5 underrated candidates for Mets Old Timer's Day

With the announcement that the New York Mets will be bringing back Old Timers' Day for the first time since 1994, many fans are speculating as to who may be showing up. In the Mets' statement announcing the event, they mentioned over 40 former players will be in attendance, including Frank Thomas, Ron Swoboda, Jon Matlack, Felix Millán, Mookie Wilson, Howard Johnson, Bobby Ojeda, Robin Ventura, Turk Wendell, Endy Chávez, Cliff Floyd and Daniel Murphy. Additionally Hall of Famer Mike Piazza confirmed he plans to attend.

It's natural for fans to speculate that notable Mets like David Wright, Jose Reyes, Dwight Gooden, Darryl Strawberry and Jerry Koosman might be included as those who will attend, but there are also many former players who contributed immensely to the organization and at least deserved an invite.

NY Mets Old Timer's Day Candidate: Jerry Grote

Jerry Grote was a terrific catcher for the Mets from 1966 to 1977, overseeing the success of pitchers like Tom Seaver, Jerry Koosman and Jon Matlack. He posted a career .991 fielding percentage as catcher in his career. Had he not played in the same era as Johnny Bench, Grote likely would've won a few Gold Gloves.

Grote served as the main catcher for the 1969 World Series Champion Mets. During his 12 years with the team, he posted a 40% caught stealing percentage. Former stolen base king Lou Brock once said Grote was the toughest catcher for him to steal off of and Johnny Bench said that if they were on the same team, Bench would be playing third.

While the Mets have been blessed with some very talented catchers in their history, none of them played the position quite as Grote. He'd be a welcome site for the older fans at Old Timers' Day.

NY Mets Old Timer's Day Candidate: Lee Mazzilli

Lee Mazzilli, a New York City native, was one of the few bright spots for Mets fans during the late 70s and early 80s. He became the first Met to homer in an All-Star game, doing so in his first and only appearance at the event in 1979. Due in large part to his New York City roots and good looks, Mazzilli was a fan favorite during his first tenure with the team from 1976 to 1981.

Mazzilli would return to the Mets via a midseason trade in 1986, serving primarily as a big bat off the bench. Perhaps his biggest contribution to the team came in the 1986 World Series. His lead-off pinch-hit single in the 8th inning of Game 6 sparked a rally that led to Gary Carter bringing him home on a game-tying sacrifice fly. He began another rally in Game 7 when, with the Mets trailing 3-0 in the 6th, he hit a one-out pinch-hit single. The Mets went on to score three runs that inning before taking the lead for good in the 7th.

Mazzilli's contributions to the organization during some of their darkest years and later what appeared to be their darkest hours makes him deserving of an invite to Old Timers' Day. It's about time the "Italian Stallion" made his way back home.

NY Mets Old Timer's Day Candidate: Steve Trachsel

Steve Trachsel, also known as "The Human Rain Delay, would often frustrate fans as much as opposing hitters due to how long it would take him to throw a pitch. In at least one instance during a game at Shea Stadium, Trachsel took so long to throw that a group of fans began chanting "Throw the ball!"

Despite the fact he would often drive his own team's fans insane, it's hard to argue Trachsel wouldn't get results. Trachsel was a work horse, with at least 164 innings pitched in five of his six seasons with the Mets, including eclipsing 200 innings in 2003 and 2004. Trachsel is one of four Mets to ever toss two one-hitters in a season, doing so against the Angels and Rockies on June 15 and Aug. 18, 2003. In the latter game, the only hit was a double by the opposing pitcher just over center fielder Timo Perez's head.

He compiled 66 wins with the team, winning at least 11 in all but one year. This included going 16-10 for the 66-95 2003 Mets and 15-8 for the 97-65 2006 Mets.

Trachsel would be a welcome addition to Old Timers' Day thanks in large part to his durability and dominance when he had his pitches working. But if he does come and ends up pitching, it may be a good idea to have the pitch clock running after each delivery for the sake of the fans.

NY Mets Old Timer's Day Candidate: Jerry Blevins

Acquired shortly before the start of the 2015 season, Jerry Blevins made as good a first impression as possible on Mets fans. He didn't allow a single hit or walk in his first seven appearances. Unfortunately, those would be the only appearances for him on the season after a line drive off the bat of Dee Gordon on April 19 ended up hitting him in his pitching arm, resulting in a fractured forearm. While there was optimism Blevins would return later in the season, that went out the window when he reinjured the forearm slipping off a curb in August.

However, Blevins returned to dominating out of the bullpen in 2016, playing a key part in the team advancing to the Wild Card game. Blevins, alongside Addison Reed and Jeurys Familia, formed a three-headed monster in the Mets bullpen that season. In 73 games, Blevins posted a 2.79 ERA and earned two saves.

He maintained his dominance the following season, posting a 2.94 ERA over 75 appearances. While all those appearances seemed to catch up to him during a rough 2018 season, there's no denying how big Blevins was during most of his time with the team.

Despite having initially been acquired to serve the role of a lefty specialist, Blevins showed the ability to get both lefties and righties out. He even held righties to a .182 batting average in 2016. Hopefully Mets fans will get to say "Hello Jerry" once more to Blevins when Old Timers' Day comes around on Aug. 27.