The 20 Greatest Hitters in New York Mets History

The New York Mets have been primarily known as a pitching organization since the franchise debuted in 1962.

 After all, the stadiums the Mets have played at home in (Polo Grounds, Shea Stadium, Citi Field) are known as pitchers parks. Mets Hall of Fame pitcher Tom Seaver is still viewed as the greatest player ever produced by the organization. And the Mets are one of only four teams in Major League Baseball to never have a player be awarded MVP.

However, the Mets have been fortunate to have some truly great hitters don the orange-and-blue, and produce for the organization. This means players who actually played and played well for the Mets, so you won't see Willie Mays or Duke Snider on this list.

These players are simply the best hitters in the 49-year history of the New York Mets and all deserved to be call stars during their tenure with the "Amazins".

Honorable Mention: Bobby Bonilla- RF/3B

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21 Jul 1993: Infielder Bobby Bonilla of the New York Mets in action during a game against the San Diego Padres at Shea Stadium in Flushing, New York. Mandatory Credit: Al Bello /Allsport

Years: 1992-1995, 1999

Best Season with Mets: 1993- .265, 34 HR, 87 RBI

Bobby Bonilla was signed with the best intentions by the Mets in 1992. After all, Bonilla was in his prime at 29 years old and already a four-time All-Star who had finished second and third in MVP voting in the previous respective years. However, Bonilla’s time with the Mets would be most remembered for ugly off-field incidents and diminished performance on the field. A good home run and RBI hitter, Bonilla was certainly not the biggest bust in Mets history, but he clearly was not the MVP candidate that they had paid $29 million for. Bonilla’s cameo with the Mets in 1999 is best not remembered by Mets fans.

20. Robin Ventura- 3B

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16 Aug 2001: Robin Ventura #4 of the New York Mets at bat during the game against the San Diego Padres at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, California. The Padres defeated the Mets 6-5.Mandatory Credit: Scott Halleran /Allsport

Years: 1999-2001

Best Season with Mets: 1999- .301, 32 HR, 120 RBI

Robin's tenure in New York might have been short but it sure was memorable. Ventura's 1999 season was not only his greatest season in a Met uniform, but arguably of his entire career. He also owns one of the most dramatic moments in Met history with his famous Grand Slam Single. He also gets points for legendary "Mojo Risin" rally cry for 1999 season.

19. Lance Johnson- CF

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26 Jun 1996: Outfielder Lance Johnson of the New York Mets prepares to swing during a game against the Colorado Rockies at Shea Stadium in Flushing, New York. The Rockies won the game, 5-3. Mandatory Credit: Al Bello /Allsport

Years: 1996-1997

Best Season with Mets: 1996- .333, 9 HR, 69 RBI, 227 H, 50 SB

Okay, Lance Johnson is the definition of a one-hit wonder, but his 1996 season was one of the finest offensive seasons in Mets history. Johnson was at the head of a rag-tag group of Mets players like Todd Hundley and Bernard Gilkey who were all having career years. How impressive was Lance that season? His 221 hits and 21 triples are still Mets single-season records.

18. Lee Mazzilli- OF/1B

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1989: Lee Mazzilli of the New York Mets fields the ball during a game in the 1989 season. (Photo by: Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

Years: 1976-1981, 1986-1989

Best Season with Mets: 1979- .303, 15 HR, 79 RBI, 34 SB

A quality player who's prime years were wasted playing for some lousy Mets teams, it's fitting that Mazzilli's All-Star 1979 season was during one of the worst years in team history. Perhaps Mazzilli's greatest lasting impact is his being traded for pitchers Ron Darling and Walt Terrell (Terrell would be traded afterwards for Howard Johnson).

17. Tommie Agee- CF

Years: 1968-1972

Best Season with Mets: 1970- .286, 24 HR, 75 RBI, 31 SB

Once viewed as the next Willie Mays, Agee was an impressive hitter on Mets teams from 1968-1972 that were mostly based around their pitching staffs. Agee's offensive and defensive talent was a bright spot for the 1969 Miracle Mets especially, who needed a player of Agee's caliber to make their run to the World Series.

16. Dave Kingman- OF/1B

Years: 1975-1977, 1981-1983

Best Season with Mets: 1976- .238, 37 HR, 86 RBI

He never hit better than .238 in a season during his time with the Mets with a low of .198 in 1983. He struck out well over a hundred times every season. He was disrespectful and rude to both the media and fans. But he is also arguably the best pure power hitter to ever put on a Mets uniform.

15. Cleon Jones- LF

Years: 1963, 1965-1975

 Best Season with Mets: 1969- .340, 12 HR, 75 RBI

A player synonymous with the 1969 Miracle Mets, Jones' Mets career spans roughly 12 years. An offensive star on a team bereft of offensive stars, maybe Jones most memorable Mets moment was his catch of the final out of the 1969 World Series.

14. John Olerud- 1B

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17 Oct 1999: John Olerud #5 of the New York Mets watches the ball as he hits a home run during the NLCS game four against the Atlanta Braves at Shea Stadium in Flushing, New York. The Mets defeated the Braves 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Al Bello /Allsport

Years: 1997-1999

 Best Season with Mets: 1998- .354, 22 HR, 93 RBI

Olerud might be best remembered by most people as the only player in MLB history to wear his batting helmet when playing defense. To others, he is remembered as a quality hitter who strove to hit .300 every season, and play his position brilliantly. Met fans will remember Olerud as the player who set the franchise single season record for batting average (.354), and for being part of "The Greatest Infield Ever" in 1999 with teammates Robin Ventura, Edgardo Alfonzo, and Rey Ordonez.

13. Lenny Dykstra- CF

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FLUSHING, NY - OCTOBER 27: Outfielder Lenny Dykstra #4 of the New York Mets at bat during game 7 of the 1986 World Series against the Boston Red Sox at Shea Stadium on October 27, 1986 in Flushing, New York. The Mets won the series 4-3. (Photo by T.G. H

Years: 1985-1989

 Best Season with Mets: 1986- .295, 8 HR, 45 RBI, 31 SB

The ultimate spark plug leadoff man, Dykstra was beloved by Mets fans who were thrilled by his scrappy style of play in the battersbox and in the field. He was ultimately shipped off to Philadelphia in exchange for bust Juan Samuel, and developed into a star there, but Dykstra would nonetheless leave behind some great Met moments.

12. Kevin McReynolds- LF

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1990: Kevin McReynolds of the New York Mets stands ready at bat during a game in the 1990 season. (Photo by: Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

Years: 1987-1991, 1994

 Best Season with Mets: 1988- .288, 27 HR, 99 RBI, 21 SB

An intimidating slugger brought in by the Mets from San Diego, McReynolds was a great right-handed bat to protect Darryl Strawberry. Though he wasn't that great a clubhouse presence, there's no denying the Mets loved his bat.

11. Mookie Wilson- CF

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FLUSHING, NY - OCTOBER 27: Outfielder Mookie Wilson #1 of the New York Mets swings during game 7 of the 1986 World Series against the Boston Red Sox at Shea Stadium on October 27, 1986 in Flushing, New York. The Mets won the series 4-3. (Photo by T.G. H

Years: 1980-1989

 Best Season with Mets: 1982- .279, 5 HR, 55 RBI, 58 SB

Wilson owns, perhaps, the most original nickname in pro sports history. Coincidentally, Mookie also owns the most famous ground ball in World Series history. A phenomenal base stealer, Wilson's hitting was sometimes underrated, and, when combined with his speed, he could be a lethal player.

10. Carlos Delgado- 1B

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NEW YORK - APRIL 08: Carlos Delgado #21 of the New York Mets bats against the Philadelphia Phillies during the last home opener at Shea Stadium on April 8, 2008 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Nick Laham/Ge

Years: 2006-2009

 Best Season with Mets: 2006- .265, 38 HR, 114 RBI

The acquisition of Delgado prior to the 2006 season gave the Mets something the organization hadn't had in years: a power-hitting first baseman. Delgado quickly went about intimidating the league with his awesome slugging ability, and forming a formidible offensive trio with teammates Carlos Beltran and David Wright. With Delgado likely retiring soon, Mets fans will no doubt feel fortunate that they were able to witness the last great years of a Hall of Fame caliber player.

9. Edgardo Alfonzo- 2B/3B

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22 Apr 2000: Edgardo Alfonzo #13 of the New York Mets in action during the game against the Chicago Cubs at Shea Stadium in Flushing, New York. The Mets defeated the Cubs 8-3. Mandatory Credit: Ezra O. Shaw /Allsport

Years: 1995-2002

 Best Season with Mets: 2000- .324, 25 HR, 94 RBI

The only debate I had about putting Alfonzo on this list was whether to list him as a second basemen or third basemen. "Fonzi" is not only easily the greatest hitting second basemen in the history of the Mets, but also of the absolute best clutch hitters in franchise history. A stellar contact hitter with good power,  Mets management nonetheless made the highly criticized move to allow Alfonzo's departure from the team via free agency after the 2002 season.

8. Gary Carter- C

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27 Oct 1986: Gary Carter of the New York Mets makes contact with a pitch during the Mets 8-5 win over the Boston Red Sox in game 7 of the World Series at Shea Stadium in Flushing, New York. The Mets won the series 4 games to 3. Mandatory Credit: T. G. H

Years: 1985-1989

 Best Season with Mets: 1985- .281, 32 HR, 100 RBI

Prior to his induction in the Hall of Fame, there was continued debate over whether or not Gary Carter would be inducted as a Montreal Expo or Met. This shows just how meaningful Carter's presence was during his relatively short time in New York. In just 5 seasons with the Mets, Carter would win a World Series, 2 Silver Sluggers, finish as high as third in MVP voting one year, and be named to 4 All-Star teams. Not too shabby.

7. Carlos Beltran- CF

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NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 18: Carlos Beltran #15 of the New York Mets in action against the Atlanta Braves during their game on September 18, 2010 at Citi Field in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Ima

Years: 2005-Present

 Best Season with Mets: 2006- .275, 41 HR, 116 RBI

Was he worth $117 million over 7 years? Aside from various injuries and a very forgettable 2005 season, he was. Beltran may not have been the 30-30 machine the Mets had hoped he would be, but he still filled the bill as a star slugger to build a team around. Beltran, when healthy, was good for 30+ home runs a season, 100+ RBI, and great play in center field. With his tenure in New York likely coming to an end after or during 2011, Mets fans will ponder whether Beltran belongs in the team Hall of Fame or the team Hall of Shame.

6. Jose Reyes- SS

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PHOENIX - JULY 20: Jose Reyes #7 of the New York Mets bats against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the Major League Baseball game at Chase Field on July 20, 2010 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

Years: 2003-Present

 Best Season with Mets: 2006- .300, 19 HR, 81 RBI, 64 SB

Another Met who may soon find that his time in New York is about to end, Reyes will undoubtedly go down as the greatest leadoff man and greatest hitting shortstop in club history. Injuries ultimately slowed down the star shortstop's ascent as one of the games elite but, at age 27, their is still plenty of time for Reyes to return to his All Star form. If Reyes is healthy and productive in 2011, he could find himself with a brand new contract from either the Mets or the rest of the MLB.

5. Howard Johnson- 3B

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1989: Howard Johnson of the New York Mets swings during a game in the 1989 season. ( Photo by: Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

Years: 1985-1993

Best season with Mets: 1989- .287, 36 HR, 101 RBI, 41 SB

Howard Johnson had one of the more unique vantage points to David Wright's ascension to success, as he has served as Wright's hitting coach in three different levels of the Mets organization. It has to be interesting to see Wright surpass every record you hold in Mets history and be the one coaching him to do it. Though Wright has succeeded HoJo as the greatest third basemen in club history, Johnson was and still is the greatest switch-hitter in the history of the Mets franchise, as well as a fantastic base stealer.

4. Keith Hernandez- 1B

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1988: Keith Hernandez of the New York Mets follows his swing during a game in the 1988 season. ( Photo by: Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

Years: 1983-1989

 Best Season with Mets: 1986- .310, 13 HR, 83 RBI

When the acquisition of one player almost single-handedly turns around a franchise, you know that player means something. Hernandez was a a great hitter who (unusually for a first basemen) did not hit a lot of home runs, but did provide a lot of great clutch hits, and always strove to hit for .300 during the year. More than that, Hernandez represented what it means to be a clubhouse leader and lead by example.

3. David Wright- 3B

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NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 17: David Wright #5 of the New York Mets bats against the Atlanta Braves on September 17, 2010 at Citi Field in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. The Braves defeated the Mets 6 - 4. (Photo by Andrew Bu

Years: 2004-Present

Best Season with Mets: 2007- .325, 30 HR, 107 RBI, 34 SB

If Howard Johnson set the standard for future Mets third basemen, then David Wright has gone one step further. For all Johnson’s power and speed, he lacks Wright’s defensive talent and ability to hit .300. Easily the best player produced by the Mets farm system in the last 20 years, Wright is still in his prime at 28 years old and still viewed as one of baseball’s elite players. As David’s career progresses, we look forward to his breaking all Met offensive records, several of which he will surpass this year.

2. Mike Piazza- C

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FLUSHING, NY - OCTOBER 25: Mike Piazza #31 of the New York Mets swings at a New York Yankees pitch during game 4 of the World Series at Shea Stadium on October 25, 2000, in Flushing, New York. The Mets won 2-0. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

Years: 1998-2005

Best Season with Mets: 2000- .324, 38 HR, 113 RBI

Who was part of the bigger trade in Mets history: Keith Hernandez or Mike Piazza? The debate rages.  You could throw Johan Santana's name in here also for arguments sake but this list is only about hitters so I'll stick with Mex and Pizza. Piazza's stats and the fact that he is an overwhelming favorite to make the Hall of Fame gives Piazza a distinct advantage. Throw in the fact that Mets fans still go bananas over this guy 5 years after his last game as a Met, and he is still among the top 5 in Mets leaderboards in batting average, home runs, and RBI.

1. Darryl Strawberry- RF

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FLUSHING, NY - OCTOBER 27: Right fielder Darryl Strawberry #18 of the New York Mets at bat during game 7 of the 1986 World Series against the Boston Red Sox at Shea Stadium on October 27, 1986 in Flushing, New York. The Mets won the series 4-3. (Photo b

Years: 1983-1990

Best Season with Mets: 1987- .284, 39 HR, 104 RBI, 36 SB

It's difficult to characterize Strawberry. Were you to look at his career and his overall stats, you would conclude that he was a very good hitter who effortlessly combined fantastic power with an impressive ability to steal bases. But when you look at what Strawberry could have been without the problems with drugs and the law, you see a player who blew his chance at becoming a Hall of Famer. Ever with his personal issues, Strawberry possessed phenomenal talent that made him the clear choice as the franchise's greatest ever hitter.