Last week it was announced that on June 3, 2012, long time Mets closer – and all around good guy, John Franco will be elected to the Mets Hall of Fame. This has caused great debate among many Mets fans. The pro Franco faction will point to his longevity (14 seasons with the Mets), his franchise record in saves (276) as well as the fact that he was the team captain and his Brooklyn roots.
The Anti Franco faction will point to the fact that he was not the prototypical flame-throwing reliever. They will also point to the fact that even though Johnny B. Goode more often than not got the job done – it usually came with a bout of agita. And who could forget the speculation that Franco – along with fellow Mets veteran arm, Al Leiter lobbied for then Mets pitching phenom, Scott Kazmir to be traded because they allegedly didn’t like his attitude.
In my opinion I casn’t complain about John’s induction to the Mets Hall of Fame. Yes I do admit I should have bought stock in Tums since I was one of their biggest clients – but I do think there are players that are more deserving of this honor and should have heeded the call before Franco.
The first player that comes to mind is Nolan Ryan. Yes Nolan was a raw fireball throwing youngster from Texas with control issues, but for his legend to reverberate over forty years after his being traded to the Angels is a testament to his popularity here.
Second on my list would be Willie Mays. Yes the “Say Hey Kid”spent his final two seasons with the Mets – and yes he was past his prime at that point, but his Giant roots coupled with his leadership during that crazy ’73 season should make him a no brainer for the Mets Hall of Fame.
Another player fom the ’70′s that I feel should be memorialized in Citi Field is catcher John Stearns. Stearns was one of the best hitting catchers the Mets ever had, and he was a fan favorite until he was forced to retire in ’84.
Mets players from the ’80′s that I feel should have been elected into the Hall before Franco are Wally Backman and Jesse Orosco. Can you think of two other players that embodied the blue-colar everyman persona that these two guys brought to the field? And the iconic moment of Orosco- with his arms out-stretched to the heavens in celebration of the ’86 World Series should grant him entrance to the Mets Hall.
For the ’90′s I feel that both Edgardo Alfonzo and Robin Ventura both are more deserving of having their likeness on display in the Hall than Franco. “Fonzie” was one of the best pure hitters to emerge from the Mets farm system , and Ventura was a catalyst for those late ’90′s/early ’00′s Mets teams – and who could ever forget that “grand slam single” ?
Oh and of course the most obvious player ( who more than likely will be enshrined next season ) is Mike Piazza.
All in all I can’t -and won’t complain about John Franco’s induction. Was he as dominant as other one time Mets relievers such as Jeff Reardon or Randy Meyers ? No but John was and will forever be synonymous with this organization. And even though I do feel he is deserving of this honor, maybe he should have been inducted in a few years from now.
And with that said…. HERE COMES THE INFAMY !!!!
Mets alumni celebrating a birthday today includes:
Spot starter/middle reliever from the ’92 season, Joe Vitko is 42 (1970).
Reserve outfielder from the 98 season, Rich Becker is 40 (1972) .
The New York Mets claimed reserve outfielder, Endy Chavez on waivers from the Detroit Tigers on February 1, 2002. This was Endy’s second – but not his last stint with the Mets. Fast forward to “the catch” in ’06 to see Endy’s biggest contribution to the franchise.
The Oakland Athletics signed reserve outfielder, Ricky Ledee of the New York Mets as a free agent on February 1, 2007.
The New York Mets signed free agent reserve outfielder, Jesus Feliciano on February 1, 2007.Feliciano has turned out to be a AAAA player at best, but he did appear in 54 games during the ’10 season in which he batted .231 with 3 R.B.I’s.
The Kansas City Royals signed starting pitcher, Brian Lawrence of the New York Mets as a free agent on February 1, 2008.Lawrence started 6 games for the Mets in ’07. He went 1-2 with an E.R.A of 6.83.
Mo Vaughn still feels that he should be inducted into the Mets Hall Of Fame – Then again he still feels that he should be the spokesman for Fitness magazine !
14 comments
Stickguy
2/1/2012-7:13am at 7:13 am (UTC -4)
I don’t have an issue with Franco, but a few of your others (backman, stearns) are a bit of a stretch!
And I don’t agree with putting in guys that did everything for other teams. Heck, on that logic, why not Richie Ashburn?
I suppose ti would help if I knew who else was already in, to make suggestions for guys that were overlooked…
rustyjr
2/1/2012-7:25am at 7:25 am (UTC -4)
Go to Mike Silva’s New York Digest for a list
Mike.BTB
2/1/2012-7:47am at 7:47 am (UTC -4)
I think Jesse Orosco should have been a shoe-in by now. Fonzie should certainly be enshrined as well. And I think John Stearns is an excellent pick. I was always a tremendous fan of The Dude. However as much cache as they’d bring, I don’t think Ryan and Mays belong in the Met Hall though.
NJstuckinTX
2/1/2012-8:52am at 8:52 am (UTC -4)
While Fonzie was great, I’m not sure he has the Mets longivitiy/stats to really make it. Had his back not blown out, he for certain would be in there. Right now, I’d say he’s marginal.
MetsFan4Decades
2/1/2012-7:54am at 7:54 am (UTC -4)
I have no problem with Franco being inducted. He deserved it. I believe 286 of those saves that put him 4th on the all time list came in his 14 years here in NY. Yeah, he wasn’t always consistent, to say the least, but IMO, neither has any closer not named Mariano.
I think Orosco will eventually get in.
While I understand the sentiment behind Willie Mays and Nolan Ryan their major accomplishments did not take place in Flushing. I think the Mets HOF should be limited to contributions by players as a Met.
Not a doubt in my mind Piazza will be inducted. Probably the same time he’s inducted into Cooperstown.
Ceetar
2/1/2012-9:15am at 9:15 am (UTC -4)
Well, it’s not like Rivera was more than marginally more reliable than any other closer. It’s really his postseason record that sets him apart, and of course it’s nice to be in the right time at the right place isn’t it?
Franco absolutely belongs. Long career with the Mets, captain, all-time leader in left-handed saves, local guy, first ever ceremonial first pitch at Citi Field..
MetsFan4Decades
2/1/2012-10:33am at 10:33 am (UTC -4)
Not sure I agree here with Rivera being only marginally more reliable. I’ll agree his post season numbers are above the rest which was helped by the fact that he was in post season more than average. But his talent did really translate in most post season appearances.
The fact that he played his whole career with one team, that team was the Yankees and those numbers in his career will almost assuredly make him a first ballet HOF, don’t you think?
Ceetar
2/1/2012-12:07pm at 12:07 pm (UTC -4)
The save % stats bare it out. As does his usage beyond 1996. Difference between him and Hoffman is like 6 saves or something. Papelbons got a similar % too. (And that’s more than 1 in 10 of saves blown. I guess you can say 89% is as ‘automatic’/consistant as you can get, even if some relievers did put up better stretches)
Obviously the writers will put him in first ballot if nothing surfaces about banned substances.
Franco was a fair step down from that top class of closers, but he got the job done often and was one of the best Mets relievers for a long time.
MetsFan4Decades
2/1/2012-6:32pm at 6:32 pm (UTC -4)
Agree about the number of all time saves.
I don’t have access to it at the moment (still trying to figure out how to use this tablet I just got), but I believe Mo was far more effective – as his era, whip, etc, especially in post season, was better.
oleosmirf
2/1/2012-9:46am at 9:46 am (UTC -4)
Franco’s number should also be retired if you ask me although he did change his number for Piazza so that’s a tad difficult…
NJstuckinTX
2/1/2012-8:54am at 8:54 am (UTC -4)
For Franco to be inducted, all pictures of him without a mustache must be destroyed. Only a ‘Stached Franco will be allowed to enter the Mets holy land.
SaltyGary
2/1/2012-12:34pm at 12:34 pm (UTC -4)
Franco is the right guy for the time. There are plenty that deserve it, and plenty that have been waiting longer, but this team needs someone to embrace that a majority of the fan-base have seen play and can connect to. Not too many positive story lines this year, so they went to their roots for their fans.
Paul Festa
2/1/2012-7:06pm at 7:06 pm (UTC -4)
I agree with John Franco being inducted into the NYM hall of fame. Even though, as Greg Prince recently wrote, his nickname should be Johnny Three-Times. “I’m gonna put a guy on. Put a guy on. Put a guy on.”
I also think Edgardo, Orosco, and Piazza should be in.
Liz
2/1/2012-9:55pm at 9:55 pm (UTC -4)
The HOF is supposed to be for the very best. As good as Willie was, his career was all but over as a Met. Piazza should be in there, and MAYBE Orrosco and Fonzie, maybe.