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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 4: 1999

What they did: Finished second in the National League East (won Wild Card) with a 97-66 record

Key Players:

Mike Piazza (40 HR, 124 RBI)

John Olerud (.298 BA, 96 RBI)

Edgardo Alfonzo (.304 BA, 27 HR, 108 RBI)

Robin Ventura (32 HR, 120 RBI)

Roger Cedeno (.396 OBP, 66 SB)

What made them special: I chose the 1999 team over the 2000 team that won the pennant, because I truly think the 1999 team was better.

The lineup had John Olerud, who was the consummate professional. Robin Ventura lengthened the batting order, and Mike Piazza was off-the-charts good. The pitching was average, with Al Leiter and Orel Hershiser leading the way at 13-12.

The Mets had to play a play-in game in Cincinnati, game 163. Al Leiter went the distance, and the Mets were off to Arizona for the division series. After an Alfonzo grand slam won game one, the Mets won the series dramatically in game four on a Todd Pratt home run.

The Mets lost the NLCS to the Braves in terrible fashion, after battling back from a 3-0 game deficit to force game six in Atlanta. But the 1999 team was very balanced offensively with speed and power. They were fun to watch, even though they came up short in the end.

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