In the style of MLB Network's series "Prime 9", I am here to start the debates - what Mets are next in line for the Mets Hall of Fame, and what Mets are next in line for having their uniform number retired?
Before I throw out my 9, I should note that I didn't start following the Mets until very late October in 1986, so there's about half of the Mets history that I didn't live first-hand.
9 greatest Mets
9, tie) Frank Cashen and Davey Johnson - without them, there would be do fond memories of the 1980s. Being inducted together into the Mets Hall of Fame in 2010.
8) Ed Kranepool - Longevity says something. Inducted into the Mets Hall of Fame in 1990.
7) Keith Hernandez - the captain 25 years ago and popular announcer now. Inducted into the Mets Hall of Fame in 1997.
6) Gil Hodges - singlehandedly brought the Mets to respectibility in the late '60s. His number 37 is retired, and he was inducted into the Mets Hall of Fame in 1982.
5) Mike Piazza - He brought fans to Shea and led the Mets to the playoffs twice and the World Series once.
4) Darryl Strawberry - Another piece of energy from the 1980s Mets. Being inducted into the Mets Hall of Fame in 2010.
3) Jerry Koosman - Widely regarded as the #2 guy from the 1969 championship team. Mets Hall of FAme class of 1989.
2) Doc Gooden - I've heard that Shea was electric when he pitched. He will be indcuted into the Mets Hall of Fame in 2010.
1) Tom Seaver - "the franchise". His number 41 is retired, and he was inducted into the Mets Hall of Fame in 1988.
So where does that leave us?
The next 9 to be inducted into the Mets Hall of Fame (not including active and future Mets players)
9) Filax Milan - maybe the best of the rest from the 1970s
8) David Cone - another ace from the good days
7) Edgardo Alfonzo - 3rd all time in Mets career hits.
6 & 5) Gary Cohen and Howie Rose - the voices of summer for a generation. The original announcing trio was inducted during the club's 23rd year, and these guys are almost at that point themselves. I'm not sure who would be the MC of the ceremony though.
4) Al Leiter - the ace of the staff that brought the Mets back to respectibility (again)
3) Bobby Valentine - he led the Mets to the playoffs twice
2) John Franco - longevity speaks for itself.
1) Mike Piazza
The next 9 numbers to be retired (not including active and future Mets players)
9) Edgardo Alfonzo
8) Al Leiter
7) John Franco
6) Ed Kranepool
5) Keith Hernandez
4) Mike Piazza
3) Darryl Strawberry
2) Jerry Koosman
1) Doc Gooden
I hope some day David Wright and Jose Reyes lead us to good times in the next 10-15 years and can get themselves on this list.
Leave a comment or drop me a line at DyHrdMET [at] gmail [dot] com.
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