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The New York Mets were always known for the ability to produce great pitchers. I think that while it is somewhat true, it’s really a bit overblown. I mean, yes, there was Tom Seaver and Jerry Koosman and Jon Matlack in the late 60’s to early 70’s; and there was Doc Gooden, David Cone, Ron Darling, and Sid Fernandez in the 80’s; and then you had a guy like Jacob deGrom dominate in recent years. But, for the most part, the Mets have been just as futile with pitching staffs over the years as every other club.
What do I mean by that? Well, take a look at the fact that, in at least the last decade, there have been no dominant starters for a lengthy period of time, and certainly no starting rotations that are the core of a team’s success – like the 1990’s Atlanta Braves. Gone are the days when you will see guys like Maddox, Smoltz, and Glavine – three Hall of Famers – run out there every fourth or fifth day and go 7, 8, or even 9 innings. That’s just not happening any longer.
The Mets success has always rested on their pitching and strong starting rotations. The four years that the Mets went to the World Series is clear evidence of that. So why should it be any different now? Why would the formula change?
Alan Karmin is an award-winning journalist and author. He was born in Brooklyn, New York and spent most of his life growing up in the New Jersey suburbs. Alan's family were avid Brooklyn Dodgers fans and when the Dodgers moved west, the Mets became the team to root for. The Mets have always been a true focal point, Alan even wrote a term paper in high school to analyze what was wrong with the Mets. While at the University of Miami, Alan honed his craft covering the, gulp, Yankees during spring trainings in Fort Lauderdale for a local NBC affiliate, as well as the Associated Press and UPI. He broadcasted baseball games for the University of Miami, and spring training games for the Baltimore Orioles and Montreal Expos. New York Mets Mania is a forum for Alan to write about his favorite team and for baseball fans to chime in and provide their thoughts and ideas about New York's Amazin' Mets.
