ESPN compiled votes from more than 20,000 MLB writers, editors, and people linked with baseball to come up with its list of the top 100 MLB players of all time. Unsurprisingly, several former (and one current) members of the New York Mets made it.
Babe Ruth led the ranking, and Barry Bonds, who many consider the other strong candidate for “G.O.A.T.” status, controversially finished eighth.
ESPN said, about the approach of their proceedings to make the list, that it would be “based on career WAR, Hall of Fame status, peak performance and overall contributions to the game, we selected an initial pool of more than 200 players from both the major leagues and Negro Leagues, dating back to the late 19th century, plus a few of today’s biggest stars.”
MetsMerized Online listed eleven former and current members of the Mets. Duke Snider was the 95th, as he was with the Mets in 1963 with a .746 OPS. He made most of his contributions with the Brooklyn Dodgers, though.
Roberto Alomar, ranked 86th, played with the Mets in 2002 and 2003 but was nearing the end of an awesome career.
The one who ranked 81st, Mike Piazza, was indeed a Mets’ icon. He played eight seasons in Queens and hit 220 home runs, had 655 RBIs, and a .296 average as a catcher, with six All-Star berths.
Max Scherzer, who signed a three-year, $130 million contract to play with the Mets a couple of months ago, checked in at number 65. He is a surefire Hall of Famer when he retires and has won three Cy Young awards, with two no-hitters.
Warren Spahn, the No. 47 player on the list, had a brief stint with the Mets in 1965, in which he made 19 starts.
A couple of members of the Amazin’ Mets made the list
Nolan Ryan was part of the Mets’ 1969 Miracle Mets that won the first World Series in franchise history. He pitched in New York from 1966-1971 with a 3.58 ERA.
Yogi Berra (39th) played a handful of games with the Mets in 1965 and later managed them and coached them. Rickey Henderson, the 23th ranked player on the list, played between 1999 and 2000 in New York, with a .298 average, 159 hits, 12 home runs, 44 RBIs and 42 stolen bases.
“The Franchise” Tom Seaver checked in at 22. Also one of the Amazin’ Mets, he is one of the best pitchers in the history of the game and a true Mets’ legend, pitching 12 seasons in Queens with three Cy Youngs, 10 All-Star games, and a Rookie of the Year award. Tom Terrific finished his career with a 2.86 ERA.
Pedro Martinez, the 11th-ranked player, played the bulk of his career with Boston, but had a successful stint with the Mets starting in 2004, with a 3.88 ERA in 486.2 frames.
Willie Mays himself was the second-ranked player. A Giants’ legend, he came over to the Mets in 1972 and played a couple of seasons.