The Five Biggest New York Met Killers in Recent Years

Yesterday, once again Nationals outfielder Willie Harris made a bigger impact in Mets infamy in making a game-saving catch on Rod Barajas. With two outs in the ninth inning, Barajas was up at the plate with the bases loaded. The Mets catcher would eventually hit the ball into left field where Harris had just came in the inning before.

The ball looked as if it could have brought the Mets to a 5-4 victory but just as the ball fell to the ground Harris made a sliding catch for the out to seal the win for the Nationals.

Harris now finds himself among Mets fans as one of their most hated players in MLB. In recent years, the Mets have suffered from many Mets killers and Harris should definitely be considered one now if he was not before yesterday.

There have been many Mets killers in recent years, one of these such players has even named their son after the Mets former stadium, Shea. Since Harris has just put himself amongst the biggest Met killers in recent years I have decided to rank the five biggest thorns in the side of the Mets in recent years.

5. Willie Harris

WIllie Harris has played for the Nationals since 2008 where he was signed during the offseason to be an effective utility man. Before playing for the Nationals, Harris played for the Orioles, Braves, Red Sox, and White Sox where he won a World Series ring.

Since coming to the Nationals, Harris has made catches multiple times to force the Mets to suffer a loss. In 2008, Harris took away wins by making game-saving catches off hits by David Wright and Ryan Church. The reason why Harris is only ranked fifth is that he has only caused the Mets a couple of losses rather than multiple defeats like the guys featured later in this article.

SInce coming to the Nationals, Harris has batted .242 with 21 home runs and 72 RBIs.

4. Dontrelle WIllis

Before going to the Tigers in 2008 along with Miguel Cabrera, Willis was a bonafide Met killer. As a member of the Marlins, Willis was named to two All-Star games as well as being named the 2003 NL Rookie of the Year. Since leaving the Marlins, Willis' MLB career has now become somewhat of the past. In recent seasons, Willis has not pitched in more than a few games and has not had more than one win.

When playing the Mets, Willis had an 11-3 record with 103 strikeouts as well as an ERA of just 2.51. Willis is most likely the biggest pitching Met killer in recent years.

Since leaving the Marlins, Willis has only one win along with six losses and an ERA of 7.77.

3. Derek Jeter

Mr. Yankee, Jeter has been a Met killer since the 2000 Subway Series in which he batted .409 with two home runs and won the World Series MVP award.

Jeter has killed the Mets multiple times during the regular season as well. As of 2008, Jeter posted the fifth best batting average against one team with a .386 average against his cross-town rivals. Only Vladimir Guerrero, Todd Helton (against two teams), and Nomar Garciapara had a better average against one team.

Jeter is ranked third due to the fact that the last two guys played the Mets much more frequently and always would hurt them.

2. Chipper Jones

Jones has been a Met killer since becoming a member of the Braves in 1993. His most notable so-called killing against the Mets is probably in 1999 when the Mets were only down one game behind the Braves in the NL East and the two teams were entering a three-game series to end the season. The Braves would eventually sweep the series due to Jones' four home runs and seven RBI.

Later in the playoffs against the Yankees, Jones would go on to say "Mets fans should go home, and put on their Yankee stuff." Jones currently ranks second all-time among active player with home runs against the Mets. Due to Jones' success at Shea Stadium, he named his newborn son Shea several years ago.

1. Pat Burrell

As a member of the Phillies from 2000 to 2008, Burrell certainly established himself as a Met killer. From the start of his career with the Phillies, he had a knack against the Mets.

Burrell is currently ranked first all-time among active players with home runs against the Mets. Since leaving the Phillies after the 2008 season, Burrell signed with the Tampa Bay Rays.

Actually during the offseason this year, there were rumors that the quintessential Met killer, Burrell may be coming to the Mets, but that was just a rumor. As a Ray, Burrell has batted .217 with 14 home runs and 64 RBI.