Home runs by a new guy

[Benjamin Grimm]

As we were talking about Ryan Church in the revived Milledge trade thread, I got to wondering about who's hit the most home runs in their first season as a Met. (I made a guess in my head about who holds the record, but I didn't get it right.)

Anyway, there are only 15 players who hit 20 or more home runs in their initial Met season. (At this point, Ryan Church seems like a pretty good bet to get to be the 16th.) There were only 7 players who debuted with 30 or more. Church has a pretty decent shot at becoming the eighth.

Post your guesses as to who the 15 players are. I think the majority of them will be pretty easy, but there may be one or two that prove elusive.

Make as many guesses as you like. I'll acknowledge the correct answers as they're posted.


1.
2.
3.
4.
4.
6.
6.
8.
9.
9.
11.
12.
12.
14.
15.

[Guest AG/DC]

Mike Ka-slameron
Dave Kingman
Darryl Strawberry
Bobby Bonilla
Mo Vaughn
Mike Piazza
Kevin McReynolds
Jon Olerud
Eddie Fuckin' Murray

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

Carlos Beltran
Carlos Delgado
Ron Swoboda

[Guest AG/DC]

Bernard Gilkey

[Benjamin Grimm]

I'm glad I'm not the only one who overlooked Delgado!

Not Bonilla, not Murray, not Beltran. (EDIT: Not Swoboda either.)

1. 2006 Carlos Delgado 38
2. 1975 Dave Kingman 36
3.
4.
4.
6. 1996 Bernard Gilkey 30
6. 2004 Mike Cameron 30
8. 1987 Kevin McReynolds 29
9. 1983 Darryl Strawberry 26
9. 2002 Mo Vaughn 26
11. 1998 Mike Piazza 23
12. 1997 John Olerud 22
12.
14.
15.

[Guest AG/DC]

Big duh! Frank Thomas.

[Benjamin Grimm]

1. 2006 Carlos Delgado 38
2. 1975 Dave Kingman 36
3. 1962 Frank Thomas 34
4.
4.
6. 1996 Bernard Gilkey 30
6. 2004 Mike Cameron 30
8. 1987 Kevin McReynolds 29
9. 1983 Darryl Strawberry 26
9. 2002 Mo Vaughn 26
11. 1998 Mike Piazza 23
12. 1997 John Olerud 22
12.
14.
15.

[Centerfield]

George Foster
Robin Ventura

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

Todd Zeile

[Benjamin Grimm]

Foster debuted with a miserable 13 home runs. (I don't even have to look it up!)

Ventura, on the other hand...


1. 2006 Carlos Delgado 38
2. 1975 Dave Kingman 36
3. 1962 Frank Thomas 34
4.
4. 1999 Robin Ventura 32
6. 1996 Bernard Gilkey 30
6. 2004 Mike Cameron 30
8. 1987 Kevin McReynolds 29
9. 1983 Darryl Strawberry 26
9. 2002 Mo Vaughn 26
11. 1998 Mike Piazza 23
12. 1997 John Olerud 22
12. 2000 Todd Zeile 22
14.
15.

[Guest Mendoza Line]

Donn Clendennon

[Centerfield]

Richard Hidalgo
Derek Bell

[Benjamin Grimm]

Not Clendenon. Not Bell.

I can't believe nobody has guessed the guy tied for fourth place!

1. 2006 Carlos Delgado 38
2. 1975 Dave Kingman 36
3. 1962 Frank Thomas 34
4.
4. 1999 Robin Ventura 32
6. 1996 Bernard Gilkey 30
6. 2004 Mike Cameron 30
8. 1987 Kevin McReynolds 29
9. 1983 Darryl Strawberry 26
9. 2002 Mo Vaughn 26
11. 1998 Mike Piazza 23
12. 1997 John Olerud 22
12. 2000 Todd Zeile 22
14. 2004 Richard Hidalgo 21
15.

[metirish]

Alou?

[Elster88]

The Kid.

[Benjamin Grimm]

Of course! (You know he'd want to be the FIRST one remembered!)

1. 2006 Carlos Delgado 38
2. 1975 Dave Kingman 36
3. 1962 Frank Thomas 34
4. 1985 Gary Carter 32
4. 1999 Robin Ventura 32
6. 1996 Bernard Gilkey 30
6. 2004 Mike Cameron 30
8. 1987 Kevin McReynolds 29
9. 1983 Darryl Strawberry 26
9. 2002 Mo Vaughn 26
11. 1998 Mike Piazza 23
12. 1997 John Olerud 22
12. 2000 Todd Zeile 22
14. 2004 Richard Hidalgo 21
15.

[nymr83]

Bobby Bonilla?

[Benjamin Grimm]

Nymr83 wrote: Bobby Bonilla?

Nope. (Already been guessed.)

The remaining guy is dead at the present time.

[Guest metsguyinmichigan]

Tommie Agee

[Benjamin Grimm]

Nope, not Tommie Agee.

[Guest Mendoza Line]

John Milner?

[Guest AG/DC]

I looked it up. I wouldn't have gotten it.

I'll offer that he shares a trait with Piazza and HIdalgo.

[Benjamin Grimm]

="Mendoza Line"]John Milner?

Nope.

Now I'm curious about the trait that's shared with Piazza and Hidalgo!

[Guest AG/DC]

Assuming I have the right guy, he pulled the trick despite his first season coming as part of in-season acquisition.

Am I right?

[Benjamin Grimm]

Yes, you are.

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

Charley Smith.

[Benjamin Grimm]

And that concludes this little quiz!

Thank you for playing! Drive home safely!

1. 2006 Carlos Delgado 38
2. 1975 Dave Kingman 36
3. 1962 Frank Thomas 34
4. 1985 Gary Carter 32
4. 1999 Robin Ventura 32
6. 1996 Bernard Gilkey 30
6. 2004 Mike Cameron 30
8. 1987 Kevin McReynolds 29
9. 1983 Darryl Strawberry 26
9. 2002 Mo Vaughn 26
11. 1998 Mike Piazza 23
12. 1997 John Olerud 22
12. 2000 Todd Zeile 22
14. 2004 Richard Hidalgo 21
15. 1964 Charley Smith 20

[Guest AG/DC]

Bam! I gave it away.

How I missed Carter, I have no idea.

[Theoldmole]

Rusty Staub?

[Theoldmole]

Too little, too late.