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: Bernard Gilkey

Bernard Gilkey put together one of the best offensive seasons in franchise history after signing with the Mets prior to the 1996 season. He posted a .317/.393/.562 slash line with 30 homers, 117 RBI, 8.1 WAR and a franchise-record 44 doubles. That single season performance earned him down-ballot MVP votes and a cameo appearance in the 1997 hit film Men in Black.

While he was never able to come close to replicating that success throughout the rest of his Mets tenure, Gilkey still had his big moments every so often. Still, Gilkey's 1996 season will be fondly remembered by fans for it being so out of the blue and enjoyable.

Gilkey also shouldn't be the only representative from the 1996 Mets to attend. Lance Johnson and Todd Hundley, who both put together the best seasons of their career in 1996, deserve to attend as well. That year, Johnson posted a franchise record 227 hits, leading the league in that category as well as triples with 21, plate appearances at 724 and at-bats with 682. Hundley set a then-record with 41 homers as a catcher in 1996, driving in 112 runs too.

The 1996 Mets still managed to lose 91 games despite the trio of Gilkey, Johnson and Hundley. This was in large part due to poor pitching. Hopefully there will be better pitching on their side during Old timers' Day.

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.