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.

3) NY Mets first baseman Keith Hernandez

Not many players are fortunate enough to play for the team they rooted for as a kid. Keith Hernandez did just that. He played for 10 years with the St. Louis Cardinals. Hernandez won a batting title, league NL MVP, six Gold Gloves, and a World Series championship in his tenure,

In the summer of '83, he was traded to the Mets. The team was getting a World Champion Gold Glove winner to play first base. However, Henandez considered quitting the game because he "didn't want to be here (Queens with the Mets)." Can you imagine if Hernandez were to leave the game of baseball because he was traded to Queens? Neither can I or the Mets.

Hernandez was the heart and soul of the Mets team during the 1980s. His best year with the Mets was in 1984, his first full year with the team. He batted .311 with 15 home runs and 94 RBIs. After the '84 season, Hernandez won his first Gold Glove with the Mets. He would then win five consecutive Gold Gloves in Queens and finish with 11(six with the Cardinals) altogether.

In the 1987 season, Hernandez was named the first-ever captain in franchise history alongside Carter as co-captain.

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.