The Mets underperformed in 2010 to the tune of a record of 79 wins and 83 losses and another no-playoff season. The newly minted Citi Field is not the problem, as the Mets posted a 47-34 record at home, as compared to a 32-49 record on the road. The Mets had only one player who posted a batting average above .300 (Evans, .306). One bright spot was the pitching of Mike Pelfrey, who recorded 15 wins and an ERA of 3.66. Johan Santana went 11-9 with an ERA of 2.98.

Opening Day, 2009, was the Mets first game in its new home -- Citi Field.  Citi Field is 100% publicly financed to the tune of $610 million.  The playing surface is grass and the Mets hope to celebrate a World Series there before too long.

The Mets called Shea Stadium home since 1964.  The Orange and Blue semi-circle in Queens, NY, seats a whopping 57,000 New York Mets fans.  Shea is a quinissential NY sports establishment -- the Yankees played there from 1974 to 1975 and the New York Jets played there from 1964 to 1983.

Mets Hall of Famers

Elected at least partly based on performance with the Mets

Gary Carter (great Hair!), catcher, 1985-1989

Carter asked that his Hall of Fame plaque either be depicted as split between the Mets and Montreal Expos, or just as a Met. The Hall of Fame denied both of Carter's requests and he was inducted as an Expo. He should have worn Mets footie pajamas to the induction ceremony.

Tom Seaver, pitcher, 1967-1977, 1983 (only player with a Mets hat on Hall of Fame plaque)

Other Hall-of-Famers associated with the Mets

Richie Ashburn, outfielder, 1962
Yogi Berra, catcher, 1965, manager, 1972-1975
Willie Mays, outfielder, 1972-1973
Eddie Murray, first baseman, 1992-1993
Nolan Ryan, pitcher, 1966, 1968-1971
Duke Snider, outfielder, 1963
Warren Spahn, pitcher, 1965
Casey Stengel, manager, 1962-1965

New York Mets Facts

The Mets were founded in 1962 and are owned by Fred Wilpon.  The Mets’ General Manager is Omar Minaya, and the Mets’ Manager is Willie Randolph, this author’s childhood hero. 

Uniform Colors: Blue, Orange, White, Gray, Black 

Team Mascot: Mr. Met, a human with a giant baseball for a head. 

Local Television Affiliates: SportsNet New York, WPIX New York

Announcers: Gary Cohen, Ron Darling, Keith Hernandez

Local Radio Affiliates: WFAN, WADO (Spanish)

Announcers: Ed Coleman, Howie Rose, Tom McCarthy

Spring Training Facility: Thomas J. White Stadium, Port St. Lucie, FL

2006 New York Mets
2009 New York Mets
2010 New York Mets