3 forgotten Silver Slugger winners in NY Mets history

Silver is sourced through the earth’s crust. Baseball’s best hitters source their Silver Sluggers through mammoth home runs, doubles down the line, and elite-level batting averages. Not always the most prolific team when it comes to hitting for power, the New York Mets have had their share of winners over the years.

Some names are obvious. Gary Carter, Carlos Beltran, and Francisco Lindor are three of those who won the award while wearing orange and blue. Doing so with home run pop, there are three others who put together good offensive seasons without quite the same level of notoriety. You might have forgotten when these three won a Silver Slugger for New York.

Dwight Gooden - 1992

One of the hardest conversations we’ll have to have with our children is about a world where pitchers hit. In 1992, the first Mets pitcher in club history won a Silver Slugger. Dwight Gooden slashed .264/.274/.375. He had 3 doubles, a triple, a home run, and 9 RBI that season.

Arguably his best offensive season while with the Mets, it’s unfortunate the Silver Slugger had to come in a year where the team became known as “the worst money could buy.”

Jose Reyes - 2006

We know 2006 was prime Jose Reyes. Who remembered he earned himself a Silver Slugger? The keyword is earned because the numbers put up by the speedy Mets shortstop were some of the best of his career.

Headlining the year was a career-best 19 home runs. Never known for power, he’d only go over 15 once more in his career when he hit 16 two seasons later. Reyes’ .300 batting average, 30 doubles, and league-leading 17 triples helped him win the award.

Jeff McNeil - 2022

Another superb offensive season from a Mets hitter you’ll probably remember, Jeff McNeil did more than win the 2022 batting title. He also took home the Silver Slugger. Sometimes it’s easy to forget those achievements. After all, Pete Alonso has never won a Silver Slugger, not even in his 53 home run rookie campaign.

McNeil hit .326 with only 9 home runs in 2022. Home run pop was limited, but he added 39 doubles to up his slugging percentage to a respectable .454. His 62 RBI became a career-high he feels unlikely to match. McNeil did a lot of impressive things for the Mets in 2022. Winning a Silver Slugger at second base (while also playing a lot of outfield) is one of them.