FanSided

3 underrated Mets player performances in the World Series

By Alan Karmin |
1969 World Series Game 3 - Baltimore Orioles v New York Mets
1969 World Series Game 3 - Baltimore Orioles v New York Mets / Focus On Sport/GettyImages
1 of 3
Next

The New York Mets have had some exciting World Series appearances over the years. The 1969, 1986, and 2000 World Series provided a lot of memorable performances, plays that will be talked about for generations, and even plenty of drama.

But while all of that stuff that happened is often talked about, it’s some other things, performances, that are overshadowed by the more glamorous of details. These three performances shouldn't be overlooked.

1) Nolan Ryan's performance for the Mets in the 1969 World Series is often forgotten

As great and as domineering as he was, Nolan Ryan appeared in only one World Series his entire career…and that was in 1969 as a member of the New York Mets. His performances in the 1969 post season were quite amazing.

In the NLCS he realized Gary Gentry early on in Game 3 and shut down the powerful Braves lineup. He duplicated that feat, again relieving Gentry in Game 3 of the World Series.

The Orioles had a very formidable lineup. And they had beaten Tom Seaver in Game 1, while Jerry Koosman helped even the Series with a solid performance in Game 2. But Gentry, while he was more effective than he had been in the NLCS, was getting tagged. If not for Tommie Agee’s amazing catches in centerfield, the game would have been out of reach.

Ryan, for the second time, came in to shut down an offensive powerhouse. Had he not been able to do that, and had the Orioles been able to grab the Series lead, things could have gone in a much different direction. Gil Hodges decision to rely on Ryan proved to be an unnoticed pivotal point in Mets history.

2) Sid Fernandez was overlooked as a Mets starter for 1986 World Series

Sid Fernandez is often overlooked as a member of the Mets great starting pitching staffs of the mid to late 80’s. So it only stands to reason that with all of the exciting moments of the 1986 World Series that are dramatized with the very mention of the ’86 Mets, El Sid’s contribution to that World Series victory gets overlooked.

Yeah, yeah, yeah…we all know about Game 6 and Mookie Wilson’s ground ball through Bill Buckner’s legs. But the Mets still needed to win Game 7 and Ron Darling didn’t have his stuff and was quickly down 3-0 against a hard-hitting Red Sox club.

Fernandez had already pitched two games out of the pen, as the Mets were going with a three-man rotation for the Series – Doc Gooden, Ron Darling, and Bobby Ojeda. Fernandez relieved Darling with two outs in the fourth inning and pitched 2 1/3 innings of no hit, no run ball to allow the Mets the chance to come back from the deficit.

The drama of Game 6 was still in the air and Game 7 provided for yet another exciting comeback. But that comeback could never have happened if Fernandez didn’t shut down the Sox and open that door.

3) Al Leiter was the most effective starter for the Mets in the 2000 World Series

The 2000 Mets won 94 games, but they won a lot of those games with their bats. The team ERA was 4.16 and the only effective starters would be Mike Hampton (3.14 ERA) and Al Leiter (3.20 ERA and team-leading 16 wins and 200 strikeouts).

The Mets thought they had an ace in Mike Hampton. But he wanted no part of the Mets and New York City…and it showed. Hampton got pummeled when he was counted on to face the Yankees in the 2000 World Series (6.00 ERA).

Al Leiter, on the other hand, grew up in the Yankees organization, had success with the Marlins, and loved being a part of the Mets organization. At 34 years old, the former Yankee faced his old team twice in the Series. And while he didn’t game a victory, Leiter was the most effective pitcher against a lineup that carried the Bronx Bomber legacy well.

Leiter would start two games and pitched to a 2.87 ERA while holding the Yankees at bay. The Mets simply couldn’t overcome the Yankees superior roster, even though Leiter did his job against the cross-town rivals.

feed

Next
Home / Mets All-Time Lists

Schedule