Mets fail to live up to expectations in our 2006 season simulation

Hopes are high for the 2006 virtual New York Mets with reigning NL MVP David Wright in the middle of the lineup.

Finally, after a decade and a half of waiting, the 2005 New York Mets made it back to the postseason. David Wright won the All-Star and National League MVP in a year that saw the Mets bounced out of the NLCS versus the eventual World Series-winning Florida Marlins.

Hopefully, the simulation of our 2006 season will have even better results.

As always, let’s run down how past Mets simulations have gone so far:

1962: 52-108
1963: 43-119
1964: 44-118
1965: 50-112
1966: 56-105
1967: 64-98
1968: 74-88
1969: 93-69
1970: 101-61 (NLCS loss 3-2)
1971: 100-62 (World Series Champions)
1972: 80-76
1973: 83-77
1974: 72-90
1975: 75-87
1976: 88-74
1977: 78-84
1978: 68-94
1979: 64-98
1980: 65-97
1981: 34-69
1982: 69-93
1983: 64-98
1984: 83-79
1985: 98-64 (NLCS loss 4-3)
1986: 90-72
1987: 95-67 (NLCS loss 4-3)
1988: 99-63 (World Series Champions)
1989: 110-52 (World Series loss 4-1)
1990: 103-59 (World Series loss 4-0)
1991: 84-77
1992: 76-86
1993: 80-82
1994: 43-70
1995: 74-70
1996: 74-88
1997: 89-73
1998: 88-74
1999: 92-70
2000: 85-77
2001: 76-86
2002: 74-87
2003: 54-107
2004: 82-80
2005: 97-65 (NLCS loss 4-1)

How will the next Mets team perform? Let’s get right into it.

Preseason Predictions

The preseason predictions are pleasant for the 2006 Mets. They are set to go 92-70 which puts them in a tie for first place with the Philadelphia Phillies. One of these two squads would have to settle for a Wild Card if these predictions hold true.

David Wright is the only Mets player in the top ten preseason rankings. He is projected to hit 34 home runs, drive in 110, and slash .319/.415/.563.

Actual preseason results weren’t too great with the Mets finishing 14-16. It’s spring training, though. Let’s not get too down until the games actually matter.

Regular Season Results

David Wright had an awesome first-half in his attempt to retain the title as NL MVP. He was second in hitting (.378), third in home runs (24), and first in WAR (6.8).

Unfortunately, beyond Wright, the Mets weren’t so great. They went into the All-Star Break with a 40-49 record. Somehow, this was only 5.5 games out of first place—making them very much alive for a second-half run. The year hasn’t been ideal. Fortunately, the virtual Mets are very much alive.

In an underwhelming NL East, the only hope the Mets had at making the postseason was to win the division.

Sadly, the team faded early on in the second half of our 2006 simulation. Injuries, included one that will force Pedro Martinez to miss the start of 2007, led to the team finishing 76-86.

Honors

David Wright led all NL players in All-Star votes and got the nod to start the game at third base because of it. Pitchers Orlando Hernandez and Billy Wagner were also selected to the game.

Wright led off the game for the NL, went 1 for 2, scored a pair of runs, and took home runner-up in the MVP vote. Former Met Mike Piazza slugged a three-run home run to win the honor for himself.

As for Hernandez and Wagner, each tossed a scoreless frame. Wagner took home the save with three strikeouts in the ninth.

Wright and Carlos Beltran each won their second consecutive Silver Slugger Award with the Mets.

There was a particularly notable game worth mentioning. On September 24, 2006, Jose Reyes became only the second Mets player in this simulation to hit for the cycle. It took him seven at-bats to do it, but he joins Edgardo Alfonzo on this very short list.

Notable Individual Statistics

Once again, David Wright led the way for the Mets’ offense. He was the team’s Triple Crown winner with a .334 batting average, 36 home runs, and 116 RBI. Carlos Beltran failed to have the incredible season we were hoping for. Although his .287 average and 29 home runs were good, they don’t measure up to what he did in real life.

The pitching staff wasn’t bad but they were limited. Orlando Hernandez had 13 wins for the club but missed some time of his own.

Want your voice heard? Join the Rising Apple team!

Write for us!

I have to say, this simulated season was hugely disappointing. This was supposed to be like the real life 2006 only better. My hope is we get to see better results in 2007 as the virtual Mets attempt to avoid a late-season collapse.