The New York Mets stand as one of Major League Baseball’s most iconic franchises, representing the borough of Queens in New York City. Founded in 1962 as an expansion team to fill the void left by the departure of the Brooklyn Dodgers and New York Giants, the Mets have grown from baseball’s laughingstock into a two-time World Series champion with one of the most passionate fan bases in all of professional sports.
Team Information
- Founded: 1962
- Location: Queens, New York City
- League: National League (NL) East Division
- Ballpark: Citi Field
- Colors: Blue, orange, and white
- Owner: Steve Cohen
- Nicknames: The Amazin’ Mets, The Orange and Blue, The Metsies
Franchise History
The Early Years and the Miracle Mets
The Mets were born in 1962 after attorney William Shea fought to bring National League baseball back to New York City following the relocation of the Dodgers and Giants to California. The new club took its name from the “New York Metropolitan Baseball Club,” a nod to the 19th-century Metropolitans. Its colors — Dodger blue and Giant orange — honored the two departed teams.
The inaugural seasons were forgettable. The 1962 squad posted a 40–120 record, one of the worst in modern baseball history. But in a remarkable turnaround just seven years later, the “Miracle Mets” won 100 games, captured the National League pennant, and defeated the heavily favored Baltimore Orioles in the 1969 World Series. The upset remains one of the most celebrated championship runs in baseball history.
The 1970s and the Midnight Massacre
The Mets returned to the Fall Classic in 1973, rallying from fifth place to win the division with just an 82–79 record. They upset the “Big Red Machine” Cincinnati Reds in the NLCS before pushing the defending champion Oakland Athletics to seven games in the World Series. The decade ended in turmoil when star pitcher Tom Seaver was traded on June 15, 1977 — a day remembered as “the Midnight Massacre” — sending the franchise into years of mediocrity.
The Bad Guys: 1986 Champions
The mid-1980s produced one of the most talented and colorful teams in franchise history. Led by Dwight Gooden, Darryl Strawberry, Keith Hernandez, and Gary Carter, the 1986 “Bad Guys” won 108 games during the regular season. They defeated the Houston Astros in a dramatic six-game NLCS before facing the Boston Red Sox in the World Series. The championship was sealed in Game 6, when Bill Buckner’s error allowed the Mets to rally and eventually win the title in seven games. It remains one of the most memorable Fall Classics ever played.
The Subway Series and Beyond
The Mets reached the World Series again in 2000, giving baseball its first Subway Series since 1956. The crosstown Yankees prevailed in five games. In 2015, a young pitching staff led by Matt Harvey, Jacob deGrom, and Steven Matz carried the Mets to another NL pennant, but the Kansas City Royals claimed the championship in five games.
Billionaire hedge fund manager Steve Cohen purchased the franchise in 2020 for $2.4 billion, ushering in a new era of aggressive investment in players and facilities. Under Cohen’s ownership, the Mets have been one of baseball’s most active teams in free agency and trades.
Championships and Team Records
- World Series Titles: 2 (1969, 1986)
- National League Pennants: 5 (1969, 1973, 1986, 2000, 2015)
- NL East Division Titles: 6 (1969, 1973, 1986, 1988, 2006, 2015)
- Wild Card Berths: 5 (1999, 2000, 2016, 2022, 2024)
- Postseason Appearances: 11
Retired Numbers
- 5 — David Wright
- 14 — Gil Hodges
- 16 — Dwight Gooden
- 17 — Keith Hernandez
- 18 — Darryl Strawberry
- 24 — Willie Mays
- 31 — Mike Piazza
- 36 — Jerry Koosman
- 37 — Casey Stengel
- 41 — Tom Seaver
- 42 — Jackie Robinson (retired league-wide)
Hall of Fame Players
- Tom Seaver — The franchise’s greatest pitcher. Three-time Cy Young Award winner, 311 career wins, and leader of the 1969 Miracle Mets.
- Mike Piazza — Widely regarded as the best hitting catcher in baseball history. 427 home runs and a 12-time All-Star.
- Willie Mays — “The Say Hey Kid” finished his legendary career with the Mets in 1972 and 1973.
- Rickey Henderson — MLB’s all-time stolen base leader played two seasons in Queens.
- Roberto Alomar — Hall of Fame second baseman who wore the orange and blue in 2002.
- Pedro Martinez — One of the most dominant pitchers of his era during his Mets tenure.
- Barry Larkin — Hall of Fame shortstop who played his final major league season with the Mets.
Franchise Legends
- David Wright — “Captain America” spent his entire 14-year career in Queens. Seven-time All-Star and the franchise leader in hits, RBIs, doubles, and total bases.
- Keith Hernandez — A five-time Gold Glove winner and the 1978 NL MVP who anchored the 1986 championship infield.
- Dwight Gooden — “Doc” won the 1985 Cy Young Award at just 20 years old. His 1985 season (24–4, 1.53 ERA) is among the greatest pitching performances ever.
- Darryl Strawberry — The first overall pick in the 1980 draft hit 335 career home runs and was the emotional leader of the 1986 champions.
- Gary Carter — The Hall of Fame catcher known as “The Kid” delivered some of the most clutch hits in franchise postseason history.
- Jacob deGrom — A two-time Cy Young Award winner with the Mets who posted one of the most dominant stretches of pitching in modern baseball.
- Edgardo Alfonzo — The versatile infielder was a fan favorite and a key contributor to the 2000 National League pennant winners.
- John Franco — The all-time career saves leader among left-handed pitchers closed games for the Mets for over a decade.
Ballsports Through the Years
- Polo Grounds in Manhattan served as the original home for the Mets’ first two seasons (1962–1963).
- Shea Stadium in Queens was the franchise’s home from 1964 through 2008. Named after William Shea, it hosted five World Series and countless memorable moments.
- Citi Field opened in 2009 adjacent to the former Shea Stadium site. The ballpark seats 41,922 fans and features the Jackie Robinson Rotunda as its centerpiece plaza.
Key Rivalries
- New York Yankees — The Subway Series crosstown rivalry is among the fiercest in American sports. The Yankees and Mets have met in the World Series once, with the Yankees winning in 2000.
- Philadelphia Phillies — The primary NL East rivalry has produced heated division races and memorable on-field confrontations for decades.
- Atlanta Braves — From 1991 to 2023, Atlanta won the NL East division title an astounding 14 consecutive times (excluding the shortened 2020 season), the longest such streak in MLB history.
- St. Louis Cardinals — The rivalry peaked during the 1980s when the two clubs frequently competed for the NL East crown. The Cardinals won the 1982 World Series between the two Mets championship years.
- Washington Nationals — The Nationals have won one World Series and one NL pennant since relocating from Montreal in 2005.
Fan Culture and Traditions
Mets fans are known for their unwavering loyalty through decades of heartbreak and triumph. The “Let’s Go Mets!” chant is a staple at every home game. The 7 Line Army — a nationwide fan club named after the subway line to Citi Field — has filled sections of the ballpark since 2012. Mr. Met, one of the oldest mascots in professional sports, has represented the franchise since 1964. Home run apple raisings, the “Lets Go Mets” rally cry, and decades of sea-orange and blue devotion characterize the Mets’ culture.
The Mets rank among MLB’s top teams in attendance almost every year, regularly drawing between 2.5 and 3 million fans to Citi Field per season when the team is competitive.
Franchise Records and Milestones
- Most Career Hits: David Wright — 1,777
- Most Career Home Runs: Darryl Strawberry — 335 (as a Met)
- Most Career Strikeouts (Pitcher): Tom Seaver — 2,541
- Best Single-Season Winning Percentage: 1986 — .667 (108–54)
- Largest Margin of Victory in a Season: 24 games ahead in the 1986 NL East
- Longest Winning Streak: 11 games (achieved multiple times)
- All-Time Franchise Record (through 2025): 4,899–5,227–8 (.484)
Related Baseball Posts
Check out these related articles on phshirt.com:
- Citi Field — Home of the Mets since 2009
- MLB Player Jerseys — Latest team apparel
- Baseball Caps — Fan gear collection
CONTACT US
For more information or to visit us, here are our branch addresses:
- Branch 1: Naungayan Building, Aala Road, Barangay Mankilam, Tagum City, Davao Del Norte
- Branch 2: Sobrecary Street (In front of Velox Gas Station), Tagum City, Davao Del Norte
- Email: gracezelguerra22@gmail.com
- Phone: 09460480491
- Business Hours: Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM (PH Time)
- Facebook Page: Visit our Facebook Page