Top 5 Curtis Granderson moments with the Mets
The Mets moved one of their most beloved players late Friday night, and on Saturday we look back at some of his greatest moments with the Amazins.
Curtis Granderson was a fan favorite during his tenure with the Mets. Yes, he was never a high average type of batter when he was here (his line of .239/.341/.444 wearing orange and blue won’t rank near any top list for this franchise), but he did have more than a handful of incredibly memorable plays.
We look back at his top 5, starting with his most memorable regular season home run.
Walk-off home run against the Minnesota Twins
With the Mets still in the Wild Card race in mid-September of 2016, they faced an annoying Twins team that actually took the lead in the 11th inning.
Granderson would actually tie the game with a home run in that same frame, and then would hit a second homer the following inning to get us all home.
World Series 2015 Game 1 solo home run
Granderson only had five hits in 20 at-bats during the 2015 World Series, but three of those hits were home runs. His first one came off Edinson Volquez in the fifth inning of Game 1.
World Series 2015 Game 3 two-run home run
With the Mets back at Citi Field down 2-0 in the series and 3-2 in this specific game, Granderson gave the Faithful something to cheer about, putting us back in the lead with a two-run shot.
As we all know this would eventually be the only game the Mets would win during this Fall Classic, and this home run was a huge part of it.
National League Wild Card Game 2016 catch
One of the greatest catches in Mets postseason history (yes, Endy Chavez‘s catch will always be the best) occurred on October 5, 2016. The Mets and Giants were scoreless in the top of the sixth inning with San Francisco threatening with two outs.
This play pretty much shows exactly what type of player Curtis Granderson was for the Mets. He was never the fastest or most agile center fielder on the roster, but when he was put out there, he gave it his all every single time.
National League Division Series 2015 Game 3 double
Arguably, Granderson’s biggest play as a Met came in the NLDS in 2015 against his now-new team, the Los Angeles Dodgers. The series was tied 1-1 with Game 3 being the crucial game the Mets needed to win to keep hopes alive.
The Mets loaded the bases down 3-1 in the second inning, and Granderson made sure to clear them.
Granderson missed a grand slam by about two feet, but the double was enough to give the Mets the lead again, and for good this time. They’d go on to rout the Dodgers, 13-7.
While most fans will always remember the Cespedes three-run home run that put the game away that night, Granderson’s double was about as clutch as you could get, and it was a huge contributor to that night’s win.
Next: Mets 2017 Season: Why does it bother me so much?
Now, Curtis will go on to join said Dodgers. They’re the best team in baseball, and they just got some great experience, veteran leadership, and a clutch bat for pretty much cash (or a PTBNL).
Good luck out in L.A., Curtis. Thank you for the great memories you gave us these past four years.