5 Mets players who have earned a statue outside Citi Field

The New York Mets 2022 home opener started with a bang when they revealed their long-awaited Tom Seaver statue. The 10 feet high statue sits beside the Shea Stadium Home Run Apple that greets fans outside the stadium.

Considered by many one of the greatest Mets players in franchise history, Seaver changed the narrative for the Mets from being considered a laughing stock to World Champions.

The history of the Mets has a lot of heartbreaks and headaches. However, the organization has produced many great players that have a special place in the hearts of the fans, and they would love to see a statue of them for the next generation to follow and learn about.

5) NY Mets pitcher Jerry Koosman

In the shadows behind Seaver was Jerry Koosman. It is upsetting how some Mets fans aren't familiar with how amazing he was on the 1969 team. However, when the greatest pitcher at the time was on your team, it's understandable why the average fan would forget about Koosman.

In his 1968 rookie campaign, he went 19-12, earning him a 2.08 ERA for the season and his first trip to the All-Star Game. Despite his stellar first year, he finished second place in the NL Rookie of the Year voting. 

In 1969, Koosman finished 17-9 with a 2.28 ERA and 180 strikeouts, as well as another trip to the All-Star Game.

His season didn't end there as Koosman and Seaver were the Mets' 1-2 punch that led them to their first championship in '69. Seaver would struggle in the series, leaving it to Koosman to help seal the deal. He won Game 2 and Game 5, which would be the game that won them the World Series.

4) NY Mets catcher Gary Carter

Gary Carter, or "KID," was the final piece to the puzzle for the 1986 championship team. During the 1985 off-season, he was traded from the Montreal Expos to the Mets. Despite short tenure with the team, Carter is a top-five catcher in Mets history.

Carter had one of the most memorable debuts in baseball with his new ball club. He hit a walk-off home run in the 10th against former Met Neil Allen on Opening Day 1985 in Queens. He finished sixth in the MVP race in his first year with 32 home runs and 100 RBIs.

Game 6 of the 1986 World Series saw the Mets down to their final out, and champagne bottles were waiting for the Boston Red Sox in the dugout to celebrate. Carter refused to make the last out to end the Mets' season. A single to left would set the most remarkable comeback in baseball history. Base hits from Kevin Mitchell and Ray Knight would bring home Carter. What came next was a wild pitch from Bob Stanley and an error by Bill Buckner that won the Mets the game and eventually the World Series.

If it wasn't for Carter's heroic act, the Mets would most likely have just one World Series trophy in their display room.

2) NY Mets third baseman David Wright

Some could say that David Wright was on the pace of a Hall of Fame type of career when he was the starting third baseman. Unfortunately, injuries may have cost Wright from being regarded as one of the best third basemen in MLB history. However, he is undoubtedly one of the best players to grace the Mets' uniform.

The 21-year-old had a stellar rookie year in 2004. But really put his foot on the peddle from 2005-2008. During that stretch, he batted .311 with 116 home runs, 86 stolen bases, making three trips to the All-Star Game and two Gold Glove awards. Although the team was short of a trip to the World Series in 2006, he played a massive role in what is often regarded as one of the best eras in Mets history.

Wright continued to play very well in his mid-to-late twenties. In 2013, he was named the fourth-ever captain in team history. He joined Hernandez, Carter, and John Franco, that held that honor.

Wright battled injuries late in his career, and after being diagnosed with spinal stenosis during the 2015 season, it was difficult for him to stay on the field. Despite the diagnosis, Wright did everything he could to return to the field for his team and the fans.

Wright would make a late August return during the '15 season. He ended the year with 152 plate appearances batting .289 as the Mets would win their second National League East title of his career.

Wright and the Mets would go on to win their first National League pennant together but fall short in the World Series. But one memory Mets fans can appreciate from that series is the Game 3 home run at Citi Field from none other than "The Captain" himself.

From growing up in Virginia rooting for the Mets to becoming their most iconic franchise players, Wright may have fulfilled his childhood dream despite not winning a championship.

1) NY Mets catcher Mike Piazza

When the Mets acquired Mike Piazza in 1998, they knew they were getting the game's most feared power hitters. But they didn't realize they were also getting a player who would become one of their biggest superstars in franchise history and an American icon.

In 1998, he batted .348 with 23 home runs and 76 RBIs. Earning him a $91 million deal for seven years. Piazza was very much still in his prime and continued putting up similar numbers when he was with the Los Angeles Dodgers and Florida Marlins.

Piazza led the Mets to their first postseason since 1988 in 1999, when he hit .303 with 40 home runs and 124 RBIs. His batting average would continue to rise as he finished the following season batting .324, knocking out 38 home runs and 113 RBIs. In 2000, the Mets' season didn't end in the regular season nor the playoffs; it ended in the World Series. Unfortunately, they fell short when they went against their cross-town rival, New York Yankees.

Piazza will always be remembered being one of the best offensive catchers to wear the Mets uniform. Piazza had a Hall of Fame career and rightfully is in Cooperstown for it, with many remarkable moments to talk about for the next generation. None more remarkable than his two-run home run in the 8th inning on Sept. 21, 2001, the first game played in New York City after the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

Not only did Piazza's home run lift New York, but lifted the nation. I call the home run a shot to the face to the terrorists. New York and the United States are still standing tall, more unified than ever.