For current information on this topic, see 2008 New York Mets season

New York Mets Established 1962
Team Logo Cap Insignia
Major league affiliations
National League (1962–present) East Division (1969–present)
Current uniform
Retired Numbers	14, 37, 41, 42, Shea
Name
New York Mets (1962–present)
Other nicknames
The Amazin' Mets, The Amazins, The Metropolitans, The Kings of Queens
Ballpark
Shea Stadium (1964-2008)Citi Field (2009-Present) Polo Grounds (1962–1963)
Major league titles
World Series titles (2)	1969 • 1986
NL Pennants (4)	1969 • 1973 • 1986 • 2000
East Division titles (5)	1969 • 1973 • 1986 • 1988  2006
Wild card berths (2)	1999 • 2000
Owner(s): Fred Wilpon
Manager: Willie Randolph
General Manager: Omar Minaya

"Mets" redirects here. The 2008 New York Mets season was the franchise's 47th season The 1962 season is perhaps most notable for the dismal 40-120 record of the New York Mets, which has been a continuing source of humor among baseball fans as well as comedians such as The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, or simply the National League ( NL) is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball The 1962 season is perhaps most notable for the dismal 40-120 record of the New York Mets, which has been a continuing source of humor among baseball fans as well as comedians such as The National League East Division is one of Major League Baseball 's six divisions Champions Major League Baseball The most notable part of the 1969 season were the Miracle Mets World Series: New York Mets Gilbert Raymond Hodges ( April 4 1924 – April 2 1972) was an American First baseman and manager in Major Charles Dillon "Casey" Stengel ( July 30, 1890 - September 29, 1975) nicknamed "The Old Professor" was an American George Thomas Seaver (born November 17, 1944) is a former right-handed Major League Baseball Pitcher who broke into the major leagues in and Jack Roosevelt "Jackie" Robinson (January 31 1919 – October 24 1972 was a Baseball player for the Brooklyn Dodgers. William Alfred "Bill" Shea ( June 21, 1907 — October 2, 1991) was a lawyer and a name partner of the prominent law firm of Shea The 1962 season is perhaps most notable for the dismal 40-120 record of the New York Mets, which has been a continuing source of humor among baseball fans as well as comedians such as William A Shea Municipal Stadium, usually shortened to Shea Stadium or just Shea (ʃeɪ̪ is a Stadium located in the New York City borough Champions Major League Baseball World Series: St Louis Cardinals over New York Yankees (4-3 Bob Gibson, MVP The Polo Grounds was the name given to four different Stadiums in Upper Manhattan, New York City used by Baseball 's New York Giants The 1962 season is perhaps most notable for the dismal 40-120 record of the New York Mets, which has been a continuing source of humor among baseball fans as well as comedians such as Champions Major League Baseball World Series: Los Angeles Dodgers over New York Yankees (4-0 Sandy Koufax, MVP The 1969 World Series was played between the New York Mets and the Baltimore Orioles, with the Mets prevailing in 5 games to accomplish one of the greatest upsets The 1986 World Series pitted the New York Mets against the Boston Red Sox. Fred Wilpon, a graduate of the University of Michigan is a baseball executive with the National League New York Mets of which he became a part- Owner Willie Larry Randolph (born July 6, 1954 in Holly Hill, South Carolina) is a former Second baseman and former manager in Omar Teodoro Antonio Minaya y Sanchez (born November 10, 1958) best known as Omar Minaya, is a baseball executive who is currently the general manager For the medical term, see Metastasis. Metastasis ( Greek: displacement μετά=next + στάσις=placement, plural metastases) sometimes abbreviated mets, For the file format, see METS. The M etadata E ncoding and T ransmission S tandard schema is a standard for encoding descriptive administrative and structural metadata regarding

The New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in Flushing, Queens, in New York City, New York. Baseball is a team sport which is played by several professional leagues throughout the world Flushing, founded in 1645 is a neighborhood in the north central part of the City of New York borough of Queens, ten miles (16 km east of Manhattan The City of New York New York ( is a state in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern regions of the United States and is the nation's third most populous The Mets are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The National League East Division is one of Major League Baseball 's six divisions The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, or simply the National League ( NL) is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball From 1964 to the present, the Mets have played in Shea Stadium. Champions Major League Baseball World Series: St Louis Cardinals over New York Yankees (4-3 Bob Gibson, MVP William A Shea Municipal Stadium, usually shortened to Shea Stadium or just Shea (ʃeɪ̪ is a Stadium located in the New York City borough In 2009, they will move into their new home, Citi Field. Citi Field is the new Baseball park for the New York Mets that is being built in Willets Point in the New York City borough of

The "Mets" name originates from the New York Metropolitans, an 1880s baseball club. The Metropolitan Club (the New York Metropolitans or the Mets) was a 19th century Professional Baseball team that played in New York They are nicknamed the "Amazin' Mets,"^[1] or simply the "Amazins. Baseball nicknames have become an integral part of the sport's culture "In no sport are nicknames more pervasive than baseball "^[1]

An expansion franchise, the club was founded in Manhattan in 1962. Manhattan Island, in New York Harbor, is much the largest part of the Borough of Manhattan, one of the Five Boroughs which form the City of New York The 1962 season is perhaps most notable for the dismal 40-120 record of the New York Mets, which has been a continuing source of humor among baseball fans as well as comedians such as Then based in the historic Polo Grounds, the Mets shared the venue with the New York Jets for two years, until Shea was completed. The Polo Grounds was the name given to four different Stadiums in Upper Manhattan, New York City used by Baseball 's New York Giants The New York Jets are a professional American football team based in the New York metropolitan area.

During their history, the Mets have won two World Series titles (1969, 1986) and four National League pennants (1969, 1973, 1986, 2000). For other events named "World Series" see World Series (disambiguation.

Franchise history

In 1957, the Brooklyn Dodgers and New York Giants abandoned New York for California, leaving the largest city in the United States without a National League franchise. The Los Angeles Dodgers are a Major League Baseball team based in Los Angeles California, USA The San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in, that currently play in the National League West Division. California ( is a US state on the West Coast of the United States, along the Pacific Ocean. The United States of America —commonly referred to as the Two years later, on July 27, 1959, attorney William Shea announced the formation of a third major baseball league, the Continental League. Events 1214 - Battle of Bouvines: In France, Philip II of France defeats John of England. The year 1959 ( MCMLIX) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. William Alfred "Bill" Shea ( June 21, 1907 — October 2, 1991) was a lawyer and a name partner of the prominent law firm of Shea The Continental League (or formally the Continental League of Professional Baseball Clubs) was a proposed third major league for Baseball, announced in 1959 and scheduled He tried to get several existing clubs to move, including the Philadelphia Phillies, the Pittsburgh Pirates, and the Cincinnati Reds, but no National League club was interested. The Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in the United States. The Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati Ohio, USA

One of the Continental League's five charter members was a team in New York City. Charles Shipman Payson and his wife, Joan Whitney Payson, former minority owners of the Giants, were the principal owners, along with George Herbert Walker, Jr. (uncle of future President George H. W. Bush), who served as vice president and treasurer until 1977. Joan Whitney Payson ( February 5 1903 – October 4 1975) was an American heiress businesswoman Philanthropist, patron George Herbert Walker Jr ( November 24, 1905 &ndash November 29, 1977) was an American businessman connected to the accomplished Bush George Herbert Walker Bush (born June 12 1924 served as the forty-first President of the United States from 1989 to 1993 ^[2] Former Giants director M. Donald Grant became chairman of the board. Michael Donald Grant (1904&ndash1998 was the chairman of the New York Mets baseball club from its beginnings in the early-1960s to 1978 Grant and Joan Payson had been the only members of the Giants' board to oppose the team's move west.

The existing leagues, which had considerably more autonomy at the time, responded with plans to add four new teams, two in each league. One of the new National League teams was to be in New York. The NL offered this new franchise to the CL's New York group, provided that they commit to building a new park. Shea told New York Mayor Robert Wagner, Jr. that he had to personally cable every National League owner and guarantee that the city would build a new facility. The Mayor of New York City is the head of the executive branch of the Government of New York City. Robert Ferdinand Wagner Jr, usually known as Robert F Wagner Jr

The new team required a new name and many were suggested. Among the finalists were "Bees," "Burros," "Continentals," "Skyscrapers" and "Jets," as well as the eventual runner-up, the "Skyliners. " Although Payson had admitted a preference for "Meadowlarks," the owners ultimately selected "Mets," because it was closely related to the club's already-existing corporate name, "New York Metropolitan Baseball Club, Inc. ," it hearkened back to "Metropolitans," a name used by an earlier New York team in the American Association from 1880 to 1887, and because its brevity would naturally fit in newspaper headlines. The Metropolitan Club (the New York Metropolitans or the Mets) was a 19th century Professional Baseball team that played in New York This article refers to the former Baseball major league that existed from 1882 to 1891 The name was received with broad approval among fans and the press.

From the first, the Mets sought to appeal to the large contingent of former Giants and Dodgers fans, as well as those New Yorkers who disliked the New York Yankees. The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the borough of The Bronx, in New York City, New York. The Mets' team colors reflect this--orange for the Giants and blue for the Dodgers, although not precisely the same shade of those colors as used by the two former resident teams.

1962-1968: Lovable Losers

In October, 1961, the National League held an expansion draft to stock the rosters of the Mets and the Houston Colt .45s with players from other clubs. The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, or simply the National League ( NL) is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball An expansion draft, in professional Sports, occurs when a sports league decides to create one or more new Expansion teams or franchises This occurs mainly The Houston Astros are a Professional baseball team based in Houston Texas. 22 players were selected by the Mets, including some with notable previous success such as Roger Craig, Al Jackson, Frank Thomas and Richie Ashburn. Roger Lee Craig (born February 17 1930 in Durham North Carolina) is a former Pitcher, coach and manager in Major League Baseball. Frank Joseph Thomas (born June 11 1929 in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania) is a former Left fielder and first and Third baseman Don Richard "Richie" Ashburn ( March 19 1927 — September 9 1997) also known by the nickname " Whitey " due to But rather than select talented young players with future potential, Mets management preferred to sign faded stars of the Dodgers, Giants and Yankees to appeal to fans' nostalgia. Legendary Yankees manager Casey Stengel was hired out of retirement to lead the team, but his managerial acumen wasn't enough to overcome the severe deficiency of talent among the players. Charles Dillon "Casey" Stengel ( July 30, 1890 - September 29, 1975) nicknamed "The Old Professor" was an American

The Mets began their on-field play in 1962, losing their first nine games en route to a 40-120 record. Their . 250 winning percentage was the third worst by any major league team since the beginning of the 20th Century, and the fourth-worst in baseball history. Listed below are the Major League Baseball teams with the worst season won-lost records as determined by winning percentage ( Throughout major league history only the 1899 Cleveland Spiders (20-134) lost more games in a single season than the 1962 Mets. The Cleveland Spiders were a Major League Baseball team which played between 1887 and 1899 in Cleveland Ohio. It wasn't until 2003 that the record would be threatened by the Detroit Tigers, who finished the season at 43-119. The Detroit Tigers are a professional baseball team based in Detroit, Michigan, USA The ineptitude of the Mets during their first year is chronicled in colorful fashion in the 1963 book Can't Anybody Here Play This Game?, written by New York columnist Jimmy Breslin. Jimmy Breslin (born October 17, 1930) is a Pulitzer Prize -winning American Columnist and Author.

Beloved by New York fans despite their losing ways — or perhaps because of them — the Mets of the early 1960s became famous for their ineptitude. Journeyman players like the ironically nicknamed "Marvelous Marv" Throneberry became icons of athletic incompetence. Marvin Eugene Throneberry ( September 2, 1933 - June 23, 1994) was an American Major League Baseball player best Ex-Dodger and Giant pitcher Billy Loes, who was selected by the Mets in the 1961 expansion draft, was credited with this ungrammatical quotation: "The Mets is a good thing. William Loes (born December 13, 1929 in Long Island City, Queens) is a former Pitcher in Major League Baseball. They give everybody jobs. Just like the WPA. The Works Progress Administration (renamed in 1939 the Work Projects Administration; WPA) was the largest New Deal agency employing millions of people " Even the Mets proved to have standards, however. In 1962, Cleveland Indians catcher Harry Chiti was purchased by the Mets for a player to be named later in the season. The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio, United States. Catcher is also a general term for a fielder who catches the ball in Cricket. Harry Chiti ( November 16, 1932 – January 31, 2002) was a Catcher in Major League Baseball. The concept of the "player to be named later" is most often associated with Major League Baseball and Minor League Baseball trades That "player to be named later" ended up being Harry Chiti. Chiti was the first player ever to be sent back to his original team in a trade in Major League history.

The 1963 Mets featured a pitcher, Carlton Willey, who was having a great year, pitching four shut-outs, when he incurred an injury and finished with a 9-14 won-loss record.

In 1964, the Mets, who played their first two seasons in the old Polo Grounds, the former home of the Giants, moved to the newly constructed Shea Stadium, a 55,300-seat multipurpose facility built in the Flushing neighborhood of the Borough of Queens, adjacent to the site of the 1939 and 1964 New York World's Fairs. The Polo Grounds was the name given to four different Stadiums in Upper Manhattan, New York City used by Baseball 's New York Giants William A Shea Municipal Stadium, usually shortened to Shea Stadium or just Shea (ʃeɪ̪ is a Stadium located in the New York City borough Flushing, founded in 1645 is a neighborhood in the north central part of the City of New York borough of Queens, ten miles (16 km east of Manhattan In New York City, a borough is a unique form of government which administers the five fundamental constituent parts that make up the consolidated city The 1939-40 New York World's Fair, Flushing Meadows-Corona Park (also the location of the 1964-1965 New York World's Fair) was one of the largest The 1964/1965 New York World's Fair was the third major World's Fair to be held in New York City One high point of Shea Stadium's first season came on Father's Day, when Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Jim Bunning threw a perfect game against the Mets, the first in the National League since 1880. Father's Day is a celebration inaugurated in the early twentieth century to complement Mother's Day in celebrating Fatherhood and male Parenting, and The Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in the United States. James Paul David "Jim" Bunning (born October 23, 1931) is an American politician and former Pitcher in Major League Baseball For perhaps the only time in the stadium's history, the Shea faithful found themselves rooting for the visitors, caught up in the rare achievement, and roaring for Bunning on every pitch in the ninth inning. His strikeout of John Stephenson capped the performance. Another high point was Shea Stadium's hosting of the 1964 All-Star Game. The Major League Baseball All-Star Game, also popularly known as the "Midsummer Classic" is an annual Baseball game between players from the National League Unexpectedly thrust into the spotlight in the final hectic weekend of the 1964 season, the Mets relished the role of spoiler, beating the Cardinals in St. Louis on Friday and Saturday (keeping alive the hopes of the Phillies, Giants, and Reds) before succumbing to the eventual National League champions on Sunday.

The Mets' image as lovable losers was wearing a little thin as the decade progressed, but things began to change slowly in the late '60s. The Mets acquired top pitching prospect Tom Seaver in a lottery and he became the league's Rookie of the Year in 1967. George Thomas Seaver (born November 17, 1944) is a former right-handed Major League Baseball Pitcher who broke into the major leagues in and In Major League Baseball, the Rookie of the Year Award is given annually to one player from each league as voted upon by the Baseball Writers Association of America Even though the Mets remained in last place, Tom Seaver was a sign of good fortune to come. He was originally signed by the Atlanta Braves in February 1966 out of the University of Southern California, but his contract was voided by Commissioner William D. Eckert on the basis that the USC season had already started when Seaver signed. William Dole Eckert (January 20 1909 in Freeport Illinois - April 16 1971 was a Lieutenant general in the United States Air Force, and later the 4th In order to resolve this issue, the Mets, Indians, and Phillies were all placed in a hat since they were the only teams willing to match the Braves offer, and the Mets were fortunate enough to win the drawing. In addition to Seaver, two other young players were catcher Jerry Grote and shortstop Bud Harrelson. Gerald Wayne Grote (born October 6, 1942 in San Antonio Texas) is a former Major League Baseball Catcher who played for the Derrel McKinley "Bud" Harrelson (born June 6, 1944, Niles California) is a former Major League Baseball Shortstop who This trio of youth formed a new, determined clubhouse nucleus that had no interest in losing, lovably or otherwise. By the 1968 season, Wes Westrum would be replaced as manager by Gil Hodges. Wesley Noreen Westrum ( November 28 1922 – May 28 2002) was an American Catcher, manager, coach Gilbert Raymond Hodges ( April 4 1924 – April 2 1972) was an American First baseman and manager in Major Pitcher Jerry Koosman joined the staff and had a spectacular rookie season in 1968, winning 19 games. Jerome Martin "Jerry" Koosman (born December 23, 1942 in Appleton Minnesota) is a former left-handed starting Pitcher in Major Left fielder Cleon Jones developed as a batter and exciting center fielder Tommie Agee came over in a trade. Cleon Joseph Jones (born August 4 1942 in Plateau Alabama) is a former Left fielder in Major League Baseball who played for the Tommie Lee Agee ( August 9, 1942 in Magnolia, Alabama - January 22, 2001 in New York City) was a Center fielder But although much improved, the 1968 team still finished the season in 9th place.

1969: The "Miracle' Mets"

The Mets played a major role in the National League's move to divisional play for 1969. Champions Major League Baseball The most notable part of the 1969 season were the Miracle Mets World Series: New York Mets Faced with the prospect of losing lucrative home dates with the Dodgers and Giants, they threatened to scuttle the whole plan unless they were compensated with more dates against the Cardinals, the reigning power in the league at the time. The Cubs then demanded to be placed in the newly formed National League East as well in order to continue their historic rivalry with the Cardinals. The result was that the Braves and Reds - in defiance of all geographic reality - were placed in the National League West.

The Mets began the 1969 season in a mediocre way; an opening day loss of 11-10 to the expansion Expos was followed by a record of 21-23 through the end of May. By mid-August, the favored Chicago Cubs seemed safely on their way to winning the first ever National League East Division title (and their first postseason appearance of any kind since 1945). The Chicago Cubs are a Professional Baseball franchise based in Chicago, Illinois. The 1945 World Series matched the American League Detroit Tigers against the National League Chicago Cubs. The Mets sat in third place, ten games behind; but Chicago went 8-17 in September, while the Mets, with outstanding pitching from their young staff, piled up victory after victory, winning 38 of their last 49 games. They took first place for good on September 9, and finished in first place with a 100-62 record for the season, their first winning year ever, a full eight games over the Cubs. Events 1000 - Battle of Svolder, Viking Age. 1379 - Treaty of Neuberg, splitting the Austrian The Mets finished with a team ERA of 2. 99, and a league leading 28 shutouts thrown. Tom Seaver led the way with a 25-7 record, with lefty Jerry Koosman behind him at 17-9 record, while Cleon Jones finished with a . Jerome Martin "Jerry" Koosman (born December 23, 1942 in Appleton Minnesota) is a former left-handed starting Pitcher in Major Cleon Joseph Jones (born August 4 1942 in Plateau Alabama) is a former Left fielder in Major League Baseball who played for the 340 batting average. Seaver's best game occurred on July 9, at Shea Stadium, where he came within two outs of a perfect game, but gave up a one-out, ninth-inning single to the Cubs' Jimmy Qualls for the only hit in the Mets' 4-0 victory.

The "Miracle' Mets" or "Amazin Mets," as they became known by the press, went on to win a three-game sweep of the strong Atlanta Braves, led by legend Henry "Hank" Aaron, in the very first National League Championship Series. Henry Louis "Hank" Aaron (born February 5 1934 in Mobile Alabama) nicknamed "Hammer" "Hammerin' Hank” or "Bad Henry” is a retired The Mets were still considered underdogs in this series despite the fact that they had a better record than the Braves.

The Mets were given very little chance in the 1969 World Series, facing a powerful Baltimore Orioles team that had gone 109-53 in the regular season and included future Hall of Famers Frank Robinson, Brooks Robinson, and Jim Palmer as well as future Mets manager Davey Johnson, who ironically would make the final out of the Series. The 1969 World Series was played between the New York Mets and the Baltimore Orioles, with the Mets prevailing in 5 games to accomplish one of the greatest upsets The Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland. Frank Robinson (born August 31, 1935 in Beaumont Texas) is a Hall of Fame former Major League Baseball player Brooks Calbert Robinson Jr (born May 18, 1937 in Little Rock Arkansas) is an American former Third baseman in Major League James Alvin "Jim" Palmer (born October 15, 1945) nicknamed "Cakes" is a former Major League Baseball right-handed Starting pitcher David Allen "Yox" Johnson (born January 30 1943 in Orlando Florida) is a former Second baseman, Designated hitter, and Before the series began, pundits predicted Tom Seaver might win the opening game, but that the Mets would have trouble winning again in the World Series. As it turned out, just the opposite occurred; Seaver was roughed up, allowing four runs in the opener, which he lost - but the Mets' pitching shut down the Orioles after that, holding them to just five runs over the next four games, to win the World Series 4 games to 1. Seaver got his revenge in game four, pitching all 10 innings of a 2-1 victory.

For longtime Mets announcer Ralph Kiner and many fans, the turning point in the team's season, came in the third inning of the second game of a July 30 doubleheader against the Houston Astros. Ralph McPherran Kiner (born October 27, 1922) is an American former Major League Baseball player and current Announcer. When left fielder Cleon Jones failed to hustle after a ball hit to the outfield, Mets manager Gil Hodges removed him from the game - but rather than simply signal from the dugout for Jones to come out, or delegate the job to one of his coaches, Hodges left the dugout and slowly, deliberately, walked all the way out to left field to remove Jones, and walk him back to the bench. Cleon Joseph Jones (born August 4 1942 in Plateau Alabama) is a former Left fielder in Major League Baseball who played for the Gilbert Raymond Hodges ( April 4 1924 – April 2 1972) was an American First baseman and manager in Major For the rest of that season, Jones never failed to hustle.

This rags-to-riches story is regarded as one of baseball history's great turnarounds, giving hope to underdogs, also-rans, and lost causes everywhere.

1970-1979: "You Gotta Believe!" and the Midnight Massacre

The Miracle Mets magic wore off as the 1970s began. In subsequent years, Mets pitchers generally excelled but received lackluster support from the hitters with mediocre finishes the result. Efforts to improve the offense backfired with blunders such as trading Amos Otis for troubled infielder Joe Foy after the 1969 season as well as young pitcher Nolan Ryan for infielder Jim Fregosi after the 1971 season. Amos Joseph Otis (born April 26, 1947 in Mobile Alabama) is a former Center fielder in Major League Baseball who played for the Joseph Anthony "Joe" Foy ( February 21, 1943 – October 12, 1989) was a Major League Baseball player who primarily Lynn Nolan Ryan Jr (born January 31, 1947 in Refugio, Texas) is a retired American Right-handed Pitcher in James Louis Fregosi (born April 4 1942 in San Francisco California) is a former Shortstop and manager in Major League Baseball Once out of the glaring New York spotlight, Ryan became one of the best pitchers in history, spending 22 more years in the majors and entering the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1999. Fregosi battled injuries and played just 146 games for the Mets over a season and a half. Meanwhile Otis became a star with the Kansas City Royals while Foy lasted only one season in New York. The Kansas City Royals are a Major League Baseball team based in Kansas City, Missouri.

The team was thrown into confusion and shock prior to the 1972 season, when Manager Gil Hodges, who had led the team to the World Series victory in 1969, suffered a sudden heart attack at the end of spring training and died. Gilbert Raymond Hodges ( April 4 1924 – April 2 1972) was an American First baseman and manager in Major Coach Yogi Berra succeeded Hodges. Lawrence Peter "Yogi" Berra (born May 12 1925 in St Louis Missouri) is a former Major League Baseball player and manager

Berra's Mets found themselves in last place with a 61-71 record at the end of August, 1973 but they recovered behind relief pitcher Tug McGraw and his "Ya gotta believe!" rallying cry (the team has since trademarked the phrase), winning 21 of their last 29 games. Frank Edwin "Tug" McGraw Jr ( August 30, 1944 – January 5, 2004) was a colorful Major League Baseball relief Pitcher A trademark or trade mark, represented by the symbols ™ and ®, or mark is a distinctive sign or indicator used by an individual Berra also coined his most famous Yogiism that year: "It ain't over till it's over!" In a peculiar circumstance, their final record of only 82-79 was good enough to win the division while five better teams in the Majors missed the postseason. Lawrence Peter "Yogi" Berra (born May 12 1925 in St Louis Missouri) is a former Major League Baseball player and manager Despite the worst winning percentage ever by a division winner (until the 2005 San Diego Padres), the Mets then shocked the heavily-favored Cincinnati Reds "Big Red Machine" in the NLCS. The San Diego Padres are a Major League Baseball team based in San Diego California since their founding in 1969 The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati Ohio, USA "The Big Red Machine" is also the publicly used name of the Hells Angels biker gang Their record remains the worst of any pennant-winning team but they managed to push the A. L. champion Oakland Athletics to a seventh game. The Oakland Athletics are a professional baseball team based in Oakland, California. Their near-miracle season ended with a loss to Ken Holtzman in the final contest. Kenneth Dale Holtzman (born November 3, 1945, in St Louis Missouri) is a Left-handed former Starting pitcher in Major League

As the 1975 season ended, owner Joan Payson died. Her husband Charles delegated ownership authority to his daughters, who in turn left the baseball side to M. Donald Grant. Payson had been the driving force behind the Mets, but her survivors did not share her enthusiasm for investing in the future of the team. Contract disputes with star pitcher Tom Seaver and slugger Dave Kingman erupted in 1977. George Thomas Seaver (born November 17, 1944) is a former right-handed Major League Baseball Pitcher who broke into the major leagues in and David Arthur Kingman (born December 21, 1948, in Pendleton Oregon) nicknamed "Kong" and "Sky King" is a former Major League Both players were traded on June 15, the trading deadline, in what New York tabloids dubbed "The Midnight Massacre". Events 763 BC - Assyrians record a Solar eclipse that will be used to fix the Chronology of Mesopotamian history A tabloid is a Newspaper industry term which refers to a smaller newspaper format per spread to a weekly or semi-weekly alternative newspaper that focuses on local-interest The Mets received six players in the two deals, but none had any lasting impact. Attendance fell, to the point where Shea Stadium was nicknamed "Grant's Tomb". Coincidentally, the Yankees began their resurgence at roughly the same time, further eroding the Mets' fan base.

The team finished in last place yet again in 1978. Champions Major League Baseball World Series: New York Yankees over Los Angeles Dodgers (4-2 Bucky Dent, MVP By this time, it was obvious that Grant had mismanaged the team. Charles Payson himself fired Grant at the end of the season. The Mets continued to struggle, and did not become a competitive team again until the mid-1980s, marking the first time that both New York teams were competitive at the same time, both on the field and at the box office.

1980-1985: Cashen rebuilds

In January, 1980 the Payson heirs sold the Mets franchise to the Doubleday publishing company for $21. The Doubleday Publishing Group is the fifth largest Book Publishing company in the world 1 million. Nelson Doubleday, Jr. was named chairman of the board while minority shareholder Fred Wilpon took the role of club president. Nelson Doubleday Jr (b July 20, 1933) was the president of Doubleday. Fred Wilpon, a graduate of the University of Michigan is a baseball executive with the National League New York Mets of which he became a part- Owner Wilpon quickly hired longtime Baltimore Orioles executive Frank Cashen as general manager to begin the process of rebuilding the Mets. The Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland. J Frank Cashen (born 1922 is a former general manager in Major League Baseball.

Cashen's positive impact on the organization took some time to be felt at the major league level. He began by selecting slugging high school phenomenon Darryl Strawberry as the number one overall pick in the 1980 amateur draft. Darryl Eugene Strawberry (born March 12, 1962) is a former Baseball player who is well-known both for his play on the baseball field and for his controversial Two years later, hard-throwing hurler Dwight Gooden was taken as the fifth overall selection in the 1982 draft. Dwight Eugene Gooden (born November 16, 1964 in Tampa Florida) also known as Doc Gooden or Dr The pair rose quickly through the minors, winning successive Rookie of the Year awards (Strawberry in 1983, Gooden in 1984). In Major League Baseball, the Rookie of the Year Award is given annually to one player from each league as voted upon by the Baseball Writers Association of America Cashen's mid-season 1983 trade for former MVP Keith Hernandez helped spark the Mets' return to competitive contention. The Most Valuable Player Award (commonly known as the MVP award is an annual award given to one outstanding player in each league of Major League Baseball. Keith Hernandez (nicknamed "Mex" (born October 20, 1953, in San Francisco California) is a former Major League Baseball First In 1984, new manager Davey Johnson was promoted from the helm of the AAA Tidewater Tides and led the Mets to a 90-72 record, their first winning season since 1976. David Allen "Yox" Johnson (born January 30 1943 in Orlando Florida) is a former Second baseman, Designated hitter, and The Norfolk Tides are a Minor league baseball team in the Triple-A International League. In 1985 the Mets acquired future Hall of Fame catcher Gary Carter from the Montreal Expos and won 98 games, but lost the division title to the St. Louis Cardinals in the final days of the season in a memorable series. Gary Edmund Carter (born April 8 1954 nicknamed "Kid" or "Kid Carter" was a Major League Baseball Catcher from 1974-1992 Franchise history Creation of the franchise In 1960 Montreal lost its International League team the Montreal Royals (an affiliate of The St Louis Cardinals (also referred to as "the Cards " or "the Redbirds " are a professional Baseball team based in St (The Mets began the series three games behind St. Louis and won the first two, but faltered in the third game, allowing St. Louis to remain in first place).

1986-1990: World Series Champions and what could have been

Main articles: 1986 New York Mets season, 1986 National League Championship Series, and 1986 World Series

Unlike the league champion Mets of 1969 or 1973, the 1986 Mets broke away from the rest of the division early and dominated throughout the year. The 1986 New York Mets was the Mets 25th season in the National League. The National League Championship Series pitted the New York Mets against the Houston Astros. The 1986 World Series pitted the New York Mets against the Boston Red Sox. They won 20 of their first 24 games, clinched the East Division title on September 17, and finished the year 108-54, which tied with the 1975 Cincinnati Reds for the third most wins in National League history, behind the 1906 Chicago Cubs (116) and the 1909 Pittsburgh Pirates (110). The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati Ohio, USA The Chicago Cubs are a Professional Baseball franchise based in Chicago, Illinois. The Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The relative lack of excitement during the regular season was more than compensated for by the spectacularly suspenseful and dramatic post-season series.

In the National League Championship Series, the Mets faced their fellow 1962 expansion team, the Houston Astros. The Houston Astros are a Professional baseball team based in Houston Texas. Unlike the Mets, the Astros had yet to win a pennant, but had former Mets fireballer Nolan Ryan leading their pitching staff. In Baseball, a fireballer is a Pitcher who throws at a notably high velocity Lynn Nolan Ryan Jr (born January 31, 1947 in Refugio, Texas) is a retired American Right-handed Pitcher in The Mets took a two-games-to-one lead with a come-from-behind walk-off home run by Lenny Dykstra. In Baseball, a walk-off home run is a Home run that ends the game Leonard Kyle (Lenny Dykstra (ˈdaɪkstɹə born February 10, 1963 in Santa Ana, California, and also known as Nails or The In Game 6, the Mets turned a 3-0 ninth-inning deficit into a sixteen-inning marathon victory to clinch the National League pennant and earn their third World Series appearance. For other events named "World Series" see World Series (disambiguation. The Astros would have to wait until 2005 to finally win their first pennant. The National League Championship Series ( NLCS) the second round of the 2005 National League playoffs matched the Central Division champion and defending

In the World Series against the Boston Red Sox, the Mets faced elimination leading into Game 6. The Boston Red Sox are a Professional baseball team based in Boston Massachusetts, and are the reigning (2007 World Series Champions. The Red Sox scored two runs in the tenth inning and twice came within one strike of winning their first World Series since 1918. The 1918 World Series featured the Boston Red Sox, who defeated the Chicago Cubs four games to two But the Mets rallied and would come back in typical Amazin' Mets fashion.

With two outs and down two runs, three consecutive singles brought the Mets within 90 feet of knotting the score. Hitter Mookie Wilson ran the count to 2-1, then fouled off 3 consecutive pitches. William Hayward "Mookie" Wilson (born February 9 1956) is a former Major League Baseball Center fielder who played with the New With the count 2-2, pitcher Bob Stanley threw a wild pitch that Wilson had to leap out of the way of. Robert William "Bob" Stanley (born November 10, 1954) in Portland Maine is a former Major League Baseball right-handed Relief Boston catcher Rich Gedman made a wild stab for the ball but it went to the backstop. Richard Leo "Rich" Gedman (born September 26, 1959) is a former Major League Baseball Catcher and left-handed batter who played with Pinch hitter Kevin Mitchell scored from third base, tying the game. Kevin Darnell Mitchell (born January 13, 1962 in San Diego California) is a former American Major League Baseball Left fielder

Now facing a full count, Wilson fouled off two more pitches. It was then that Wilson hit a weak ground ball down the first base line. What should have been a routine out instead rolled under the legs of first baseman Bill Buckner and into the annals of baseball history as third baseman Ray Knight ran home all the way from second base to score the winning run. William Joseph "Bill" Buckner (born December 14, 1949) is a former Major League Baseball player for the Los Angeles Dodgers, Chicago Charles Ray Knight (born December 28 1952, in Albany Georgia) is a former right-handed Major League Baseball player who played in

The Mets went on to win their second World Series title by taking Game 7, also in dramatic fashion, overcoming a 3 run deficit while scoring a total of 8 runs during the final 3 innings. They remain the only team to come within one strike of losing a World Series before recovering to become World Champions.

While the team around the 1986 championship was strong, they also became infamous for off-the-field controversy. Both Strawberry and Gooden were youngsters who wound up burning out long before their time because of various substance abuse and personal problems. Both of their problems started before age 25 and have continued. Hernandez's cocaine abuse was the subject of persistent rumors even before he joined the Mets, but he publicly acknowledged his addiction in 1985 and made a successful recovery. Lenny Dykstra's reputation was recently tainted by allegations of steroid use and gambling problems. Leonard Kyle (Lenny Dykstra (ˈdaɪkstɹə born February 10, 1963 in Santa Ana, California, and also known as Nails or The A steroid is a Terpenoid Lipid characterized by a Carbon skeleton with four fused rings generally arranged in a 6-6-6-5 fashion ^[3] Instead of putting together a winning dynasty, the problems caused the Mets to soon fall apart. ^[4] Despite Darryl Strawberry's numerous off-the-field mishaps, he remains the Mets' all-time leader in home runs and runs batted in.

After winning the World Series in 1986, World Series MVP Ray Knight signed with the Orioles. Charles Ray Knight (born December 28 1952, in Albany Georgia) is a former right-handed Major League Baseball player who played in Also, they traded the flexible Kevin Mitchell to the Padres for long-ball threat Kevin McReynolds. Kevin Darnell Mitchell (born January 13, 1962 in San Diego California) is a former American Major League Baseball Left fielder Walter Kevin McReynolds (born October 16 1959 Little Rock, Arkansas) is a former Major League Baseball Outfielder with But the biggest shock since the Midnight Massacre of 1977 was when Mets' ace Dwight Gooden was admitted to a drug clinic after testing positive for cocaine. But after struggling in the first few months of the 1987 season, "Dr. K" would come back, and so would the Mets. They would surge to battle St. Louis for the division title. But on September 11 in a game against St. Louis, 3rd baseman and future MVP Terry Pendleton hit a homer to give the Cardinals a lead, and eventually the NL East title. Terry Lee Pendleton (born July 16 1960 in Los Angeles California) is a former Third baseman in Major League Baseball, and the current One highlight of the year was Darryl Strawberry and Howard Johnson becoming the first teammates ever to hit 30 homers and steal 30 bases in the same season. Darryl Eugene Strawberry (born March 12, 1962) is a former Baseball player who is well-known both for his play on the baseball field and for his controversial Howard Michael Johnson (born November 29, 1960) nicknamed HoJo, is a former switch hitting Third baseman in Major League Baseball

After missing the playoffs in 1987, the 1988 Mets again won the division. Thanks to some stellar pitching from Gooden, Ron Darling, and David Cone as well as offense from McReynolds, Strawberry, and Howard Johnson, the Mets won 100 games for the 2nd time in 3 campaigns. Ronald Maurice Darling (born August 19 1960) is an American former right-handed Starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for the David Brian Cone (born January 2, 1963 in Kansas City Missouri) is a former Major League Baseball Pitcher who pitched for the However, the clubhouse was distracted by the presence of a young Gregg Jefferies who was just called up. For the football player of the same name see Greg Jeffries (football player. The veteran players took a disliking to Jefferies, who had a habit of excessive bragging, prompting his teammates to saw his bats in half as a form of hazing. ^[5] The Mets played the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 1988 National League Championship Series in a season where they beat them 10 out of 11 times but, led by Orel Hershiser, the Dodgers continued their Cinderella story season by beating the Mets in seven games. The National League Championship Series was played between the National League West champion Los Angeles Dodgers and the National League In American and Canadian Sports, a Cinderella or "Cinderella Story" refers to a team or player who advances much further in a

The Mets (as well as the Montreal Expos) would battle the Cubs for the division title in 1989, but Chicago would prevail, despite a career year by Howard Johnson and a deadline trade with Minnesota for 1988 AL Cy Young winner Frank Viola. Franchise history Creation of the franchise In 1960 Montreal lost its International League team the Montreal Royals (an affiliate of The Minnesota Twins are a professional baseball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Frank John Viola Jr (born April 19 1960 in East Meadow New York) is a former Starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who played Those high points were tempered by injuries to Gooden, Hernandez and Carter as well as an ill-fated trade^[6] that sent Dykstra and Roger McDowell to Philadelphia in exchange for Juan Samuel. Roger Alan McDowell (born December 21 1960) is the Pitching coach of the Atlanta Braves and was a right-handed Relief pitcher for The Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in the United States. Juan Milton Samuel (born December 9, 1960 in San Pedro de Macorís, Dominican Republic) is a baseball coach and a former Second After the season, Samuel, who hit . 235 that season, would be traded to the Dodgers for Mike Marshall, who would hit . Michael Allen Marshall (born January 12 1960 in Libertyville, Illinois) was a Major League Baseball Utility player with 239 in 53 games for the Mets before being traded to Boston. Dykstra, however, would become an All-Star in Philadelphia and help lead his team to a pennant in 1993.

That offseason, the Mets had a mix of triumph and tragedy. They would receive All-Star closer and native New Yorker John Franco in a trade with the Cincinnati Reds, and Strawberry, in legal trouble as well, would check into an alcohol rehabilitation center and miss the start of the season. John Anthony Franco (born September 17 1960 in Brooklyn, New York) is a former left-handed Relief pitcher in Major League Baseball The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati Ohio, USA The next season, the Mets would surge again to battle the Pittsburgh Pirates, but Pittsburgh's "B-B Guns" (which included National League MVP Barry Bonds, future Mets Bobby Bonilla and Jay Bell and former Met Wally Backman) led the Pirates to their first NLCS since 1979. The Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Barry Lamar Bonds (born July 24 1964 is a Major League Baseball Outfielder who is currently a Free agent. Roberto Martin Antonio "Bobby" Bonilla (boʊˈniːjə born February 23, 1963 in The Bronx, New York) is a former player in Major Jay Stuart Bell (b December 11, 1965 in Eglin AFB Florida) is a former Major League Baseball Shortstop and Second baseman In that campaign, general manager Frank Cashen fired Johnson from his managerial job and replaced him with former shortstop Bud Harrelson. J Frank Cashen (born 1922 is a former general manager in Major League Baseball. Derrel McKinley "Bud" Harrelson (born June 6, 1944, Niles California) is a former Major League Baseball Shortstop who Although he led them to a good finish in 1990 (Strawberry's last with the Mets, as he went on to sign with the Dodgers in the offseason), the Mets fell to 5th place in 1991. Before the 1991 season the Mets signed Vince Coleman to a fat $2 million contract after failing to sign defending batting champion Willie McGee. This is for the baseball player For the heroic train dispatcher see Vince Coleman (train dispatcher. Willie Dean McGee (born November 2 1958 in San Francisco California) is a former center and Right fielder in Major League Baseball This was the first of what would lead to many bad free agent signings and trades that would doom the Mets during the mid 1990s.

.

1991-1995: "Hardball Is Back" and The Worst Team Money Could Buy

During the 1991 season, the Mets were actually in contention for most of the first half of the season, closing to within 2. 5 games of the front-running Pirates at one point. However, during the second half, the bottom completely fell out and Harrelson was fired with a week left to go in the season, replaced by third base coach Mike Cubbage for the final games. Michael Lee Cubbage (born July 21, 1950) in Charlottesville VA was an American Baseball player who played Major League Baseball from Jefferies was once again a distraction as he released a controversial statement to be read on WFAN radio:

"When a pitcher is having trouble getting players out, when a hitter is having trouble hitting, or when a player makes an error, I try to support them in whatever way I can. WFAN (660 AM) also known as "Sports Radio 66" or "The FAN", is a Radio station in New York City. I don't run to the media to belittle them or to draw more attention to their difficult times. I can only hope that one day those teammates who have found it convenient to criticize me will realize that we are all in this together. If only we can concentrate more on the games than complaining and bickering and pointing fingers, we would all be better off. "

This was seen as the end for Jefferies in New York as he would be traded to the Kansas City Royals in the offseason. The Kansas City Royals are a Major League Baseball team based in Kansas City, Missouri. The season ended on a high note, however, as David Cone pitched a one-hit shutout against the Phillies at Veterans Stadium, in which he struck out 19 batters, tying the National League regulation game record (first set by former Met Tom Seaver, and later broken by then Red Sox starter Roger Clemens)

With all of the personal problems swirling around the Mets after the 1986 championship, the Mets tried to rebuild using experienced superstars. David Brian Cone (born January 2, 1963 in Kansas City Missouri) is a former Major League Baseball Pitcher who pitched for the The Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in the United States. Philadelphia Veterans Stadium (informally called "The Vet") was a professional sports facility located at the northeast corner of Broad Street and Pattison George Thomas Seaver (born November 17, 1944) is a former right-handed Major League Baseball Pitcher who broke into the major leagues in and William Roger Clemens (born August 4, 1962 in Dayton, Ohio) is an American Right-handed Pitcher in Major They picked up the aging, future Hall of Famer Eddie Murray for over $3 million, the younger but troubled Pittsburgh Pirates free agent slugger Bobby Bonilla for over $6 million. Eddie Clarence Murray (born February 24 1956 in Los Angeles California) is a former Major League Baseball First baseman who was known as one of the most The Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Roberto Martin Antonio "Bobby" Bonilla (boʊˈniːjə born February 23, 1963 in The Bronx, New York) is a former player in Major They also traded McReynolds and Jeffries for one-time World Series hero Bret Saberhagen and his $3 million contract, along with signing veteran free agent pitcher Frank Tanana for $1. Bret William Saberhagen (ˈseɪ̪bɚˌheɪ̪ɡɨn born April 11, 1964 in Chicago Heights Illinois) is a former Major League Baseball right-handed Frank Daryl Tanana (born July 3, 1953, in Detroit Michigan) is a former left-handed Pitcher in Major League Baseball. 5 million. The rebuilding was supported by the slogan, "Hardball Is Back". ^[7]

The experiment of building a team via free agency quickly flopped as Saberhagen and Coleman were soon injured and spent more time on the disabled list than on the field, and Bonilla exhibited unprofessional behavior towards members of the press, once threatening a reporter by saying, "I'll show you The Bronx" [1]. At the beginning of the 1991 season, Coleman, Gooden and outfielder Daryl Boston were named in an alleged sexual abuse incident against a woman near the Mets' spring training facility; charges were later dropped. Daryl Lamont Boston (born January 4, 1963, in Cincinnati Ohio) was a Major League Baseball outfielder Meanwhile, popular pitcher David Cone was dealt to the Toronto Blue Jays during the 1992 season for Ryan Thompson and Jeff Kent. David Brian Cone (born January 2, 1963 in Kansas City Missouri) is a former Major League Baseball Pitcher who pitched for the The Toronto Blue Jays are a professional baseball team based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Ryan Thompson (born November 4, 1967 in Chestertown Maryland) is a former Major League Baseball player from 1992 to 2002 Jeffrey Franklin Kent (born March 7, 1968 in Bellflower, California) is a Major League Baseball Second baseman for While the move was widely criticized by fans of both teams, the Jays went on to win the 1992 World Series. The 1992 World Series was the first Series ever played outside of the United States of America.

The lowest point of the experiment was the 1993 season when the Mets lost 103 games. In April of that year, Coleman accidentally hit Gooden's shoulder with a golf club while practicing his swing. In July, Saberhagen threw a firecracker under a table near reporters. Their young pitching prospect Anthony Young started the '93 season at 0-13 and his overall streak of 27 straight losses over two years set a new record. Anthony Wayne Young (born January 19 1966 in Houston Texas) is a former right-handed Pitcher in Major League Baseball. After Young's record-setting loss, Coleman threw a firecracker out of the team bus window and injured three people resulting in felony charges that effectively ended his Mets career. Only a few days later, Saberhagen was in trouble again, this time for spraying bleach at three reporters. A bleach is a Chemical that removes color or whitens often via Oxidation. The meltdown season resulted in the worst record for a Mets team since 1965. Their descent was chronicled by the book The Worst Team Money Could Buy: The Collapse Of The New York Mets (ISBN 0-8032-7822-5) by Mets beat writers Bob Klapisch and John Harper. Robert Salvador "Bob" Klapisch is a sportswriter for the The Record and ESPN. In addition, two of the three remaining links to the '86 team, Howard Johnson and Sid Fernandez, departed after the season via free agency. Howard Michael Johnson (born November 29, 1960) nicknamed HoJo, is a former switch hitting Third baseman in Major League Baseball Charles Sidney Fernandez (born October 12, 1962) was a Left-handed Pitcher in Major League Baseball from to.

The following season was filled with some bright spots, but there was still trouble for the franchise, and for the team's franchise player. Gooden, who had a 3-4 record with a 6. 31 ERA in the final year of his contract with the team, shocked not only New York sports fans, but baseball fans around the country by testing positive for cocaine and was suspended by Major League Baseball for 60 days. Shortly after he began serving his suspension for the positive drug test, it was announced that he had again tested positive for cocaine and was now being suspended by Major League Baseball for one year, thus ending his Mets career and nearly his life. The day after receiving the second suspension, Gooden's then-wife, Monica, found him in his bedroom with a loaded gun to his head.

Still, the 1994 season saw some promise for the troubled Mets, as first baseman Rico Brogna and second baseman Jeff Kent became fan favorites with their solid glove work and potential 20-25 home run power, Bonilla started to become the player the Mets expected, and a healthy Saberhagen, along with promising young starter Bobby Jones and Franco, helped the Mets pitching staff along. Rico Joseph Brogna (born April 18, 1970 in Turners Falls Massachusetts) is a former Major League Baseball First baseman who played Jeffrey Franklin Kent (born March 7, 1968 in Bellflower, California) is a Major League Baseball Second baseman for Robert Joseph Jones (born February 10 1970 in Fresno California) is a former right-handed Starting pitcher in Major League Baseball In the strike-shortened 1994 season the Mets were in 3rd place behind first-place Montreal and Atlanta when the season ended on August 12. When the strike finally ended in 1995, the Mets finally showed some promise again, finishing in 2nd place (but still 6 games under . 500) behind eventual World Series champion Atlanta.

1996-2004: Piazza, Bobby V, John Rocker, Who Let the Mets Out, and the Subway Series

The Mets did not play well in 1996, but the season was highlighted by the play of three young stars. Switch hitting catcher Todd Hundley broke the Major League Baseball single season record for home runs hit by catcher with 41. In Baseball, a switch-hitter is a batter who is able to hit from both the right and left sides of the plate Catcher is also a general term for a fielder who catches the ball in Cricket. Todd Randolph Hundley (born May 27, 1969 in Martinsville, Virginia) is a former Major League Baseball Catcher / Outfielder Center fielder Lance Johnson set single-season franchise records in hits (227), triples (21), at-bats (682), runs scored (117), & total bases (327). A center fielder, abbreviated CF, is the Outfielder in Baseball who plays defense in center field - the baseball fielding position Kenneth Lance Johnson (born July 6 1963 in Cincinnati Ohio) was a Major League Baseball player In Baseball statistics, a hit (denoted by H) sometimes called a base hit, is credited to a batter when the batter safely reaches In Baseball, a triple is the act of a batter safely reaching Third base after hitting the ball with neither the benefit of a fielder's misplay (see In Baseball, an at bat ( AB) or time at bat is used to calculate certain statistics, including Batting average, On base In Baseball, a run is scored when a player advances safely around first second and third base and returns safely to Home plate, touching In Baseball statistics, total bases refers to the number of bases a player has gained with hits, i And, Left fielder Bernard Gilkey set franchise single-season records in doubles (44), and RBI (117). A left fielder (LF is an Outfielder in the sport of Baseball who plays defense in left field. Otis Bernard Gilkey (born September 24 1966 in St Louis Missouri) is a former Major League Baseball player for the St In Baseball, a double is the act of a batter striking the pitched ball and safely reaching Second base without being called out by the Umpire But things started looking up in 1997, as they missed the playoffs by only four games, and improved by 17 games over 1996. One highlight happened June 16, when the Mets beat the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium in the first ever regular-season game played between the crosstown rivals 6-0. Mets starter Dave Milicki pitched a complete game/shutout to pick up the win. At the end of the game there were mostly Mets fans in the stands at Yankee Stadium cheering as the Mets players walked off the field victorious. In 1997 Hundley was also having another great season, but he went down with a devastating elbow injury and needed Tommy John surgery midway through the season. Tommy John surgery known by doctors as ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction (or UCL) is a surgical procedure in which a Ligament in the For a time, it looked like the Los Angeles Dodgers were going to be shopping their superstar catcher, Mike Piazza, in a trade rather than pay the exorbitant salary that 1997s MVP runner-up was going to demand at the end of the 1998 season. Michael Joseph Piazza (pʰiˈɑːʦə or /pʰiˈɑːzə/ born September 4, 1968 in Norristown, Pennsylvania) is a former American The Most Valuable Player Award (commonly known as the MVP award is an annual award given to one outstanding player in each league of Major League Baseball. In a puzzling move, on May 14, 1998, the Dodgers sent Piazza to the Florida Marlins, who were purging themselves of high salaries to alleviate their claimed financial problems. The Florida Marlins are a professional baseball team based in Miami Gardens Florida. The Marlins' move made more sense when, just a week later, they re-traded Piazza to the Mets for Preston Wilson and two prospects. Preston James Richard Wilson (born July 19 1974 in Bamberg, South Carolina) is a Major League Baseball Outfielder The Dodgers had no free agency problem, the Marlins had young players with small salaries and the Mets had their new lineup-anchoring catcher. When Hundley returned from his injury later in the 1998 season the Mets experimented with playing him in left field. The experiment was short lived, Hundley was in a Dodgers uniform in the 1999 season.

After the 1998 trade, the Mets played well, but missed the 1998 postseason by only one game. With only five games left in the 1998 season, the Mets could not win a single game against both the Montreal Expos at home and the Atlanta Braves on the road, the Mets could have forced a three-way wild card tie by winning their last game. Franchise history Creation of the franchise In 1960 Montreal lost its International League team the Montreal Royals (an affiliate of Although it seemed like a terrible ending to a good season, Met fans felt confident that the team was moving in the right direction. After signing Mike Piazza to a seven-year, $91 million contract, the Mets traded Todd Hundley and minor league P Arnold Gooch to the Los Angeles Dodgers for C Charles Johnson and OF Roger Cedeno. They then sent Johnson to the Baltimore Orioles for P Armando Benitez. #REDIRECT [2] The Mets then signed Robin Ventura, Rickey Henderson and Bobby Bonilla to fill out the needs for the start of the 1999 season. Robin Mark Ventura (vɨnˈtɝə born July 14 1967 in Santa Maria California) is a former professional Baseball player a Third baseman Rickey Henley Henderson (born as Rickey Nelson Henley, December 25 1958 in Chicago, Illinois) is a former Major League Baseball Outfielder Roberto Martin Antonio "Bobby" Bonilla (boʊˈniːjə born February 23, 1963 in The Bronx, New York) is a former player in Major John Olerud anchored the heart of the Mets' order. John Garrett Olerud (ˈoʊlɚˌud born August 5, 1968; nicknamed Big Rude, and Johnny O') is a former American First baseman in

The Mets started the 1999 season well, going 17-9, but after an eight-game losing streak, including the last two to the New York Yankees, on June 6 the Mets fired their entire coaching staff except for manager Bobby Valentine. The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the borough of The Bronx, in New York City, New York. Events 1508 - Maximilian I Holy Roman Emperor, is defeated in Friulia by Venetian forces; he is forced to sign a three-year Robert John Valentine (born May 13 1950 in Stamford, Connecticut) nicknamed Bobby V, is a former player and manager in On that day, the Mets, in front of a national audience on ESPN Sunday Night Baseball, beat the New York Yankees 7-2 and they never looked back. ESPN, originally an acronym for Entertainment and Sports Programming Network, is an American Cable television network dedicated to Sunday Night Baseball is the Major League Baseball game of the week that is televised Sunday nights at 8 p Both Mike Piazza and Robin Ventura started to have MVP-type seasons and Benny Agbayani began to have an important role on the team. Michael Joseph Piazza (pʰiˈɑːʦə or /pʰiˈɑːzə/ born September 4, 1968 in Norristown, Pennsylvania) is a former American Robin Mark Ventura (vɨnˈtɝə born July 14 1967 in Santa Maria California) is a former professional Baseball player a Third baseman Benny Agbayani (born December 28, 1971) is a professional Baseball player who played with the New York Mets, Colorado Rockies and Also this was the breakout year for Mets second baseman Edgardo Alfonzo, as he had 108 RBI, and Roger Cedeño, who broke the single season steals record for the Mets. Edgardo Antonio Alfonzo (born November 8, 1973 in Miranda State, Venezuela) is a Major League Baseball Infielder currently Roger Leandro Cedeño (born August 16, 1974 in Valencia, Carabobo State, Venezuela) is a former Major League Baseball After the regular season ended, the Mets played a one game playoff against the Cincinnati Reds to see which team would advance to the playoffs. The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati Ohio, USA In that game, Mets ace Al Leiter pitched the best game of his Met career as he hurled a two hit complete game shutout, a 5-0 victory to advance to the playoffs. Alois Terry "Al" Leiter (ˈlaɪtɚ born October 23, 1965 in Toms River, New Jersey) is a retired Major League Baseball In the NLDS, the Mets defeated the Arizona Diamondbacks 3 games to 1, their series-clinching victory coming on an unlikely home run hit by backup catcher Todd Pratt, playing due to a thumb injury to Piazza. The National League Division Series ( NLDS) the opening round of the 1999 National League playoffs began on Tuesday October 5, and ended on The Arizona Diamondbacks (also referred to as the D-backs) are a professional baseball team based in Phoenix Arizona. Todd Alan Pratt (b February 9, 1967 in Bellevue Nebraska) is a former Major League Baseball Catcher from 1992 - The Mets would advance to the 1999 National League Championship Series, their first NLCS since 1988. The National League Championship Series, to determine the champion of Major League Baseball 's National League, was played between the East Division champion The Mets would lose however to their archrivals, the Atlanta Braves, in six exciting games which included the famous grand slam single by Robin Ventura to win game 5 for the Mets. The Grand Slam Single is a reference to the hit that ended Game Five of the 1999 National League Championship Series between the The Mets were at one point down 3-0 in the series but cut the deficit to 3-2, but lost a back and fourth Game 6. For Mets fan the ending to Game 6 was quite depressing and mets pitcher Kenny Rogers drew all the ire. Kenneth Ray "Kenny" Rogers (born August 21, 1938, in Houston Texas) is an American Country music Singer-songwriter Rogers entered in relief in the bottom of the 11th of Game 6, with the Mets down 3 games to 2. After surrendering a double and the baserunner advancing to 3rd on a sacrifice fly and two subsequent intentional walks issued to Chipper Jones and Brian Jordan, Rogers ended New York's magical season by walking Andruw Jones on five pitches with the bases loaded. In the offseason, the Mets traded Roger Cedeño and Octavio Dotel to the Houston Astros for Derek Bell and Mike Hampton. Octavio Eduardo Dotel (born November 25, 1973 in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic) is a Pitcher for the Chicago White The Houston Astros are a Professional baseball team based in Houston Texas. Derek Nathaniel Bell (born December 11, 1968 in Tampa, Florida) is a former Major League Baseball player Michael William Hampton (born September 9, 1972 in Brooksville Florida) is a Major League Baseball Starting pitcher who plays Todd Zeile was signed to play first base, replacing departing free agent Olerud. Todd Edward Zeile (born September 9, 1965 in Van Nuys California) is a former Third baseman and First baseman in Major League The Mets were heading to the 2000 season as a powerhouse in the National League. The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, or simply the National League ( NL) is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball

Off the field in the offseason Atlanta Braves relief pitcher John Rocker made derogatory comments about the City of New York to Sports Illustrated that angered Mets fans and players:

"It's the most hectic, nerve-racking city. John Loy Rocker (born October 17, 1974) is a former Major League Baseball relief pitcher who played three and a half seasons with the Atlanta Braves Imagine having to take the 7 Train to the ballpark, looking like you're riding through Beirut next to some kid with purple hair, next to some queer with AIDS, right next to some dude who just got out of jail for the fourth time, right next to some 20-year-old mom with four kids. The 7 Flushing Local and 7 Flushing Express are Rapid transit services of the New York City Subway, providing local and express services along the full Beirut (بيروت Bayrūt) is the Capital and Largest city of Lebanon with a population of over 2 Queer has traditionally meant odd or unusual but is now also used to refer to anyone who is not heteronormative. It's depressing. "

On June 29, 2000, Rocker appeared in front of 46,987 fans at Shea Stadium for the first time since making the remarks. Events 512 - A Solar eclipse is recorded by a monastic chronicler in Ireland. 2000 ( MM) was a Leap year that started on Saturday of the Common Era, in accordance with the Gregorian calendar. William A Shea Municipal Stadium, usually shortened to Shea Stadium or just Shea (ʃeɪ̪ is a Stadium located in the New York City borough Over 700 police officers were summoned for the game (usually 60 are summoned) and 300 press passes were given out. A limit on beer sales was imposed, and fans had to pass through metal detectors when entering Shea, as many expected Rocker to be greeted by a shower of batteries. In electronics a battery is a combination of two or more Electrochemical cells which store chemical Energy which can be converted into electrical energy A special protective cover was erected over the Braves' bullpen in left field. During batting practice, fans were barred from sitting in the first four rows behind the Braves' dugout. A videotaped apology from Rocker was shown on Shea Stadium's 26-foot-tall screen in left-center field before the start of the game between the Mets and the Braves. The video was loudly booed and hostile signs could be seen throughout the stadium.

In the eighth inning, Rocker came in to replace Jason Marquis. Jason Scott Marquis (mɑrˈkiː (born August 21, 1978) is an American Major League Baseball Pitcher for the He was loudly booed, many fans showed their opinions through their fingers and some objects were thrown and a chant of "Asshole, Asshole" began. In Western cultures, the finger (as in giving someone the finger) is a well-known Obscene Hand gesture made by extending the middle finger of Rocker struck out Robin Ventura, retired Todd Zeile on a grounder to short, and got Jay Payton to ground out to third. Robin Mark Ventura (vɨnˈtɝə born July 14 1967 in Santa Maria California) is a former professional Baseball player a Third baseman Todd Edward Zeile (born September 9, 1965 in Van Nuys California) is a former Third baseman and First baseman in Major League Jason Lee "Jay" Payton (born November 22 1972 in Zanesville Ohio) is an Outfielder in Major League Baseball, who currently The Braves went on to win, 6-4. Rocker left the stadium a half-hour after the rest of the team in a black van trailed by three security vehicles.

However, 2000 began well for the Mets as Derek Bell became the best hitter on the team for the first month. The Mets enjoyed good play the whole year. The highlight of the season came on June 30 (the night after Rocker's return), when the Mets beat the rival Atlanta Braves in a memorable game at Shea Stadium on Fireworks Night. Events 350 - Roman usurper Nepotianus, of the Constantinian dynasty, is defeated and killed by troops of the Usurper William A Shea Municipal Stadium, usually shortened to Shea Stadium or just Shea (ʃeɪ̪ is a Stadium located in the New York City borough With the Mets losing 8-1 to begin the bottom of the eighth, they rallied back with two outs to tie the game, capping the 10-run inning with Mike Piazza's three run home run to put the Mets up 11-8, giving them the lead and eventually the win. The Mets easily made the playoffs winning the National League wild card. The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, or simply the National League ( NL) is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball In the playoffs, the Mets beat the San Francisco Giants in the first round and the St. Louis Cardinals in the 2000 National League Championship Series to win their fourth NL pennant. The San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in, that currently play in the National League West Division. The St Louis Cardinals (also referred to as "the Cards " or "the Redbirds " are a professional Baseball team based in St The National League Championship Series, to determine the champion of Major League Baseball 's National League, was played between the Central Division Mike Hampton was named the NLCS MVP for his two scoreless starts in the series as the Mets headed to the 2000 World Series to face their crosstown rivals, the New York Yankees. The 2000 World Series featured a crosstown matchup between the two-time defending champion New York Yankees and the New York Mets, with the Yankees winning 4 Unfortunately for the Mets, they were defeated in the much-hyped "Subway Series". The Subway Series is a series of Major League Baseball games played between teams based in New York City. Even though they lost 4 games to 1, each game was close, as they scored only three fewer total runs than the Yankees. This was the first all-New York World Series since 1956, when the Yankees defeated the Brooklyn Dodgers. The 1956 World Series of Major League Baseball was played between the New York Yankees (representing the American League) and the defending champion The Los Angeles Dodgers are a Major League Baseball team based in Los Angeles California, USA

The most memorable moment of the 2000 World Series occurred during the first inning of Game 2 at Yankee Stadium. Piazza fouled off a pitch which shattered his bat, sending a piece of the barrel toward the pitcher's mound. Pitcher Roger Clemens seized the piece and hurled it in the direction of Piazza as the catcher trotted to first base. A brief melee ensued with no punches thrown and Clemens remaining in the game. In July of 2000, Clemens had knocked Piazza unconscious with a fastball to the catcher's head. A month earlier to being beaned, Piazza hit a grandslam off of Clemens at Yankee Stadium

In 2001 the Mets had trouble duplicating their 2000 World Series run, finishing with a record of 82-80, however towards the end of the season the Mets helped New York City heal after the September 11th terrorist attacks by using Shea Stadium as a relief center and then participating in the first sporting event in New York City since the attacks, in a game vs. William A Shea Municipal Stadium, usually shortened to Shea Stadium or just Shea (ʃeɪ̪ is a Stadium located in the New York City borough the Atlanta Braves on September 21st. Before the game the FDNY, EMT, NYPD, and all rescue workers were honored, Diana Ross sang God Bless America, the two teams shook hands to show that they were united in the face of tragedy, and Liza Minnelli sang "New York, New York" during the 7th inning stretch. The New York City Fire Department or the Fire Department City of New York ( FDNY) has the responsibility for protecting the citizens and property of New York City Diana Ross (born March 261944 is an American twelve-time Grammy and Oscar -nominated singer Record producer and actress whose musical repertoire " God Bless America " is an American Patriotic song The City of New York In the bottom of the 8th inning the Mets were trailing 2-1 when Mike Piazza came up with a runner on first. Michael Joseph Piazza (pʰiˈɑːʦə or /pʰiˈɑːzə/ born September 4, 1968 in Norristown, Pennsylvania) is a former American Piazza dramatically sent Shea into a frenzy by crushing a pitch over the center field wall off of Steve Karsay to give the Mets a 3-2 lead and a win by the same score. Stefan Andrew Karsay (born March 24, 1972 in Flushing New York) was a right-handed Major League Baseball pitcher for the Oakland Athletics The game is considered to be one of the greatest moments in the history of the franchise.

In the seasons following the 2000 World Series, the Mets struggled mightily as the result of several poor player acquisitions, including Mo Vaughn, Roberto Alomar, Roger Cedeño (again) and Jeromy Burnitz. Maurice Samuel 'Mo' Vaughn (born December 15, 1967 in Norwalk, Connecticut) nicknamed "Hit Dog is a former Major League Baseball Roberto Alomar Velázquez (born February 5 1968 in Ponce, Puerto Rico) is a former Major League Baseball player (- considered by many to be one of the Roger Leandro Cedeño (born August 16, 1974 in Valencia, Carabobo State, Venezuela) is a former Major League Baseball Jeromy Neal Burnitz (born April 15, 1969 in Westminster California) is a former baseball player who was a Right fielder in Major League These acquisitions were made by then-general manager Steve Phillips, who was fired during the 2003 season. Steve Francis Phillips (born on May 18, 1963) was the general manager of the New York Mets from 1997 - 2003. Phillips was credited with building the 2000 World Series team, but also blamed for the demise of the Mets' farm system and the poor play of the acquired players. The Mets did have a few bright spots in 2002. Al Leiter became the first major league pitcher to defeat all thirty major league teams with a victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks. David Weathers had a career year with a 2. John David Weathers (born September 25, 1969 in Lawrenceburg, Tennessee) is a Major League Baseball Pitcher for the 91 era coming out of the bullpen, making him one of the better middle relievers of that season in the league. The Mets though posted a 75-86 record, last in the NL East, in 2002. The National League East Division is one of Major League Baseball 's six divisions The Mets' record in 2003 (66-95) was the fourth worst in baseball, and Piazza had missed two-thirds of the season with a torn groin muscle. His steady decline around that time mirrored the Mets' fortunes for the first half of the decade.

In 2004, the Mets made more player additions that turned out to be poor. They signed Japanese shortstop Kazuo Matsui, who never lived up to his potential in two-and-a-half years with the Mets, and Mike Cameron to play center field. (born October 23, 1975 in Higashiōsaka Osaka, Japan) is a Japanese Major League Baseball Second baseman for the Michael Terrance Cameron (born January 8 1973 in LaGrange, Georgia) is an Outfielder in Major League Baseball for the General manager Jim Duquette acquired pitcher Kris Benson for third baseman Ty Wigginton at the trade deadline just before sending highly-touted pitching prospect Scott Kazmir to the Tampa Bay Devil Rays for the disappointing Victor Zambrano. James "Jim" Duquette was the general manager of the New York Mets for the 2004 season before the team replaced him with Omar Minaya. Kristopher James Benson (born November 7, 1974 in Superior Wisconsin) is a Major League Baseball Right-handed Starting Ty Allen Wigginton (born October 11, 1977 in San Diego California) is a Third baseman in Major League Baseball for the Houston Scott Edward Kazmir (born January 24, 1984 in Houston Texas) is a left-handed Starting pitcher for the Tampa Bay Rays. The Tampa Bay Rays are a Major League Baseball franchise based in St Víctor Manuel Zambrano (born August 6, 1975 in Los Teques, Venezuela) is a Major League Baseball Pitcher who is currently However, the Mets brought up two young infielders with bright futures, David Wright and José Reyes, and they have become the best products from the farm system since Strawberry and Gooden. David Allen Wright (born December 20, 1982 in Norfolk Virginia) is a Major League Baseball third baseman who plays for the José Bernabé Reyes (born June 11, 1983, in Villa Gonzalez, Dominican Republic) is an All-Star Major League Baseball Shortstop The Mets finished 71-91 in 2004.

2005-present: "The New Mets"; "The Team. The Time. "; "The Collapse"; and "The Last Season at Shea"

After the 2004 season, Mets ownership made significant changes to their management strategy. With their television contract with the MSG Network expiring by the end of 2005, they announced plans to establish their own cable network to broadcast Mets games, rivaling the Yankee-owned YES Network. The Madison Square Garden Network, now shortened to simply MSG, is a regional cable television and radio network serving the Mid-Atlantic and focused on New York The Yankees Entertainment and Sports (YES Network is a New York City regional Cable TV channel dedicated to broadcasting Baseball games of the This investment in what became known as SportsNet New York was coupled with an aggressive plan to upgrade the performance of the team on the field. SportsNet New York ( SNY) is a New York City -based sports cable network which airs in the New York metro area and all of New York state, Jim Duquette was replaced as general manager by former Expos GM Omar Minaya. Omar Teodoro Antonio Minaya y Sanchez (born November 10, 1958) best known as Omar Minaya, is a baseball executive who is currently the general manager Minaya, an ex-Mets assistant GM, achieved notable success in Montreal by making bold player moves on a limited budget. With the Mets, Minaya was given substantial financial resources to develop a winning team by the time the new network launched in 2006.

Minaya began by hiring Yankee bench coach Willie Randolph as manager, then signed two of that year's most sought-after free agents — Pedro Martínez and Carlos Beltrán — to large multi-year deals. Willie Larry Randolph (born July 6, 1954 in Holly Hill, South Carolina) is a former Second baseman and former manager in Pedro Jaime Martínez (born October 25 1971 in Manoguayabo, Dominican Republic) is a Major League Baseball Starting pitcher for the Carlos Ivan Beltrán (ˈkɑrloʊs bɛlˈtrɑːn bel- trahn) born April 24 1977 in Manatí Puerto Rico) is a Major League Baseball Outfielder Though Beltrán underperformed, Martínez and a rejuvenated Tom Glavine led the pitching staff, while Cliff Floyd's power, José Reyes's speed and David Wright's hitting sparked the offense. Beltran or Beltrán is a Spanish Given name and Surname, and may refer to In Religion: Saint Luis Beltrán Thomas Michael Glavine (born March 25, 1966 in Concord Massachusetts) is an American Left-handed Starting pitcher Cornelius Clifford Floyd ( December 5, 1972 in Chicago Illinois) is a Designated hitter and Outfielder for the Tampa Bay Rays José Bernabé Reyes (born June 11, 1983, in Villa Gonzalez, Dominican Republic) is an All-Star Major League Baseball Shortstop David Allen Wright (born December 20, 1982 in Norfolk Virginia) is a Major League Baseball third baseman who plays for the Despite an 0-5 start to the season, the team finished 83-79, finishing above the . 500 mark for the first time since 2001. Year 2001 ( MMI) was a Common year starting on Monday according to the Gregorian calendar.

After 2005, the departure of Mike Piazza gave Minaya enough financial flexibility to take full advantage of a payroll-reduction effort by the Florida Marlins. Michael Joseph Piazza (pʰiˈɑːʦə or /pʰiˈɑːzə/ born September 4, 1968 in Norristown, Pennsylvania) is a former American The Florida Marlins are a professional baseball team based in Miami Gardens Florida. All-star first baseman Carlos Delgado and all-star catcher Paul Lo Duca were acquired from Florida in exchange for five prospects. Carlos Juan Delgado Hernández (born June 25 1972 in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico) is a Major League Baseball First baseman for the New York Paul Anthony Lo Duca (born April 12, 1972 in Brooklyn New York) is a Major League Baseball Catcher with the Florida Marlins Minaya also improved the bullpen by signing star free agent closer Billy Wagner. William "Billy" Edward Wagner (born July 25, 1971 in Tannersville, Virginia) is an American professional Baseball

Minaya's offseason moves and organization of the team during the season paid off in 2006, as the team, led by a franchise record six All-Stars (Beltran, Lo Duca, Reyes, Wright, Glavine, and Martínez), won the division title, their first in 18 years. 2006 Major League Baseball season|2006 Nippon Professional Baseball season Headline Event of the Year The 2006 World Baseball Classic is a surprise success The Major League Baseball All-Star Game, also popularly known as the "Midsummer Classic" is an annual Baseball game between players from the National League In a runaway similar to 1986, the Mets led the division from April 6 on, and only spent one day out of first the whole season. Events 46 BC - Julius Caesar defeats Caecilius Metellus Scipio and Marcus Porcius Cato in the Battle of Thapsus They built a lead as high as 16 1/2 games before clinching the division on September 18, becoming the first team in the major leagues to clinch a playoff berth. Events 96 - Nerva is proclaimed Roman Emperor after Domitian is assassinated The Mets finished the season 12 games ahead of the Phillies, and with the best record in the National League. The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, or simply the National League ( NL) is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball The Mets achieved this success despite a slew of injuries which included losing Martínez for a month, and using fifteen different starting pitchers. The turning point for the season was a 9-1 June road trip through Los Angeles, Arizona, and Philadelphia. The Los Angeles Dodgers are a Major League Baseball team based in Los Angeles California, USA The Arizona Diamondbacks (also referred to as the D-backs) are a professional baseball team based in Phoenix Arizona. The Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in the United States.

The Mets 2006 division title ended the Atlanta Braves' streak of 14 straight division titles, and they became the first team besides Atlanta to win the National League East title since the 1994 division realignment. The 2006 season was also the first time that the Mets and Yankees each won their respective divisions in the same year. Both New York teams had the best records in their respective leagues, 97 wins and 65 losses.

Despite losing Pedro Martínez and Orlando Hernández from their starting rotation due to injury just before the start of the post-season, the Mets swept the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 2006 National League Division Series, relying on their bullpen (which had the lowest regular season ERA in the National League) and potent offense. Pedro Jaime Martínez (born October 25 1971 in Manoguayabo, Dominican Republic) is a Major League Baseball Starting pitcher for the Orlando Hernández Pedroso (born October 11, 1965 in Villa Clara, Cuba) nicknamed El Duque, is a Major League Baseball The Los Angeles Dodgers are a Major League Baseball team based in Los Angeles California, USA The National League Division Series ( NLDS) the opening round of the 2006 National League playoffs began on Tuesday October 3, and ended on In Baseball, the bullpen (or simply the pen) is the area where relief Pitchers warm-up before entering a game In Baseball statistics, earned run average ( ERA) is the Mean of Earned runs given up by a Pitcher per nine Innings pitched However, in the 2006 National League Championship Series, the Mets lost in seven games to the St. Louis Cardinals, the eventual 2006 World Series champions, with the decisive blow coming on a ninth-inning home run by Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina off Mets reliever Aaron Heilman. The National League Championship Series ( NLCS) the second round of the 2006 National League playoffs began on October 12 and ended on The St Louis Cardinals (also referred to as "the Cards " or "the Redbirds " are a professional Baseball team based in St The 2006 World Series, the 102nd edition of Major League Baseball 's championship series, began on October 21 and ended on October 27, and Yadier B Molina (born July 13, 1982 in Bayamon, Puerto Rico) is a Major League Baseball Catcher who plays for the Aaron Michael Heilman (born November 12, 1978 in Logansport Indiana) is a Major League Baseball Relief pitcher for the

In the 2006 offseason, the Mets signed veteran outfielder Moises Alou to replace Cliff Floyd in left field and provide a right-handed bat in the middle of the lineup. Moisés Rojas Alou (usually ˈmɔɪ̪zɨs əˈluː in English, and /moiˈses alˈou/ in Spanish; born July 3, 1966 in Atlanta Georgia Cornelius Clifford Floyd ( December 5, 1972 in Chicago Illinois) is a Designated hitter and Outfielder for the Tampa Bay Rays

After their success in 2006, there were high expectations for the Mets in 2007, and they started the season strong, compiling a 34-18 record through May 31. Champions Major League Baseball Regular Season Champions Other champions Minor League Baseball And although they played . 500 ball over the rest of the season, the Mets still had a seven-game lead in September, with 17 games to go. The Mets, however, would lose 11 of their next 16, allowing the Philadelphia Phillies to tie them with three games left. The Mets lost to the Marlins 8-1 in the final game of the season, while the Phillies went on to win their final game, 6-1, against the Nationals and clinch the NL East by one game. The Mets became first team in baseball history to blow a lead of seven or more games with only 17 games to play. ^[8], and, by one analysis, it was the 2nd worst collapse overall in regular season baseball history. ^[9] Despite the season ending debacle, Minaya announced that Randolph would remain as manager for the 2008 season. ^[10]

On January 29, 2008, the Mets agreed to trade four minor league prospects, including outfielder Carlos Gomez and pitcher Philip Humber to the Minnesota Twins in exchange for two-time Cy Young Award-winning pitcher Johan Santana. Events 904 - Sergius III comes out of retirement to take over the papacy from the deposed Antipope Christopher. 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common Carlos Argelis Gómez Pena (born December 4, 1985 in Santiago, Dominican Republic) is an Outfielder for the Minnesota Twins Philip Gregory Humber (born December 21, in) is a Major League baseball Pitcher for the Minnesota Twins. The Minnesota Twins are a professional baseball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. In Baseball, the Cy Young Award is an honor given annually to the best Pitcher in Major League Baseball (one each for American and National For the Dominican -born Major League Baseball player born Johan Santana see Ervin Santana. ^[11] Santana agreed to a six-year contract extension on February 1 worth $150. Events 1327 - Teenaged Edward III is crowned King of England, but the country is ruled by his mother Queen 75 million, the highest amount ever for a pitcher on a long-term contract. The trade was finalized on February 2 when Santana passed his physical. Events 962 - Translatio imperii: Pope John XII crowns Otto I Holy Roman Emperor, the first Holy Roman Emperor ^[12]

Citi Field

Main article: Citi Field

On June 12, 2005 a plan was announced for a new Mets ballpark to be built adjacent to Shea Stadium in Flushing, Queens. Citi Field is the new Baseball park for the New York Mets that is being built in Willets Point in the New York City borough of Events 1381 - Peasants' Revolt: in England, rebels arrive at Blackheath. Year 2005 ( MMV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. William A Shea Municipal Stadium, usually shortened to Shea Stadium or just Shea (ʃeɪ̪ is a Stadium located in the New York City borough Flushing, founded in 1645 is a neighborhood in the north central part of the City of New York borough of Queens, ten miles (16 km east of Manhattan Construction of the new stadium is being paid by the Mets, while "infrastructure improvement" costs at the site are to be paid by the city. The stadium was originally dubbed Mets Ballpark, before a corporate sponsor was found. Many fans had hoped the park would be named in honor of Jackie Robinson. Jack Roosevelt "Jackie" Robinson (January 31 1919 – October 24 1972 was a Baseball player for the Brooklyn Dodgers. The naming rights of the stadium were sold to Citigroup and the name Citi Field was officially announced at the November groundbreaking. ^[13] Citigroup reportedly agreed to pay $20 million a year for the rights, which would be the most lucrative naming rights deal ever in terms of revenue per year. ^[14]The final mix of private and public funding has not been settled. As of 2008, Shea Stadium is the fifth oldest stadium among the 30 ballparks in major league baseball. William A Shea Municipal Stadium, usually shortened to Shea Stadium or just Shea (ʃeɪ̪ is a Stadium located in the New York City borough Shea Stadium is nearly as old as Ebbets Field was when the Dodgers abandoned it. Ebbets Field was a Major League Baseball park located in the Flatbush section of Brooklyn, New York, USA. The current site of Shea Stadium is to be a parking lot for Citi Field.

Rendering of Citi Field.

Citi Field will be a retropark, featuring the name Citi from Citi bank, which is directly owned by Citi Bank, following current architectural trends in stadium design. It will follow the brick and steel-truss trend begun by the Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards in 1992. Oriole Park at Camden Yards is a ballpark located in Baltimore Maryland, which was completed in 1992 to replace the aging Memorial Stadium. The exterior facade will resemble Ebbets Field, former home of the Brooklyn Dodgers. Ebbets Field was a Major League Baseball park located in the Flatbush section of Brooklyn, New York, USA. The Los Angeles Dodgers are a Major League Baseball team based in Los Angeles California, USA The new stadium will be an open-air design, designed to give the fans a more personal experience. The stadium will only hold 45,000 fans, which is less than the current capacity of Shea Stadium. According to design notes the lesser capacity creates better sightlines and a more contoured seating configuration, allowing seating closer to the field.

The field, however, will not have a dome or retractable roof installed, as had been discussed for Shea Stadium in the late 1970s, and had been originally planned. This will not negate one of the main complaints with Shea Stadium; that the consistent jet noise from LaGuardia Airport makes it hard to hear well.

Construction of the new stadium began in 2006. Most of the current parking lot was closed off to begin preparing for the installation of the main support columns during the 2006 season, but the official groundbreaking did not take place until November 13, just beyond the left field bleachers of Shea Stadium. Events 1002 - English king Ethelred orders the killing of all Danes in England, known today as the St The stadium is scheduled to open for the 2009 season.

Trivia

Team Trivia

• The Mets held the New York baseball attendance record for 29 years. They broke the Yankees' 1948 record by drawing nearly 2. Champions Major League Baseball World Series: Cleveland Indians over Boston Braves (4-2 All-Star Game 7 million in 1970. The Mets broke their own record five times before the Yankees took it back in 1999. [3][4]

The home run apple in Shea Stadium

• When a Mets player hits a home run at Shea Stadium, a big red apple emerges from a giant top hat behind center right field sometimes accompanied by a small fireworks display. The apple will reportedly live on at Citi Field, but it is unclear whether the original apple will be moved or a new apple constructed.
• The Mets' first scheduled game was postponed due to rain on April 10, 1962 at St. Events 879 - Louis III becomes King of the Western Franks. 1407 - the lama Year 1962 ( MCMLXII) was a Common year starting on Monday (the link is to a full 1962 calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Louis.
• No Met pitcher has ever thrown a no-hitter, and the Mets have gone longer than any other major league franchise without pitching a no-hitter — more than seven thousand games. In Baseball, a no-hitter (also known as a no-hit game, or colloquially a no-no) refers to a game in which one of the teams prevented the other from getting Ironically, a number of pitchers -- Nolan Ryan, Tom Seaver, Mike Scott, Doc Gooden, Hideo Nomo, Al Leiter, and David Cone, just to name a few -- have thrown no-hitters either before joining the Mets or after leaving the team. Lynn Nolan Ryan Jr (born January 31, 1947 in Refugio, Texas) is a retired American Right-handed Pitcher in George Thomas Seaver (born November 17, 1944) is a former right-handed Major League Baseball Pitcher who broke into the major leagues in and Michael Warren Scott (born April 26, 1955 in Santa Monica California) is a former right-handed Pitcher in Major League Baseball for Dwight Eugene Gooden (born November 16, 1964 in Tampa Florida) also known as Doc Gooden or Dr is a Japanese former Right-handed Pitcher in Nippon Professional Baseball and Major League Baseball. Alois Terry "Al" Leiter (ˈlaɪtɚ born October 23, 1965 in Toms River, New Jersey) is a retired Major League Baseball David Brian Cone (born January 2, 1963 in Kansas City Missouri) is a former Major League Baseball Pitcher who pitched for the David Cone pitched a perfect game for crosstown rivals New York Yankees. A perfect game is defined by Major League Baseball as a game in which a Pitcher (or combination of pitchers pitches a victory that lasts a minimum The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the borough of The Bronx, in New York City, New York. Three potential no-hitters for Mets pitchers have been broken up by late-game infield hits. Pedro Martinez, Mike Pelfrey, and John Maine all lost their no hitter in the 7th or 8th inning. Pedro Jaime Martínez (born October 25 1971 in Manoguayabo, Dominican Republic) is a Major League Baseball Starting pitcher for the Michael Alan (Mike Pelfrey (born January 14 1984 at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio is a Starting pitcher for the New York Mets John Kevin Maine (born May 8 1981 in Fredericksburg Virginia) is an American professional baseball player
• The Mets have appeared in more World Series — four —than any other expansion team in Major League Baseball history. See also Relocation of professional sports teams An expansion team is a term used for a brand new team in a sports league They have won two championships, tied with the Toronto Blue Jays and Florida Marlins for the most titles among expansion teams. The Toronto Blue Jays are a professional baseball team based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Florida Marlins are a professional baseball team based in Miami Gardens Florida.
• The first major sporting event to take place in New York City after the September 11, 2001 attacks was played at Shea Stadium on September 21, 2001, when the Mets hosted the Atlanta Braves. Events 1217 - The Estonian tribal leader Lembitu of Lehola was killed in a battle against Teutonic Knights. The Mets came from behind to win, 3-2, on an eighth inning home run by Mike Piazza. Michael Joseph Piazza (pʰiˈɑːʦə or /pʰiˈɑːzə/ born September 4, 1968 in Norristown, Pennsylvania) is a former American Mayor Rudy Giuliani, a lifelong fan of the rival Yankees, attended the game and was cheered by the crowd for his leadership in the preceding ten days. KBE Per, "Postnominal letters should be included when they are issued by a country or organization the subject has been closely associated with ^[15]
• After the September 11, 2001 attacks, the Mets, as well as other teams in the league, wore Red Cross, FDNY, and NYPD hats. The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement is an International humanitarian movement with approximately 97 million volunteers worldwide who stated The New York City Fire Department or the Fire Department City of New York ( FDNY) has the responsibility for protecting the citizens and property of New York City Unlike the other teams, the Mets wore these for the rest of the year, despite threats of fines by Major League Baseball.
• In 1998, the Independent Budget Office of the city of New York published a study on the economic impact of the city's two Major League Baseball teams. The study included an analysis of where fans of both the Mets and the Yankees resided. The study found that 39% of Mets fans lived in one of the five boroughs of New York, 49% in the tri-state area outside the city and 12% elsewhere. Mets fans were more likely to be found in Queens, Brooklyn, Staten Island and the Long Island counties of Nassau and Suffolk, whereas Manhattan, the Bronx, New Jersey, Connecticut, and the counties of Westchester and Rockland leaned more towards the Yankees. Brooklyn (named after the Dutch town Breukelen) is one of the five boroughs of New York City. Staten Island (ˌstætənˈaɪlənd is a borough of New York City situated primarily on the island of the same name Long Island is an island located in southeastern New York, USA, its western shores directly across from Manhattan, from which the island stretches There is also a Town of Nassau in Rensselaer County. Nassau County is a suburban county in the New York Metropolitan Suffolk County is a county located in the US state of New York. Manhattan Island, in New York Harbor, is much the largest part of the Borough of Manhattan, one of the Five Boroughs which form the City of New York New Jersey ( is a state in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern regions of the United States. Connecticut ( is a state located in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. Westchester County is a primarily Suburban county located in the U Rockland County is a County located in the US state of New York, 12 miles north-northwest of New York City. ^[16]
• On April 5, 1993, the Mets played the first game in the history of the Colorado Rockies. Events 456 - St Patrick returns to Ireland as a missionary bishop Year 1993 ( MCMXCIII) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display full 1993 Gregorian calendar) The Colorado Rockies are a Major League Baseball team based in Denver, Colorado. Then on April 19, 1995, they played the first game in the history of Coors Field (the Rockies' new home). Events 1012 - Martyrdom of Alphege in Greenwich London. 1529 - At the Second Diet of Speyer Year 1995 ( MCMXCV) was a Common year starting on Sunday. Events of 1995
• On October 3, 2004, the Mets played against the Montreal Expos in their last game before they became the Washington Nationals. Events 42 BC - First Battle of Philippi: Triumvirs Mark Antony and Octavian fight an indecisive battle with Caesar's "MMIV" redirects here For the Modest Mouse album see " Baron von Bullshit Rides Again " Franchise history Creation of the franchise In 1960 Montreal lost its International League team the Montreal Royals (an affiliate of The Washington Nationals is an American professional baseball team based in Washington D The last out of that game was recorded by then-Expo and former Met farmhand Endy Chavez, who subsequently came back to the Mets in 2006. Endy Chávez (ˈtʃɑvɛz (born February 7, 1978, in Valencia, Carabobo State, Venezuela) is an Outfielder in Major Coincidentally, the Mets also played against the Expos in the franchise's inaugural game. Both games were contested at Shea Stadium. William A Shea Municipal Stadium, usually shortened to Shea Stadium or just Shea (ʃeɪ̪ is a Stadium located in the New York City borough
• The 2006 Mets were the first team in MLB history to win eight consecutive road games after scoring in the first inning of each game.
• On July 16, 2006, the Mets set a franchise record by scoring 11 runs in one inning. Events 622 - The beginning of the Islamic calendar. 1054 - Three Roman legates fractured relations between the Western and Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. It took place in the sixth inning against the Chicago Cubs. The Chicago Cubs are a Professional Baseball franchise based in Chicago, Illinois. There were three home runs in the inning; a two-run homer by David Wright, and grand slams from both Cliff Floyd and Carlos Beltrán. David Allen Wright (born December 20, 1982 in Norfolk Virginia) is a Major League Baseball third baseman who plays for the Cornelius Clifford Floyd ( December 5, 1972 in Chicago Illinois) is a Designated hitter and Outfielder for the Tampa Bay Rays Carlos Ivan Beltrán (ˈkɑrloʊs bɛlˈtrɑːn bel- trahn) born April 24 1977 in Manatí Puerto Rico) is a Major League Baseball Outfielder The Mets sent 16 batters to the plate in the inning, which took 41 minutes to complete and started with a pop out by Chris Woodward. Christopher Michael Woodward (born June 27, 1976 in Covina California) is a Major League Baseball Infielder who is currently ^[17]
• In July 2006, the Mets became the third team to hit six grand slams in a month, joining the Cleveland Indians of May 1999 and the Montreal Expos in April 1996. In the Sport of Baseball, a grand slam (or just slam for short is a Home run hit with all the bases occupied by baserunners, thereby The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio, United States. Carlos Beltrán tied the Major League record for slams in a month with three, José Valentín hit two and Cliff Floyd hit one. ^[18]

Individual Trivia

• Gil Hodges hit the first home run in New York Mets history on April 11, 1962 at St. Gilbert Raymond Hodges ( April 4 1924 – April 2 1972) was an American First baseman and manager in Major Events 491 - Flavius Anastasius becomes Byzantine Emperor, with the name of Anastasius I. Year 1962 ( MCMLXII) was a Common year starting on Monday (the link is to a full 1962 calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Louis.
• On April 10, 1969 Tommie Agee became the only player ever to hit a home run to the small area of fair territory in the upper level of Shea Stadium. Events 879 - Louis III becomes King of the Western Franks. 1407 - the lama Year 1969 ( MCMLXIX) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Tommie Lee Agee ( August 9, 1942 in Magnolia, Alabama - January 22, 2001 in New York City) was a Center fielder William A Shea Municipal Stadium, usually shortened to Shea Stadium or just Shea (ʃeɪ̪ is a Stadium located in the New York City borough A painted sign on the stands nearby commemorates the spot.
• In 1966, the Mets chose catcher Steve Chilcott as the first overall selection in the amateur draft. Steven Lynn Chilcott (born on September 23, 1948 in Lancaster California) a catcher from Antelope Valley High School in Lancaster California He became the first number one draft pick to retire without reaching the major leagues. The second pick that year was Hall of Famer Reggie Jackson. Reginald Martinez Jackson (born May 18 1946) nicknamed " Mr
• The two pitchers who recorded the final outs of the Mets' two World Series titles were traded for one another. Jerry Koosman of the 1969 team was dealt to the Minnesota Twins in 1978 for Jesse Orosco of the 1986 team. Jerome Martin "Jerry" Koosman (born December 23, 1942 in Appleton Minnesota) is a former left-handed starting Pitcher in Major The Minnesota Twins are a professional baseball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Jesse Russell Orosco (born April 21, 1957 in) is a former Relief pitcher in Major League Baseball who holds the major league record for career
• Harry Chiti was acquired from the Cleveland Indians on April 25, 1962 for a player to be named later. Harry Chiti ( November 16, 1932 – January 31, 2002) was a Catcher in Major League Baseball. Events 1607 - Eighty Years' War: The Dutch fleet destroys the anchored Spanish fleet at Gibraltar. Year 1962 ( MCMLXII) was a Common year starting on Monday (the link is to a full 1962 calendar of the Gregorian calendar. The concept of the "player to be named later" is most often associated with Major League Baseball and Minor League Baseball trades The player to be named later. . . was Chiti. He was traded for himself.
• On May 19, 2007, David Wright hit a 460 foot, 2-run home run off New York Yankees reliever Mike Myers. David Allen Wright (born December 20, 1982 in Norfolk Virginia) is a Major League Baseball third baseman who plays for the The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the borough of The Bronx, in New York City, New York. Michael Stanley Myers (born June 26, 1969 in Arlington Heights Illinois) is a Left-handed Major League Baseball Relief pitcher The home run went over Shea's bleachers into the Citi Field construction site. Citi Field is the new Baseball park for the New York Mets that is being built in Willets Point in the New York City borough of Radio analyst Howie Rose joked that it was the first home run in Citi Field history. Howard Rose (born 1954 is an American Sportscaster with the New York Mets and the New York Islanders for WFAN and MSG Plus Citi Field is the new Baseball park for the New York Mets that is being built in Willets Point in the New York City borough of

Quick facts

Founded: 1962

Owner(s): Fred Wilpon (Private)

General Manager: Omar Minaya

Manager: Willie Randolph

Uniform Colors: Blue, orange, white and black

Logo Design:

• An interlocking N and Y with decorative serifs. The 1962 season is perhaps most notable for the dismal 40-120 record of the New York Mets, which has been a continuing source of humor among baseball fans as well as comedians such as Fred Wilpon, a graduate of the University of Michigan is a baseball executive with the National League New York Mets of which he became a part- Owner Omar Teodoro Antonio Minaya y Sanchez (born November 10, 1958) best known as Omar Minaya, is a baseball executive who is currently the general manager Willie Larry Randolph (born July 6, 1954 in Holly Hill, South Carolina) is a former Second baseman and former manager in Origins & etymology Serifs are thought to have originated in the Roman alphabet with inscriptional lettering —words carved into stone in Roman antiquity
• Mets in orange script over a blue New York City skyline over a bridge. The City of New York The logo is super-imposed over a baseball, with orange stitching running over it.

Team Mascot: Mr. Met

Team Motto(s):

• "The Amazins"
• "Last Season At Shea. Mr Met is the official Mascot of Major League Baseball 's New York Mets. " (2008)
• "Your Season Has Come. " (2007)
• "The Team. The Time. The Mets. " (2006)
• "Next Year is Now" (2005)
• "The New Mets" (2005)
• "Catch the Energy" (2004)
• "Always Believe" (2002)
• "Amazin' Again" (2000)
• "Are You Ready? New Year, New Team, New Magic" (1999)
• "Show Up At Shea!" (1998)
• "Believe in the '98 Mets!" (1998)
• "Hardball Is Back!" (1992)
• "Excellence. Again And Again" (1989)
• "Lets Go for it Again" (1988)
• "Lets Do it Again" (1987)
• "Baseball Like it Oughta Be" (1986)
• "Catch the Rising Stars" (1985)
• "There's No Power Shortage Here" (1983)
• "The Magic is Back" (1980)
• "You Gotta Believe!" (1973)

Theme Song(s):

• "Meet the Mets"- Fight song written in 1961 by Bill Katz and Ruth Roberts. "Meet the Mets" is the Fight song of the New York Mets of the National League. Is played at the gate, during broadcasts, and during an in-game sing-along at Shea Stadium
• "Lazy Mary"- Song by Lou Monte played during every seventh inning stretch, after "Take Me Out to the Ballgame. "
• "New York State of Mind"- Billy Joel (originated during a performance at Madison Square Garden before the first game of the '86 World Series, Bobby Ojeda and Gary Carter presented Joel with a signature Mets jacket of his own after it was played. " New York State of Mind " is a song written by Billy Joel which initially appeared on the album Turnstiles in 1976. Robert Michael Ojeda (born December 17, 1957) is a former Major League Baseball left-handed Pitcher who pitched for the Boston Red Sox Gary Edmund Carter (born April 8 1954 nicknamed "Kid" or "Kid Carter" was a Major League Baseball Catcher from 1974-1992 )
• "Takin' Care of Business"- Played at Shea after a Mets victory. " Takin' Care of Business " is a song written by Randy Bachman and first recorded by Canadian rock group Bachman-Turner Overdrive (BTO for their 1973
• "L.A. Woman"- "Mr. "LA Woman" is a song by American Rock band The Doors. Mojo Rising" refrain used during the Mets Playoff run in 1999.
• "The Curly Shuffle"- Novelty song by Jump 'N The Saddle Band was played frequently during the 1980's. The Curly Shuffle is a Novelty song by the group Jump 'N The Saddle Band first released in late- 1983, an homage to the Three Stooges film Jump 'N the Saddle Band was a Country pop group from Chicago, Illinois.
• "Let's Go Mets Go"- 1986
• "Who Let The Mets Out?"- 2000 - Written by David Brody of Z100. "Let's Go Mets Go!" (also entitled "Let's Go Mets!" was the rally song of the 1986 World Champion New York Mets baseball team Recorded by the Baha Men
• "And We Say. . . Let's Go Mets!"-2006 - Written by David Brody of Z100 - Recorded by Lucas Prata
• "Rise Up (Mets)!" -2007 - Written by David Brody of Z100 - Recorded by Kat Deluna

Local Television Affiliates: SportsNet New York, WPIX New York

Announcers: Gary Cohen, Ron Darling, Keith Hernandez, Kevin Burkhardt

Local Radio Affiliates: WFAN, WADO (Spanish)

Announcers: Howie Rose, Wayne Hagin, Ed Coleman^[19]

Spring Training Facility: Tradition Field, Port St. Lucie, FL

Uniform and logo symbolism

Uniform color and design

The Mets' colors are blue, orange, and white, symbolic of the return of National League baseball to New York after the Brooklyn Dodgers (blue) and New York Giants (orange) moved to California. SportsNet New York ( SNY) is a New York City -based sports cable network which airs in the New York metro area and all of New York state, WPIX, channel 11 is a television station in New York City. It has been owned by the Tribune Company since its inception and is currently an affiliate of the Gary Cohen (born April 29, 1958 in Queens New York) is an American Sportscaster, best known as Ronald Maurice Darling (born August 19 1960) is an American former right-handed Starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for the Keith Hernandez (nicknamed "Mex" (born October 20, 1953, in San Francisco California) is a former Major League Baseball First Broadcasting for the New York Mets is as follows Broadcast outlets Television SportsNet New York (2006- WFAN (660 AM) also known as "Sports Radio 66" or "The FAN", is a Radio station in New York City. WADO is also a standard for web access to DICOM objects WADO is a radio station on 1280 AM. Howard Rose (born 1954 is an American Sportscaster with the New York Mets and the New York Islanders for WFAN and MSG Plus Ed Coleman (born 1949 is a radio reporter/host for the New York Mets on WFAN. Tradition Field is a Baseball stadium located in Port St Lucie Florida. Port St Lucie is a city in St Lucie County Florida, United States. The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, or simply the National League ( NL) is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball The Los Angeles Dodgers are a Major League Baseball team based in Los Angeles California, USA The San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in, that currently play in the National League West Division. Blue, orange and white are also the colors of the New York City flag. The City of New York The NBA's New York Knicks were the first New York City-area team to use blue and orange as their team colors, and have been followed by the Mets and the NHL's New York Islanders. The National Hockey League ( NHL) is a professional Ice hockey league composed of 30 teams in North America The New York Islanders are a professional Ice hockey team based in Uniondale, New York.

Currently the Mets wear an assortment of uniforms. One variation includes solid gray road jerseys with blue piping on the sleeves, the jersey front, and down the side of the pant legs. "NEW YORK" is printed across the front of road jerseys in old English style font. Another uniform combination includes a white home jersey with blue pinstripes and "Mets" written across the front in script. Prior to the 1997 season the Mets introduced "snow white" home jerseys as an alternate home jersey. Like the road uniforms, they feature blue piping but are completely white, devoid of pinstripes, and features the cursive "Mets" written across the front. The standard cap is blue with an orange "NY" logo, which is currently only worn with the two white home jerseys. Before the 1998 season black was added as an official Mets color. Black drop-shadows were added to the blue and orange lettering on the white and gray jerseys. Solid black alternate home and road jerseys with blue piping and blue lettering trimmed in orange and white were introduced. Two alternate caps were also introdced - a black cap with a blue brim and a blue "NY" logo trimmed in orange (worn with the white and gray jerseys) and an all black cap with a blue "NY" logo trimmed in orange and white (worn with the black jerseys).

The Mets wear three styles of Coolflo batting helmets, depending what cap they are wearing that day. The Coolflo is a Batting helmet designed by Rawlings and first put into regular use during the 2006 Major League Baseball season If they are wearing their black cap with blue brim, the batting helmets have a blue brim and fade to black in the back with a black "NY" outlined in white. If they are wearing their all-black caps, the batting helmets are all black with a blue "NY" outlined in white then orange, and if they are wearing their all-blue caps, the batting helmets are all-blue with an orange "NY" with no outlines.

Logo

The cap logo is identical to the logo used by the New York Giants in their final years, and is on a blue cap reminiscent of the caps worn by the Brooklyn Dodgers. The San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in, that currently play in the National League West Division. The Los Angeles Dodgers are a Major League Baseball team based in Los Angeles California, USA In the primary logo, designed by sports cartoonist Ray Gatto, each part of the skyline has special meaning — at the left is a church spire, symbolic of Brooklyn, the borough of churches; the second building from the left is the Williamsburg Savings Bank, the tallest building in Brooklyn; next is the Woolworth Building; after a general skyline view of midtown comes the Empire State Building; at the far right is the United Nations Building. The bridge in the center symbolizes that the Mets, in bringing back the National League to New York, represent all five boroughs. [5]

Postseason appearances

• The National League Division Series was added in 1995

Baseball Hall-of-Famers

• Affiliation according to the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum

Names in Bold - Inducted as Met

* Carter asked that his Hall of Fame plaque either be depicted as split between the Mets and Montreal Expos, or just as a Met. In Major League Baseball, the National League Division Series ( NLDS) determine which two teams from the National League will advance to the National For other events named "World Series" see World Series (disambiguation. Champions Major League Baseball The most notable part of the 1969 season were the Miracle Mets World Series: New York Mets The National League Championship Series was a best-of-five match-up between the Eastern Division champion New York Mets and the Western Division champion Atlanta The Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland. The 1969 World Series was played between the New York Mets and the Baltimore Orioles, with the Mets prevailing in 5 games to accomplish one of the greatest upsets Champions Major League Baseball World Series: Oakland Athletics over New York Mets (4-3 Reggie Jackson, The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati Ohio, USA The National League Championship Series was played between the New York Mets and the Cincinnati Reds from October 6 to October The Oakland Athletics are a professional baseball team based in Oakland, California. The 1973 World Series matched the defending champion Oakland Athletics against the New York Mets, with the A's winning in seven games to repeat as World Champions Champions Major League Baseball World Series: New York Mets over Boston Red Sox (4-3 Ray Knight, MVP The Houston Astros are a Professional baseball team based in Houston Texas. The National League Championship Series pitted the New York Mets against the Houston Astros. The Boston Red Sox are a Professional baseball team based in Boston Massachusetts, and are the reigning (2007 World Series Champions. The 1986 World Series pitted the New York Mets against the Boston Red Sox. See also 1988 Major League Baseball season Champions Major League Baseball World Series: Los Angeles Dodgers The Los Angeles Dodgers are a Major League Baseball team based in Los Angeles California, USA The National League Championship Series was played between the National League West champion Los Angeles Dodgers and the National League Champions Major League Baseball World Series: New York Yankees over Atlanta Braves (4-0 Mariano Rivera, MVP The Arizona Diamondbacks (also referred to as the D-backs) are a professional baseball team based in Phoenix Arizona. The National League Division Series ( NLDS) the opening round of the 1999 National League playoffs began on Tuesday October 5, and ended on The National League Championship Series, to determine the champion of Major League Baseball 's National League, was played between the East Division champion Champions Major League Baseball Regular Season Champions Other champions Caribbean World Series: The San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in, that currently play in the National League West Division. The National League Division Series ( NLDS) the opening round of the 2000 National League playoffs began on Tuesday October 3, and ended on The St Louis Cardinals (also referred to as "the Cards " or "the Redbirds " are a professional Baseball team based in St The National League Championship Series, to determine the champion of Major League Baseball 's National League, was played between the Central Division The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the borough of The Bronx, in New York City, New York. The 2000 World Series featured a crosstown matchup between the two-time defending champion New York Yankees and the New York Mets, with the Yankees winning 4 2006 Major League Baseball season|2006 Nippon Professional Baseball season Headline Event of the Year The 2006 World Baseball Classic is a surprise success The Los Angeles Dodgers are a Major League Baseball team based in Los Angeles California, USA The National League Division Series ( NLDS) the opening round of the 2006 National League playoffs began on Tuesday October 3, and ended on The St Louis Cardinals (also referred to as "the Cards " or "the Redbirds " are a professional Baseball team based in St The National League Championship Series ( NLCS) the second round of the 2006 National League playoffs began on October 12 and ended on Don Richard "Richie" Ashburn ( March 19 1927 — September 9 1997) also known by the nickname " Whitey " due to Lawrence Peter "Yogi" Berra (born May 12 1925 in St Louis Missouri) is a former Major League Baseball player and manager Gary Edmund Carter (born April 8 1954 nicknamed "Kid" or "Kid Carter" was a Major League Baseball Catcher from 1974-1992 Willie Howard Mays Jr (born May 6 1931 is a retired American Baseball player who played the majority of his career with the New York and San Francisco Giants Eddie Clarence Murray (born February 24 1956 in Los Angeles California) is a former Major League Baseball First baseman who was known as one of the most Lynn Nolan Ryan Jr (born January 31, 1947 in Refugio, Texas) is a retired American Right-handed Pitcher in George Thomas Seaver (born November 17, 1944) is a former right-handed Major League Baseball Pitcher who broke into the major leagues in and Edwin Donald "Duke" Snider (born September 19, 1926 in Los Angeles California) Nicknamed "The Silver Fox" Warren Edward Spahn ( April 23, 1921 &ndash November 24, 2003) was an American left-handed Pitcher in Major League Charles Dillon "Casey" Stengel ( July 30, 1890 - September 29, 1975) nicknamed "The Old Professor" was an American Franchise history Creation of the franchise In 1960 Montreal lost its International League team the Montreal Royals (an affiliate of The Hall of Fame denied both of Carter's requests and he was inducted as an Expo.

Retired numbers

The numbers honored are as follows:

Retired numbers by the Mets, as they appear in left field (Sept. 2007).

Casey Stengel M: 1962-65 Retired 1965

Gil Hodges 1B: 1962-63 M: 1968-71 Retired 1973

Tom Seaver P: 1967-77,83 Retired 1988

Jackie Robinson Retired by all of MLB Retired 1997

In addition, Tom Seaver is the only Met ever to win the Sports Illustrated Sportsman of the Year Award in 1969 and was voted the Mets "Hometown Hero" in a 2006 poll sponsored by DHL. Charles Dillon "Casey" Stengel ( July 30, 1890 - September 29, 1975) nicknamed "The Old Professor" was an American Gilbert Raymond Hodges ( April 4 1924 – April 2 1972) was an American First baseman and manager in Major George Thomas Seaver (born November 17, 1944) is a former right-handed Major League Baseball Pitcher who broke into the major leagues in and Jack Roosevelt "Jackie" Robinson (January 31 1919 – October 24 1972 was a Baseball player for the Brooklyn Dodgers. George Thomas Seaver (born November 17, 1944) is a former right-handed Major League Baseball Pitcher who broke into the major leagues in and Sports Illustrated is an American Sports Magazine owned by media conglomerate Time Warner. Since its inception in 1954, Sports Illustrated magazine has annually presented the " DHL (originally standing for Dalsey Hillblom and Lynn) is a Deutsche Post World Net company of Germany that provides international mail

Major League Baseball retired Jackie Robinson's number 42 on April 15, 1997, when the Mets played the Dodgers at Shea Stadium, although Butch Huskey wore the number throughout the rest of his Mets career (due to a grandfather clause placed on the retired number by MLB). The Los Angeles Dodgers are a Major League Baseball team based in Los Angeles California, USA William A Shea Municipal Stadium, usually shortened to Shea Stadium or just Shea (ʃeɪ̪ is a Stadium located in the New York City borough Robert Leon "Butch" Huskey (born November 10, 1971 in Anadarko Oklahoma) is a former professional baseball player who played in the Major Leagues A grandfather clause is a term used in US English for an exception that allows an old rule to continue to apply to some existing situations when a new rule will apply to all future situations Mo Vaughn also wore number 42 during his stint with the Mets, due to the same clause. Maurice Samuel 'Mo' Vaughn (born December 15, 1967 in Norwalk, Connecticut) nicknamed "Hit Dog is a former Major League Baseball

On April 8, 2008, the final Opening Day at Shea Stadium, the Mets unveiled a sign bearing the name "Shea" above the left-field fence, next to the team's retired numbers listed above. William Alfred "Bill" Shea ( June 21, 1907 — October 2, 1991) was a lawyer and a name partner of the prominent law firm of Shea

Numbers out of circulation but not retired

The Mets have not issued number 8 since Gary Carter was elected to the Hall of Fame. Gary Edmund Carter (born April 8 1954 nicknamed "Kid" or "Kid Carter" was a Major League Baseball Catcher from 1974-1992 ^[20]

When the Mets honored Carter, they did not retire number 8 at that time, but instead gave him a replica of his Hall of Fame plaque depicting him as a Met instead of an Expo.

John Franco wore number 31 for the Mets until 1998, when he switched to number 45 to accommodate Mike Piazza, who wore it until leaving the Mets after the 2005 season. John Anthony Franco (born September 17 1960 in Brooklyn, New York) is a former left-handed Relief pitcher in Major League Baseball Michael Joseph Piazza (pʰiˈɑːʦə or /pʰiˈɑːzə/ born September 4, 1968 in Norristown, Pennsylvania) is a former American The Mets have not issued number 31 since Piazza's departure. ^[20]

When Willie Mays retired after the 1973 season, owner Joan Whitney Payson (who had great admiration for Mays) promised Mays his number would not be issued to another player. Since then, number 24 has been issued only twice: to 1B-OF Kelvin Torve (by mistake in 1990); and to OF Rickey Henderson, as a player (1999-2000) and as a coach (2007). Rickey Henley Henderson (born as Rickey Nelson Henley, December 25 1958 in Chicago, Illinois) is a former Major League Baseball Outfielder ^[20]

Team captains

• Keith Hernandez - 1987-1989
• Gary Carter - 1988-1989 (co-captain)
• Mookie Wilson - 1989 (co-captain)
• John Franco - 2001-2004

Current roster

Minor league affiliations

• AAA: New Orleans Zephyrs, Pacific Coast League
• AA: Binghamton Mets, Eastern League
• Advanced A: St. Lucie Mets, Florida State League
• A: Savannah Sand Gnats, South Atlantic League
• Short A: Brooklyn Cyclones, New York-Penn League
• Rookie: Kingsport Mets, Appalachian League
• Rookie: GCL Mets, Gulf Coast League
• Rookie: VSL Mets Tronconero (B), Venezuelan Summer League
• Rookie: Boca Chica Mets, Dominican Summer League

See also

• New York Mets season records
• New York Mets all-time roster
• New York Mets Hall of Fame
• Mets award winners and league leaders
• Mets statistical records and milestone achievements
• Mets broadcasters and media
• Mets managers and ownership
• Braves-Mets rivalry
• Yankees-Mets Rivalry
• Turnpike Series

References

External links

• New York Mets official web site
• New York Mets Team Index - Baseball-Reference.com
• Sports E-Cyclopedia
• Ultimate Mets Database
• Mets by the Numbers All-time listing of Mets uniform numbers