Now that it is January, it is time to add the all-time greatest first basemen to the Mets’ Field of Dreams Roster. So far, there are five starting pitchers, six relief pitchers, and two catchers on the roster, leaving just 12 vacant spots on the Mets’ roster. Today, two more will be added to the list. These two first basemen hit a combined 184 home runs while playing on the Mets, and both coincidentally ended their Mets’ career by hitting four home runs in their final season. So who are these two men?
1. Keith Hernandez– Keith Hernandez is now recognized as one of the Mets SNY broadcasters, but before that he was known as one of the best first basemen in the MLB. In his New York Mets career, Hernandez hit 80 home runs, and drove in 468 RBI’s. He played in a Mets uniform for just more than six and a half years, and was a part of the 1986 World Series Championship team. Hernandez appeared in three All Star Games, won five Gold Glove Awards, and even won a Silver Slugger Award while playing for the Mets. Needless to say, Keith Hernandez should be in the Hall of Fame, probably as a St. Louis Cardinal, but is no longer on the ballot due to his very low support during the 2006 BBWAA election. Hernandez will be starting for the Mets in their Field of Dreams roster, thanks to these statistics.
2. Carlos Delgado– Playing backup at the first base position will be Carlos Delgado. Delgado played for the Mets during the last four years of his amazing career, and hit 104 home runs during that span. In 2008, he finished ninth in MVP voting, but fell short to none other than Albert Pujols that season. For his defense, Delgado made 26 errors while playing in New York, and never had a positive WAR either. So, for that reason, Delgado is not reliable to start as the everyday first baseman.
Now that Keith Hernandez and Carlos Delgado have been added to the Mets’ Field of Dreams roster, there are only 10 roster spots remaining. Coming up next month, I will add second base to the roster. Want a hint on who he is? The second baseman was a career .284 hitter, and had an overall career WAR of 28.6.
He wasn’t there a long time but props need to go to John Olerud, too.
Loved Olerud, but as Reese points out he has to be #3.