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New York Mets: All-time “all speed” starting lineup in franchise history

By Matthew Cacace

CHICAGO, IL - AUGUST 29: Jose Reyes #7 of the New York Mets slides into third base on his two run RBI triple against the Chicago Cubs during the seventh inning at Wrigley Field on August 29, 2018 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jon Durr/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL - AUGUST 29: Jose Reyes #7 of the New York Mets slides into third base on his two run RBI triple against the Chicago Cubs during the seventh inning at Wrigley Field on August 29, 2018 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jon Durr/Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK – CIRCA 1991: Vince Coleman #1 of the New York Mets runs the bases during an Major League Baseball game circa 1991 at Shea Stadium in the Queens borough of New York City. Coleman played for the Mets from 1991-93. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) /

Left Field – Vince Coleman

As we move to the outfield, we move back to more of the top speed that is seen up the middle in the infield. In left field, Vince Coleman was strong on the bases in his limited time with the Amazins. In only three seasons and 235 games, Coleman racked up 99 stolen bases, 14 triples, and 32 doubles.

Coleman was a much bigger threat outside of New York having stolen 77 bases the year before arriving and hitting the 50 mark the year after. While he was elite outside of New York, his seasons with 37, 24, and 38 stolen bases for the Mets are still impressive, especially considering the most games he played in a season was 92. If he had played well over 100 games we definitely could have seen the numbers he put up before arriving in New York.

Center Field – Mookie Wilson

As we move to center field we get to a position where the Mets have had their share of guys who can light up the bases. Lenny Dykstra and Lee Mazzilli both were great with their time in the orange and blue, but Mookie Wilson is the man when it comes down to it.

In 1,116 games with the Mets, Wilson piled up 281 stolen bases (second most all-time for a Met), 62 triples, and 170 doubles. In parts of 10 seasons with the Mets, he went on to steal 20 or more bases in 7 of them. Out of those seven seasons, he passed the 40 mark three different times, two of them even reaching 50+ bases. Wilson was always a serious threat on the bases during his time in New York and it showed.

Right Field – Roger Cedeno

As we get to the last position on the diamond, we have a spot where there has not been a whole lot of speed historically. Roger Cedeno put that history behind him as he was a headache to pitchers during his time with the Amazins.

In three seasons and 452 games with the Mets, Cedeno piled up 105 stolen bases, 10 triples, and 67 doubles. His first season with the Mets, he stole an incredible 66 bases. The next 2 seasons he spent away from New York but came back after for another two seasons where he stole 25 and 14 respectfully.

Honorable Mention: Darryl Strawberry

Lineup

  1. Backman
  2. Coleman
  3. Reyes
  4. Johnson
  5. Jefferies
  6. Stearns
  7. Cedeno
  8. Wilson
  9. Hernandez

In probably every other case Reyes would obviously hit leadoff, but since he did have some pop and hit for a solid average, he is best to hit in the three-hole for this team.

Next. Greatest Mets moments of the 2010s

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