New York Mets: The Best Players at Each Position Ever

Since the New York Mets were founded in 1962 they have managed to win two World Series Championships and four National League pennants. They have had Hall of Fame players come through as well as players they would love to forget about.

The following players make up the New York Mets' all-time team.

John Olerud (First Baseman)

John Olerud might not be the flashy pick as the best first baseman in New York Mets history, but his numbers with the team do not lie. Even though Olerud only spent three seasons in New York, he still holds the record for the best batting average and on-base percentage by any Met.

During his time in New York, Mets fans could always rely on Olreud to be Mr. dependable. 

Edgardo Alfonzo (Second Baseman)

During the New York Mets' World Series run in 2000 there was no player arguably as important as Edgardo Alfonzo was to the team. Even though the Mets came up short, Alfonzo still batted .324 with 25 dingers, not to mention batting .444 in the NLCS, which ultimately led the team to their first World Series appearance since 1986.

Alfonzo didn’t just do it in 2000, he was as consistent as they come in his time with New York. In eight seasons with the club, Alfonzo batted .292 and hit over 15 home runs five times. There are not many second basemen who were able to hit for average and power like Alfonzo was capable of. 

Jose Reyes (Shortstop)

It saddens me to pick Jose Reyes as the best Mets shortstop of all time because it seems that his days in New York are numbered, but there is no doubt that he is the guy. Reyes has been with the Mets his entire career and he holds club records for runs scored, triples and stolen bases.

The spark and energy that Reyes brings on a daily basis is like no other in baseball. Reyes has been an All-Star four times in his career and if he does decide to leave New York, Mets fans will be hurting for quite some time. 

Howard Johnson (Third Baseman)

The Mets have had a plethora of talented third basemen with guys such as Ed Charles, Robin Ventura and now currently David Wright, but there still has been no one better than Howard Johnson.

Johnson was a power-hitting switch-hitter who could do it all. He hit over 20 home runs five times for the Mets, not to mention leading the N.L. in home runs and RBI in the 1991 season. He was a five-tool player who is also one of only four guys in the history of baseball to have over 30 home runs and 30 stolen bases three times.

Johnson gets the nod over some of these other great Mets third basemen because he was consistently able to produce for the team for a number of years.

Kevin McReynolds (Left Field)

Kevin McReynolds is a name that sometimes gets lost when talking about the all-time greatest Mets, but his numbers should never be forgotten. In McReynolds' first four seasons with the Mets, he batted .272 and averaged over 30 home runs, 100 RBI and 10 stolen bases.

McReynolds is a guy that was often criticized for never smiling or providing any off-field spark to the team, but not only did he put up MVP-like numbers with the Mets, he was also as consistent as any left fielder the team has ever had.

Tommie Agee (Center Field)

I apologize to those who think Carlos Beltran deserves this award, but if it was not for Tommie Agee the New York Mets may have never completed their amazing comeback in the 1969 season. Agee was by far one of the most important players on the Mets' 1969 championship team as he led the team in literally every hitting category. He was as five-tool as they come providing speed and power for the team, not to mention posting a .986 fielding percentage.

Agee was also one of the best postseason performers in the club’s history and the first Met to ever win a Gold Glove. Carlos Beltran is still a close second, but he was not able to accomplish the ultimate goal with the Mets that Agee was capable of doing.

Darryl Strawberry (Right Field)

Darryl Strawberry is an absolute no-doubter as the best Mets right fielder of all time. Strawberry, who was drafted No. 1 overall by the Mets in 1980, was an instant success to the organization winning the rookie of the year in 1983. He was named an All-Star eight consecutive seasons from 1984 to 1991.

Not only is Strawberry the all-time Mets leader in home runs, RBI and walks, the guy was also a winner. Strawberry is a four-time World Series champion and even though only one of them came with the Mets in 1986 he was still a key reason for the team’s tremendous accomplishment. 

Mike Piazza (Catcher)

Not only is Mike Piazza the best catcher the New York Mets have ever had, but he is also undoubtedly the best hitting catcher of all time. He is the only catcher in the history of baseball to hit over 400 career home runs, not to mention Piazza was selected as an All-Star six times in his eight years with the Mets.

Piazza led the Mets to one World Series appearance in 2000 and even though he never won, he still gets the nod over Gary Carter because of the things he was able to accomplish as a hitter. Piazza is a first ballot Hall of Famer who will go down as arguably the greatest New York Met of all time.

Tom Seaver (Pitcher)

There is no player in the history of the Mets' franchise that accomplished more than Hall of Famer Tom Seaver did. In 20 years in the major leagues, Tom Seaver won 311 games, posted a 2.86 ERA and was awarded the N.L. Cy Young three times.

In Seaver’s 20-year career, he spent 10 of them with the New York Mets and no bigger came then the remarkable 1969 championship team. Seaver’s numbers that season could arguably go down as the best by any pitcher, as he posted a record of 25-7 with a 2.22 ERA.

There is not much more to say about Tom Seaver other than the fact that he changed the Mets' organization forever.