John Milner

Milner was a powerful left-handed bat who gave the Mets another dangerous hitter around Seaver and the pitching staff. He could play first base or left field, hit the ball out of Shea, and became one of the lineup’s most useful pieces before the 1977 breakup.

Milner gave the Mets a powerful left-handed bat just as the first championship core was finding its shape. He could play first base or left field, hit the ball out of Shea, and provide protection behind the best hitters. His game was not flashy, but the lineup looked more dangerous when he was healthy and locked in.

He led the Mets in home runs three straight seasons from 1972 through 1974 and produced a five-hit game as a rookie. In 1973, his power helped an injury-riddled club stay alive long enough for McGraw and Seaver to lead the late charge. Milner was not the face of the pennant, but he was one of the bats that made the comeback possible.

The 1977 trade of Tom Seaver began the breakup, and Milner was part of the group left to navigate the empty years. He was traded later that season, ending a Mets career that had included two pennants and a lot of hard outs. Fans remember him as a strong, useful hitter who never received quite enough credit for how much pressure he took off the stars around him.