Open Mic: The All-Time Mets Amazin' Lineup: From Alfonzo to Wright

Mike PisciottaAug 6, 2008

Catcher- Mike Piazza: Piazza is the greatest hitting catcher of all time, a future Hall of Famer, and arguably the biggest acquisition in Mets history. He's definitely the kind of hitter I'd like hitting cleanup in this lineup. Best season in a Met uniform: 2000- .324, 38 home runs, 113 RBI

First Base- Keith Hernandez: Hernandez might not have been the biggest first basemen in baseball during the 80's but he was easily the best fielding and smoothest hitting. What he lacks in power, he makes up for in clutch hitting so I think I'd like him hitting 7th in this lineup. Best season in a Met uniform: 1984- .311, 15 home runs, 94 RBI

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Second Base- Edgardo Alfonzo: The Mets have never been blessed with good hitting second basemen, "Fonzie" was perhaps the best of the short list. With good speed and a solid bat, he's the ideal #2 hitter. Best season in a Met uniform: 1999- .304, 27 home runs, 108 RBI

Third Base- David Wright: Excluding Howard Johnson, no Met third basemen blends speed and power as well as D-Wright. He's an easy pick for the #3 hitter with his consistent .300 hitting, 30+ home run power, huge RBI totals, and impressive 20-30 stolen bases. Best season in a Met uniform: 2007- .325, 30 home runs, 107 RBI, 34 SB

Shortstop- Jose Reyes: C'mon, who'd you think I'd pick? Already the Mets all time triples leader and soon to be stolen base leader, Jose is the best lead off hitter in the game today, and in Mets history. His deadly combination of spectacular speed and good hitting make him a cinch for my leadoff man. Best season in a Met uniform: 2006- .300, 19 home runs, 81 RBI, 64 SB

Left Fielder- Mookie Wilson: MOOOOOKIIIEEEEE! Perhaps the greatest at bat in World Series history belongs to the speedy Wilson better known to Mets fans as "Mookie '86". His great speed made him a great help in the outfield, and on the basepaths. His lack of power makes him the good bet to hit 8th. Best season in a Met uniform: 1982- .279, 5 home runs, 55 RBI, 58 SB

Center Fielder- Carlos Beltran: Beltran's stay in New York hasn't always been pleasant as he seems to lack the necessary attitude to thrive in the Big Apple. But even Met boo birds can't deny he's easily one of the best all around athletes the Mets have ever had. His most valuable commodity is switch-hitting power, which makes him the smart move at 6th in the order. Best season in a Met uniform: .275, 41 home runs, 116 RBI

Right Fielder- Darryl Strawberry: Power is the name of the game. And Darryl Strawberry truly embodied that philosophy still holding the Met all time records for home runs and RBI. Though drugs ruined a Hall of Fame career, he still remains the greatest position player ever produced by the Mets. #5 hitter easy. Best season in a Met uniform: 1987- .284, 39 home runs, 104 RBI, 36 SB

Pitcher- Dwight Gooden: Gooden's career had the same cautionary tale attached to it that Strawberry's career had. Drugs can ruin anyone, even arguably the greatest pitching arm of the 1980's. Though Gooden was best known for his brilliant fastball-curveball combo, Gooden was also an impressive hitting pitcher finishing his Met career with 7 home runs and 65 RBI. Best season in a Met uniform (Pitching): 1985- 24-4, 1.53 ERA, 268 K (Batting): 1992- .264, 1 home run, 9 RBI

Batting Order