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Mets: Top ten teams of all time

By Rich Sparago
Oct 21, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; A detailed view of the World Series logo on the hat of New York Mets third baseman David Wright (5) after the New York Mets defeated the Chicago Cubs in game four of the NLCS at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 21, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; A detailed view of the World Series logo on the hat of New York Mets third baseman David Wright (5) after the New York Mets defeated the Chicago Cubs in game four of the NLCS at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /
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Number 5: 1973

What they did: Won the National League East with a 82-79 record

Key Players:

Rusty Staub (15 HR, 76 RBI, .279 BA)

Tom Seaver (19-10, 2.08 RBI)

George Stone (12-3, 2.80 ERA)

Wayne Garrett (.348 OBP, 16 HR, 58 RBI)

What made them special: As their 2016 counterparts, the 1973 Mets appeared dead in August. They were in last place. But they had a great September, combined with the collapse of most of the rest of the division. They won the division on the season’s last day.

Then, the Mets defeated the heavily-favored Reds in the NLCS. The series featured the famous Bud HarrelsonPete Rose brawl.

The Mets had a 3-2 lead in the World Series going back to Oakland, when Yogi Berra decided to start Tom Seaver on short rest in game six. That did not work, and the As won game seven as well, ending a magical run by the Mets.

This was my first year of true Mets fandom (I had received a batting helmet from Ken Singleton at a dinner before the 1972 season, and I was hooked, though too young to fully understand).

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