The Mets should take their own Hall of Fame seriously (Part II)

Last week we looked at the Mets Hall of Fame and reviewed a few of the position players who are noticeably conspicuous by their absence.

What about pitching?  Currently there are only 5 Mets pitchers in the organization’s Hall of Fame:

Tom Seaver
Jerry Koosman
Tug McGraw
Dwight Gooden
John Franco

Last week’s list contained a few notable pitchers who are not currently enshrined.  Do any of those pitchers deserve consideration of the honor?

The answer is, of course, yes.  Cases could be made to support election for some of those pitchers.

Jon Matlack: Matlack was recently profiled in an article on Mets360.com.  He could be considered one of the most glaring omissions from the Hall.  He pitched for the team from 1971-1977.  He was a three-time All-Star for the Mets.  He was the 1972 Rookie-of-the-Year.  He was the co-winner of the 1975 All-Star Game.  Twice he led the National League in shutouts.  He struck out over 1,000 batters as a member of the Mets and compiled a 3.03 ERA for the team.

Jesse Orosco: Orosco was a left-handed reliever who pitched for the Mets in 1979 and 1981-1987.  The photograph of him kneeling on the mound in celebration of the team’s victory in the 1986 World Series is one of the most compelling photos taken of the team.  It represents a high-water mark in the organizational history.  He was the last player from the 1986 team to retire as an active player.  He earned 107 saves and threw 595 innings.  He represented the Mets twice as an All-Star.  He ended with a 2.73 ERA for the club.

Ron Darling: Darling pitched for the Mets from 1983-1991 and was an integral member of the 1986 championship’s team starting rotation.  He was an All-Star in 1985 and won a Gold Glove in 1989.  In his 9 year career with the team, he won 99 games and accrued a 3.50 ERA.  He threw 25 complete games including 10 shutouts and hurled a total of 1,620 innings as a Met.

Sid Fernandez: Fernandez pitched for the Mets from 1984-1993. He was also a member of the 1986 team’s starting rotation.  He was an All-Star in 1986 and 1987.  Fernandez made a heroic (“series saving?”) relief appearance for the Mets in Game 7 of the ‘86 World Series when he replaced a struggling Ron Darling and retired 7 batters in a row including 4 strikeouts.  In his 10 year career with the team, he won 98 games, earned a 3.14 ERA, threw 23 complete games including 9 shutouts and hurled a total of 1,584 innings for the club.