New York Mets Information
This is a team that has 40 years of established traditions – and fans. And although they have not won as much as their fans would like, the Mets pitching exellence sets high marks for the ’07 season – entering the All Star Break 48 wins and 39 losses, with a slim lead over the second-place Atlanta Braves. The Mets slogan for the ’07 is Your Season Has Come – and so far, they have not dissapointed. After a June slump, the Mets have the best record in the league as of August.
The New York Mets have only won two championships in their franchise history, but each of them has been an amazing story. The first championship came in 1969 when the Mets completed a worst-to-first type season, stunning the country in the process. Their other World Series victory came in 1986, when they were without a doubt the best team in the majors, but were staring defeat in the face. That’s when Boston Red Sox first baseman Bill Buckner let a routine groundball get through his legs, allowing the Mets to steal game 6 and force a game 7. New York would go onto the series win, and Buckner would be a goat in Boston for years to come. Many expected that particular Mets group to take many more championships, but this years bunch think they might have what it takes to make up for it.
The Mets continue to play their home games at Shea Stadium. Located in Flushing, Shea Stadium opened in 1964, and is one of the oldest parks in the majors. Art Howe is in his 13th year overall, and his second with the Mets. He has a career record hovering right around .500, and would like nothing more than to improve it in the coming years.
On offense, the Mets are led by newcomer second baseman Kazuo (Kaz) Matsui. Matsui was acquired from the Tokyo League, and can do almost anything. He’s expected to team with shortstop phenom Jose Reyes in the infield for years to come. Of course, catcher Mike Piazza will be at the heart of the order, although this year, the Mets are expected to work him into a first baseman in order to save his knees for a few additional years. Mike Cameron and Cliff Floyd should help give Piazza the offensive help he has deserved for many years.
Tom Glavine, Steve Trachsel, and Al Leiter are all expected to anchor an older staff. Tyler Yates, a pitcher with little pro-ball experience, and Jae Weong Seo, a surprise starter in 2003, give the Mets a starting rotation with an average age of more than 32 years of age. Mike Stanton and John Franco are expected to work the late innings leading up to Braden Looper, the closer for the Mets in 2004. Looper worked many of the games for the 2003 World Series champion Florida Marlins last year, but lost his spot on the staff with the acquisition of Armando Benitez, who coincidently pitched for the Mets last year.
The Mets will have their chance in 2004 with the NL East being so wide open. Even with their recent lack of success, the Mets own the 4th highest payroll in the majors, so expectations will be very high. In addition to that fact, they’re always competing with their cross town rivals in the Bronx, and no season can be considered a good one if they lose out to the dreaded Yankees.