Amazin Bracket: (2) Dwight Gooden vs. (15) Wally Backman
(2) Dwight Gooden – Had the greatest season a rookie pitcher ever had and the greatest rookie season a Mets player ever had. Remarkably, he was even better in 1985. Won the Triple Crown and was the unanimous Cy Young that year. Was such a great pitcher that for nearly a decade there was a massive poster of him in Times Square. Is all-over the top 10 rankings for Mets single-season and career records. By WAR is the third best Mets player in history.
(15) Wally Backman – Throwback middle infielder and second spot hitter who led NL in sacrifices in 1985. Fiery personality matched the 1986 perfectly. Started a game winning rally in Game 3 of the NLCS with a drag bunt. His run in the 16th inning of Game 6 of the NLCS proved to be the pennant winning run. After being fired from the Diamondbacks, he returned as a minor league manager who had an impact on much of the Mets core, including but not limited to Brandon Nimmo.