Mets: Which players would make up your favorite lineup of all-time?

The New York Mets make up a huge part of my life. I began watching the team in the summer of 2000 when I was 11-years-old. It was a fun way to bond with my grandfather.

When you become so tied to a team, some of these players become your heroes and feel like family. My golden era Mets was the 2005 – 2008 teams. Take that in mind when viewing my list of players I’m about to share.

My perfect Mets roster starting with the pitchers would look like this:

RHP Pitcher – R.A. Dickey

I loved watching R.A. Dickey pitch from the first time he put a Mets uniform on. Watching a knuckleballer work is purely magical, especially when they have it all working together.

His final Cy Young season with the Mets was other than what Jacob DeGrom does year in and out, the best pitching I’d ever seen anyone in a Mets uniform do. Watching Pedro Martinez in 2005 was great, seeing Johan Santana pitch his brains out was equally awesome, but what Dickey did was so special.

I read his book, watched the Knuckleball documentary, and followed his seasons after he left. He was truly an awesome person.

LHP – Al Leiter

Arghhhh! That was the sound you heard every time Al Leiter hurled a ball at home plate. Leiter was one of the first pitchers I latched on to as a Mets fan, he and Rick Reed. Reed was out of there shortly after but Leiter stayed a few more years.

Leiter at times was dominant and other times incredibly frustrating. His pitch counts, if he played in 2021, would have him taken out of the third inning in every start. Regardless of the sometimes erraticness, loading up the bases, and leaving us biting our nails, he was never really bad. He got the job done on most nights and was clutch in big games!

Closer – Billy Wagner

With the exception of the playoffs, Billy Wagner was pretty much the National League’s left-handed version of Mariano Rivera. Wagner was one of the most overpowering pitchers in baseball history and how he’s not yet in the Hall of fame is a head-scratcher.

I’m sure Wagner will get his due one day, but it was a joy after watching Armando Benitez and Braden Looper for a few years. Ever since he was in NY, we have not seen a closer so consistently good and not scary when coming in.

Catcher – Paul LoDuca

Don’t get me wrong, I love Mike Piazza, but I was still young when I was watching him. Unfortunately, most of my memories of Mike are the injured or low production years he had from 2003 – 2005. So watching Paul LoDuca behind the plate was a joy to watch.

LoDuca brought that New York attitude, fire, and passion behind the dish. He was an emotional leader that the team needed during those seasons, especially since Carlos Beltran was not the “rah-rah” type.

His first season with the Mets saw him as the table-setter for the trio of sluggers that would all get some MVP consideration – Beltran, David Wright, and Carlos Delgado.

The Mets have had some great infielders over the years. Some of these are known for the bat, and some are known for their grit.

First Base – Carlos Delgado

There was something about Carlos Delgado that made him such an intimidating hitter. His power when he connected just right was ungodly. He also had a penchant for hitting huge home runs. When he got on a hot streak, watch out! He would carry the team for weeks at a time.

He provided some steady leadership at first base and there was nothing better than watching the fist pump after a double play. He’s another player who should get some Hall of Fame consideration one day.

Second Base – Jeff McNeil

To most fans and maybe Jeff McNeil himself, he’s still writing his own legacy. However, it’s hard not to love what he brings to the table. From the moment he came to the big leagues all he has done is hit. Even last year when he struggled a bit, he recovered in a big way.

It doesn’t matter where McNeil plays, it’s admirable to watch him give it his all on every play. It’s also extremely entertaining to watch him make-outs (you know why). I hope this man will be a fixture in the Mets lineup for years to come.

Third Base – Edgardo Alfonzo

Edgardo Alfonzo was the first player I ever latched on to when I began watching the Mets. To be honest, I only really watched him for two and a half seasons. In 2001 he was not very good and injured, and in 2002 he bounced back but wasn’t the same player he was before.

Nevertheless, I loved Fonzi whether he was at second base or third. Until this very day, I still wear number 13 on my softball uniform in honor of him. For me, he’ll always be my favorite Mets player of all-time.

This is no shade to David Wright either. I cried just like the rest of us when he retired, but I never felt that connection toward Wright and was actually extremely frustrated with the hopeful expectation that he’d ever come back healthy.

Shortstop – Jose Reyes

Jose Reyes was probably my second favorite Mets player of all-time. I remember not being impressed when he came up in 2003. He looked overmatched, made a few errors, and then came back in 2004 mostly hurt and underperforming. But man oh man, did he put it together the next few seasons.

Reyes was arguably one of the most dynamic and exciting players to watch in baseball. He could hit really well, was a speed demon on the bases, and played above-average shortstop.

His ending as a Met was unceremonious both times. The first time when he left, removing himself from a game after a bunt to secure the batting title was kind of crappy. I was excited when he returned in 2016 but by the end of 2018 he had worn out his welcome. What could have been a warm send-off was justly overshadowed by Wright’s farewell.