Reese Kaplan -- Mets History, Bullpen Edition

Back in the formation days of the franchise in the early 1960s the concept of a relief pitcher was, for the most part, just a scrap heap starter who could help the real starter get a victory by not allowing too many runners to cross the plate late in the game.  It was not the specialized and lucrative skill it has become. There were no set up guys, LOOGYs, ROOGYs and other role players. It was just someone to mop up the damages back when complete games were not as rare as honest politicians. Let’s take a look at some of the Mets bullpen stalwarts from the late 1960s when the transition began up until today.  We’ll examine the guys who had three or more years in that role, though there are a few folks who hung around in non-closer roles for a long time as well who need to be included.

Ron Taylor was one of those fringe relievers serving both in a setup and closer role but he picked the right time to do it for the Mets.  He was there for the World Championship team in 1969 and over his five years as a Met he went 21-21 with a 3.04 ERA. He later finished his career with a 4 game set in San Diego, but he made a new life for himself post-baseball.  He went and finished medical school. He then went to Toronto to serve as their team physician.

Lefty Tug McGraw made himself into a true character who still lives on in the memories of Mets fans.  His closing days were memorable and he served the Mets for nine years. The record was below .500 but he saved 86 games and produced a 3.17 ERA.  

Righty Skip Lockwood was not highly regarded as an acquisition when he became a Met in 1975 as a cash sale from the Oakland A’s.  However, he stepped up big time as a Met. On the surface, a 24-36 record doesn’t catch your eye, but he saved 65 games and pitched to a tiny 2.80 ERA over his five years at Shea Stadium.

One player who was very popular with the fans was Neil Allen and they were kind of upset to see him go.  Of course, many were not aware of his drinking problems and in a way the Mets and Cardinals swapped players with their own substance habits to address.  Of course, the one the Mets got was named Keith Hernandez, so Allen was quickly forgotten. However, bear in mind that during his period at Shea he saved 69 games over five years with a losing record and a 3.54 ERA.

One player who did have a winning record in the Mets bullpen was also despised by most of the fans -- Doug Sisk.  Yes, he did have control issues and that led to people questioning his abilities overall, but during his record was 17-16 working mostly in a setup role over 268 games with an impressive 3.10 ERA.  Still, the boos that reigned down on him were not matched until Mel Rojas joined the club.  

One of my all time favorite Mets who did not do closing duties was sidearmer Jeff Innis.  He didn’t throw hard but he made people swing weakly at what he offered as they were confused by his delivery motion.  For the Mets he was in 288 games over his seven year career cut short by injury. He finished with a 3.05 ERA and the Mets would kill for that kind of quality setup arm today.

Perhaps the most iconic photograph ever was Jesse Orosco on the mound at the close of the 1986 World Series Championship.  He was a workhorse who had a memorable career in both leagues with an amazing 1252 games. For the Mets he served for eight years with 372 games with a 47-47 record and a formidable 2.73 ERA.  He secured 107 of his career total of 144 saves for the Mets.  

Clubhouse character Roger McDowell was alternating save opportunities from the right side and was a fan favorite as well.  Over his five years in New York he went 33-29 with a 3.13 ERA and 84 saves. However, these days he’s more well remembered for his dugout pranks than what he did on the mound.

Big hard thrower Randy Myers was with the Mets for parts of five seasons during which he went 17-13 over 185 games, saving 56 and sporting an impressive 2.74 ERA.  It’s no wonder the Reds wanted him in the deal that landed the Mets John Franco. Both did well for their respective teams, but Myers’ career was up in 14 years, retiring at age 35.

The man the Mets received was not your typical closer.  Tiny John Franco was not the hardest thrower but worked on the illusion of a strike, getting opposing batters to offer at pitches outside of the zone.  He lasted 14 years at Shea with an overall performance most pitchers would love to have for their careers -- he pitched in 695 games with a 48-56 record, 276 saves and a 3.10 ERA.  For his career he appeared in 1119 games with 424 saves and a 2.89 ERA -- borderline Hall of Fame caliber numbers.

Franco got pushed aside to make room for the hard throwing Armando Benitez who came to the Mets in exchange for catcher Charles Johnson.  He was almost unhittable for his five years at Shea, going 18-14 with 160 saves, 2.70 ERA and an All Star appearance.  

Family violence inflicter, Francisco Rodriguez, was a solid pitcher during his three years with the Mets.  Obviously the incident which lead to his quick expungement from the roster overshadows what he did on the mound, but any way you slice it, he was a good pitcher.  He went 9-10 with a 3.05 ERA with 86 saves and those numbers actually pale by comparison to the rest of his career during which he was in 948 games, saved 437 and pitched to a stellar 2.86 ERA.  

Another excellent pitcher who never got the fan acclaim he deserved, Billy Wagner served for parts of four injury-plagued years during which he was phenomenal.  He pitched to a 5-5 record with 101 saves and a 2.37 ERA while working through arm issues. That’s absolutely amazing. For his career he was in 853 games, had a winning record, 422 saves and an ERA of 2.31.  He belongs in Cooperstown, no questions asked!

Two-time Met Jeurys Familia has had his good and bad moments in this career.  Overall the numbers are quite good -- the record is just 17-19 but he has 124 saves with a 3.14 ERA.  If you could expunge what he did in 2019 then the numbers would look even more impressive.  

There were a few other relievers during the years who had shorter productive stints with the club like two years of Braden Looper (who?) and thus far what Seth Lugo has contributed.  Is there anyone you remember fondly?