Since this is All Star game week and is being played in New York Mets' Citifield ballpark. I will celebrate the stars of the past and present from the New York Mets and name my all time Mets lineup. I will name them counting down from 9-1 according to their number as the position in the scorebook.
My rule is that a player must spend at least five years for New York and two full years at a position to qualify for it. Also, I will only consider what they accomplished as a Met.
9. RF: Darryl Strawberry (1983-1990). Pretty easy pick here. Was one of the stars of stars in New York during the 1980s. Made the All Star game seven times, won Rookie of Year award and twice, the Silver Slugger award. Also help lead the Mets to the 1986 World Series crown and 1988 National League East division title Backup: Rusty Staub
8. CF: Carlos Beltran (2005-2011) Had some solid seasons as a Met before injuries set in and was traded to San Francisco( for current Met Zach Wheeler) as a part of a youth movement. Had three seasons of 100+ RBIs (with HR totals of 41,33, and 26 for them). Made four All Star games and added to his October legacy when he hit three HRs in 2006 NLCS. Backup: Mookie Wilson
7. LF: Cleon Jones (1963-1975) One of the first home grown Mets players. Key member of the 1969 World Series and 1973 NL pennant winners. Made All Star game in 1969.
6. SS: Jose Reyes (2003-2011) All Star and also NL in hitting once, in triples four times and stolen bases three times. Backup: Rey Ordonez
5. 3B: Dave Wright (2004-present) current face of the franchise. Has made six All Star squads so far and has 210+ HRs and 860+ while maintaining a .300 AVG during his career. Backup: Howard Johnson
4. 2B: Edgardo Alfonzo (1995-2002) Not much to go with here. Had career numbers of 120 HRs, 538 RBIs and a .292 AVG
3. 1B: Keith Hernandez (1983-89). One of the key pieces Mets acquired that helped the team win 1986 World Series. Made three All Star games and won six Gold Gloves
2. C. Gary Carter( 1985-1989) Another big acquisition prior to 1986 World Series. Made three All Star games and came up big in World Series. Since a catcher is a high priority defensive position. I went defense over offense in picking Carter over Mike Piazza.
1. P (starting rotation):
Tom Seaver (1967-77,83) Ace of '69 Champs and '73 NL Champs. 3x Cy Young winner. 10x All Star and Rookie of Year.
Dwight Gooden (1984-94) Ace of '86 Champs and '88 NL Champs. Cy Young and Rookie of Year winner and a 4x All Star
Jerry Koosman (1967-78) won 140 career games with an ERA of 3.09. Key member of Mets rotation in 1969 and '73 and made two All Star games
David Cone (1988-92,03) help lead NY to 1988 NL division crown. Led league in strikeouts twice and shutouts one. Made two All Star games
Jon Matlack(1971-77) won Rookie of Year. Made two All Star games including named MVP in one.
also considered: Ron Darling, Sid Fernandez and Al Leiter
Closer: John Franco (1990-2001, 03,04) Mets all time saves leader and member of one All Star team.
also considered Tug McGraw
There you have it. A decent lineup. A few superstars, a couple role players and some veteran leadership. Of course, New York Mets are known for being pitching rich. Surprisingly though, none of the eight starters pitched a no hitter as a Met. 2012 by Johan Santana was the first ever Met to pitch a no hit gem. Seaver, Gooden, Cone, along with Nolan Ryan, Mike Scott, Hideo Nomo and Philip Humber all pitched no hitters after leaving the Mets. Leiter pitched one prior to joining the Mets.
For 2014, Minnesota hosts the All Star game and I will have my all time Twins team.
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