The 3 worst pitchers to start for the Mets on Opening Day

Bobby Jones got the starting nod for three New York Mets openers in 1995, 1996, and 1998

When Mets fans think of Generation K, a subject that is almost taboo, the names Paul Wilson, Bill Pulsipher, and Jason Isringhausen immediately come up and make everyone cringe. But, for some reason, the name of RIGHT hander (remember that) Bobby Jones, a first round draft pick, seems to always get lost in that conversation. And maybe that’s a GOOD thing?

I guess, if I were Jones, I wouldn’t want to be grouped with them either. And, for the most part, he shouldn’t be. Because he did enjoy some time in the Major Leagues with the New York Mets. Time…not great success.

To be fair, Jones was with the Mets during the period when they were transitioning from the horrible free agent purchases to the arrival of one Mike Piazza. The mid ‘90’s were yet another down period for the franchise and, if nothing else, Jones marched out to the mound every fifth day and gave the Mets innings. For four consecutive seasons – 1995-1998 – Jones would start 30 games and throw at over 190 innings.

In three of those seasons, Jones would be the Mets opening day starter. The only season he wasn’t the starter, 1997, Pete Harnisch would get the opening day nod and take the loss.

Jones would have the honor of opening the 1995 season in Colorado. That wouldn’t go well as he didn’t survive the fifth inning – giving up five earned runs in 4 2/3 innings - as the Rockies would win a barn burner 11-9 in 13 innings.

In 1996, Jones pitched what would be the season and home opener at Shea, and he didn’t fare any better. In fact, he would be worse. He gave up six earned runs in 3 2/3 innings. The Mets, however, would rally, thanks to a four-run seventh inning, to win the game, 7-6.

After giving way to Harnisch in 1997, Jones again got the ball in the 1998 season and home opener against the Philadelphia Phillies. Jones threw six four-hit innings of shutout ball before yielding to the bullpen, and the Mets would enjoy a walk off 1-0 win in the bottom of the 14th inning.

Jones would spend eight seasons with the Mets and go a respectable, while pedestrian, 73-56, with a 4.12 ERA. His last two seasons were rough, as he pitched to ERA’s over 5.00 in 1999 and 2000. Oh, and in 2000, he had to share the spotlight with another Bobby Jones…Bobby M. Jones. Other than Bobby M being left handed, the two were interchangeable as they both struggled…and both were out of baseball soon after.

Mike Pelfrey was rewarded with the opening day start for the 2011 New York Mets

Mike Pelfrey was a highly-touted first round draft pick out of the college baseball powerhouse Wichita State. Pelfrey was a big, imposing figure and was believed to be on the fast track to the Big Leagues because of his success and perceived advanced skills on the collegiate levels.

It was probably either another case of Mets scouts over-hyping their selection or, more likely, Pelfrey had some issues that prevented him from translating his physical abilities into success on the Major League mound.

Pelfrey would be one of those Mets with whom fans would exude utter frustration with. It was clear he had great stuff. But there always seemed to be something that would happen, some weird play behind him, a bad call by an umpire, it didn’t matter, and then he seemed to implode.

The big right hander struggled out of the gate when he was given a cup of coffee with four starts in 2006 (2-1, 5.48 ERA, and 12 walks in 21 innings) and 2007 (3-8, 5.13 ERA, 39 walks and nine (9) HBP in 72 innings). He seemed to have a break-through and break-out season in 2008, making 32 starts, tossing over 200 innings, and going 13-11 with a 3.72 ERA.

That would turn out to be his best season with the Mets, the best of his career. Because Pelfrey would regress in 2009, going 10-12 with a 5.03 ERA. He would rebound in 2010 and pitch to a 15-9 record with a 3.66 ERA. That would get him rewarded with the opening day start for 2011.

Pelfrey got rocked in the season opener against the Florida Marlins in Miami. He allowed five earned runs in 4 1/3 innings in a 6-2 loss.

Pelfrey would frustrate Mets fans throughout most of his time with the team that spanned seven seasons, over which he went 50-54 with a 4.36 ERA. But nobody was more frustrated than Pelfrey himself who spent most of his time with the Mets battling the “yips,” a tic that caused him to balk and make errant throws. Unfortunately, and unfairly, he became known for those yips rather than the talents he brought to mound.