Debating the Mets best offensive season of all-time

There have been a lot of great offensive individual seasons in New York Mets history. Carlos Beltran's 2006, Mike Piazza's 2000 and Darryl Strawberry's 1988 and 1990 were great. However, it is David Wright's 2007 and Howard Johnson's 1989 season that rise to the top. Let's examine why starting with Wright.

Wright came into 2007, coming off a very solid 2006 season, hitting over .300 with more than 100 RBIs. Any Mets fan when they hear about 2007 will almost cringe instantly. Lets take a look at his 2007, while trying to minimize the nightmarish flashbacks.

Wright's numbers on the Mets that season

Wright posted several career highs in the 2007 season. His batting average, slugging and on base percentages were all career highs, (.325, .546, and .963 respectively). He played in nearly every game notching a career high with 160 games played.

There are many reasons for the Mets' famous collapse of 2007, but Wright is not one of them. In the month of September, Wright hit for a .352 average, knocked in 20 runs with a slugging percentage of .432. This wasn't enough as the team famously blew a seven-game division lead by going 5-12 in their last 17 games.

For his outstanding season, Wright won numerous awards, including his first silver slugger, while being named an all-star for the second time. He also won his first gold glove for his outstanding defensive play at the hot corner.

Wright did achieve the first 30-30 season, (30 or more home runs and 30 or more steals) for the Mets since Howard Johnson in 1991. Even with the highest WAR of any top candidate, Wright finished onlyfourth in the MVP voting that season, one of the highest finishes ever for a Met.

Howard Johnson's 1991 Mets Season

Johnson's best Mets season is really a tossup between his 1989 or 1991 season, but I decided to choose his 91 season. After his terrific 89 season with 41 home runs and 101 RBIs, he experienced a down 1990 season, before rebounding with his outstanding 1991 campaign.

Johnson knocked a very impressive 38 home runs and 117 RBIs, both of which led not only the Mets, but the National League as well. He also stole 30 bases, while hitting 34 doubles, while posting a career high in runs scored with 108.

The Mets season wasn't what they had hoped for in 1991. Many players from the Mets glory days of the 80s had either left the team, or those on the team were past their prime. With that the Mets had their first losing season since 1983.

For recognition of his terrific season, Johnson received his second silver slugger and was named an all-star for the second time. Despite leading the NL in both home runs and RBIs, Johnson only finished 5th in the MVP voting.

And the best Mets offensive season ever goes to...

After reviewing this longer than a replay challenge takes, (and that's saying something) Wright has the edge for me. While both put up 30-30 seasons, had over 100 RBIs, Wright had the higher batting average, on-base, and slugging compared to Johnson.

Had the Mets not blown their division lead in 2007, I think it is likely Wright either wins the MVP that year or comes very close. Even without that, Wright's numbers for that season speak for themselves and is well worthy of being crowned the best Mets offensive season of all time.