The best Mets player to wear number 1
When thinking about the New York Mets players who have worn the number 1, a bunch of speed guys come to mind. Guys like Lance Johnson, Luis Castillo, and Amed Rosario are among those who have worn number 1 for the Mets. The most recent player to wear the number was Jonathan Villar last season when he played very well. Jeff McNeil switched his number from 6 to 1 for this season as well.
The best player who's worn number 1 as a Met is Mookie Wilson.
He's known for his infamous ground ball that went through Bill Buckner's legs that won Game 6 of the 1986 World Series for the Mets, but Wilson is one of the best center fielders in Mets franchise history.
Mookie Wilson is the best Mets player to wear number 1
Number 1 was the only number Wilson wore during his 9.5 year tenure with the Mets. He was most known for his speed, like most others who wore the jersey number. His 281 stolen bases as a Met made him the franchise's stolen base leader until Jose Reyes broke that record. He now ranks second on the list.
Reyes also bumped Wilson down to second in franchise history in triples. Wilson also ranks sixth in runs scored.
In his tenure in Flushing Wilson slashed .276/.318/.394 with 60 home runs and 342 RBI. From 1981-1987 Wilson hit at least .271 with at least 21 stolen bases. Wilson was a consistent presence at the top of the Mets order for years during some of the best seasons the Mets have had in their history.
Wilson's best season came in 1984 when he hit a career high ten home runs and drove in 54 runs, just one shy of his career high. He hit ten triples and stole 46 bases as well. His 3.8 bWAR was his best mark by far.
Mookie wasn't the greatest defender in the world, which is a little surprising because of how fast he was, but he wasn't a complete liability. His bat and speed made up for it.
He might be known for his postseason moment and rightfully so, but Mookie Wilson had a long track record of success as a Met and is the best one to wear number 1.