" For the female readers of TRDMB !!"
Well here we stand, as this – the first week of this countdown is about to come to a close.We have seen the likes of Felix Millan, Cliff Floyd as well as Craig Swan, Todd Hundly and Ron Swoboda take their respective places on this countdown – voted by you the readers of this blog as well as rabid Mets fans in general. As I compiled all of the data from your votes I was very surprised on who made it as well as who didn’t make the cut. It also surprised me how high some players ranked as well as how low some other players did.
This next player’s rank truly surprised me. He was one of the most beloved Mets to ever come from the ’80′s and I know for a fact that we were all upset when he was traded to the Phillies along with Roger McDowell for the underwhelming Juan Samuel. That’s right folks I introduce to you coming in at number 45 of this Countdown Lenny ” Nails“ Dykstra !!!
Dykstra was drafted by the Mets in the ’81 amateur draft in the 13th round. He was considered a highly touted prospect while he was in the minors. During the ’83 season , he led the AA in at-bats, runs, hits as well as triples and batting average. He would also lead the league in stolen bases with 105. He was named the Carolina League’s MVP that season.
He would rise quickly to the majors, making his debut in 1985. Dykstra was promoted to the Mets when Mookie Wilson was injured in a freak accident , sending him to the disabled list . Lenny would get many starts in center-field . In the ’86 season, Lenny was platooned with Mookie in a center-field platoon with Wilson, but Wilson would once again head to the D.L. when he suffered a eye injury during spring training drills. Dykstra began the season as the everyday center-fielder and batted lead off . In the middle of the season, the Mets released the their malcontent left fielder, George Foster. With Foster gone, Wilson would take over left field.
Dykstra earned the nickname “Nails“ from the New York Mets faithful because of his all out ” balls to wall ” play and his ability to scare the opponents when he was running the bases.
Lenny was a catalyst during that post season . He seemed to always be in the middle of rallies whether it was against the Astros or the Red Sox. I mean who could forget that to hit a lead off home run against the Sox in the World Series? In my opinion in my 38 years on this Earth – and yes I know I am biased that was the best World Series ever!
Lenny would be a catalyst for the Mets for three more season. It was a shock to the fan base when he was traded on June 18th 1989 with McDowell for Samuel as mentioned earlier.
It would come to the surprised of no one when he was named by the Mitchell report as a user of steroids. Dykstra still denies the charges to this day.
It is also common knowledge that since the collapse of the economy a few years ago, Lenny – once a highly respected businessman has filed for chapter eleven and has scores of creditors , as well as employees suing him for money owed.
In his five years with the Mets, he had a total of 30 home runs and 153 RBIs while batting a collective .278. He also had a total of 116 stolen bases to go along with 104 doubles and 17 triples.
Tomorrow we will feature at number 44 one of the most prolific power hitter in Mets history.
And with that said….. HERE COMES THE INFAMY !!!
Mets alumni celebrating birthdays today include:
Today would have been the 73rd birthday from one time Mets middle reliever, Bob Moorhead (1938) . Moorhead was the first reliever ever used by the Mets, appearing in their first game ever in relief of Roger Craig. He would appear in 38 games that inaugural season, but he wouldn’t make it make to the big leagues until 1965 when he appeared in nine games.
Late season call up from the ’96 season, reserve catcher Charlie Greene is 40 (1971).
The New York Mets released middle reliever, Rich Sauveur on January 23, 1992. Sauveur would last on the Mets roster for less than a month, but I guess when your ERA is 10.80 while pitching 3.1 innings in six appearances you would expected to be demoted to the minors.
The Philadelphia Phillies signed middle reliever, Yorkis Perez of the New York Mets as a free agent on January 23, 1998.
The Houston Astros signed long time Mets captain, John Franco of the New York Mets as a free agent on January 23, 2005. Franco’s days as a effective reliever, coupled with the fact that then new General Manager , Omar Minaya was trying to rid the clubhouse of ” clubhouse lawyers” and did not ever open contract talks with Franco. John would be released by the Astrosby mid season. He has been a frequent visitor to both Shea Stadium as well As Citi Field since his retirement.
New York Mets signed free agent Ricardo Rincon on January 23, 2008. Rincon would finally be promoted to the big club that September. He too proved to be part of the problem in that shaky pen that cost the Mets a shot at the post season. In eight games at middle relief he had a ERA of 4.50 while pitching only four innings.
And while you spend the day stocking up on beer and deli provisions for today’s Jets – Steelers game ( Go Jets !!!) , just remember that there are just 68 more days until the Mets open the 2011 season against the Florida Marlins in Miami and only 75 days to go until the Mets 2011 home opener against the Washington Nationals at Citi Field.
Mo Vaughn bought out the entire Meat and Deli department of his local Piggly Wiggly for tonight’s game. No he isn’t throwing a party – it’s all for him !!!!
9 comments
kingman 26
1/23/2011-11:02am at 11:02 am (UTC -4)
Wow, that is low for Dykstra; now I cannot remember if he was in my top 50! But, in fairness, he really did not become a star until he was a Phil. Damn, that 1993 season was unreal.
That 1986 Game 3 WS homer to lead off the game has to be among the biggest HRs in Met history–down 2-0, they HAD to set the right tone, and his HR did just that.
Piggly Wiggly! I have been to them in SC; definitely America’s best grocery store chain name!
stickguy
1/23/2011-11:34am at 11:34 am (UTC -4)
Interesting to look at Dykstras numbers. I did not realize that he spent almost 2x the time with Philly than he did with the Mets (7 vs. 4 full seasons, and 1 split).
And he is a prime example of a guy that is remembered for certain big hits (Mr. Clutch?), although his overall stats were not particularly great.
but man, did he imporve with the Phils. And while he obviously went incredible hulk with that bunch of roiders (led by Daulton), the only year his power #s (slg%) was noticeably higher than with the Mets was in 1993 (2nd in the mvp voting that year, and juiced to the gills).
Other than that, the biggest change was his OBP jumped a good 20% (to over .400 every year) with the philthies.
metsfan4decades
1/23/2011-11:56am at 11:56 am (UTC -4)
Dystra was on my top 50. How could he not be? He was an integral part of the 86 team and contributed just as much as others on that team.
If I’m not mistaken, Dykstra just recently did admit to steroid use. He said something like he started when he was traded to Philly. Felt he was getting older and needed all the help he could get to stay competitive. Was no surprise to me.
Mr North Jersey
1/23/2011-12:09pm at 12:09 pm (UTC -4)
WOW, I remember that Nails poster as a prize at all the local carnivals back in the 80′s.
stickguy
1/23/2011-12:15pm at 12:15 pm (UTC -4)
I find it hard to believe that a guy that came up as a scrawny speedster type managed to get that body (in the poster) before he discovered the magic juice.
at least if nothing else he threw the phils under the bus, not the Mets. That 1993 era phils team was right up there with the late 90′s yanks and the roider A’s as the most juiced teams in a juiced era!
rustyjr
1/23/2011-12:18pm at 12:18 pm (UTC -4)
Absolutely !! See kruk,John and Daulton, Darren
stickguy
1/23/2011-12:53pm at 12:53 pm (UTC -4)
that team probably set the record for most skanks and scumballs on the roster. I was very happy when Carter blasted mitch williams to give Toronto that series.
TRS86
1/23/2011-8:08pm at 8:08 pm (UTC -4)
This my friends is an ass kicking.
rustyjr
1/23/2011-8:23pm at 8:23 pm (UTC -4)
there is still time – jeez I feel like I am rooting for the Mets in Sept of ’07