All Time Roster...New York Mets Starting Ten (Includes Closer)

The goal is to come up with one player at each position from The Mets all time roster of players . It doesn't matter how they performed while with The Mets. Just pick the best player at each position. This is an all time roster top ten. This would not be for a single game but just a choice as to who the better ball player was for career MLB value. I will not use someone out of position (example: Gary Carter played a game at LF for The Mets, he would only be eligible at catcher).

Catcher: Yogi Berra 1965

I know Mike Piazza is possibly the greatest offensive catcher of all time (especially when BA is taken into account), but I think when looking at how many times Berra appeared on the leader board in major offensive categories, and then take Berra's defensive reputation and Mike's lack of one, then Berra gets a slight edge.

While Piazza is an all-time Met and our greatest position player ever, it was a tough choice. I was trying to be unbiased, so I would say the numbers and postseason achievements go to Berra. Three MVP's and four other top four finishes.

Any Opinions? Hall of Famer Gary Carter maybe?

First Base: Eddie Murray

This was one tough position. Gil Hodges, Keith Hernandez, Eddie Murray, Carlos Delgado, Joe Torre. John Olerud, and even Mo Vaughn. Eddie had seven .300 seasons, twelve times drove in 90-plus runs, a few GG's, and a WS ring.

The Hall of Famer is eighth all-time in intentional walks with 222. He also hit 500 HRs before the steroid era. A man's man!

Second Base: Roberto Alomar

I changed my mind on this a few times but Roberto Alomar edges Jeff Kent and it was no easy task. It really came down to his defense. Alomar was second to none on the diamond and his two WS rings didn't hurt his cause.

A .300 lifetime BA and over 400 SB, he was the best second baseman in baseball of his era and an all time great.

Short Stop: Jose Reyes

While some may question his maturity—he's still only 26—Jose is on pace to accomplish some big things as a New York Met. He already is a Gold Glove-caliber defender, can steal 60 bases, hit 70 extra base hits a year, score 120 runs, and score from second on a ground out.

The Mets have not had this dynamic a player at SS in their 40-plus year history. Give him time...he will put it all together.

Third Base: David Wright

Ken Boyer (Hall of Fame glove), Joe Torre, Robin Ventura, Edgardo Alfonzo, Hubie Brooks, all manned the hot corner for The Mets, but I think David Wright stands out as a player who is on track for a potential Hall of Fame career. While I'm tempted to take the former MVP-winning Torre, Wright has just as much power, a higher BA, GG defense, and is a 30-30 man.

Left Field: Rickey Henderson

This wasn't close. The Man of Steal in a landslide over Cleon Jones, Kevin McReynolds, Dave Kingman, and Gary Sheffield. The greatest lead-off hitter of all time and one of baseball's most dynamic players. A real game changer.

Center Field: Willie Mays

The Say Hey Kid! His main competition coming from Duke Snider, Willie edges him in every category, but go look at the numbers. The Duke was no slouch. Willie should have been a Met from 1962 until he retired.

He could do it all. The consummate five-tool player. Possibly the greatest player to play the game.

Right Field: Darryl Strawberry

The Straw Man Rejuvenated The Mets in 1983 and led the team to WS title in 1986. While off-the-field problems curtailed what would have been a sure fire Hall of Fame career, Straw did enough to edge Rusty Staub who's lack of speed hurt him.

Straw also won three WS rings and hit over 330 HRs and drove in 1000 runs. Darryl was the more dynamic player.

Starting Pitcher: Tom Seaver

Warren Spahn, Nolan Ryan, Dwight Gooden, Bret Saberhagen, David Cone, Frank Viola, Mickey Lolich, Orel Herscheiser, Jerry Koosman, Pedro Martinez, Tom Glavine, Johan Santana.

All I have to say is I'll go up against any other franchise's starting pitchers and take my chances. 300 wins, three CY Youngs, nine straight 200K years, a no hitter, WS Ring. He single-handedly changed the mindset of the lovable loser Mets in 1967, refusing to accept defeat. The Franchise!

Closer: Randy Myers

Wow...The Mets have had some good ones here as well. Tug McGraw, Jeff Reardon, Rick Aguilera, Billy Wagner John Franco, Roberto Hernandez, Randy Myers, Armando Benitez, Francisco Rodriguez, Jesse Orosco...who do I choose? Randy Myers—dominant in the regular season, and dominant in the post season—a real "Nasty Boy".