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Mets: 15 best starting pitchers all-time in franchise history

By Tim Boyle

May 18, 2018; New York City, NY, USA; New York Mets pitcher Jacob DeGrom (48) delivers a pitch during the first inning of the game at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Gregory J. Fisher-USA TODAY Sports
May 18, 2018; New York City, NY, USA; New York Mets pitcher Jacob DeGrom (48) delivers a pitch during the first inning of the game at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Gregory J. Fisher-USA TODAY Sports /
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NEW YORK, NY – SEPTEMBER 27: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) R.A. Dickey #43 of the New York Mets celebrates the final out of the seventh inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Citi Field on September 27, 2012 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. The Mets defeated the Pirates 6-5.. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /

7) Mets Best Starting Pitcher – R.A. Dickey

This might be a little controversial to put R.A. Dickey this high on the list. However, I need to consider more than longevity. While you won’t find Mike Hampton on this list because of what he did in his one year with the Mets, you will find this fascinating knuckleballer nobody saw coming.

Dickey joined the Mets on a minor league deal ahead of his age 35 season. A journeyman in the true sense, he somehow managed to crack the 2010 Mets roster and do plenty to keep himself there.

Dickey made 26 starts and a relief appearance during his first year with New York. He managed to go 11-9 with a 2.84 ERA. It was much more than anyone expected he could do.

In year two, Dickey wasn’t as excellent but still good. On a poor Mets team, he finished 8-13 with a 3.28 ERA. Still viewed as a quality pitcher, nobody expected what would come next.

The 2012 season was one Dickey will surely never forget. The same goes for all Mets fans that witnessed it.

At 37, Dickey went 20-6 with a 2.73 ERA. He tossed a league-leading five complete games and three shutouts. With 230 strikeouts, he led the league. The underdog story combined with the incredible numbers was enough to convince the writers to vote him in as the National League Cy Young winner.

This was the last year of Dickey in New York as he was traded during the offseason. His overall Mets numbers include a 39-28 record and 2.95 ERA. The ERA is the third-highest among starters all-time in franchise history. Somehow, despite pitching only three seasons for the club, he managed to pile up a 12.9 WAR which is 14th all-time for any Mets pitcher.

Dickey’s stint in orange and blue was brief and fun. It was also one of the greatest we’ve seen from a starting pitcher.

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