3 underrated Mets player performances in the World Series

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.