Time for the New York Mets To Give Seaver & Friends Some Company

The NY Mets have received much criticism regarding their failure to recognize their past great players and seasons with the opening of Citi Field. One way the Mets can honor their history would be to retire another former player's jersey number.

Considering that of their four retired numbers, only Tom Seaver spent a majority of his career with the Mets franchise, it's safe to say the Mets are overdue in this department.

The following is a look at several candidates the Mets should consider. The stats provided refer only to the time the player spent in a Mets uniform.

Keith Hernandez

Keith Hernandez played with the Mets from 1983-1989. He was the first team captain in franchise history. He was a three-time All-Star with the Mets, won the 1984 Silver Slugger Award, won a Gold Glove every year, ranks third all time in batting average and eighth in RBIs.

He was also a member of the 1986 World Series Champions and 1988 NL East Division Championship teams.

Mookie Wilson

Arguably one of the most popular Mets, Mookie played in New York from 1980-1989. Mookie is the Mets' second all time leader in stolen bases and triples.

He ranks sixth in games played, fourth in runs scored, fourth in hits, seventh in total bases and 10th in extra base hits. Like Keith Hernandez, Mookie was also a member of both the 1986 & 1988 teams.

Jerry Koosman

Jerry Koosman played with the Mets from 1967-1978. Koosman was a three-time All Star with New York. He ranks third all time in franchise history in wins, third in strikeouts, fourth in ERA, second in innings pitched, shutouts and complete games.

He was a key member of the 1969 "Miracle Mets" World Championship team and the 1973 "Ya Gotta Believe" National League Champions.

Darryl Strawberry

Darryl Strawberry spent his first 8 years in the Majors in the Big Apple, playing from 1983-1990. He was a seven time All Star, 1983 NL Rookie of the Year and 1988 & 1990 Silver Slugger Award winner.

He is the Mets all time home run, RBI and extra base hits leader. He also ranks fourth all time in stolen bases, seventh in hits and second in total bases. He was on the 1986 World Series Championship team and the 1988 NL East Division Championship team

Dwight Gooden

Dwight Gooden spent 10 years in New York, playing from 1984-1994. He was the 1984 NL Rookie of the Year and the 1985 Cy Young Award winner.

He was a four-time All Star with the Mets and ranks first in winning percentage, second in wins and strikeouts, third in complete games, fourth in shutouts and fifth in ERA. Gooden was also a member of the 1986 and 1988 championship teams.

Mike Piazza

Mike Piazza came to New York in 1998 and played with the Mets until 2005. During his time with the Mets he was a seven-time All Star, five time Silver Slugger Award winner and guided the Mets to the postseason in 1999 and 2000.

He ranks first in slugging percentage, second in home runs & RBI, third in extra base hits, fourth in batting average, fifth in doubles and sixth in hits.

His 2000 Mets team won the National League Championship advancing to the World Series for the first time since 1986.