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AMAZIN'
THE 1986 METS!
20th Anniversary 1986-2006
BASEBALL THE WAY IT OUGHTA BE!
Its's hard to believe that 20 years have gone by since that magical World Championship season of 1986.
A season in which our Amazin' Mets were amazingly dominant! That was what manager Davey Johnson told his troops that
Spring Training - he wanted the Mets to dominate the National League. And they did winning the Eastern division decidedly!
The 1986 Mets were made up of arrogance, heart, guts, and talent. And despite their dominance during
the season, they narrowly escaped defeat in the playoffs and world series. They played the most heart stopping
baseball in history! Well that is my opinion anyway. I'll never forget those games so let me share some
of my memories of that wonderful season.
It all started around 1983 when 'new' owners Nelson Doubleday, Fred Wilpon and GM Frank Cashen used
building blocks put an end to the Mets late 70's, early 80's losing ways and creating a winning team. Bit by bit, block
by block, the deadwood was removed - even if that meant some favorites like Lee Mazzilli and John Stearns - and replaced
by a mix of young players, veterans and few who would become superstars.
Free agent slugger George Forster was acquired, favorites such as Dave Kingman, Rusty Staub, and of course,
Tom Seaver graced the orange and blue pinstripes once again. Ther was promise in young pitchers Jesse Orosco, Jeff
Reardon, Ed Lynch, and outfielders Mookie WIlson and a young budding superstar, Darryl Strawberry.
Leadership was brought to Shea in the persons of 3B Ray Knight, formerly of the Cincinnatti Reds and Houston Astros,
and 1B Keith Hernandez, obtained from the Cardinals for Mets reliever Neil Allen. Another favorite who unfortunately
had seen better days at Shea.
Ray Knight, husband of golfer Nancy Lopez, struggled in his first few years with the Mets partly due to injuries. But
the Mets patience paid off as by 1986 he returned to everyday play at thirdbase and would eventually becoame the World series
MVP!
The Hernandez-Allen trade paid immediate dividends as Keith set the tone of playing the game aggressively and as a professional.
He was a presence on the field and often provided counsel to the infielders, pitchers and outfielders. He would later
be named "Captain" and deservedly so. Keith also became a New Yorker while playing for the Mets. Embracing the
city for all it can offer.
Dwight "Doc" Gooden
PARTNERS IN GRIME..........
Lenny Dykstra
Wally Backman
"El Sid" Fernandez
Keith "Mex" Hernandez
Ron Darling
Bob Ojeda
The Mets had great pitching in 1986. Sure they didn't have a 20 game winner, but they had consistency. WIth
Gooden, Ojeda, Darling, Fernandez and Rick Aguilera the Mets had the best starting five of any team in both leagues.
The Mets bullpen also featured righty closer Roger McDowell, and lefty Jesse Orosco. McDowell doubled as the Mets
lead prankster as if he was a lefty but didn't know it! While Jesse who had been with the Mets since 1979 closed
out both the NL playoffs and World Series victories.
The Mets were so fortunate to have a strong closer combo in McDowell and Orosco. In today's game, teams are
lucky to have one closer, but back in '86 the Mets had two guys. When one guy wasn't doing so swell, the other was hot.
Other pitchers out of the Mets bullpen that season were Ed Lynch (who got traded to the Cubs mid season) and Doug Sisk
- nicknaed "Doug Risk". Dougie had been a fine reliever during the tranistional years of '83 and '84, but by '86 became
the main reason that Davey Johnson went through alot of rolaids!
Roger McDowell
The Mets had the advantage of having several veterans on the club that championship season. Gary Carter
has been obtained from Montreal a year earlier, solidified the catching postion, strengthend the ptiching staff, and
with Keith Hernandez provided the leadership to bring home the pennant.
NATIONAL LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES
Astros vs Mets
A little grounder up along first..........
Behind the bag! It's through Buckner!
HERE COMES KNIGHT - AND THE METS WIN!!!!!
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