadcasts with Gary Cohen and former teammate Ron Darling. Hernandez has been part of Mets broadcasts since the late 90s, but his time on SNY since the network’s launch has been nothing short of legendary. Hernandez’s number 17 was retired by the Mets in 2022. His name has gained traction in recent years, so look for him to get in at some point. If he does get in, he could go in as a Met.

David Wright 

Wright’s name is one of the more interesting on the ballot. The fact that he has remained on the ballot right now is a good sign. Though it still won’t be easy for the former Mets captain, as injuries derailed his career. However, his peak was outstanding, and he was a perennial MVP candidate in his prime. As a Met, Wright hit 242 home runs and is the franchise’s all-time leader in RBIs (970) and hits (1,777).

He was a seven-time All-Star and helped the Mets win the division title in 2006. He made a significant return in 2015, contributing to their run to the World Series. Wright would have his number 5 retired in 2025. He also made a name for himself in the World Baseball Classic as “Captain America”.

Wright will be on his third year on the ballot in 2026, and he has stayed on the ballot with 6.2% in 2024 and 8.1% in 2025. It’ll be interesting to see what his vote total will be in 2026, but if he does get in one day, it’s a guarantee The Captain will be on the team he grew up watching in Norfolk, Virginia.

Jacob deGrom

The most recent New York Met and still playing for the Texas Rangers, deGrom became one of the best pitchers in franchise history from 2014-2022. Right there with Seaver and Dwight Gooden. deGrom won Rookie of the Year in 2014 and helped the Mets to the pennant in 2015 all in his first two years in the league. Then, later in the 2017 season, deGrom became the best pitcher in baseball, and he won back-to-back Cy Youngs in 2018 and 2019. He also made the All-Star team four times.

Injuries, however, would be the story of 2021 and 2022 before he departed the Mets in free agency. If not for injuries that held him out of the second half of the 2021 season, it could’ve been one of the best seasons ever by any pitcher. He was that good in the first half on the mound. Injuries have also halted his tenure in Texas, but he bounced back with a really good 2025 season.

Still, deGrom’s resume and peak could put him in Cooperstown one day. If it does, he’ll be the next player to go in wearing the blue and orange. Not to mention his number being retired at Citi Field one day. 

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As we celebrate their 20 years, our team is sharing our favorite Gary, Keith, and Ron memories, and we know, there’s a ton of them!

Mojo Hill

My favorite GKR moment is probably one I didn’t even watch live — because I was at the game. The sheer disbelief in Gary’s voice when calling the Bartolo home run was priceless. I can practically recite that call. It was hilarious and fully representative of what makes “GKR” great, having the right mix of humor and enthusiasm for the oddities of baseball.

A strong runner-up, though more of a general sentiment than a specific moment, is their banter in lopsided games. Having these guys on the call helps make the Mets entertaining no matter how well a particular season or game is going. They know how to dial up the seriousness and analysis for intense moments while keeping it loose and fun for the low-pressure times. Their personalities feed naturally off each other and they make any game more fun to watch, which is what makes GKR so great.

David Melendi

I love “GKR.” There are times I keep a lopsided game on just for their banter. I appreciate that they are objective. I love a replay of the booth after a walk-off. Gary reminds me of an orchestra conductor, standing and waving his arms through his call.

I am also a Knicks fan and one favorite memory was Gary coming up with “Lindsanity” when Francisco Lindor hit a game-tying home run in the ninth inning in Toronto that also broke up a no-hitter in September 2024. A few weeks later when Lindor homered in the ninth of Game 161 in Atlanta Gary screams ,“Lindsanity again!”

Christian De Block

One of my favorite GKR” moments was when Keith completely butchered the Cardinals defensive lineup. Mispronounced Peter Bourjos, missed the entire infield, but hey, he still managed to mention Yadier Molina at the end! Keith brings a certain sense of humor to the booth that makes us all laugh at home.

Matthew Tutrone

We’ve been blessed by such an abundance of hilarious quips, cerebral insights, and heartfelt moments from these three, that it’s impossible for me to choose a single favorite. Now, 20 years into their tenure, these unforgettable moments have become almost routine and expected from them. Yet they always manage to keep the broadcast fresh and entertaining, even during the lousiest of games.

These aren’t specific moments, but two of my favorite things they do are when they sit out among the crowd, and when they bring the kidcasters into the booth for a half-inning. You can really see the love they have for Mets fans in those moments, and that love is a big part of what makes us tune in night after night all summer long.

Michelle Ioannou

Can we talk about when they’d break open packs of baseball cards during long, or really bad, games? That has to be mentioned. Gary Cohen’s Bartolo Colon home run call is also one that will live down in infamy. But if I had to pick just one, a funny one, it has to go to the time Keith did a play-by-play of fans partying on the boats near Oracle Park in San Fran. He totally roasted them, and it was way too funny.

The post MMO Roundtable: Our Favorite Gary, Keith, Ron Memories appeared first on Metsmerized.

The Mets’ 2026 Opening Day matchup against the Pirates will be nationally televised as part of NBC and Peacock’s Opening Day doubleheader. The game will air at 1:00 p.m. ET on March 26 and will be followed by the Diamondbacks and Dodgers at 8:00 p.m. ET. The game is likely to feature this new-look Mets team against Pittsburgh ace Paul Skenes. The Mets will be on NBC and Peacock four total times during the 2026 season.

Photo by Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

Latest Mets News

Baseball America updated its list of the top 10 Mets prospects. Starter Nolan McLean, unsurprisingly, is listed as the Mets’ top prospect, followed by Carson Benge and Jonah Tong.

Keith Hernandez and SNY are reportedly in the early stages of contract negotiations that would keep Hernandez in the SNY booth for three more years.

Latest MLB News

Max Kepler was suspended 80 games for testing positive for Epitrenbolone, a performance-enhancing drug. Kepler, whose free agency took a hit, was a lifelong Twin before signing with the Phillies ahead of the 2025 season. He recorded a .691 OPS in 127 games.

Former Met Ryne Stanek signed a one-year deal with the Cardinals. Stanek spent the second half of 2024 and all of 2025 with the Mets. He recorded a 5.30 ERA in 65 innings a season ago.

Former Met Nick Madrigal signed a minor-league deal with the Angels. Madrigal was signed as a Jose Iglesias replacement prior to the 2025 season, but he injured himself and did not appear in a game.

Sidney de Jong, a former member of the Netherlands national baseball team, passed away at 46. de Jong appeared in the 2006 and 2009 World Baseball Classic tournaments and had a crucial hit that led to a game-winning rally in a 2009 matchup against the Dominican Republic.

Latest on MMO

Rafael González profiles starter Kris Bubic as a potential trade target for the Mets.

Jack Markowski breaks down the latest rumors, including Ketel Marte likely staying in Arizona, and the Yankees making a new offer to Cody Bellinger.

On This Date in Mets History

Born on This Date: José Castillo (1996), Rico Garcia (1994), Kevin Baez (1967), Jim Lindeman (1962), Mario Díaz (1962), Kelvin Torve (1960).

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On October 27, 1986, the Mets defeated the Boston Red Sox to win their second world championship. They were coming off a dramatic win in Game Six, as recapped here.

Most Mets fans are well aware of how things went down on those two October nights in Queens. I am among the lucky, in that I was able to attend both of those games. I’d like to share the emotional rollercoaster of emotions that took place during those 48 hours.

Game Six

I had a good feeling going into Game Six, as the Mets had rebounded to win two of three on the road to keep the series going, and were headed home where they had an advantage all year, posting a 55-26 record at Shea.

Here are a few things that stand out about game six. First, the skydiver (Michael Sergio) who literally dropped in during the first inning. The reaction in the Mets dugout (after Sergio was apprehended) wasn’t one of disgust (as one might expect). Rather, Ron Darling and Mel Stottlemyre (among others) were seemingly amused. As a nervous fan, I was not amused, and couldn’t wait to get the game going again.

Bob Ojeda yielded single runs in the first and second innings, and those confident feelings quickly dissipated. The Mets were held silent by Roger Clemens through four innings, and the anxiety began to skyrocket. The Mets finally tied the game in the fifth, setting up the bizarre events to come.

When Ray Knight committed an error that led to an unearned Red Sox run in the seventh, things became very uncomfortable. It was getting late, and the possibility that the dream season would end in unfulfilling fashion was becoming very real. But the Mets always found a way, that’s what I kept telling myself. The bottom of the eighth came, and the Mets were down to six outs.

Lee Mazzilli (who was a very valuable piece during the postseason and a great pickup by Frank Cashen) began the inning with a single. Later in the inning, the Red Sox walked Keith Hernandez to load the bases, bringing up Gary Carter with one out. “The Kid”, a proud player, clearly wanted to make the Sox pay. I was panicked that he’d expand the zone, and either strike out or worse, hit into a double play.

Carter worked Calvin Schiraldi to a 3-0 count. Davey Johnson, showing trust in his veteran catcher, gave Carter the green light. Carter hit a rocket directly to Jim Rice in left field. I only wish the exit velocity was available on that one. If Carter had gotten under that ball just a little, it would have been a grand slam. The Mets had to settle for a sacrifice fly and tie game. The play at the plate was not really close, but I remember being a bit spooked that Mazzilli did not slide, as Rice’s throw home made it on the fly (through a little late and slightly up the third base line).

The tension grew as the game went to the bottom of the ninth. The Mets got the first two runners on, and it just felt like a walk-off was coming. They could score off Schiraldi here, right? They didn’t. We all know that a blown situation like this can turn the momentum. This one did (for a brief time).

Rick Aguilera, who had pitched a clean ninth, faced Dave Henderson to start the tenth. When Henderson homered, I was sure it was the end. Remember, Henderson had hit a key home run in game five of the ALCS when the Red Sox were on the brink of elimination.

Well, 1986 was going to be their Cinderella story. The same guy works the same magic in both post-season series. That was it. The Mets were done. The wrecking ball Mets were outmaneuvered by a fairy tale team from Boston. The additional run Boston scored in the tenth appeared to be window dressing.

The first two outs in the ninth seemed to confirm the theory above. When Carter singled, I was almost annoyed. Just end it. Please, let my mourning begin. However, the Mets had, as they say, a puncher’s chance.

Kevin Mitchell and Knight singled, and I still thought, even with a run in and the tying run on third with two outs, it was a big tease. Mookie Wilson was coming up, and he was a strikeout waiting to happen (72 in 381 official ABs during the season).

Bob Stanley was on the mound at this point. When he uncorked the wild pitch that allowed Mitchell to score, I remember yelling “slide” from my Loge seat as Mitchell streaked down the line. That play seemed to take five minutes. I had a vision of him being thrown out at the plate to end the game, the season, and the dream. But he crossed the plate easily. The emotion was one of relief. The Mets would live to fight another inning.

When the ball “got by Buckner”, I think I had nothing left. Sure, I was excited. Sure, I hugged people I knew and many I did not. But for me, the wild pitch was the pinnacle moment. To this day, I get greater chills at that point of game replays than at any other.

Being a Mets fan, even as the frenetic hugging was happening, I had one thought: “They still have to win tomorrow. They’re the Mets. Nothing is certain.”

Game Seven

On Sunday, October 26th, we made the drive down to Shea, only to be turned around because the game was postponed due to rain. This is unfair! I can’t take another day of waiting…

We left at 3 pm to make the hour drive for an 8 pm game on Monday, October 27th.  It had to be better waiting there than at home. At least there would be more people around to engage in nervous chatter.

The game started in a light mist. Right away, the Red Sox made it clear they did not have a hangover from game six. They scored three runs off Ron Darling, and led 3-0 in the third inning. Darling had a rough fourth inning, and was replaced by Sid Fernandez, who made it out of the inning unscathed.

Fernandez did provide a spark for the crowd, striking out four batters over the fifth and sixth inning. That’s fine, but the Mets were down to 12 outs and had just one hit off Bruce Hurst (who had kept them in check in games one and five) going into the bottom of the sixth. With one out, Lee Mazzilli stepped to the plate as a pinch hitter to try to get the Mets going.

Mazzilli singled, and after a Wilson single and a walk by Tim Teufel, Hernandez got in the box with the bases loaded in a role made for him. The Mets needed a quality at-bat, down 3-0. In my same Loge seat, I was worried about an inning-ending double play, but Hernandez singed in two runs and Shea was rocking. Even though they were still down a run, even the most pessimistic fans (I was among them) started to “feel it”.

The Mets tied the game, and in the seventh, took a three-run lead. All was good, or so it seemed. The Red Sox got to Roger McDowell for two runs in the top of the eighth, and they had the tying run at second with no outs. I was done. I left my seat, and transversed the Loge level, stopping at concession stands to watch every pitch. When Orosco got Don Baylor to ground out to end the inning, I returned to my seat, to the raucous laughter of my group at how the moment had gotten too big for me.

The Mets added two runs in the bottom of the eighth, with one coming on a Darryl Strawberry home run and the other on a hit by Orosco. Now, they needed three more outs. I left my seat again, and sat on the filthy cement stairs. I didn’t want to talk to anyone. Leave me alone…

In the ninth, someone threw a smoke bomb on the field. Great, let’s break Jesse’s concentration, after all there’s nothing on the line here.

When Marty Barrett stepped to the plate with two outs, the fairy tale worm had turned from the night before. Barrett had tormented the Mets all series, and it was poetic justice that he made the last out.

The celebration was on. Collectively, Mets fans were talking dynasty. What would be good? Three championships in ten years, five, what’s the number? This is going to be great!

We know the Mets have not won a championship since that night, 35 years ago. If and when they do, cherish it, folks. It’s an Amazin’ feeling, but you never know how long it will be until it comes around again.

The post OTD 1986: “The Dream Has Come True” appeared first on Metsmerized.

Johnson was given the Mets’ managerial reins in 1984 by general manager Frank Cashen, who had built the Orioles into perennial contenders from the mid-1960s through the mid-1970s in the general manager and head of baseball operations roles. On the day Johnson was introduced as manager, he wore cowboys boots and talked about using computers (he held a degree the mathematics) to help determine optimal lineups. Both of these things caused a stir, and set the tone for how Johnson would approach his job. He went about his work in an audacious and  unapologetic manner, with an air of confidence that permeated into his team on the field.

Johnson posted a managerial record of 595-417 in Queens over six-plus seasons. In his six full seasons, the Mets finished first twice and second four times. He went on to manage the Cincinnati Reds, Baltimore Orioles, Los Angeles Dodgers, and Washington Nationals. Over ten seasons with those teams, Davey finished in first place four times.

As a player, Johnson had 13 major league seasons with a slash line of .261/.340/.404. He slugged 136 home runs and had an OPS+ of 110 in his time with the Orioles, Braves, Phillies and Cubs. In one season with the Braves, he was one of three teammates to hit 40 or more home runs, joining Hank Aaron and Darrell Johnson with the long-ball heroics.

To understand the impact Johnson had on the Mets, it’s important to look at context. The Mets were in the abyss from 1977-1983. The Mets took the field each year with little hope, while the cross-town Yankees won two World Series titles and three pennants in that time period. Young talent had started to appear in 1983, with the promise of more coming. The Mets needed a manger with fresh ideas to take over after two seasons of George Bamberger and Frank Howard.

In came Johnson, whose ideas were not unprecedented, but definitely progressive for the time. He talked about getting the most out of a position by using “analytics” to determine who was the best fit for that day, rather than going with a set lineup. This was clearly his Orioles/Earl Weaver influence.

For example, in 1986, Johnson would play Kevin Mitchell at shortstop when Sid Fernandez was pitching. Johnson recognized that Fernandez induced a lot of contact in the air, which meant that he could weaken the infield defense a bit (Mitchell over Rafael Santana) to get Mitchell’s superior bat in the lineup. Davey also platooned his outfielders (Lenny Dykstra/Mookie Wilson/ Mitchell, occasionally Danny Heep) depending upon matchups, much more so than was common in that time.

Johnson’s brashness was a hallmark of his time in New York. The Mets had fallen short in 1985, losing a hard-fought division battle to the Cardinals. Going into 1986, he announced that not only were the Mets going to win, they were going to dominate. They did, putting up a 108-54 record.

After the Mets defeated the Astros in the National League Championship Series, the team partied hard, causing significant damage to the plane that brought them back to New York. Cashen wanted the players to pay for the damage. Johnson told the team that he was proud of them, that they deserved to celebrate, and that he would pay the bill, because their rambunctious nature was going to win the World Series. He was right. They got down two games to none and had to go on the road. We all know what happened in Game 6, then they rallied from a 3-0 deficit to win Game 7.

Johnson was fired in May of 1990 with the Mets struggling at 20-22. He left behind a legacy, doing something that only Gil Hodges had done before him. Tributes have poured in from former players, such as Darryl Strawberry, Keith Hernandez, and Dwight Gooden.

Rest in peace, Davey Johnson. Thank you for turning the Mets around in the 1980s, bringing them to a place that we hope to see again soon.

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The Padres, who have had several questions concerning their financial status, were able to lock up one of their young stars on Wednesday. San Diego’s center fielder, Jackson Merrill, had an All-Star campaign in his rookie year, slugging 24 home runs with a .292/.326/.500 slash line. Merrill agreed with the club on a nine-year, $135 million contract extension which can max out at $204 million and includes a $30 million club option for a 10th season that can convert to a player option, per Robert Murray of FanSided.

Denis Poroy-Imagn Images

Wednesday night the Mets were able to secure their first series win of the season by taking the rubber match against the Marlins down in Miami. Clay Holmes had a solid start for the Mets, going 4 2/3 IP with six hits, two runs (1 ER), and six strikeouts. Pete Alonso tied the game with a dead center game-tying three-run homer in the eighth, and New York would go on to win the game in the 11th inning. 

The Mets have an off day today as they prepare to come home for the first time this season, hosting the Toronto Blue Jays for three games at Citi Field this weekend.

Latest Mets News

Juan Soto on Sandy Alcantara: “It would be one of the best trades that we could have. I know we have great pitching here, but adding a Cy Young winner like that would be huge,” per Mike Puma of the NY Post.

Jonah Tong is one of three Mets prospects who impressed scouts on spring training backfields, per Baseball America.

Mets third-round pick from Mississippi State, Nate Dohm, gets the ball for the St. Lucie Mets‘ opener.

The Mets signed first baseman Jon Singleton and infielder Niko Goodrum to minor league contracts, per Mike Mayer of MMO.

Carlos Mendoza told reporters that Frankie Montas has started throwing and has started throwing from 60 feet, per Tim Healey of Newsday. Montas is returning from a lat strain.

Latest MLB News

The Los Angeles Dodgers acquired Estuery Ruiz from the A’s in exchange for RHP Carlos Duran. Ruiz, who stole 67 bags in 2023, was DFA’d four days ago and will be optioned to Triple-A.

The Red Sox today signed INF/OF Kristian Campbell to an eight-year, $60 million contract extension that spans the 2025-2032 seasons, with club options for 2033 and 2034, per Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com.

The Diamondbacks have signed Ketel Marte to a new extension through 2031. It is worth $116.5 million, $64 million of which is new money, per Nick Piecoro of Arizona Republic. 

Latest On MMO

Max Kranick is having a strong start to the season!

Frankie Montas has resumed throwing.

Pete Alonso leads the charge in Mets victory.

On This Date in Mets History

2006: Gary Cohen and Keith Hernandez call the first regular season Mets game for SNY.

2006: David Wright goes 2-for-3 with a homer and Xavier Nady tallies four in a 3-2 Mets Opening Day win over the Nationals.

2001: Robin Ventura hits two go-ahead home runs, including a game-winning blast in the 10th inning.

1966: The Mets win a lottery and get the rights to sign Tom Seaver.

Born on This Date: Hayden Senger (1997), Jay Bruce (1987), Rod Gaspar (1946), Hawk Taylor (1939), Don Rowe (1936).

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While the hot stove is currently buried in 10 feet of snow, MLB has announced some news regarding 2025 Opening Day. On March 27, which will be MLB Opening Day, ESPN will have extra coverage, as they’ll be showcasing a doubleheader to kick off the season. The two World Series representatives will be in action; the first game will be the Milwaukee Brewers taking on the New York Yankees in the Bronx at 3 p.m., while the Los Angeles Dodgers will host the Detroit Tigers in Chavez Ravine at 7 p.m.

Oct 26, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; New York Yankees outfielder Juan Soto (22) celebrates after hitting a solo home run in the third inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers during game two of the 2024 MLB World Series at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

Latest Mets News

The Mets ranked 28th in farm system hitting rankings, based on data from all leagues and levels, per Dylan White of Baseball America.

Keith Hernandez‘s longtime beloved cat Hadji passed away last week at the age of 22, the ’86 World Series champion announced on twitter.

Latest MLB News

Now-former Blue Jays assistant major league hitting coach Matt Hague is accepting a job as the Pittsburgh Pirates’ hitting coach, per Scott Mitchell of TSN Sports. 

The All-MLB Team Awards Show will be happening on Thursday night at 8 p.m. ET on MLB Network. 

The Pittsburgh Pirates are signing Brent Strom as an assistant pitching coach, per Noah Hiles of The Pittsburgh Gazette. 

Diamond Sports Group, owner of Bally Sports, have agreed to a multi-year deal with Amazon Prime Video, per Evan Drellich of The Athletic. However, this does not mean you can watch your local team, as you will have to buy an additional add-on to do so.

Latest on MMO

Take a look at a possible infield addition for the Mets, Willy Adames.

MMO gave Mets backup catcher Luis Torrens a grade for his 2024 season.

Could the Mets look to add another southpaw to their rotation? Get to know Garret Crochet!

On This Date in Mets History

2018: Jacob deGrom receives 29 of 30 first place votes en route to his first Cy Young Award. DeGrom finished the season with a 1.70 ERA and a 218 ERA+.

2012: R.A. Dickey becomes the third different Met to win the Cy Young Award. Dickey became the first knuckleballer to earn the award, while tallying 20 wins and a 2.73 ERA in his award-winning season.

1986: Nelson Doubleday and Fred Wilpon purchase the Mets from Doubleday & Co. for $80.75 million, splitting the franchise at 50% apiece.

Born On This Date: Francisco Lindor (1993), Akeel Morris (1992) Joely Rodríguez (1991), Xavier Nady (1978), Tim Hamulack (1976), Darrell Sutherland (1941), Jim Piersall (1929).

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The 70-year-old, 11-time Gold Glove winner will make the toss to fellow Mets Hall of Famer, John Franco.

Daniel Murphy, the 2015 NLCS MVP, will throw out the first pitch for Game 4. The Mets haven’t played a home game in the NLDS since 2015. That was the year Murphy hit three homers in the NLDS and four in the NLCS. If the Mets win games three and four, it will be the first time they clinch at home since 2000, when New York defeated the San Francisco Giants to advance to the NLCS.

Some other notes the Mets announced for Tuesday’s game:

• All fans will receive a rally towel
• Block parties at both games will start at 1:30 p.m. ET and continue post-game
• Gates open at 2:30 p.m. ET

Game times for both days are 5:08 p.m. ET and will air on FS1.

The post Keith Hernandez to Throw Out First Pitch at Game 3 of NLDS appeared first on Metsmerized.

Let’s set the scene. The Mets led 5-1 going into the bottom of the eighth inning. The offense had been supplied Darryl Strawberry (four RBIs, including a home run) , and Ray Knight, who drove in a run on an error by Padres’ pitcher, Ed Whitson.

Roger McDowell took the mound for the home half of the eighth inning, and ran into immediate trouble when two runs scored on error by Wally Backman on a ball hit by Steve Garvey. Jesse Orosco replaced McDowell, and surrendered the lead on run-scoring hits by Carmelo Martinez and future Met Garry Templeton. The game remained tied until the 11th inning.

The Mets took the lead on a sacrifice fly by Keith Hernandez off pitcher Rich Gossage, scoring Lenny Dykstra. Now came the intriguing bottom of the 11th inning.

With Doug Sisk pitching, Templeton led off with a double. After a strikeout, Tim Flannery stepped to the plate. A double play is unlikely with just a runner on second base, and one that went this way is very rare. Take a look at the video below.

As Ralph Kiner said, Templeton runs well, making the play all the more unlikely. Templeton absolutely pummeled Mets’ catcher (and current bench coach) John Gibbons, who stayed in the play and fired a strike to Howard Johnson to nab Flannery at third base.

That kind of play gave the feeling that the 1986 Mets were not only a great team, but also destined to win. The Mets proceeded home after that game (Tim McCarver said they had a plane to catch) where they would take two-of-three from the Los Angeles Dodgers and five-of six from the San Francisco Giants and the Padres.

On September 17, 1986 the Mets would achieve the first of  three postseason prizes, clinching the division at home against the Chicago Cubs. As the 2024 team fights for the postseason, we can hope that moments like the one that took place 38 years ago will happen once again.

The post OTD 1986: Unique Double Play Seals Mets Win appeared first on Metsmerized.

The 1985 season was Gooden’s best, coming off his rookie season of 1984 when he put up a 17-9 record, led the league in strikeouts with 276, and won the National League’s Rookie of the Year award. Gooden also led the league in strikeouts in 1985, and had 16 complete games, which was the most in the National League.

For fans who watched Gooden in 1985, it was absolutely must-see television. Matt Harvey‘s 2013 season and Jacob deGrom‘s 2018, 2019, and 2021 seasons were close, but no pitcher electrified the fanbase as Gooden did in 1984 and 1985. He was dominant, with a high-90s fastball and a roundhouse curve that would freeze hitters.

Gooden’s Mets career covered 11 seasons, over which he posted a 157-85 record. The Doctor never again reached the heights of his 1984 and 1985 campaigns, and was suspended for drug use at the beginning of the 1987 season. His 1986 season was very good, with a 17-6 record, however, his strikeouts were down to 200 in 250 innings pitched, and his WHIP climbed to 1.108 (an excellent number but above his previous seasons). His ERA+ in 1986 dropped to 126, while his ERA increased to 2.84. Gooden’s 1987-1991 seasons remained solid, if not spectacular. His last three years with the Mets, 1992-1994, Gooden’s record was below.500 in each season.

Back to the game on August 25, 1985, the Mets jumped out to an early 3-0 lead in the bottom of the first on run-scoring hits by Darryl Strawberry (two RBIs) and Howard Johnson. The Padres answered with two runs in the top of the third inning. Strawberry belted a home run in the fifth inning, putting New York ahead 4-2. In the top of the sixth, a Terry Kennedy groundout scored Steve Garvey, cutting the Mets’ lead to 4-3.

The Orange and Blue took over from there, plating four runs in the bottom of the seventh. George Foster drove in two with a single, Rusty Staub added an RBI single, and Roger McDowell, who had replaced Gooden on the mound, doubled in a run. The Mets held an 8-3 lead into the bottom of the eighth, when Strawberry completed his fine day with another RBI, this time on a single.

The 1985 Mets won 98 games, finishing second to the St. Louis Cardinals and missing the playoffs. The Mets went into St. Louis trailing by three games for a three-game series with six total games left to play. The Mets won the first two, but could not complete the sweep, and went home for their final three games, two games off the division lead. The Cardinals would clinch on the second-to-last day.

The Mets would use the 1985 near-miss as fuel for the following season, when they dominated the National League, and persevered through the postseason to bring the franchise’s second championship to Flushing.

The post OTD 1985: Gooden Notches 20th Win appeared first on Metsmerized.