With the loss in game one of yesterday’s doubleheader with the Miami Marlins, the Mets clinched their 5th straight losing season. This shouldn’t come as a shock since it has happened many times in the past – from the newly minted team of the ’60’s to the “Franchiseless” Mets of the late ’70’s and early ’80’s. Hell even the teams from the Mid ’90s as well as the ’02-’04 seasons were exercises in futility. So I figured I would try to compile the All Scrub Mets Team that encompasses players from all these eras – except from the ’60’s because lets face it 99% of the men that played for those Mets teams were either past their prime – or never had a prime to go past.
So without further ado…
My All Time Mets Scrub Team
Manager: Jeff Torborg – He was a winning manager during his tenure with the Chicago White Sox, but I don’t know if it was the expensive payroll of stars ( one of the most expensive payrolls at the time ) or that he melted under the bright lights of New York, but he barely lasted one and a half seasons as the skipper of a sinking ship.
Catcher: Alex Trevino – He was a both offensively and defensively challenged behind and at the plate.
First Base: Mike Jorgenson – Before returning to the Mets in the early ’80’s Mike had been a serviceable reserve outfielder/ first baseman.
Second Base: Luis Castillo – If you find yourself asking why he is on this list you are obviously not a Mets fan.
Shortstop: Frank Taveras – He was your prototypical no hit/all glove infielder. He had speed ( leading the Mets with triples in ’80 ) but he really never got on base enough to flash it.
Third Base: Jim Fregosi – We traded Nolan Ryan for him. He sucked. ‘Nuff Said !
Outfield: Jason Bay – See Luis Castillo.
Outfield: Juan Samuel – For some reasons not known to man nor beast, then Mets General Manager, Frank Cashen traded Lenny Dykstra and Roger McDowell to the Phillies for second baseman, Samuel. The Mets tried to convert him to an everyday centerfielder. Guess what – they failed.
Outfield: Vince Coleman – File him under “Never sign a player that is a Mets killer” because they will continue to kill the Mets – from the inside!
Starting Rotation:
The luckless Anthony Young…
The Charismatic Jose Lima – too bad he concentrated more on his ” Lima Time” slogan than actually pitching effectively.
The Past his prime Mike Torrez.
The pitcher that obviously didn’t want to be here, Mickey Lolich.
And rounding out the starting rotation – Oliver Perez (See Luis Castillo)
Bullpen:
The ineffective Doug Sisk.
The lead blower, Rich Rodriguez – I still maintain that the only reason why he wasn’t released by the Mets is because he was a friend of then G.M, Steve Phillips from their minor league days.
Ineffective reliever from the early ’80’s. Mark “Bombs Away” Bomback.
Another man who couldn’t hold a lead – even if it was glued to his hand – Ryota Igarashi.
Two words that should send a shiver down your spine Guillermo Mota.
And lest we forget, Luis Ayala.
The closer spot is a tough one since the Mets had many men who were not able to put out the fire and save the game, so by default I went with Braden Looper. Yes Looper was playing through injuries in his last season with the Mets, but he still blew the lead in important games when he was healthy – he didn’t have the killer instinct.
Bench:
The light hitting David Newhan.
The light hitting Dan Norman.
The couldn’t get a hit to save his life Ron Hodges.
And the weak hitting Gary Rajsich
So there is my list… Do you agree/disagree? Who would you add or omit ? Please give your lists in the comments section below.
And with that said….. HERE COMES THE INFAMY !!!!!!
Mets alumni celebrating a birthday today include:
Charley Smith would have been 76 (1937) today
One of the most ineffective middle relievers ever to wear a Mets uniform, John Pacella is 57 (1956). In Pacella’s 3 seasons with the Mets he compiled a 3-6 record with a ERA of 4.83 in 104.1 innings.
Middle reliever from the ’02 season, Satoru Komiyama is 48 (1965).
Middle reliever from the ’91 season, Doug Simons turns 47 (1966).
Utility infielder from ’96-’97, Jason Hardtke is 42 (1971).
Some other notables include:
The New York Mets traded minor league pitching prospects, Shane Young and Jeff Richardson to the California Angels for reliever, John Candelaria on September 15, 1987. The Brooklyn born “Candy Man” was once one of the most dominant closers in the game. But by the time he was obtained by the Mets he was well past his prime.
The movie character that Mo Vaughn wishes he could be is Pizza the Hut from “Spaceballs” !!!!
