New York Mets all-time starting lineup
Who are the best players in the history of the New York Mets?
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The New York Mets have seen some great -- and charming players -- since their inception in 1962. They have acquired superstars through trades such as Mike Piazza and Keith Hernandez and groomed their own through the farm system like Tom Seaver and Darryl Strawberry. Who are the best of the best for the Amazin' Mets? Here's our all-time starting lineup (plus a few others).
1B: Keith Hernandez
(AP Photo)
Keith Hernandez spent seven seasons with the Mets, hitting a respectable .297 while playing stellar first base. He also was part of the magical, miracle 1986 World Champions. Ed Kranepool spent more time in Queens (18 years) and had 1,418 hits and is beloved to this day. But it's hard to pass up an all-around talent like Hernandez.
2B: Edgardo Alfonzo
(Photo by MATT CAMPBELL/AFP via Getty Images)
Edgardo Alfonzo was a Met for eight seasons, hitting 292 average with 120 of his 1,136 hits coming via a home run. The second baseman who jumps to the front of memory is Ron Hunt, the team's first star. Hard to believe he only played four seasons as a Met.
SS: Jose Reyes
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Jose Reyes spent a dozen years in two stints with the Mets. His first run was much more potent, staying in the MVP conversation while putting up impressive numbers—he led the league with 204 hits, 763 plate appearances, and 688 at-bats in 2008. And he also gave the team a unique speed dimension, swiping 202 bases from 2005-07, leading the NL all three seasons in steals.
3B: David Wright
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David Wright played 14 seasons with the Mets, staying with the team his entire career. The end of his tenure was dampened by injury, but he still managed 1,777 hits and was an absolute leader. One of the players you immediately think of when it comes to this franchise.
OF: Darryl Strawberry
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Darryl Strawberry was the slugger New York Mets fans craved. He spent eight years in Flushing and hit 252 home runs. However, he was out of New York and on to the Dodgers after the 1990 season. His career extended through 1999. Hard to believe Strawberry hit only 83 home runs after exiting Queens. What might have been?
OF: Carlos Beltran
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Carlos Beltran spent seven years with the team and hit for a .280 average with 374 extra-base hits. He made multiple All-Star teams and won three Gold Gloves as a Met as well, which secured his spot in this all-time outfield.
OF: Cleon Jones
(AP Photo/Harry Harris)
Cleon Jones finished fourth in Rookie of the Year voting in 1966, and hit .340 in the magical '69 season. He also caught the fly ball for the last out in the World Series victory over the Baltimore Orioles.
C: Mike Piazza
(Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
Two great catchers played for the New York Mets—with Jerry Grote, who was also marvelous behind the plate, not all that far behind them. Mike Piazza gets the edge over Gary Carter, though, albeit a thin one. Piazza was a Met for eight seasons and hit 220 of his 427 career home runs with them. I was tempted to tilt the scale in favor of Carter because of his World Series ring but Pizza is hard to keep off the diamond.
P: Tom Seaver
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Tom Seaver was Mr. Met. An absolute megastar and brilliant right-hander. He posted 198-124 record, and at the heart of the 1969 championship, went 25-7. Seeing Seaver traded to the Reds in 1977 sent Mets fans into mourning ... with good reason. Alas, he gets the nod for this team.
RP: John Franco
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John Franco was New York to the core. Born in Brooklyn, he spent six years with the Reds before spending 14 with the New York Mets. He compiled 276 saves over 695 relief appearances. Franco gets the call over Billy Wagner.
Manager: Gil Hodges
USAT
Gil Hodges led the Mets to the incredible 1969 World Series championship. The team was 100-1 to win that year, which makes for a far greater accomplishment than what Davey Johnson did with a team full of stars in 1986.
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