The 1986 New York Mets season was the Mets’ 25th season in the National League….when they improved from a 98–64 record in 1985 to finish the season with a franchise record 108–54 record….which gave them the division title. They went on to defeat the Houston Astros in six incredibly close games in the NLCS…..and then proceeded to win the 1986 World Series against the American League champion Boston Red Sox in seven games….which just happens to be the Mets last championship to date.
OF Darryl Strawberry and P Ron Darling made their debuts in 1983….and were followed by P Dwight Gooden and P Sid Fernandez in 1984….and OF Lenny Dykstra and P Roger McDowell in 1985….all of whom became the pieces to put the Mets over the top in 1986. Also, the Mets hired Davey Johnson to manage the ballclub in 1984….which resulted in second-place finishes in 1984 and 1985….and a World Series championship in 1986..
In the 1985-86 offseason, general manager Frank Cashen brought in Tim Teufel….who was a right-handed hitting infielder from the Minnesota Twins….along with P Bob Ojeda, a left-handed pitcher from the Boston Red Sox. The Mets added them to an existing veteran core including along with former MVPs OF George Foster and 1B Keith Hernandez….followed by veteran catcher Gary Carter and speedsters Wally Backman and Mookie Wilson.
During spring training, Davey Johnson said to his players that they were not only going to win….but that they would dominate…. which meant winning the division by double-digits….and in an exhibition game against the Red Sox….who they would eventually face in the World Series at the end of the year….Gary Carter would hit a double to test out the Green Monster…..then when they got to Philadelphia….Mets fans were there to see if they would clinch the NL East….filling the seats by the droves….as they seemed to take up half of Veterans Stadium…..so, given what had happened to them when they got swept in a three-game series in Philadelphia preceding the series….and not wanting to see visiting teams win a division title on their field….the Phillies swept the Mets. During the series, Mets fans at Veterans Stadium became unruly and damaged seats in the upper deck….and one Mets fan was arrested after striking at two Philadelphia police officers…..and to add insult to injury….the Phillie Phanatic summed up the Mets being swept by crushing three Mets helmets in front of the Mets dugout during the final game of the series. The Phillies ended up being the only team in the league to post a winning record against the Mets, going 10-8….with a 7-2 mark at Veterans Stadium.
The Mets then split a two-game series the Cardinals….thus trimming the magic number to clinch to 1 on September 16…so, on the following day, they faced Dennis Eckersley and the Chicago Cubs…..and with a flu-ridden Keith Hernandez….!B Dave Magadan would provide the offense for the day. The champagne would be popped immediately while the fans invaded the field quickly.The Mets would win a team-record 108 games after defeating the Pirates….probably their greatest season ever….even better than 1969…..when things were amazing in New York City….which makes this video a gem that is worth watching.
