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New York Mets: Five best center fielders of all-time in franchise history

By Matthew Cacace

NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 06: Carlos Beltran #15 of the New York Mets makes a running catch in centerfield against the Atlanta Braves September 6, 2006 during the second game of their doubleheader at Shea Stadium in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 06: Carlos Beltran #15 of the New York Mets makes a running catch in centerfield against the Atlanta Braves September 6, 2006 during the second game of their doubleheader at Shea Stadium in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /
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Carlos Beltran of the New York Mets hitting during MLB regular season game against the Baltimore Orioles, played at Shea Stadium in Queens, N.Y. on June 17, 2006. Orioles defeated Mets 4 – 2 during interleague play. (Photo by Bryan Yablonsky/Getty Images) /

1) Carlos Beltran

The number one center fielder in franchise history should come as no surprise with Carlos Beltran. Beltran’s time in Queens was truly Amazin’ and as a result, he finds himself as the best center fielder in franchise history.

Beltran spent six and a half seasons with the Mets and was one of the most important pieces during his time there. He was sent to five All-Star games, won two silver sluggers, won three gold gloves, and finished as high as fourth place in MVP voting. In those six and a half years he appeared in center field for 723 games and hit .280/.369/.500/.869 with 149 home runs, 559 RBI, and 100 stolen bases in 839 total games.

His best season came in 2006 when he was elected to the All-Star game, won a gold glove, won a silver slugger, and finished fourth in the MVP race. That season he hit .275/.388/.594/.982 with a career-high 41 home runs, a career-high 116 RBI, 18 stolen bases, and an 8.2 WAR in 140 games.

Beltran was one of the best defensive players the Mets have had. During his time with the Mets, his total zone fielding runs above average was an incredible 68 in center field. His best seasons were in 2006 and 2008 where he had sixteen in each and was awarded the gold glove award in each season as a result.

Although some people love to point out Beltran’s last at-bat in his lone postseason for the Mets, he was actually great in that series. In the NLCS Beltran hit .296/.387/.667/.1.054 with 3 home runs, 4 RBI, 1 stolen base, and 8 runs scored in the 7 games.

Beltran’s time with the Mets was truly Amazin’. He is currently eighth in runs, seventh in doubles and slugging percentage, sixth in home runs, RBI, and OPS, and ninth in walks and OBP. As a result of Beltran’s placing on Mets all-time lists and his incredible stretch in Queens, he finds himself as the best center fielder in franchise history.

The Mets have clearly had some great center fielders in their history. Between multiple All-Stars, finishes close to Rookie of the Year and MVP, a gold glover, and important pieces to championship teams, the Mets have some great center fielders.

As stated earlier, despite the Mets most recent struggles to find a lockdown center fielder, they have had some great ones in their history as seen.

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