3 reasons why this Mets team is similar to their past World Series teams

2) The manager effectively used everyone to their strengths, and this brings something similar to the 1969 Mets. 

Some baseball historians will argue Gil Hodges’ greatest achievement was his skillful managing of the 1969 Mets to a championship after the franchise spent its first seven seasons at or near the cellar of baseball, which was good enough for the Mets to retire his number in 1973, the year after his tragic death.  

Hodges effectively used platoons throughout the season to keep his players fresh for the pennant race and the World Series. For example, he platooned Art Shamsky and Ron Swoboda in right field. Swoboda had 70 starts there in 1969, Shamsky 61. The same thing was true at third base. Wayne Garrett started 63 times in the hot corner that season while Ed Charles started there 45 times. That allowed everyone to be fresh, and it allowed the Mets to win 38 of their last 49 games. The Braves and Orioles teams they faced in the postseason were tired. 

We are seeing the same thing with Buck Showalter and the 2022 team. We see that at second base, and recently at third base in left field. The Mets have used mostly Jeff McNeil and Luis Guillorme at second base, with McNeil outstarting Guillorme there 58-49. Since July 24, the Mets used Guillorme 10 times at third, while Eduardo Escobar has gotten eight starts there. Notice how that platoon coincided with the Mets’ hot streak starting. And since July 30 in left field, Mark Canha has seven starts there while Tyler Naquin has six.  

Now, you will see a DH platoon the rest of the way, with Daniel Vogelbach starting against the righties and Darin Ruf against the southpaws.