5 in 50- The New York Mets

Continuing my 5 in 50 series, today’s team is the New York Mets. This will be a list of the top 5 greatest players for the Mets since the 1972 season. The criteria are as follows: Player must have been part of team for at least 5 full seasons. Both regular season and post season success will be measured (statistical leaders, awards, et). Players on this list can be from any position. Multiple players at the same position can be included. I’ll list the major accomplishments for each player only for the team they are selected.

Here is my list of the top 5 greatest Mets in the last 50 years.

5.  David Wright (2004-2018)- NY Mets career leader in hits, extra base hits, and RBIs.

4. Mike Piazza (1998-2005)- Finished twice in top 10 MVP voting.

3. Dwight Gooden (1984-1994)- 1985 Cy Young award winner. 1986 World Series champion.

2. Jacob DeGrom (2014-2021)- 2-time Cy Young award winner. Led league in strikeouts twice.

1. Tom Seaver (1972-1977)- 2-time Cy Young award winner (since 72). Led league in strikeouts 3 times.

Honorable mention to Gary Carter, Keith Hernandez, Jose Reyes, Daryl Strawberry and Carlos Beltran.

Notes. #5 was a tough choice. I considered Reyes since he did win a batting title. Carter and Hernandez both were key to the Mets 86 championship but didn’t have the longevity for this list. I went with Wright since he is the franchise leader in many categories. Piazza turned the franchise around in the late 90s and led the Mets to the World Series in 2000. Gooden was on his way to the Hall of Fame until many personal issues set him back. He still deserves to up on this list for his first great 5 seasons. DeGrom is the only other pitcher in Met’s history to win at least 2 Cy Youngs. Seaver remains the greatest Mets player of all time. He had a total of 3 Cy Youngs (including the one from 1969 prior to the 72 criteria).

Next up is the Philadelphia Phillies.

5 in 50- The Miami Marlins

Continuing my 5 in 50 series, today’s team is the Miami Marlins (aka Florida Marlins). This will be a list of the top 5 greatest players for the Marlins in their history (since their first season was 1993). The criteria are as follows: Player must have been part of team for at least 5 full seasons. Both regular season and post season success will be measured (statistical leaders, awards, et). Players on this list can be from any position. Multiple players at the same position can be included. I’ll list the major accomplishments for each player only for the team they are selected.

Here is my list of the top 5 greatest Marlins in their history.

5. Jeff Conine (8 years total with Marlins)- 2-time World Series Champion (1997 and 2003).

4. Luis Castillo (1996-2005)- Marlins all-time leader in hits. 2003 WS champion. 3-time gold glove winner.

3. Miguel Cabrera (2003-2007)- Finished twice in top 5 MVP voting. 2003 World Series champion.

2. Hanley Ramirez (2006-2011)- 2009 NL batting champion. Finished 2^nd in NL MVP voting.

1. Giancarlo Stanton (2010-2017)- 2017 NL MVP. 2-time home run champion.

Honorable mention to Gary Sheffield, Josh Beckett, Josh Johnson, Cliff Floyd, Dontrelle Willis

Notes. This was a tough list since many of the great players that were key members of the 2 championship teams did not stay long. Many fire sales through ownerships have made for a lot of player turnover. Although there may have been better players, Conine deserved to make the list since he is the only player to be part of both Marlins championship teams. Castillo played the most games in Marlin’s history and led the NL in stolen bases twice. Cabrera had most of his success in his Hall of Fame career with the Tigers but had had 5 great seasons with the Marlins before moving on. He still has the franchise record for batting average hitting .313 as a Marlin.  Ramirez is still the team leader in extra base hits. And Stanton remains the franchise leader in home runs.

Next up is the New York Mets

5 in 50- The Atlanta Braves

Continuing my 5 in 50 series, today’s team is the Atlanta Braves. This will be a list of the top 5 greatest players for the Braves in the last 50 years. The criteria are as follows: Player must have been part of team for at least 5 full seasons since 1972. Both regular season and post season success will be measured (statistical leaders, awards, et). Players on this list can be from any position. Multiple players at the same position can be included. I’ll list the major accomplishments for each player only for the team they are selected.

Here is my list of the top 5 greatest Braves players in the last 50 years.

5.   Dale Murphy (1976-1990)- 2-time MVP. 2-time NL home run leader.

4.   Chipper Jones (1993-2012)- 1999 NL MVP, 2008 NL batting title. 1995 World Series champion.

3.   Tom Glavine (1987-2002)- 2-time NL Cy Young award winner. 1995 World Series MVP.

2.   John Smoltz (1988-2008)- 1996 Cy Young award winner.  15-4 Post season record. 1995 World Series champion.

1.  Greg Maddox (1993-2003)- 3-time Cy Young award winner with Atlanta. 10 gold glove awards. 1995 World Series champion.

Honorable mention to Phil Niekro, Andrew Jones, Freddie Freeman, Dave Justice

Notes. The great Hank Aaron did not meet the criteria since he only played 4 seasons since 1972. # 5 was the toughest call. I considered the Hall of Famer Niekro, but he had many of his best seasons prior to 1972. I decided to select Murphy, who was one of the best players in the 1980s and should be considered as a Hall of Fame candidate. The top 4 were easy. They are easily the best 4 players for the Braves in the last 50 years. Their accomplishments speak for themselves.

Next up is the Miami Marlins

5 in 50- The Texas Rangers

Continuing my 5 in 50 series, today’s team is the Texas Rangers. This will be a list of the top 5 greatest players for the Rangers in the last 50 years. The criteria are as follows: Player must have been part of team for at least 5 full seasons since 1972. Both regular season and post season success will be measured (statistical leaders, awards, et). Players on this list can be from any position. Multiple players at the same position can be included. I’ll list the major accomplishments for each player only for the team they are selected.

Here is my list of the top 5 greatest Rangers players in the last 50 years.

5.   Michael Young (2000-2012)- 2005 AL batting title, Finished twice in top 10 MVP voting. 1 gold glove.

4.   Josh Hamilton (2008-2012, 2015)- 2010 AL MVP, 2010 ALCS MVP

3.   Adrian Beltre (2011-2018)- Finished 4 times in top 10 MVP voting, 3-time gold glove winner.

2.   Juan Gonzalez (1989-1999, 2002, 2003)- 2 time AL MVP, 2-time AL home run leader.

1.  Ivan Rodriguez (13 years of his career as a Texas Ranger)- 1999 AL MVP, 10-time gold glove winner.

Honorable mention to Buddy Bell, Ian Kinsler, Kenny Rogers, Rafael Palmeiro, Nelson Cruz

Notes. Nolan Ryan only played 4 full seasons with the Rangers. Alex Rodriguez only played 3 seasons with Texas. This was a straightforward list to put together. Hard to argue with anyone. Young is the all-time leader in hits with the Rangers. Hamilton only played 6 full seasons with the team but was instrumental in leading them to their 2 World Series appearances. Beltre should be a Hall of Fame candidate. Gonzalez is the only 2-time MVP in team history. Finally, Pudge Rodriguez has the most gold gloves by any catcher in MLB history.

Next up, I move to the National League East, starting with the Atlanta Braves.