It was a long and winding road for the Mets
to get to the world series in 2000.....
In the early 90's the Mets went through another
dry spell. Mets brass brought in superstars like Bobby Bonilla, Eddie Murphy, VInce Coleman, and Bret Saberhagen,
in an effort to return the Mets to championship form. However this only proved to be the worst team money could buy!
In fact that's how sportswirter Bob Klapisch titled his book about that season! I highly recommend even if Its sad
to read how the Mets fell apart.
Visit Amazon: "The Worst Team Money Could Buy" by Bob Klapisch
These superstars became an embarrassment to themselves, the Mets, and
their fans. For instance, Vince Coleman tossed a firecracker at a bunch of fans in the Shea parking lot.
Saberhagen threw bleach at a reporter, and Bonilla completely cracked under the pressure of playing in New York.
One of the few players the Mets obtained in the early 90's through trade
or free agent signing was lefty reliever John Franco. Acquired from the Reds in 1990, John would
close out Mets games until arm injuries in the mid 90's. He would eventually become a late inning and set up specialist.
He ranks second amongst all relievers in saves.
In the minor leagues, the mets were growing players that would become
the nucleus that would bring the Mets back into contention. Catcher Todd Hundley (Who's Dad
Randy caught for the the '69 Cubs), outfielder Jay Payton, infielders Rey Ordonez
and especially Edgardo Alfonzo. Hundley had his best year with the Mets in 1996 slugging 40 homers,
but it was Alfonzo who was the brightest of the bunch.
Alfonzo was shifted from thirdbase to second base several times
in order to accomodate acquisitons such as Roberto Alfonzo. His infieild partner, shortstop Rey Ordonez became
one of the best in the league.
The Mets needed veteran leadership. In 1996 John
Olerud was acquired to play first base. A line drive left handed batter, John hit for average average.
In 1993 while with the Toronto Blue Jays, John had won the batting title with a .363 average. In the
Mets transitional year of 1998, John set a new Mets batting record (breaking Cleon Jones' mark of .340) by hitting .354. He
finishing second in the National league. His consistency at the plate and surprisingly good glove made him a fan favorite. It
was a real shame that he chose not re-sign with the Mets after the '99 season, choosing instead to play in his hometown of
Seattle, Washington.
In 1998, then Mets GM Steve Phillips caught his biggest
fish when he acquired catcher Mike Piazza from the Marlins. Mike who came to fame with the Dodgers had only been in
Miami for about a week before coming to the Mets. But Piazza was the superstar homerun threat the Mets sorely needed. MIke
signed a 7 year contract with the Mets later that year. Though his defensive skills have diminished, particularly
his thtrowing arm, Mike has been the most important acquistion since the days of Keith Hernandez and Gary Carter..
In 1998 lefty Al Leiter joined the starting
rotation. Al had just come off winning the 1997 world series with the Florida Marlins. The same year he also
threw a no hitter. The combo of Reed and Leiter was the best the Mets have had since the days of Seaver/Koosman or Gooden/Ojeda.
In 1999 and after a decade on the south side of
Chicago (The Windy City), Robin Ventura traded in his White Sox for the Mets orange and blue. Robin
took up residence at the Shea Stadium hot corner. In the Mets history they have had more difficulty at the
third base position than any other - particularly in the early years. Robin brought a gold glove and heavy bat. The
Mets now had one of the best 3-4-5 position hitters in their history with Olerud, Piazza and now Ventura.
1999 League Divison Series
Mets vs Diamondbacks
1999 League Championship Series
Mets vs Braves
1999 Mets Stats from Baseballreference.com
2000 Mets stats at baseballreference.com
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