All Time Mets team

[Vic Sage]

This is an off-season exercise we've engaged in for years. I put this list together a few years ago. But, given the development of certain players, it needs updating. As follows:

C - PIAZZA. With either Carter backing him up, and/or Grote as a late-inning defensive replacement. Aside from pitching, this has been the best position for the franchise, with Grote, Stearns, Carter, Hundley, Piazza and now LoDuca.

1B - HERNANDEZ. Kranepool can be the waterboy. Olerud was a close second, but Rusty will be the backup because of OF/PHing expertise, and his semi-mascot status. Now, if Delgado keeps it up, he enters the picture.

2B - FONZIE. Kent and Jeffries had their best years elsewhere. Backman was a platooner. Millan was a decent player, but nothing memorable. And Matsui certainly doesn't enter into the discussion.

3B - HOJO. His three 30-30 seasons still keep him a tiny bit ahead of Wright, who has only had 1 great year, as did Ventura. Of course, if David keeps it up, he'll certainly supplant Hojo. Hubie Brooks? Not bad. He played some OF and SS, too, as did Wayne Garrett. Either would be a nice utility player on the bench, but...

SS - REYES. Originally, I had Harrelson ranked #1, but even after only 1 great year, Jose is clearly the best we've ever had. Buddy was the decent-est the longest and helped win a ring. Ordonez can suck my wee willie winkie. I still keep Buddy, however, over Garrett and Brooks, as utility infielder.

LF - CLEON JONES. Over the redneck from Arkansas who shall remain nameless. Although i suppose the unnamed redneck would have to make the team as a backup. Floyd had one excellent year. Not enough, though.

CF - BELTRAN. Originally, I gave Mookie the nod over Agee, for length of service and mascot status. But Carlos's 2 seasons so far have been better than any years by the other 2. Mazz? close, but no cigar.

RF - STRAWBERRY. Oh, what he could have been! But what he was didn't exactly suck. Rusty is a backup RF/LH PHer/1B.

Bench (6): Carter, Wright, Staub, Mookie, Harrelson, McDickhead.

SP (5) - SEAVER, KOOZ, GOODEN, LEITER, CONE (with SID FERNANDEZ in the pen in case we need an extra starter). Pedro has had 1 excellent year, and is unlikely to have too many others. Matlack and Darling are both a dollar short. Glavine's met career not better than any of these guys.

RP (6) - BENITEZ, FRANCO, OROSCO, McGRAW and now WAGNER. With FERNANDEZ in long relief. Originally, i included Lockwood in the pen, but Wagner bumps him because Skip was only good by Met standards.

[Elster88]

McReynolds > Jones

Sorry.

[Guest Edgy DC]

Wagner?

Good year, but he has neither been great nor long-serving.

[Vic Sage]

Wagner was one of the best closers in the league this year. And he's signed for a few more years. Would you rate any of Lockwood's years ahead of his?

[Guest Johnny Dickshot]

Vic Sage wrote: Wagner was one of the best closers in the league this year. And he's signed for a few more years. Would you rate any of Lockwood's years ahead of his?

Roger McDowell sez, Bite me, Alpaca Boy

[Guest sharpie]

Agree with choice of McDowell. Also, do we really want five lefties in the pen?

[Vic Sage]

Alpaca Boy?
I wonder what superpower that connotes...

yeah, mcdowell or lockwood over wagner. i'm not going to fight about it. plus we need more righties in the pen.

[Guest Edgy DC]

I didn't realize Lockwood was the only other option.

If single seasons are what we're endorsing, I might run Randy Myers over him. Even Danny Frisella '71.

If we're projecting to the end of the contract, I'd.... are we really doing that?

[Guest KC]

Vic is consistent in his dislike of McReynolds ... my Mom's second favorite Kevin.

[nymr83]

obviously you've got to balance good years with longevity, but i dont htink it serves any purpose to put Wagner on the list just because you expect more good years out of him in the future. by that logic Wright should top Hojo.

here's my top 3 (in order) at each hitting spot alog with 10 starters and 5 relievers:
C: Piazza, Carter, Hundley
1B: Hernandez, Olerud, Kingman
2B: Alfonzo, Kent, Backman
3B: Johnson, Wright, Ventura
SS: Harrelson, Reyes, Elster
LF: Jones, McReynolds, Gilkey
CF: Wilson, Agee, Beltran
RF: Strawberry, Staub, Bonilla
SP: Seaver, Gooden, Koosman, Darling, Fernandez, Leiter, Cone, Jones, Ojeda, Saberhagen
RP: Franco, McGraw, Orosco, Benitez, Wendell

the top 2 catchers arent in dispute i don't think, i have hundley 3rd he's 5th all time and held the single season club record in homers.
wright/reyes/beltran simply havent been here long enough to take the top spots, but they probably will soon.
yeah, we all hate bonilla, but who else is there?
bobby j jones gets no love.

[Vic Sage]

now put together your 25-man roster from that list, like i did.

[nymr83]

am i putting together a playoff roster or a roster for a 162-game schedule?

[Guest Johnny Dickshot]

Isn't it odd that for all the hoohah over the Mets and their 134 3rd basemen, that's really been a position of strength for us for more than a decade now (and hopefully, for another deacde too).

[Theoldmole]

McDowell over Wagner as of right now, Cleon over McReynolds. Cliff Floyd deserving of a mention. Bernard Gilkey briefly, but real good for that brief flare.

[stevejrogers]

Johnny Dickshot wrote: Isn't it odd that for all the hoohah over the Mets and their 134 3rd basemen, that's really been a position of strength for us for more than a decade now (and hopefully, for another deacde too).

20 to be exact. Hojo really solidified the position for a long time, then the Bobby Bonilla experience, followed nicely by the guy in your current avatar, Fonzie, Rockin Robin, "The Ty That Grinds" and of course the current guy

[Elster88]

[stevejrogers]

C Mike Piazza
Spent more years than Carter did, and more of his productive years than Carter.

1B Keith Hernandez
'Nuff said.

2B Edgardo Alfonzo
Probably the best "pure hitter" the Mets developed since Cleon Jones.

SS Buddy Harrelson
I'm sorry but two injury free years aren't enough to knock Buddy from the slot...yet. I mean Buddy has weathered the Kevin Elsters and Rey Ordonezs of the world and he's still the best career SS we have!

3B Howard Johnson
Like SS, not ready to unseat the current guy on my list...yet

LF Cleon Jones
"Professional Hitter"

CF Mookie Wilson
Two words, Game Six

RF Darryl Strawberry
Probably the greatest offensive player the farm system ever produced.

Starting Rotation:
Tom Seaver, Jerry Koosman, Dwight Gooden, David Cone, Jon Matlack

Closer: Tug McGraw
Rest of pen, John Franco, Randy Myers, Armando Benitez

Bench:
C Gary Carter
INF Jose Reyes (Hey he's been around for a while now anyway)
Felix Millan
John Olerud
OF Rusty Staub
Lee Mazzilli
Len Dykstra

[stevejrogers]

Anyone know where I can find a place for a pack of beer for a penny to send to somewhere in CT next week?

[nymr83]

Steve's list is fine but i have a hard time putting Matlack that high

[nymr83]

heres my 25 man, i'm assuming that i need to win as many as possible in a 162 game season, not win a short playoff series.

1. Jones LF
2. Alfonzo 2B
3. Strawberry RF
4. Piazza C
5. Hernandez 1B
6. Johnson 3B
7. Wilson CF
8. Harrelson SS

1. Seaver
2. Gooden
3. Koosman
4. Leiter
5. Darling

bench: Carter, McReynolds, Beltran, Kent, Reyes, Wright, Staub
bullpen: Franco, McGraw, Orosco, Benitez, Cone

[metirish]

That's some starting five..