3 future Hall of Fame players who were flops with the NY Mets

2) Willie Mays was clearly with diminished skills when the New York Mets acquired him

Mays was a sentimental acquisition, having called New York home for many years before the Giants up and left for San Francisco. Mets owner Joan Payson, who was a minority owner of the Giants, wanted Mays back in New York in the worst way. And since the Giants saw that Mays’ skills were beginning to fade, even though he had a “decent” year in 1971, they were willing to send him “home” for a price.

That price was pitcher Charlie Williams, and cash, along with the promise to keep Mays on the payroll for an extended period of time. This was, of course, long before the Bobby Bonilla annual retirement plan was a public infamnia.

Mays was probably the most gifted player to ever don a baseball uniform. But not when he donned a Mets uniform. He wasn’t very good. And making that statement should be taboo. But that’s the truth. And he knew it too. He had a terrible 1972 season, by anyone’s standards, let alone by Willie Mays standards.

Mays appeared in 69 games, batting .267 with 8 HR and 19 RBI. He wanted to retire. But Payson begged and convinced him to stick around for just one more season.

Mainly because the Mets were hardly able to field a team for a major part of the 1973 season, Mays was able to hang on after a horrendous start and get hot long enough to help the Mets with their improbable comeback and pennant drive. Unfortunately, it would end with the Mets losing the World Series and Mays looking awful trying to play centerfield, in a painful viewing for his adoring fans.

Mays, at 42 years of age, would appear in 66 games during the ’73 season, hitting .211 with 6 HR and 25 RBI.

While Mays was always cheered, always loved, always revered, the truth is that his two-season stint with the Mets never should have happened, and is a blemish on his brilliant career.