A combination of decades, achievements, and memories: the New York Mets are welcoming three new members to their Hall of Fame, per MLB.com. Jon Matlack, Ron Darling and Edgardo Alfonzo, three beloved team members of the seventies, eighties and nineties (and even a portion of the new millenium) will be honored with their respective inductions on Sunday, May 17 before the 1:10 p.m. game vs. the Pirates at Citi Field.
Additionally, Al Jackson will be posthumously honored with the Mets Hall of Fame Achievement Award for his contributions to the organization.
“On behalf of ownership, I was thrilled to wholeheartedly approve the Hall of Fame Committee’s recommendation for Jon Matlack, Ron Darling and Edgardo Alfonzo into the 2020 class. This group combines Mets eras from the 70s, 80s, 90s and 2000s. Matlack was a fierce lefty who was a rock in the rotation and helped the 1973 Mets to the NL pennant. Ron’s steady brilliance was capped with the ’86 world championship. He allowed just three earned runs in 17 2/3 innings during the World Series vs. Boston. Fonzie is always someone Mets fans wanted at the plate with the game on the line. He thrived in those situations. His monster years in 1999 and 2000 were a huge reason for our success,†said Mets COO Jeff Wilpon.
Matlack was the Rookie of the Year in 1972 and is among the franchise leaders in wins, complete games, ERA, strikeouts, shutouts and innings. He had a shiny 1.40 ERA in four starts during the 1973 postseason.
“I was honored when I got the call from Jeff [Wilpon],†said Matlack. “I was astounded when he called and I am so grateful for the honor. My time in New York was special to me and I am thrilled to be remembered with all of the great players, especially the pitchers, this organization has been blessed to have.â€
The Mets will induct a 1986 World Series winner
Darling was one of the main driving factors in the New York Mets’ winning the 1986 World Series, taking home Game Four. He was an All-Star in 1985 and won a Gold Glove Award in 1989.
“I’m humbled and honored to be part of the Mets Hall of Fame Class of 2020,†said Darling. “Congratulations to the other honorees, especially Al Jackson who was my mentor in the minor leagues. Al changed the path of my professional baseball career and for that, I will be forever grateful.”
Alfonzo was known as a very clutch hitter. He accumulates lots of timely hits in the playoffs, including several homers. The Venezuelan is first in team postseason history in hits, runs and RBI. He ranks in the Top 10 in franchise history in hits, runs, doubles, RBI, OBP, total bases and batting average. Alfonzo won a Silver Slugger Award in 1999 and was an All-Star in 2000.
“Getting into the Mets Hall of Fame is a dream come true for me,†said Alfonzo. “The Mets have had so many great players in their history and I’m so proud to receive this honor. This is something I never thought would be possible when I started out. I was never much for individual goals, I just wanted to help us win.”
Jackson died in August, 2019. He wore the New York Mets uniform for 50 years in different capacities. He was a pitcher, a coach, a minor league pitching coordinator and then an advisor.