Good morning, Mets fans! 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...
In the ’90s, Major League Baseball was dominated by luminary power hitters, such as Barry Bonds, Ken Griffey Jr., Mark McGwire, Sammy Sosa and Albert Belle. Fans were enthralled with the enticing numbers being produced, with larger-than-life personalities regularly receiving the spotlight and fanfare. For all of their rightful attention, players who produced in other ways, and perhaps in a...
Good morning, Mets fans! The last four times the Mets were shutout, they won the next game. (And that includes Game 2 of this very series.) Kiké Hernández hit his 15th postseason home run (200 at-bats) and Shohei Ohtani hit a 410-foot, three-run blast as the Dodgers spoiled the first NLCS game at Citi Field in nine years with an 8-0 victory over New York to take a 2-1 series lead. The...
He had been part of the Mets organization since 1991, began with the major league club in 1993, was an Opening Day starter in the mid-90s, and an All-Star in 1997. By the time they reached the postseason in 1999, Jones was one of the longest-tenured players. But when it came time to make up the playoff roster, Jones — who had a 5.61 ERA in just 12 appearances — was left off. Getting the chance...
MMO’s partnership with Out of the Park Baseball (OOTP) continues as our 16-team Mets Madness bracket is well underway. Next up, MMO and OOTP pit the 2022 Mets team against the 1999 Mets team. Jack Ramsey, MMO and Mets Minors writer, is set to control the 1999 team, while James Villani, MMO editor and writer, will control the 2022 team. Each round will be best-of-seven. We will be posting...
Robin Ventura finished his major league career with 18 grand slams. But it’s a hit that only looked like a grand slam which is his signature Mets moment and a unique ending to a 15-inning, five-hour and 46-minute postseason classic. For a team that spent three weeks walking a tightrope, Game 5 of the National League Championship Series against the rival Atlanta Braves was the latest (and...
This offseason, we’re looking at the Mets’ history with free agency: their best uses of money and their worst. Number 10 was among the most underrated Mets ever and Number 9 was another pitcher who charted a unique road to stardom. Next is a third baseman remembered for one of the greatest moments in franchise history. His career as a Met lasted just three years. He was fully...
Saturday will live long in the memory of New York Mets’ fans of all ages. This as Old Timers’ Day finally returned to Citi Field. It was a truly special day and one that perfectly illustrated just how committed owner Steve Cohen is to honoring and celebrating the franchise’s rich history and past. If there’s been one consistent trend since Cohen took ownership over the...
It’s not very often that these two teams are (at least) good at the same time. Taking out the late 1990s and early 2000s, it’s even rarer. But when the quality of the clubs is near equal, the intensity between the Mets and Braves is red-hot. That doesn’t necessarily equate to balance, as when Atlanta reigned as perennial NL East champs, New York was often nothing more than a...
More often than not in the 1990s and early 2000s, the Braves got the better of the Mets. That dominance extended into the 1999 NLCS when Atlanta overcame New York in six games to advance to their fifth World Series trip of the decade. At Shea Stadium 22 years ago, just when it looked like the end result would be all-too-familiar, the Mets managed to get the Braves’ number. Ten, to be...
During his years as manager—first with the Texas Rangers and then with the Mets—Bobby Valentine gained a well-earned reputation for finding his way into the spotlight. Many referred to him as “Top Step” Bobby. In a game against the Toronto Blue Jays, he affirmed that reputation and sort of dispelled it altogether. It’s hard to be a Mets fan and not be familiar with the sight of...
Robin Ventura finished his major league career with 18 grand slams. But it’s a hit that was a grand slam in theory which remains his signature Mets moment — a unique finish to a 15-inning, five-hour and 46-minute postseason classic. For a team that spent three weeks walking a tightrope, Game 5 of the NLCS against the Atlanta Braves served as a pinnacle for the Mets’ late-season...
