The New York Mets held their 40th Anniversary celebration last night at Shea Stadium. Along with the entrance of Tommie Agee into the New York Mets Hall of Fame, the Mets also announced the “All Amazins Team” which is a NY Met all-star team made up of players over that last 40 years which the fans voted on over the past 2 months.

If you look at this list as a long time Mets fan you will see that just like the all-star game, this list was derived from a young fan base (only about 25,000 fans voted) and became a popularity contest.

The first problem with the voting was that many people didn’t even know it was going on. Ballots at the stadium could only be found that the fan information booths and had to be asked for, otherwise you voted online. Unfortunately most online Mets fans will be from the younger generation, which will hinder many players that played for the Mets prior to 1980 or so.

The second is that the voting period was so short, 40 years of baseball to voted on by the fans from late May to July just isn’t enough time (about 30 home games). Especially with the low amount of publicity it received.

Well now that I’m done griping about the voting process (which doesn’t matter much anyway because we all know this whole thing was just another way to sell tickets and the Mets ownership could care less who was picked) Let me share with you my opinions on the selections.

As far as Manager, Gil Hodges was an excellent pick, and I was quite surprised. From the way the voting went I didn’t think the majority of the voters would even know who he was, but I guess the fact that he past away, his number was retired and he was manger of the ’69 “miracle Mets” had a lot to do with this. Grade: A+

At first base there was really no other choice but Keith Hernandez when you look at an all around player. He won 9 consecutive Gold Gloves and hit very well. This was the obvious selection and being on the 1986 Would Championship team fit right in with the age of the voters. Grade: A+

Second base was a bit of a wash out. The Mets never really had a top second baseman in their history. Your big choices would be Felix Millan, Wally Backman, Edgardo Alfonzo and maybe newly acquired Roberto Alomar if you went by his play with other teams. By default Alfonzo has to get it since he is the only all-around player who has had an “all-star” status while with the Mets. I know some could make an argument for Millan, but his play in the ’73 World Series will always put him low down in my book. Grade: B

Third base has been a revolving door for the New York Mets. Over 100 players have manned the hot corner for the Amazins in their 40 year history, so it is tough the narrow it down to one “All-Amazin” third baseman. The narrowed down field would probably have to be Ed Charles, Ray Knight, Howard Johnson and Robin Ventura. Since Johnson did end up second on the Mets all-time list in Home Runs, Doubles, Extra Base Hits, Stolen Bases and Runs Scored during his 8 year tenure as a Met gives him the nod at Third Base. Was those numbers or the fact that he was on the late 80’s Mets the reason the fans voted one will never know. Grade: A

At shortstop the Mets again lacked any real contributors, especially offensively. The candidates here are Bud Harrelson, Rey Ordonez, Kevin Elster and possibly Rafael Santana just because of his appearance on the 1986 team. None of these players were known for their bat while with the Mets (Elster didn’t start hitting for power until after he left the Mets). When you look at fielding alone, the race comes down to Ordonez and Harrelson. Personally I think Ordonez is the better fielder, even though he does make some stupid decisions on the diamond at times. Harrelson gets the nod because of his tenure, playing style and decision making on the field. Grade: B

At Catcher the obvious pick was Mike Piazza, but it doesn’t necessarily make him eth right one. Yes Piazza is an offensive power house and has all of the glitz and glamour of a superstar. Lets look at the other candidates though, Jerry Grote, John Sterns, Gary Carter and Todd Hundley. Well first off let’s keep in mind this is the All-Amazins’ team so play outside the Mets is not supposed to be factored in. Offensively Todd Hundley rates higher in every offensive category then Piazza as a Mets except batting average. Yes folks, Home runs too. In fact Hundley holds the record for most records in a single season by a catcher in major league baseball with 41, and most home runs by a met player ever in a season at that same mark. (Mike came close with 40 in 1999, but never did beat it). When you look at this way Piazza loses to Hundley offensively. Lets not forget, the position being voted on is Catcher, and that included some fielding time. It is well known that Piazza is very shall we say lacking on the field and his handling of pitchers is below average. While he has improved in this area since his stint with the Dodgers, he has never really been great on the field. Jerry Grote is known at the best defensive catcher in Mets history, and probably one of the best defensive catchers who played the game. While Grote’s offensive numbers cam no where near Piazza, Hundley or Carter, his play on the field outshined both Piazza and Hundley, and Carter was in the same league as him. Speaking of Gary Carter, this is a man who hands down should beat Piazza out for the spot as he was much better then him all-around. The problem some say is that cater only spent 4 seasons as a NY Met. Well let’s not forget Piazza has only had 5 full seasons as a met. Not much difference there. Well my point is that Piazza does not deserve the slot. I’d be happier to see Grote or Hundley who spent much more time in a met uniform and did much more for the Mets respectively. Hey maybe I’ll change my mind at the Mets 50th Anniversary All-Amazins team. But for now, I can’t agree with Piazza at all. Grade: D

The Mets outfield has been patrolled by hundreds of players, that’s why I will never understand the selection of Lenny Dykstra. Darryl Strawberry’s selection was bad enough since I see him as a black eye in the world of baseball, and personally I did not vote for him for that reason, but his numbers and play as a Met do warrant the selection so I will not vent too much on this. Mookie Wilson has been know as a fan favorite for many years for his hard style of play in the field, friendly demeanor, speed on the base paths and ability to get on base. He is probably the best leadoff hitter in Mets history and on of the best centerfielders (Agee rivals him), so no argument here on his selection. My big problem is LENNY DYKSTRA. I mena come on, he was a part-time player with Wilson when he did play, and while he did make some great plays in the 1986 season, this does not make a career. There were so many other players that could have been selected, my favorite being Cleon Jones. Besides him other players like, Tommie Agee, Lee Mazzilli, Dave Kingman (played both OF and 1B), any many others. Hell I would have taken George Foster over Dykstra. This was in my opinion the WORST selection, and most obvious that the fans who voted were from the mid 80’s – present era of play. In fact the selction is so bad, I have to break my grading down by player here. Grades; Wilson: A, Strawberry: B-; Dykstra: F- (hey I know, but I added the minus to say, its worse then a F)

The starting pitchers Tom Seaver amd Jerry Kooseman were very good selections. While some could argue Dwight Gooden should have been picked, the problem is that both Seaver and Gooden were Righties, so Seaver has to get the nod. Koosemen was indeed the best left handed pitcher in Mets history and had a long and distinguished tenure as a Met. Grade: A+

In the relief pitchers category there’s a bit more of an issue. While I agree The Roger McDowell beats out his right handed counterparts Ron Taylor and Neil Allen hands down. John Franco as the all-time Mets left handed closer needs to be looked at a bit harder. Remember being added to playing field here are names like Tug McGraw (Franco’s own idle), Jesse Orosco and Randy Myers. While Franco does have the numbers as a Met to beat out these three pitchers you have to look at circumstances to come to the real conclusion. Jesse Orosco split his time as closer under manager Davey Johnson’s regime with Roger McDowell in a Johnson idea to have two closers, one left and one righty as situations permit. While the idea did work, this cut down on Orosco’s save opportunities and would effect his numbers drastically. Lets also remember that Orsoco was the man on the mound when the Mets won both the ’86 NLCS and ’86 World Series. Franco never brought a a world championship home. In fact his best years were when the Mets were a sub-par to mediocre team in the early to mid 90’s. As the Mets team began to evolve in ’98, is when Franco’s downfall began and eventually he became setup man to Benitez by the time the Mets made the playoffs. Let’s not forget Tug Mcgraw, who the closer on both the 1969 World Championship team and the 1973 NL Champions. The same man who motivated the team with “Ya Gotta Believe” and posted third on the Mets all-time saves list behind Franco and Orosco. While that maybe a reason not to select him, the astute baseball fan would know that closers were used differently in those years. In fact they weren’t real “closers” they were firemen. They were brought on when the starter was in trouble and would pitch anywhere from 1 to 3 innings. They were only brought on when trouble was in the mix, not just to get a save opportunity like closers are used now. This seriously cuts down McGraw’s save opportunities. Fact is if McGraw pitched in the same area as Franco, they would have rivaled each other for the left handed saves record, this was even an admission of John Franco, who by the way, looks the McGraw as a his childhood idle and adulthood mentor. When you balance all things out, Franco should not have been selected, my choice would be Tug McGraw. Grade: C+

The final category of pinch hitters was really not that hard to figure. I mean when you think of Mets pinch hitters the first person who springs to mind is Rusty Staub, which in my opinion was one of the first to make the role of pinch hitter a full-time job and a full time job that was not such a dubious honor. Kranepool, well lets face it, he was a career Met since the inception of the team, while he was always an average player, he did need to be honored in some way just for his tenure, and this was the best way. Who else are you going to pick anyway, Matt Franco?? Grade: A+

Well that’s about it (finally). I hope you enjoyed this critique and somewhat stroll down Mets memory lane. What your opinions? As a long time Mets fan I’d like to hear them.