4 times the Mets traded a fan favorite to the Dodgers

3) NY Mets traded Jesse Orosco to the Dodgers in 1988

It’s hard to believe Jesse Orosco ever had a bad year with the Mets. Well, after throwing the last pitch of the 1986 World Series, he ended up as a piece in a three-team deal involving the Oakland Athletics and, of course, the Dodgers.

The Mets picked up Jack Savage, Kevin Tapani, and Wally Whitehurst in this move. None were ever as popular as Orosco who, about to embark on his age 31 season with the Dodgers, had plenty more left in the tank.

Orosco went from a 3-9 season with a 4.44 ERA in 1987 to a much better 3-2 and 2.72 ERA performance for the Dodgers in 1988. Moved out from the closer role a little more with only 9 saves on the season, Orosco found success in other relief roles over the years. He did fail to get any vengeance on the Mets in the 1988 NLCS as they scored twice against him in his 2.1 innings of work. The Dodgers and Mike Scioscia would have the last laugh, unfortunately.

Orosco’s Mets legacy has a lot to do with how he reignited a torch lit by Tug McGraw in the 1970s. The closer role was still being carved out and Orosco was one of a final breed of multi-inning relievers who could finish a game.

Win a World Series with the Mets and have the most iconic image in the franchise’s history, you’re a fan favorite forever.