Jamie Moyer

[Frayed Knot]

His recent release by the Phils probably got lost to most due to the playoff & WS hubbub. Actually his contract was up but they told him that they're not interested in renewal.
So you figure - at age 48 - it's probably the end of his career, one which is most remarkable not just for his 267 wins despite throwing barely over the speed limit, but for the fact that that just 34 of those wins came in his 20's, 130 more in his 30's, and a stunning 103 after turning 40. Moyer, who has a ton of outside interests and charities not to mention like 6 or 7 kids (one of which was just drafted this past year) would have no problem going home (Seattle I think) and relaxing.

Except that he's not. He's currently in the Dominican Republic of all places pitching in winter ball to keep his game up in hopes of attracting interest and a contract prior to next Spring.
Not that I'm suggesting Sandy look into him or anything, but I think it would be kind of cool if he hooked on with someone.

[Guest Edgy DC]

Prediction one: Atlanta.
Prediction two: Washington.

[metirish]

If he signed with the Mets he coukd be opening day starter.

Prediction

Marlins

[seawolf17]

Dude beat Steve Carlton, who's older than my dad, in his major league debut. I'd love to see Moyer keep pitching.

[Frayed Knot]

Or, as the guy who wrote the piece on winter leagues that inspired this thread put it: when Moyer (playing in the Dom Winter Lg) was the same age as Washington's Bryce Harper (currently playing in the Az Fall Lg) Jimmy Carter was still President.

[Guest Edgy DC]

I'm certain that Moyer is the last active player to face the 1986 Mets (reason enough to root for him). Who was the next to last?

[metsmarathon]

clemens

[Guest Edgy DC]

Not Roger.

[G-Fafif]

Keep pitching Jamie. You alone keep me young.

[Gwreck]

Greg Maddux

[Guest Edgy DC]

His fellow 1986 Cub Greg Maddux is correct. Both were rookieing that year. Against the juggernaut Mets, Maddux went 0-1, 9.00, in four innings while teammate Jamie went 1-0, 3.74 in 21 2/3 innings.

[G-Fafif]

Maddux pitched the day game after the clincher on Pete Flynn's chewing gum and bailing wire lawn.

[Guest Edgy DC]

Nice call. I was thinking of putting together a team of 1986 Met opponents who lasted into the aughts.

sp: Jamie Moyer (Cubs), lasted until 2010 (and beyond?)
sp: Greg Maddux (Cubs), lasted until 2008
sp: Rawjah Clemens (Red Sox), lasted until 2007
sp: Orel Hershiser (Dodgers), lasted until 2000

rp: John Franco (Reds), lasted until 2005

c:
1b: Andres Gallaraga (Expos), lasted until 2004
2b:
3b:
ss:
lf: Barry Bonds (Giants), lasted until 2007
cf:
rf: Tony Gwynn (Padres), lasted until 2001

[Benjamin Grimm]

John Smoltz, too.

I can probably generate a full list through SQL, but will wait until you give a green light, lest I spoil any fun.

EDIT: Oops, scratch Smoltz. He doesn't go back as far as I thought. He first played against the Mets in 1988.

[Benjamin Grimm]

377 players opposed the Mets in 1986 (including in the postseason) and 18 of them were still active in the major leagues in 2000 or later.

Edgy listed eight of them above. There are ten others remaining.

[Guest Edgy DC]

Will Clark
Eric Davis (we have a centerfielder!)

[Benjamin Grimm]

Yup. Eight more.

Of the eight, three were Mets at some point in their careers.

[metsmarathon]

bobby bonilla

[Benjamin Grimm]

metsmarathon wrote: bobby bonilla

Yup.

[Guest Edgy DC]

Bonilla is our thirdbaseman.

[Guest Edgy DC]

Another Cub: Rafael Palmiero.

[Benjamin Grimm]

After Rafael Palmeiro, six more remain. Three of them are pitchers.

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

Mike Morgan

[MFS62]

Benito Santiago.

Later

[Benjamin Grimm]

Mike Morgan had the longevity, but he was with the Orioles in 1986, so was not a Mets opponent that year.

[Benjamin Grimm]

Benito Santiago is a great guess, but wrong. He was a San Diego Padre in 1986, but didn't play against the Mets that year.

[HahnSolo]

Rock Raines and Barry larkin

[Guest Edgy DC]

Oooh, we have a shortstop. And Raines came up as a secondbaseman, so he may get us out of that pinch.

[HahnSolo]

Both were guesses, I'm almost entirely certain on Raines, not as much so on Larkin.

[Benjamin Grimm]

Raines is correct, but not Larkin. He, like Benito Santiago, did play in the National League in 1986, but without appearing against the Mets.

But there is a shortstop for this team.