Mets Fan Favorite Tournament
(7) Jesse Orosco – we are still awaiting for his glove thrown to the heavens to descend to the Earth. Won three games in the 1986 NLCS and recorded two saves in the 1986 World Series. Also had an RBI single in Game 7. His 1983 season was likely the best any Mets reliever ever had, and he finished third in Cy Young voting. Has the most appearances in Major League history, and he was the last member of the 1986 team to be an active player.
(11) Bob Ojeda – Joined the Mets in 1986 and was a key part of the club winning the World Series while one of the players traded to obtain him, Calvin Schiraldi, blew the save in Games 6 and 7. Led the 1986 team in ERA+. Had a number of big starts in that 1986 postseason playing the part of the stopper. Led league in FIP in 1988 and his injuring his hand was pointed to as one of the reasons the Mets lost the NLCS. Was a beloved and respected post-game analyst for SNY before being replaced by Nelson Figueroa.
(3) Darryl Strawberry – Mets all-time leader in home runs and wRC+ among those players who have played at least 500 games played. First Mets position player to win Rookie of the Year. Hit key homers in NLCS, and he still has not completed his home run trot from Game 7 of the World Series. Second Mets player to have a 30/30 season. Did things we never saw a baseball player ever do like hitting the roof in Olympic Stadium. In the top 10 in nearly every career and rookie category in Mets history.
(14) Ray Knight – MVP of the 1986 World Series. Was part of the Game 6 rally and drove in the winning run in Game 7. Fiery leader and player who was quick to both incite and join brawls for Mets teams who came to beat you in any way, shape, or form. Many pinpoint his leaving the Mets as one of the reasons the team never won another World Series.
(6) Howard Johnson – First Mets player to have a 30/30 season. Is the only Mets player with multiple 30/30 seasons, and he is the only switch hitter to accomplish that feat in Major League history. Once held the Mets and National League record for homers and RBI by a switch hitter. To date, still has the best offensive season in Mets history as determined by offensive WAR, OPS+, and wRC+. Returned to the Mets after his playing days and was a mentor to David Wright first in the minors and later in the majors as the hitting coach.
(11) Lee Mazzilli – Brooklyn born player who was the Mets first round draft pick in the 1973 draft. Was an All-Star in 1979, and he would drive home the winning run. After he was traded to the Rangers for Ron Darling, he would return later in his career as a role player for the 1986 Mets. In Game 6 of the 1986 World Series, he would have a pinch hit single against Calvin Schiraldi, and he would later score the tying run helping set the stage for the later game drama. In Game 7, it was he sparked the Mets game winning rally in the sixth inning.
(4) Gary Carter – Made his impact on the team immediately hitting a walk-off homer on Opening Day 1985. His 1985 season still ranks as the best ever by a Mets catcher (by WAR). Mentored young staff to get them to their full potential which led to the 1986 World Series and 1988 division title. Had a walk-off hit in the 1986 NLCS as well as two homers in the 1986 World Series. Will forever be known for getting the Game 6 rally started. If it was up to him would have entered the Hall of Fame wearing a Mets cap.
(13) David Cone – emerged in 1988 to finish third in the Cy Young voting and pitched a gem in Game 6 of the 1988 NLCS to force a Game 7. Two time All-Star with the Mets. Led league in strikeouts in 1990 and 1991. On final game of the 1991 season, he tied Tom Seaver‘s Mets and then National League record striking out 19 Phillies. In 2003, returned to the Mets in the final year of his career.
(5) Mookie Wilson – First part of 1986 World Series winner to debut with the team. At the time he retired was the Mets all-time leader in triples and steals. Had the single biggest at-bat in team history getting out of the way of a Bob Stanley pitch to allow the tying run to score before hitting his little roller up the first base line between Bill Buckner‘s legs. Returned to Mets as a coach on the first Mets team to go to back-to-back postseasons. Loved baseball so much he was married on the baseball field.
(12) Sid Fernandez – Nicknamed El Sid. Flirted on a number of occasions with no-hitters, and he once faced the minimum. Struck out 16 in one game. Pitched three games in relief in the 1986 World Series with a 1.35 ERA. Relieved Ron Darling in Game 7 and pitched 2.1 scoreless to help allow the Mets to overcome a 3-0 deficit to win the World Series. Two time All-Star and sixth all-time in WAR among Mets pitchers. Also fifth all-time in wins, fourth in WHIP, and second in H/9 in addition to his being in the top 10 in 21 different pitching categories.
(8) Ron Darling – Won 99 games as a member of the Mets. Was top five in Rookie of the Year and Cy Young voting. One time All-Star and Gold Glover. Had a 1.53 ERA in the 1986 World Series winning a pivotal Game 4. After his playing career was over returned to the Mets organization as a member of the famed GKR booth in SNY broadcasts.
(9) Lenny Dykstra – Emerged as an everyday player in 1986, and he had a great postseason which included his hitting the first ever walk-off homer in Mets postseason history. Known as Nails and loved for his hard nosed attitude and play. The Mets trading him to the Phillies was reviled at the time and proved to be one of the worst in team history.
(1) Keith Hernandez – His trade to the Mets was widely credited with bringing the Mets to prominence. Won a team record five Gold Gloves at first base further cementing reputation as best defensive first baseman of all-time. Member of the 1986 World Series team who famously threatened Jesse Orosco and Gary Carter not to throw another fastball to Kevin Bass. Was named the first captain in team history. Has become part of the iconic and loved GKR on SNY broadcasts.
(16) Tim Teufel – Came to the Mets in 1986 to serve as a platoon partner for Wally Backman. Hit .444/.500/.889 in three games of the 1986 World Series. After his career ended, he returned to the Mets as a minor league manager and then a Major League coach.
The first round of the Miracle Bracket is complete, and for the most part it went chalk. The first round winners were Tom Seaver, Rusty Staub, Ed Kranepool, Bud Harrelson, Jerry Grote, Cleon Jones, Tommie Agee, and Jerry Koosman.
If you want to call Agee over a Jon Matlack you could, but that could have also been the case of seeding issues with this part of the tournament.
The next round has some interesting match-ups. In particular, the Kranepool/Harrelson and the Grote/Jones ones should be close. With the other two, it is expected for Seaver and Koosman to continue through to their Elite Eight clash between Mets pitchers who have had their uniform retired.
Before we get to that point, our attention will shift to the Amazin bracket with Keith Hernandez facing off against Tim Teufel to kick things off.
(2) Jerry Koosman – Best left-handed pitcher in Mets history, and he will be the first non-Hall of Famer to have his number retired by the Mets. A Rookie of the Year and Cy Young runner-up. Was great in the 1969 World Series. Beat the Orioles in a needed Game 2 victory, and he was the winner for the Game 5 clincher. He was the one who swiped his shoe in the infamous shoe polish incident. Was great again in the 1973 postseason winning a pivotal Game 5. Finished Mets career with a 4-0 postseason record with a 2.55 ERA. Holds nearly every left-handed starting pitcher record.
(15) Gary Gentry – Probably most famous for Howie Rose still bemoaning his not starting Game 6 of the 1973 World Series. Part of the 1969 Miracle Mets. He shut out the Orioles for 6.2 innings in his Game 3 victory making him the first ever pitcher to win a World Series game at Shea Stadium. Also started first ever postseason game in Shea Stadium history by starting Game 3 of the NLCS.
(7) Jon Matlack – After drafting players like Les Rohr and Steve Chilcott, he was a first round draft pick the Mets got right. Won the 1972 Rookie of the Year Award. Three time All-Star and Mets only player to win the All-Star MVP award. Had a 1.40 ERA in the 1973 postseason. Led league in FIP in 1974.
(10) Tommie Agee – First ever Mets player to win a Gold Glove and Comeback Player of the Year. In some ways, first true center fielder in team history. Hit a 480 foot homer in Shea Stadium which was immortalized by a sign where the ball hit. Led Mets in OPS during 1969 NLCS. In Game 3 of the World Series, he led off the game with a homer, and he would make one of the famed catches of that series making a diving grab robbing Paul Blair of an extra base hit. His game was dubbed by Sports Illustrated as “The most spectacular World Series game that any center fielder has ever enjoyed.” Twice finished in the top 20 in MVP voting.