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Unbelievable Mets moments from post 2015-World Series era

By Tim Boyle

PORT ST. LUCIE, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 23: Tim Tebow #15 of the New York Mets looks on in the dugout against the Atlanta Braves during the Grapefruit League spring training game at First Data Field on February 23, 2019 in Port St. Lucie, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
PORT ST. LUCIE, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 23: Tim Tebow #15 of the New York Mets looks on in the dugout against the Atlanta Braves during the Grapefruit League spring training game at First Data Field on February 23, 2019 in Port St. Lucie, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /
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WASHINGTON, DC – OCTOBER 13: Daniel Murphy #20 of the Washington Nationals celebrates after scoring off of an RBI single hit by Danny Espinosa #8 of the Washington Nationals (not pictured) in the second inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers during game five of the National League Division Series at Nationals Park on October 13, 2016 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /

Daniel Murphy becomes a star with the Nationals

Daniel Murphy unlocked something special with the 2015 Mets. In particular, his amazing postseason run filled with plenty of power seemed to hint at some brighter days ahead.

Murphy smashed three home runs in the NLDS and another four in the NLDS to go along with a .529 batting average. This latter performance earned him the series MVP Award and a place in Mets history with one of the best October baseball performances the franchise has ever seen.

The timing wasn’t great for the Mets. Murphy played the 2015 season in a “walk year” with free agency looming after. The team had a big decision to make. Would they re-sign him or let their second baseman walk?

The Mets chose the latter and Murphy ended up with the rival Washington Nationals. Sadly, the success he had in 2015 and in the postseason was no fluke.

Murphy had a year to remember in 2016. He finished second in the National League MVP race and helped keep the Nationals as contenders for several more seasons. He officially became a star.

Mets fans had an idea of what Murphy could do. However, nobody saw two straight years of hitting above .320 with the league’s best doubles total.

In the years since leaving New York, Murphy continued to hit well regardless of the uniform he wore. Although his star has since faded somewhat, he’s still a professional hitter that most teams would love to have on the roster. Injuries have played a role in the decline. Nevertheless, we’ll have to wonder what the last few years of the Mets would look like if Murphy stayed a little longer.

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