Mets Madness Tournament: Round Two Schedule and Predictions

After five grueling weeks, Rising Apple’s Mets Madness Tournament to find the fans’ favorite player in New York Mets history is about to begin round two.

We started with 68 of the most beloved New York Mets players of all-time. After four play-in rounds, our Mets Madness Tournament went to a field of 64. After five weeks, we’re down to 32.

This is how things turned out in the first round of Mets Madness over on the Rising Apple Twitter page:

December 1: Steven Matz wins with 60% of the vote over Joe McEwing for the number 11 seed
December 2: Endy Chavez wins with 63% of the vote over Billy Wagner for the number 15 seed
December 3: Art Shamsky wins with 85% of the vote over Jack Fisher for the number 14 seed
December 4: Lenny Dykstra wins with 53% of the vote over Ray Knight for the number 16 seed
December 5: Wilmer Flores (7) wins with 52% of the vote over Curtis Granderson (10)
December 6: Gary Carter (5) wins with 93% of the vote over Sid Fernandez (12)
December 7: Bartolo Colon (3) wins with 77% of the vote over Benny Agbayani (14)
December 8: Tom Seaver (1) wins with 95% of the vote over Wayne Garrett (16)
December 9: Noah Syndergaard (6) wins with 93% of the vote over Steven Matz (11)
December 10: Ron Darling (4) wins with 86% of the vote over Todd Hundley (13)
December 11: Edgardo Alfonzo (2) wins with 71% of the vote over Endy Chavez (15)
December 12: Cleon Jones (9) wins with 89% of the vote over Ron Hunt (8)
December 13: Jose Reyes (5) wins with 63% of the vote over Pedro Martinez (12)
December 14: Darryl Strawberry (3) wins with 97% of the vote over Bret Saberhagen (14)
December 15: Mike Piazza (1) wins with 94% of the vote over Al Leiter (16)
December 16: Tommie Agee (10) wins with 80% of the vote over John Stearns (7)
December 17: Johan Santana (4) wins with 74% of the vote over Matt Harvey (13)
December 18: Dwight Gooden (2) wins with 92% of the vote over Bob Ojeda (15)
December 19: Jesse Orosco (8) wins with 73% of the vote over Lee Mazzilli (9)
December 20: Jerry Grote (6) wins with 66% of the vote over Felix Millan (11)
December 21: Carlos Beltran (3) wins with 71% of the vote over Carlos Delgado (14)
December 22: Keith Hernandez (1) wins with 96% of the vote over Lenny Dykstra (16)
December 23: Yoenis Cespedes (10) wins with 51% of the vote over Daniel Murphy (7)
December 24: Nolan Ryan (12) wins with 61% of the vote over Jon Matlack (5)
December 25: Jacob deGrom (2) wins with 98% of the vote over Jeurys Familia (15)
December 26: Mookie Wilson (8) wins with 87% of the vote over Wally Backman (9)
December 27: Rusty Staub (6) wins with 53% of the vote over the vote over R.A. Dickey (11)
December 28: Jerry Koosman (4) wins with 96% of the vote over Craig Swan (13)
December 29: David Wright (1) wins with 96% of the vote over Tom Glavine (16)
December 30: Bud Harrelson (10) wins with 56% of the vote over David Cone (7)
December 31: Robin Ventura (5) wins with 74% of the vote over Rey Ordonez (12)
January 1: Tug McGraw (3) wins with 92% of the vote over Art Shamsky (14)
January 2: Michael Conforto (9) wins with 65% of the vote over Brandon Nimmo (8)
January 3: John Franco (11) wins with 56% of the vote over Howard Johnson (6)
January 4: John Olerud (4) wins with 82% of the vote over Dave Kingman (13)
January 5: Ed Kranepool (2) wins with 83% of the vote over Ron Swoboda (15)

Some notable numbers

Biggest Victory: Jacob deGrom’s 98% over Jeurys Familia
Closest Call: Yoenis Cespedes’ 51% over Daniel Murphy
Biggest Upset: Nolan Ryan (12) over Jon Matlack (4) with 61% of the vote
Total Number of Upsets: 7

There were a few surprises in the first round, but in round two, I expect more upsets than ever. After all, these are the best of the elite Mets. Every interaction with these players fans have had factor into the vote. Just because a player was great on the field doesn’t mean he’s an easy favorite to win the tournament.

In the first round, we did a weekly recap of the match-ups. To save you the aggravation of waiting, we’ll continue going round by round. Round two will only last for 16 days anyway with a new chance to vote on the Rising Apple Twitter page on each.

Mets Madness Round 2 Schedule and Predictions

We start with the reigning National League Cy Young winner Jacob deGrom (2) up against Wilmer Flores (7). A year or two ago, Flores might have a chance. Recent developments, such as deGrom being the best pitcher in baseball last year and Flores no longer being with the team, hinting at who will win. Even so, we’re voting for the fan favorite. Flores should get some votes, but not nearly enough.

Next up, we go back to the 1980s with two members of the 1986 World Series team facing off. Ron Darling (4) goes up against Gary Carter (5). I do believe Darling’s current position with the organization will help him overtake Carter. I won’t be surprised, though, if The Kid takes this one. I don’t think the winner gets more than 55% of the vote.

On January 8, two players from different generations go to war. From the more recent times, Bartolo Colon (3) steps up to the plate against a Met from the past, Rusty Staub (6). The results of this vote will likely to depend on how many older Mets fans are on Twitter to see this one. Colon should come away the victor even if you can make a strong case Staub was the better player.

We go back to the 1969 World Series for our fourth match-up of the week when Tom Seaver (1) takes on Cleon Jones (9). Jones was an upset winner in the first round. In round two, he’s against a favorite to win the whole dang thing. Seaver won’t have as easy of a time winning now. However, this is still his game to lose.

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The January 10 match-up will feature Carlos Beltran (3) against Noah Syndergaard (6). Both were favorites to win the first round. In round two, either could come away as the winner. I do think Beltran will come out on top. Although he’s from the past, he’s not too far removed from memory. Syndergaard, however, could steal this one. He’s one of the few upsets you wouldn’t be foolish to bet on this round.

Edgardo Alfonzo (2) faces Yoenis Cespedes (10) in what should be one of the more lopsided results of round two. As much as some fans credit Cespedes with the run to the 2015 World Series, it doesn’t compare to the years of service Fonzie gave the organization. He’s winning this one without any help from Richie Cunningham.

Yet another tight one, we will see Johan Santana (4) go head-to-head with Jose Reyes (5). This is one of the more fascinating match-ups of round two. Santana tossed the only no-hitter in franchise history, but his time with the team was limited. Meanwhile, Reyes is the best shortstop they’ve ever had. Unfortunately, his return was poor and the domestic violence arrest will play a factor. This one will be close.

The schedule continues with Darryl Strawberry (3) going up against a real underdog, John Franco (11). Franco managed to climb through round one as one of the higher seeds to advance. If any of them have a shot at making it to the Sweet 16, it’s him. I still think Strawberry is fresh enough in our minds to win with 60% of the vote or more.

It’s never fun to go up against a favorite in the tournament. This is exactly what happens when we watch Mike Piazza (1) go against Jesse Orosco (8). Both Mets have their moments in franchise history. Piazza, unfortunately, had his more recently and as an everyday player. Orosco will get some love. Piazza leaves with a lot more.

From the 1969 Mets, we will see Ed Kranepool (2) go against Tommie Agee (10). Kranepool’s lifetime loyalty to the Mets will help him a lot in this tournament. However, he’s also someone I could see getting bounced earlier than expected because his talent wasn’t quite there. I don’t think this is the round he loses.

Yet another somewhat unexpected match-up, we see Dwight Gooden (2) take on Bud Harrelson (10). Harrelson snuck into the 80s/90s Conference due to a clerical error on my part. Does he have enough left to take down Gooden? I don’t think he does.

We will see a closer result on January 17 with Tug McGraw (3) going up against Jerry Grote (6). This tournament proved a few things. Included is how I have no idea what Mets fans think about the older players. McGraw has a slogan, but Grote is a tremendously beloved player. I don’t think McGraw runs away with this one. Still, he’s the guy who will win.

The January 18 Mets Madness bout features Keith Hernandez (1) against Mookie Wilson (8). Poor Mookie draws a tough opponent in round two. Hernandez is an easy choice to win the tournament because of how many generations he spans. He’ll win bigger than expected. He can thank his cat in the acceptance speech.

I cannot, in good faith, pick a winner on January 19. I was shocked to see the higher seed advance. On this day, it’s Jerry Koosman (4) against Nolan Ryan (12). One might think Koosman is a lock, but Ryan’s name recognition could help him again. Koosman should win. I’m not betting the farm on it.

The round nears its end with John Olerud (4) against Robin Ventura (5). This should be a close vote. Both played for the Mets in the same era and didn’t stay for long. When they were with the team, they were successful. Ventura’s Grand Slam single may go a long way toward helping him advance. I predict it plays out this way.

We wrap up round two with David Wright (1) against Michael Conforto (9). It’s a dream match-up for girls and guys with crushes on these two. I expect a large chunk of the votes will be related to this. However, Wright’s longer career and stature with the team will still win out as it should.

January 6: Jacob deGrom (2) vs. Wilmer Flores (7)
January 7: Ron Darling (4) vs. Gary Carter (5)
January 8: Bartolo Colon (3) vs. Rusty Staub (6)
January 9: Tom Seaver (1) vs. Cleon Jones (9)
January 10: Carlos Beltran (3) vs. Noah Syndergaard (6)
January 11: Edgardo Alfonzo (2) vs. Yoenis Cespedes (10)
January 12: Johan Santana (4) vs. Jose Reyes (5)
January 13: Darryl Strawberry (3) vs. John Franco (11)
January 14: Mike Piazza (1) vs. Jesse Orosco (8)
January 15: Ed Kranepool (2) vs. Tommie Agee (10)
January 16: Dwight Gooden (2) vs. Bud Harrelson (10)
January 17: Tug McGraw (3) vs. Jerry Grote (6)
January 18: Keith Hernandez (1) vs. Mookie Wilson (8)
January 19: Jerry Koosman (4) vs. Nolan Ryan (12)
January 20: John Olerud (4) vs. Robin Ventura (5)
January 21: David Wright (1) vs. Michael Conforto (9)

Be sure to check the Rising Apple Twitter page each day for your chance to vote.

Next. Remembering the 1969 Mets 50 years later

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