David Wright and 3 other former Mets worthy of having their numbers retired

Retiring uniform numbers has always been a subject of debate with the New York Mets. It was pretty much a small and very limited club…with what appeared to be a very narrow-minded way of thinking. But when the Mets added Jerry Koosman’s No. 36 and Keith Hernandez’s No. 17 to their ring of honor at Citi Field, the criteria obviously changed as to how players were to be selected to be honored.

To wit, Dwight Gooden’s No. 16 and Darryl Strawberry’s No. 18 were chosen to be next.

And David Wright…Captain David Wright…what ARE they waiting for? Of course, that WILL happen. Not sure of when…but you can bet a 5 spot on it.

But along with David Wright, there are three other New York Mets who really should have their numbers retired.

1) Gary Carter No. 8

Who were some of the others to wear No. 8 for the Mets? Not many Mets players actually wore it before Carter. Yogi Berra wore it for his very short stint as a player and then for a long time as a coach before Carter arrived. And a few have worn it since, like Carlos Baerga. Nobody, though, since 2002.

So are the Mets readying to honor Carter?

Carter was with the Mets for five seasons after he had already spent 11 seasons as an All Star in Montreal as an Expo. Much like Mike Piazza had his best seasons with the Dodgers, Carter’s best statistical seasons were with the Expos. But while Piazza made the Mets a contender, Carter was that final piece to the puzzle that made the Mets World Series champions, and the dominant team of the mid to late ‘80’s.

In his four-plus seasons as a Met (he only appeared in 50 games his final season in 1989), Carter hit .249 with 89 home runs and 349 RBI, and was an All Star those four seasons.

Also like Piazza, Carter was elected into the Hall of Fame. Carter went into the Hall as an Expo. Piazza, although his best statistical years were with the Dodgers, went into the Hall as a Met. Regardless of that difference, Carter meant as much to the Mets as Piazza meant to the organization. As such, Carter’s No. 8 belongs up there just as much as Piazza’s No. 31.

2) Carlos Beltran No. 15

Who were some of the others to wear No. 15 for the Mets? The most recognizable to wear it was, of course, Jerry Grote, prior to Beltran. Since his departure…quite a few have worn it, including Travis d’Arnaud. The last time it was worn…um…er….uh…is this season. It is on the back of Tyrone Taylor.

I have always wondered why is “3” more associated with Carlos Beltran than “15” by Mets fans? Rather than appreciating that Beltran gave the best years of his (what should be) Hall of Fame career to the Mets…the fans, the media, and the masses dismiss him as the guy who simply stood there and allowed “Strike Three” to sail passed him.

Beltran appeared in a Mets uniform during seven seasons…and he appeared in more than 100 games in four of those seasons – 2005 to 2008. (He suffered injuries that curtailed him to less than 100 games twice, and was traded at the deadline in his last season for Zack Wheeler.) During that four-year span, Beltran averaged .275, 29 HR, 104 RBI, 21 SB, 80 BB, 104 runs. He represented the Mets in three All Star games, won three Gold Gloves and two Silver Slugger awards.

Darryl Strawberry, whose number is soon to be retired, had a similar career trajectory with the Mets as Beltran. His best years were with the club, but spent a number of years with other organizations.

Beltran was a premier centerfielder, a switch-hitter with both power and speed. He was one of the best all-around players to ever put on a Mets uniform. The No. 15 should not be ON the playing field, but ABOVE it, with the rest of those honored.