The New York Mets have had several players who never got the love they deserved during their time in Queens. We break down the top five.
Regardless of the sport, players often get measured by winning.The New York Mets may not have many championships to boast, but they’ve had several terrific players represent the blue and orange over the years. Some players never got the credit they deserved because they were on teams that never met expectations.
Baseball is a team game, but credit has to be given where it’s due, in good times and bad.
Conversely, the Mets have had some successful stretches in their history. There have been deep runs into October. However, there also have been players overshadowed by superstars during those times.
We take a look at five players that command more respect than they have been given. Whether it be from the early days of the 60’s, party rocking 80’s, or 21st century Mets, let’s look at five guys that need better recognition.
5) Jon Matlack
Outside of being a part of the 1973 National League Championship team, Matlack was apart of many forgettable New York Mets teams in the 1970s. Though drafted in the first round in 1967, Matlack was somewhat overshadowed by the legendary Tom Seaver and reliable Jerry Koosman.
Matlack’s career in New York spanned from 1971-77 in which he compiled a cumulative 3.03 ERA, made three all star teams, and was awarded the 1971 Rookie of the Year.
Matlack won 82 games and recorded 26 shutouts. So, almost one third of his wins were complete game shutouts. That’s something you won’t see in the modern era.
The lefty posted a sub-3 ERA during three separate seasons and posted a league low FIP of 2.42 in 1974.
The Mets didn’t do much winning in the 70s while pitching behind Seaver and Koosman didn’t exactly garner the spotlight. Matlack was a rock solid third starter who could’ve pitched at the top of the rotation on a handful of other teams.
4) Tommy Agee
There weren’t many outfielders that could patrol center field with more grace than Tommy Agee. Add in some power and good speed, and you have a darn solid ballplayer.
Agee only spent five seasons in Flushing, but was a major player on the 1969 World Series team. His defense in the World Series swung momentum in games, while his three homers and three steals in the postseason made his power/speed combination so useful.
Agee’s defense didn’t go unnoticed, capturing a gold glove in 1970. He also posted two 5+ WAR seasons from 1969-70. Whether you’re a Saber-metrcian or not, there was little question that Agee could play.
He’s nowhere close to being a Hall of Famer, but his impact in crucial games were paramount to the New York Mets capturing their first championship.
Many of the teams he was on were lauded for their pitching, but Agee deserves praise for his all around game.
3) Ray Knight
It’s easy to say Knight doesn’t belong on this list because of his short stint in Queens. He played just three seasons in Flushing, but his World Series MVP suggests he made a lasting impact.
He hit .298 with 11 homers and 76 RBIs in 1986 en route to World Series in which he batted .391 and launched the go ahead homer in game seven. Knight also played a key role in the rally that sparked the infamous game six comeback.
It wasn’t just the numbers that defined Knight’s time in New York; his fiery play and leadership made him part of the backbone of the ’86 team.
He faded away from the team amid awkward tensions over the years though, “I never called, they never reached out to me, and it just became more and more and more of a separation,” Knight said. “I saw guys getting called back to throw out first pitches and things like that, and I never got a call like that. What really stung me was some of the publications that the Mets put out — whether it was a yearbook or a poster or something commemorating the ’86 team — there’d be seven or eight pictures of guys on there, and I’d never be on there. And it’s hard for me to understand, as much as I contributed to that team, why I was never even featured in the small thing. Sensitivities are big. We just want to be appreciated. I knew my teammates appreciated me, but the powers that be, I don’t know that they did at that time,” Knight told the New York post.
He recently joined the Mets for a 30 year celebration of the ’86 team earlier this season. It seems that things have cooled between Knight and the Mets, thankfully.
The mid to late ’80s Mets were remembered for guys like Gary Carter, Keith Hernandez, Doc Gooden, and Daryl Strawberry. It’s easy to see how Knight could be overshadowed, but he should be better remembered for his impact on a championship team.
2) Carlos Beltran
Never has a player been crucified for one single at bat more harshly than Carlos Ivan Beltran.
Everyone knows about the bases loaded, NLCS ending strikeout at old Shea Stadium in 2006. Before the angry fan proclaims “that was his defining moment and he blew it,” take a few steps back. Remember how the series got to that at bat?
No one seems to remember that in game one, Beltran launched a two run homer in the sixth inning of a scoreless game that equaled the only runs of the ballgame–for either team. No one seems to remember that Beltran homered twice in a must win game four on the road in St. Louis. So stop and think about it–does the series even reach a seventh game without Beltran’s contributions? It’s very unlikely.
Beyond that one fateful postseason, Beltran was one of the best all around players in the game during his time with the Mets. In six and half seasons, he made five all star teams, won three gold gloves, and notched two silver sluggers.
Beltran, usually quiet and well mannered, was involved in several charitable events off the field too. He remained involved with his own foundation and with Harlem RBI in an effort to bring baseball to inner city children.
Beltran was an elite player (despite some injury riddled seasons) who remained a class act off the field. It’s a shame he still gets victimized for one single at bat.
It’s the Mets who owed Beltran another shot at getting it done in the postseason, one they were ultimately unable to provide him with.
1) David Wright
He’s never won anything before. He gets hurt all too often. He’s overpaid. He’s overrated.
Just stop it.
David Wright is the most underappreciated player in New York Mets history. Sure, the captain is loved by many, but the unfair criticisms he’s received over the years are rather unwarranted.
While Wright has never climbed to baseball’s Mount Everest in October, it’s hard to fault him. Baseball is a team game, and Wright has been on many teams that flat out stunk in the prime of his career. From 2009-2014, the Mets weren’t very competitive. Wright never asked to be traded, never sounded off to the media, and always remained involved within the community. He had every right to leave the organization and signed an eight year extension instead.
It’s not uncommon for Wright to be brought up on the 2007 team which suffered an epic collapse in September. His September 2007 stat line consisted of a .352 average. .432 OBP, 6 homers and 20 RBI’s. He also joined the 30 homer and 30 stolen base club in ’07. It was Wright that was the unofficial captain at the age of 25 and face of the franchise that unfairly burdened the collapse.
The Mets also suffered a smaller collapse in September of 2008, losing a 3.5 game lead over the final few weeks of the season. The third baseman batted .340 with a .416 OBP, homered 6 times, and drove in 21 runs during the month of September.
Yup, it was definitely all his fault.
Since 2013, Wright’s injuries have hampered his play and ability to stay on the field. He played through injuries but it only backfired on his performance. Injuries are part of the game, and they only got worse with age. It’s unfortunate, but it’s just part of the baseball grind.
Wright has not yet delivered a championship to New York, but he’s committed to the organization and was among the game’s elites for several seasons. Seven all star games, two gold gloves, and two silver sluggers suggest he’s done his part.
Wright did everything he could to deliver; it would be nice for even the most rigid of fans to acknowledge so.
Beltran is a HOFer no doubt in my mind. Hope he goes in as a Met. then they should retire #15.