New York Mets: 30 greatest players in franchise history

Gary Carter

As of now, only one member of the 1986 Mets is in the National Baseball Hall of Fame. That man is Gary Carter.

Even though Carter is wearing a Montreal Expos hat in Cooperstown, he’s an important part of Mets history and worthy of a spot high on this list. Many consider him the missing piece to a championship puzzle.

Carter joined the Mets at the right time. He was acquired via trade after the 1984 season in a deal with no regrets. He had been to six straight All-Star Games and was about to add four more to his streak with New York.

Amazingly, in only five years with the Mets, Carter managed to help the team win a pair of pennants and a World Series. His batting line of .249/.319/.412 isn’t all that impressive. However, for what he did in his first two seasons in orange and blue, he’s a deserving member of this team’s all-time greats.

Carter batted .281/.365/.488 in his first year with the Mets, while smashing 32 home runs and driving in 100. The next year, he hit .255/.337/.439 with 24 home runs and 105 RBI. These two years yielded him a sixth and third-place finish in the MVP vote, respectively.

As many catchers do, we did see Carter wear-down soon after the 1986 campaign. He wasn’t the same player anymore, but with most catchers, you have to expect this at age 33.

Carter didn’t spend enough time in New York to earn any career or single-season records which stand today. If only the Mets could have landed him a year or two earlier then maybe he’d own a few more accomplishments on his résumé.

I’m doubtful it would matter. He’s a Mets all-time great regardless.