Creating the Ultimate New York Mets Lineup
If some of the best players from the history of the New York Mets were assembled into one batting lineup, the team would be incredibly successful. What does it take to be a part of this honor?
It was necessary to have ballplayers that were consistently at the top of their game with the organization. The following former (and current) Mets players have their own place in team history. Most of the time, it’s at the top of their positional leaderboards.
This lineup needed to be balanced from both sides of the plate, with a healthy mix of hitters with power, speed and ability to put the ball in play. Each of the chosen players -- starting with the ninth spot and up -- displayed one or more of these qualities during their time in Flushing.
All statistics courtesy of Mets.com and Baseball Reference.
Dwight Gooden
1 of 10
There is no doubt Dwight Gooden is one of the best pitchers in franchise history. He performed so well on the mound that what he could do with the bat is often overlooked.
In 11 years with the Mets, Gooden compiled 837 plate appearances in 309 games played. The right-handed hitter put together a respectable .197/.213/.260 line. He was far from a sure out when he walked to the plate, and he often helped himself when he needed it.
Dr. K has more home runs (seven) and RBI (65) than any other Mets pitcher in franchise history. Proving that he wasn’t a home run-or-bust kind of hitter, Gooden’s 15 doubles are third among Mets pitchers, and his five triples are tied for first with Tom Seaver.
It's comforting for a manager to know his pitcher can handle the bat in certain situations with runners on base.
Cleon Jones
2 of 10
An important piece to a National League lineup is having a hitter that can handle the bat well in the eighth spot of the order. Not having a good hitter in that spot allows for that part of the lineup to become a black hole. Cleon Jones is more than capable of that as the left fielder for this team.
Jones played with the Mets for 12 years, enjoying two National League pennants and the 1969 World Championship. Once he established himself on the field, he was a consistent producer at the plate – he hit 10+ home runs, 20+ doubles and 10+ steals almost every season.
For his Mets career, the outfielder hit .281/.339/.404 with 93 home runs, 521 RBI, 563 runs scored and 91 stolen bases. His presence would give New York someone at the bottom of the lineup that can get on base and put pressure on the defense in front of the pitcher and before the leadoff man steps to the plate.
David Wright
3 of 10
By the time his current contract expires in 2020, David Wright will be the most decorated Mets player of all time. He already has a number of franchise records, and is in the top 10 in most major offensive categories.
The third baseman currently owns a .301/.382/.506 line with 222 home runs, 876 RBI, 853 runs scored and 183 stolen bases.
He’s currently the franchise leader in hits (1,558), RBI, runs scored, doubles (345) and walks (671). His batting average is second to John Olerud, and he only trails Darryl Strawberry for the most home runs in franchise history.
Wright is by far the most productive offensive third baseman the Mets have had since their inception in 1962. This lineup would be incomplete without him.
.png?w=256)
Keith Hernandez
4 of 10
Keith Hernandez didn’t hit a lot of home runs as New York’s first baseman, but he did just about everything else right during his time in Flushing.
He suited up for 880 games with the Mets—usually manning the middle of the order for manager Davey Johnson. Hernandez put together a .297/.387/.429 line with 80 home runs, 468 RBI and 455 runs scored.
Both his batting average and on-base percentage rank third best in franchise history. Hernandez’s 159 career doubles rank 11th all-time. Of those players ahead of him in the top 10, only Carlos Beltran played in fewer games (839).
The middle spots of the order are important for a successful team because they need to be occupied by players that can protect those hitting before them. Hernandez’s presence in the sixth spot of the lineup would force pitchers to not pitch around those in front of him.
Mike Piazza
5 of 10
Mike Piazza was a freak of nature during his playing career. Catchers weren’t expected to produce at the plate the way he did on a yearly basis.
During his time in New York, Piazza enjoyed five seasons of 20 or more home runs and four seasons of 90 or more RBI. In 972 games with the Mets, he put together a .296/.373/.542 line with 220 home runs, 655 RBI and 532 runs scored.
His batting average, home run total and RBI total all rank third in franchise history. His .373 on-base percentage is fifth-best, while his .542 slugging percentage is the best.
Piazza hit 396 home runs as a catcher, which is more than any other backstop in the history of the game. He’s considered to be the best offensive catcher of all-time. He was inducted into the Mets Hall of Fame at the end of the 2013 season, and will be waiting for a call from Cooperstown in a few months.
Darryl Strawberry
6 of 10
Before David Wright started breaking franchise records regularly, Darryl Strawberry owned a lot of them. He was a top draft pick by New York in the 1980 MLB draft and lived up to the pressure put on him.
In his eight-year career with New York, Straw never hit less than 26 home runs in a single season. He won the 1983 NL Rookie of the Year award, was selected to seven straight All-Star games and took home two Silver Slugger awards.
The power-hitting right fielder put together a .263/.359/.520 line with 252 home runs and 733 RBI in 3,903 at-bats as a Met.
Straw is currently third in Mets history with 662 runs scored, second in RBI, 11th in on-base percentage, second in slugging percentage and first (for now) in home runs.
He’s the big hitter David Wright would like hitting behind him in New York’s 2014 lineup. It would be hard for pitchers to pitch around Strawberry in the cleanup spot with Mike Piazza hitting behind him.
Carlos Beltran
7 of 10
Carlos Beltran was not fully appreciated during his time with the Mets. There is no center fielder in team history that combined speed and power like he did. When healthy, he was the most talented player on the field.
In 3,133 at-bats with New York, Beltran put together a .280/.369/.500 line with 149 home runs, 559 RBI, 551 runs scored and 100 stolen bases. Out of the seven center fielders the Mets have listed on their positional chart, Beltran tops the leaderboard in each of the above offensive categories—except stolen bases (he’s third).
Add the fact that he’s productive from both sides of the plate as a switch hitter, and his value dramatically increases. A manager doesn’t have to worry about late-game matchups as opposing managers bring in relievers to face the middle of the lineup in crucial situations. That versatility makes him a quality pick for the third spot in the order.
Edgardo Alfonzo
8 of 10
Edgardo Alfonzo embodies the perfect type of hitter for the second position in the lineup. He hit for some power, but also had the ability to set the table for the big hitters behind him. Situational hitting was one of his specialties—whether it was hitting behind a runner, moving them over or taking a walk to set the stage for the player behind him.
Fonzie appeared in 1,086 games for the Mets in eight seasons. He put together an impressive .292/.367/.445 line with 120 home runs, 538 RBI, 614 runs scored and 212 doubles.
The second baseman is in the franchise top-10 in multiple categories. His consistency with the bat made him a fan favorite during his days at Shea Stadium.
Unfortunately, his success with New York didn’t follow him to California when he signed with the San Francisco Giants.
Jose Reyes
9 of 10
What would an ultimate Mets starting lineup be without Jose Reyes leading things off?
If Reyes had remained with the Mets following the 2011 season, he would be joining David Wright in his current assault on the franchise record books. Even without adding to his totals since his departure following the 2011 season, he’s still at the top (or near it) in a number of offensive categories.
With the ability to be one of the most exciting players in the game, Reyes hit .292/.341/.441 in 1,050 games played for the Mets. He’s the franchise leader in triples (99) and stolen bases (370). Reyes is also second in runs scored (735), third in hits (1,300) and third in doubles (222).
His ability to get on base and use his speed to score were among the best ever in Mets history. His departure via free agency has left a hole at shortstop and at the top of the lineup that the organization is still trying to fill.
Honorable Mentions
10 of 10
There were a number of players considered while constructing this ultimate batting lineup who, unfortunately, didn't make the cut.
These players included Gary Carter, John Olerud, Howard Johnson, and Mike Hampton.
Carter was a supreme leader on the field and was clutch for the Mets in the mid-1980s. However, it’s tough to compare his numbers to the ones Mike Piazza put together while he was in Flushing.
John Olerud’s career .315 batting average is the highest in franchise history. Keith Hernandez ended up taking the first base position because of his versatility as a hitter and having spent more time in New York than Olerud’s three seasons.
Before David Wright, the best third baseman in franchise history was Howard Johnson. He was a unique combination of power and speed – HoJo enjoyed three 30-homer, 30-steals seasons, as well as two more 20-20 seasons.
Mike Hampton only spent the 2000 season with New York, but he put together a .274/.313/.274 line. He didn’t hit any homers with the Mets, but slugged 16 over the course of his career. If he spent more time in Flushing, he likely would have made this list.
.png?w=480)
.jpg?w=600 "Colts Release Kenny Moore")
