Unofficial fan project1962 → Today
85 Mets.
A lot of opinions.
Some were obvious legends. Some had one unbelievable year. Some are here because every Mets fan has a story about them. They are ordered by their best three-year stretch in a Mets uniform.
World Series Champions includes only players from the 1969 and 1986 title teams. Mets Hall of Fame follows the team’s official list. One-Season Wonders are players whose Mets story is built around one standout year, like Bernard Gilkey’s 1996 season.
The player timeline
Start arguing.
85 players
Best three-year stretch1962–64
The Expansion Years
Al Jackson
Starting pitcher · 1962–1965, 1968–1969Threw a six-hit shutout for the first Mets victory at Shea Stadium on April 19, 1964.Best three-year stretch1963–65
The Expansion Years
Ron Hunt
Second baseman · 1963–1966Started at second base for the National League in the 1964 All-Star Game at Shea.Best three-year stretch1964–66
The Expansion Years
Ed Kranepool
First baseman and outfielder · 1962–1979Played a franchise-record 18 seasons, all with the Mets.Best three-year stretch1968–70
Seaver, the Miracle, and Two Pennants
Jerry Koosman
Starting pitcher · 1967–1978Winning pitcher in the deciding Game 5 of the 1969 World Series.Best three-year stretch1968–70
Seaver, the Miracle, and Two Pennants
Cleon Jones
Left fielder · 1963, 1965–1975Caught the final out of the 1969 World Series.Best three-year stretch1968–70
Seaver, the Miracle, and Two Pennants
Jerry Grote
Catcher · 1966–1977Caught the great pitching staffs of both the 1969 and 1973 pennant winners.Best three-year stretch1968–70
Seaver, the Miracle, and Two Pennants
Al Weis
Second baseman and shortstop · 1968–1971Hit .455 in the 1969 World Series, including the tying home run in Game 5.Best three-year stretch1969–71
Seaver, the Miracle, and Two Pennants
Tom Seaver
Starting pitcher · 1967–1977, 1983Three Cy Young Awards as a Met and the ace of the 1969 World Series champions.Best three-year stretch1969–71
Seaver, the Miracle, and Two Pennants
Bud Harrelson
Shortstop · 1965–1977Starting shortstop for the 1969 champions and 1973 pennant winners.Best three-year stretch1969–71
Seaver, the Miracle, and Two Pennants
Tommie Agee
Center fielder · 1968–1972Made two unforgettable catches in Game 3 of the 1969 World Series.Best three-year stretch1969–71
Seaver, the Miracle, and Two Pennants
Donn Clendenon
First baseman · 1969–1971Three home runs and the 1969 World Series MVP Award against Baltimore.Best three-year stretch1971–73
Seaver, the Miracle, and Two Pennants
Tug McGraw
Relief pitcher · 1965–1967, 1969–1974The emotional leader and relief ace of the 1973 National League champions.Best three-year stretch1972–74
Seaver, the Miracle, and Two Pennants
Jon Matlack
Starting pitcher · 1971–1977Threw a two-hit shutout against Cincinnati in the 1973 NLCS.Best three-year stretch1972–74
Seaver, the Miracle, and Two Pennants
Wayne Garrett
Third baseman · 1969–1976Hit the go-ahead home run in Game 3 of the 1969 NLCS and homered twice in the 1973 World Series.Best three-year stretch1972–74
Seaver, the Miracle, and Two Pennants
John Milner
First baseman and left fielder · 1971–1977Led the Mets in home runs three straight seasons from 1972 through 1974.Best three-year stretch1973–75
Seaver, the Miracle, and Two Pennants
Rusty Staub
Right fielder and first baseman · 1972–1975, 1981–1985Hit .423 in the 1973 World Series after injuring his right shoulder in the NLCS.Best three-year stretch1975–77
Seaver, the Miracle, and Two Pennants
Dave Kingman
First baseman and left fielder · 1975–1977, 1981–1983Hit 154 home runs as a Met, including 37 in 1982.Best three-year stretch1978–80
The Rebuilding Years
John Stearns
Catcher · 1975–1984A four-time All-Star who gave the rebuilding Mets an identity.Best three-year stretch1978–80
The Rebuilding Years
Lee Mazzilli
Outfielder and first baseman · 1976–1981, 1986–1989Homered and drew the winning walk in the 1979 All-Star Game.Best three-year stretch1978–80
The Rebuilding Years
Craig Swan
Starting pitcher · 1973–1984Led the National League with a 2.43 ERA in 1978.Best three-year stretch1983–85
The Mets Powerhouse
Jesse Orosco
Relief pitcher · 1979, 1981–1987Struck out Marty Barrett for the final out of the 1986 World Series.Best three-year stretch1984–86
The Mets Powerhouse
Dwight Gooden
Starting pitcher · 1984–1994A 1.53 ERA, 24 wins, and the pitching Triple Crown in his 1985 Cy Young season.Best three-year stretch1984–86
The Mets Powerhouse
Keith Hernandez
First baseman · 1983–1989The captain and field general of the 1986 World Series champions.Best three-year stretch1984–86
The Mets Powerhouse
Mookie Wilson
Center fielder · 1980–1989His ground ball went through Bill Buckner’s legs to finish Game 6 of the 1986 World Series.Best three-year stretch1984–86
The Mets Powerhouse
Ray Knight
Third baseman · 1984–1986Named Most Valuable Player of the 1986 World Series.Best three-year stretch1984–86
The Mets Powerhouse
Ron Darling
Starting pitcher · 1983–1991Allowed only one run across his first two starts in the 1986 World Series.Best three-year stretch1984–86
The Mets Powerhouse
Wally Backman
Second baseman · 1980–1988Hit .320 as the fiery second baseman of the 1986 champions.Best three-year stretch1984–86
The Mets Powerhouse
Kevin Mitchell
Third baseman and outfielder · 1984, 1986Pinch-hit single in the tenth inning of 1986 World Series Game 6, then scored the tying run.Best three-year stretch1985–87
The Mets Powerhouse
Sid Fernandez
Starting pitcher · 1984–1993A two-time Mets All-Star and an overlooked hero of the 1986 clincher.Best three-year stretch1985–87
The Mets Powerhouse
Roger McDowell
Relief pitcher · 1985–1989Won 14 games in relief during the 1986 championship season.Best three-year stretch1985–87
The Mets Powerhouse
Gary Carter
Catcher · 1985–1989Started the two-out rally that saved Game 6 of the 1986 World Series.Best three-year stretch1986–88
The Mets Powerhouse
Darryl Strawberry
Right fielder · 1983–1990The longtime franchise home-run leader and a central bat on the 1986 champions.Best three-year stretch1986–88
The Mets Powerhouse
Lenny Dykstra
Center fielder · 1985–1989Hit a walk-off home run in Game 3 of the 1986 NLCS.Best three-year stretch1986–88
The Mets Powerhouse
Bob Ojeda
Starting pitcher · 1986–1990Went 18–5 with a 2.57 ERA in the 1986 championship season.Best three-year stretch1987–89
The Mets Powerhouse
Kevin McReynolds
Left fielder · 1987–1991, 1994Hit 27 home runs, drove in 99, and went 21-for-21 stealing bases in 1988.Best three-year stretch1987–89
The Mets Powerhouse
Randy Myers
Relief pitcher · 1985–1989Developed from a young 1986 arm into the Mets’ late-inning closer.Best three-year stretch1988–90
The Mets Powerhouse
David Cone
Starting pitcher · 1987–1992, 2003Went 20–3 in 1988 and struck out 19 Phillies in his final start of 1991.Best three-year stretch1989–91
The Mets Powerhouse
Howard Johnson
Third baseman · 1985–1993The only Met to post three different 30-home-run, 30-steal seasons.Best three-year stretch1989–91
The Mets Powerhouse
Dave Magadan
First and third baseman · 1986–1992Hit .328 during his breakout 1990 season.Best three-year stretch1990–92
A Difficult Reset
Frank Viola
Starting pitcher · 1989–1991Won 20 games for the 1990 Mets and provided a veteran ace during the transition years.Best three-year stretch1990–92
A Difficult Reset
John Franco
Relief pitcher · 1990–2001, 2003–2004The Mets’ longtime left-handed saves leader and third captain.Best three-year stretch1992–94
A Difficult Reset
Bret Saberhagen
Starting pitcher · 1992–1995Brought two Cy Young Awards and veteran leadership to the mid-1990s rotation.Best three-year stretch1995–97
A Difficult Reset
Todd Hundley
Catcher · 1990–1998Hit 41 home runs in 1996, then a major-league record for a catcher.Best three-year stretch1996–98
Piazza, Alfonzo, and the Return to October
Bernard Gilkey
Left fielder · 1996–1998Hit .317 with 30 home runs, 117 RBI, and 44 doubles in 1996.Best three-year stretch1996–98
Piazza, Alfonzo, and the Return to October
Lance Johnson
Center fielder · 1996–1998Set the Mets record with 227 hits and 21 triples in 1996.Best three-year stretch1997–99
Piazza, Alfonzo, and the Return to October
John Olerud
First baseman · 1997–1999Hit .354 with a .447 on-base percentage in 1998.Best three-year stretch1997–99
Piazza, Alfonzo, and the Return to October
Rick Reed
Starting pitcher · 1997–2001Won 59 games for the Mets after arriving as a replacement player and non-roster invitee.Best three-year stretch1997–99
Piazza, Alfonzo, and the Return to October
Bobby Jones
Starting pitcher · 1993–2000Threw a one-hit shutout to clinch the 2000 NLDS against San Francisco.Best three-year stretch1997–99
Piazza, Alfonzo, and the Return to October
Rey Ordóñez
Shortstop · 1996–2002Won three consecutive Gold Gloves from 1997 through 1999.Best three-year stretch1998–2000
Piazza, Alfonzo, and the Return to October
Edgardo Alfonzo
Second and third baseman · 1995–2002A key force behind consecutive playoff trips and the 2000 pennant.Best three-year stretch1998–2000
Piazza, Alfonzo, and the Return to October
Mike Piazza
Catcher · 1998–2005His home run in the first game at Shea after September 11 remains a defining Mets moment.Best three-year stretch1998–2000
Piazza, Alfonzo, and the Return to October
Al Leiter
Starting pitcher · 1998–2004A two-hit shutout in the 1999 tiebreaker sent the Mets to the postseason.Best three-year stretch1999–2001
Piazza, Alfonzo, and the Return to October
Armando Benítez
Relief pitcher · 1999–2003Recorded 160 saves as a Met, second in franchise history when he left.Best three-year stretch1999–2001
Piazza, Alfonzo, and the Return to October
Robin Ventura
Third baseman · 1999–2001Hit the 1999 NLCS Grand Slam Single against Atlanta.Best three-year stretch1999–2001
Piazza, Alfonzo, and the Return to October
Benny Agbayani
Left and right fielder · 1998–2001Hit a walk-off home run in the 13th inning of 2000 NLDS Game 3.Only Mets season2000
Piazza, Alfonzo, and the Return to October
Mike Hampton
Starting pitcher · 2000Pitched a three-hit shutout to clinch the 2000 National League pennant.Best three-year stretch2001–03
Wright, Reyes, and Beltran
Steve Trachsel
Starting pitcher · 2001–2006Recovered from an 8.24 ERA start to win 16 games for the 2003 Mets.Best three-year stretch2005–07
Wright, Reyes, and Beltran
Tom Glavine
Starting pitcher · 2003–2007Earned his 300th major-league win while pitching for the Mets in 2007.Best three-year stretch2005–07
Wright, Reyes, and Beltran
Pedro Martínez
Starting pitcher · 2005–2008Won 15 games and struck out 208 hitters in his first Mets season.Best three-year stretch2006–08
Wright, Reyes, and Beltran
David Wright
Third baseman · 2004–2016, 2018The captain and franchise leader in hits, RBI, and runs scored.Best three-year stretch2006–08
Wright, Reyes, and Beltran
José Reyes
Shortstop · 2003–2011, 2016–2018The first batting champion in Mets history in 2011.Best three-year stretch2006–08
Wright, Reyes, and Beltran
Carlos Beltrán
Center fielder · 2005–2011Matched the Mets record with 41 home runs during the 2006 division-title season.Best three-year stretch2006–08
Wright, Reyes, and Beltran
Carlos Delgado
First baseman · 2006–2009Drove in nine runs against the Yankees in 2008, still the Mets’ single-game record.Best three-year stretch2006–08
Wright, Reyes, and Beltran
Billy Wagner
Relief pitcher · 2006–2008Saved 40 games for the 2006 division champions.Best three-year stretch2008–10
A New Home and Another Rebuild
Johan Santana
Starting pitcher · 2008–2010, 2012Threw the first no-hitter in Mets history on June 1, 2012.Best three-year stretch2010–12
A New Home and Another Rebuild
R.A. Dickey
Starting pitcher · 2010–2012Won 20 games and the 2012 National League Cy Young Award.Best three-year stretch2010–12
A New Home and Another Rebuild
Angel Pagán
Center fielder · 2008–2011A switch-hitting center fielder who supplied energy during the transition from Shea to Citi Field.Best three-year stretch2012–15
A New Home and Another Rebuild
Matt Harvey
Starting pitcher · 2012–2013, 2015–2018Pitched eight scoreless innings in Game 5 of the 2015 World Series before returning for the ninth.Best three-year stretch2013–15
A New Home and Another Rebuild
Daniel Murphy
Second and third baseman · 2008–2015Homered in six straight postseason games during the 2015 pennant run.Best three-year stretch2013–15
A New Home and Another Rebuild
Juan Lagares
Center fielder · 2013–2019Won the 2014 Gold Glove with spectacular defense in center field.Best three-year stretch2014–16
Young Pitching and a Pennant
Curtis Granderson
Outfielder · 2014–2017Hit three home runs during the 2015 World Series.Best three-year stretch2014–16
Young Pitching and a Pennant
Jeurys Familia
Relief pitcher · 2012–2018, 2019–2021Set the Mets record with 51 saves in 2016.Best three-year stretch2014–16
Young Pitching and a Pennant
Bartolo Colón
Starting pitcher · 2014–2016Became the oldest player to hit his first major-league home run at age 42 in 2016.Best three-year stretch2015–17
Young Pitching and a Pennant
Noah Syndergaard
Starting pitcher · 2015–2019, 2021Struck out 218 hitters with a 2.60 ERA in 2016.Best three-year stretch2015–17
Young Pitching and a Pennant
Yoenis Céspedes
Left and center fielder · 2015–2018, 2020Hit 17 home runs in 57 games after the 2015 deadline trade.Best three-year stretch2015–17
Young Pitching and a Pennant
Wilmer Flores
Infielder · 2013–2018Hit a walk-off home run two nights after crying on the field over a trade that fell apart.Best three-year stretch2017–19
Young Pitching and a Pennant
Michael Conforto
Outfielder · 2015–2021Hit two home runs in Game 4 of the 2015 World Series.Best three-year stretch2018–20
Young Pitching and a Pennant
Jacob deGrom
Starting pitcher · 2014–2022Back-to-back Cy Young Awards in 2018 and 2019.Best three-year stretch2018–20
Young Pitching and a Pennant
Jeff McNeil
Second baseman and outfielder · 2018–presentWon the 2022 National League batting title with a .326 average.Best three-year stretch2019–21
Young Pitching and a Pennant
Pete Alonso
First baseman · 2019–2025A major-league rookie record 53 home runs in 2019.Best three-year stretch2020–22
Steve Cohen and Lindor
Edwin Díaz
Relief pitcher · 2019–2025The 2022 season when his entrance and his strikeouts made him the sound of the Mets.Best three-year stretch2022–24
Steve Cohen and Lindor
Francisco Lindor
Shortstop · 2021–presentHis grand slam against Philadelphia sent the Mets to the 2024 NLCS.Best three-year stretch2022–24
Steve Cohen and Lindor
Brandon Nimmo
Outfielder · 2016–2025A homegrown on-base machine who helped lead the Mets back to October.Best three-year stretch2022–23
Steve Cohen and Lindor
Max Scherzer
Starting pitcher · 2022–2023Signed as a three-time Cy Young winner and helped lead the 2022 Mets to 101 wins.Best three-year stretch2025–present
Steve Cohen and Lindor