The New York Mets, a franchise steeped in history, have completed 63 seasons without a single player capturing the National League Most Valuable Player (MVP) Award. They share this unique distinction with the Arizona Diamondbacks, who have played 27 seasons, as the only National League teams never to boast an MVP winner. The Tampa Bay Rays, established alongside the Diamondbacks in 1998, hold the same dubious honor in the American League.
Since 1931, the MVP Award has been presented annually by the Baseball Writers' Association of America (BBWAA) to recognize the most outstanding players in each league. While the Mets have yet to see one of their own take home the coveted trophy, four players have come tantalizingly close, finishing second in the voting: Tom Seaver in 1969, Keith Hernandez in 1984, Darryl Strawberry in 1988, and Francisco Lindor in 2024.
On this damp November day, let’s take a look back at those unforgettable seasons and tackle a question that’s been a hot topic among Mets fans for years: which one of these MVP-worthy campaigns stands out as the greatest in Mets history?
Tom Seaver’s 1969 season was a masterpiece—a career-defining campaign for the young ace who became the face of the “Miracle Mets.” Seaver led the league with 25 wins, tossing nine straight complete-game victories, and was rewarded with the National League Cy Young Award as the league’s top pitcher. Yet, when it came to the MVP race, Seaver finished as the runner-up to the Giants’ slugger Willie McCovey. This decision sparked controversy and debate, raising questions about the role of pitchers in the MVP conversation.
The Case for Seaver’s MVP Worthiness
Seaver’s dominance on the mound in 1969 was undeniable. His 25 wins were the most in Major League Baseball that year, and his ability to consistently pitch deep into games was crucial to the Mets’ miraculous turnaround from perennial cellar-dwellers to World Series champions. In a season filled with highlights, his near-perfect game against the Cubs on July 9 stands out—a performance that electrified Shea Stadium and exemplified his brilliance.
Despite these feats, the MVP voters favored McCovey, whose 45 home runs and 126 RBIs anchored a San Francisco Giants team that fell short of a pennant. McCovey’s consistency earned him votes on all 24 ballots, while Seaver was left off two entirely, likely due to the long-standing belief that the MVP should be reserved for position players, leaving pitchers to compete for the Cy Young Award.
This distinction is critical. While pitchers like Denny McLain (1968) and Bob Gibson (1968) had recently swept both awards, 1969 marked a shift back to prioritizing hitters for MVP honors. For many, the Cy Young Award was seen as the equivalent recognition for a pitcher’s value, and Seaver’s victory in that category may have influenced voters to look elsewhere for MVP.
Was 1969 Seaver’s Best Season?
Ironically, for as legendary as Seaver’s 1969 campaign was, it arguably wasn’t even the best season of his career. In 1971, Seaver posted an eye-popping 1.76 ERA and struck out a career-high 289 batters. His league-adjusted ERA+ of 194 that season dwarfed his 1969 figure and underscored just how dominant he was, even as the Mets failed to make the postseason. Statistically, his ’71 season was the pinnacle of his Hall of Fame career, yet he finished second in the Cy Young voting and ninth in MVP—a reminder of how subjective these awards can be.
How Does Seaver’s Season Compare?
Even within Mets history, Seaver’s 1969 MVP runner-up campaign might not be the best. Dwight Gooden’s 1985 season, for instance, was a level of pitching dominance rarely seen in baseball history. Gooden’s 24-4 record, 1.53 ERA, and 229 ERA+ stand as the gold standard for Mets pitchers. He was a unanimous Cy Young winner and set the franchise record for pitcher WAR at 12.2. When stacked against Gooden’s Herculean 1985 or even Seaver’s own 1971, the ’69 season feels more like the perfect storybook campaign rather than the most statistically impressive.
The Verdict on 1969
While Tom Seaver’s 1969 season remains one of the most iconic in Mets history, it doesn’t quite measure up as the greatest MVP runner-up season in franchise lore. The narrative of the “Miracle Mets” and Seaver’s crucial role in their success understandably elevated his case for the award. However, when comparing pure individual dominance, seasons like Dwight Gooden’s 1985 or even Seaver’s 1971 stand taller. For all its brilliance, Seaver’s ’69 was more about team success than individual supremacy—a distinction that perhaps explains why voters leaned toward McCovey.
Keith Hernandez Joins the Mets: A Culture Shift in Queens
When Keith Hernandez arrived in New York on June 15, 1983, the Mets were far removed from their glory days. The trade, which sent pitchers Neil Allen and Rick Ownbey to St. Louis, was the culmination of mounting tensions between Hernandez and Cardinals manager Whitey Herzog. Herzog dismissed Hernandez as a “cancer” on his team, a sentiment Hernandez took personally. Determined to prove his detractors wrong, Hernandez became the cornerstone of the Mets’ resurgence.
The End of an Era in St. Louis
Hernandez later revealed his struggles with cocaine during his time with the Cardinals, even admitting to playing under its influence during one game. He credited his trade to the Mets as a wake-up call and turned the page on that chapter of his life. Wearing number 17—his new identity in New York—he left behind a team coming off a World Series title for one that had narrowly avoided 100 losses. Despite the downgrade in team success, Hernandez saw the move as an opportunity to redefine his career.
Hernandez Fuels the Mets' 1984 Turnaround
Under the guidance of new manager Davey Johnson, the Mets posted a 90–72 record in 1984, their first winning season since 1976. Hernandez was the driving force, providing veteran leadership to a young core that included rookie phenoms Darryl Strawberry and Dwight Gooden. His .311 batting average and 94 RBIs led the team and earned him second place in NL MVP voting, finishing behind Ryne Sandberg of the Cubs.
Sandberg’s MVP season included one of the most iconic performances in baseball history, often referred to as “The Sandberg Game.” On June 23, 1984, the Cubs faced the St. Louis Cardinals in a nationally televised game that became legendary. Despite Willie McGee hitting for the cycle and the Cardinals taking a 7–1 lead early, the Cubs staged a comeback. Sandberg tied the game in the ninth inning with a home run off Bruce Sutter, one of the league’s most dominant closers. When the Cardinals regained the lead in the 10th, Sandberg struck again with another game-tying homer against Sutter. For the day, Sandberg went 5-for-6 with seven RBIs, cementing his status as the league’s most valuable player that year and propelling the Cubs toward the NL East title.
While the Mets fell short of a playoff berth, Hernandez’s impact on the team’s culture and performance set the foundation for future success, culminating in the 1986 World Series championship. His leadership made him the steadying force the Mets needed to transition from mediocrity to contention.
The Battle for Best Mets First Baseman
As great as Hernandez was in 1984, the debate over the Mets’ best season by a first baseman leans toward John Olerud in 1998. Olerud’s stat line—.354/.447/.551 with a 167 wRC+—puts him in rarified air, with a performance that nearly secured him the NL batting title. While Hernandez’s leadership and defense set him apart, Olerud’s offensive dominance in 1998 makes a compelling case. Olerud finished 12th in MVP voting for the season.
The Greatest Mets Captain Season Ever?
Wright has a say In this conversation about Mets players’ individual seasons, David Wright’s 2007 campaign might stand alone at the top. Wright’s .325/.416/.546 slash line, 30 home runs, and 107 RBIs anchored his remarkable 30-30 season, further highlighted by 34 stolen bases and a Gold Glove at third base. Even during the Mets' infamous late-season collapse, Wright was a steady force, batting nearly .400 in the final weeks. Hernandez’s 1984 season was vital, but Wright’s 2007 remains the gold standard for Mets position players, even though he finished 4th in the MVP vote.
Mets MVP Runner-Ups: Hernandez Ranks High
When ranking Mets players who finished second in MVP voting, Hernandez’s 1984 season sits near the top. His leadership transformed a struggling franchise, turning them into contenders. While statistically impressive, the intangible qualities Hernandez brought to the Mets were equally important, cementing his legacy as one of the most influential players in team history.
1988: Straw's Missed Opportunity
In 1988, the Mets cruised to 100 wins, claiming the NL East with ease. Meanwhile, Darryl Strawberry was having a career year—one that should have earned him the MVP. He finished second to Kirk Gibson, but honestly, this was a classic case of the voters missing the mark.
Straw’s Numbers: A Complete Package
Let’s start with the basics. Strawberry hit 39 home runs, the best in the NL, and drove in 101 RBIs—second in the league. For the stat geeks, he also posted a league-best .545 slugging percentage and led the NL in OPS. Add in 29 stolen bases, and you’ve got an MVP-caliber player. In any other year, those numbers should have been enough to lock it up.
Gibson’s Case: A Tantrum and a Title
Gibson’s stats don’t even compare. His .377 OBP was better than Strawberry’s, but his .483 slugging was far behind. With just 25 homers and 76 RBIs, it’s hard to see what set Gibson apart, statistically. The case for Gibson was based on “intangibles”—like a tantrum he threw over a prank in spring training. Yes, really. Supposedly, this fiery outburst inspired the Dodgers and turned their season around. But really? This was the MVP case?
The Real MVP: Orel Hershiser
If anyone on the Dodgers deserved the MVP, it was Orel Hershiser. With a 23-8 record, 2.26 ERA, and 59 consecutive scoreless innings to close out the season, Hershiser’s performance was legendary. But somehow, he finished seventh in the voting. Let that sink in—Hershiser’s historic season was ranked lower than Gibson’s. That’s a head-scratcher.
Strawberry: The MVP the Voters Missed
Strawberry’s 1988 season was perfect for an MVP—he was a game-changer. But, as usual, he wasn’t the media’s darling. He wasn’t throwing tantrums or rallying the team with fiery speeches. He just went out and played at a level that, by all accounts, should have earned him the award. But because his value was measured in stats rather than locker room drama, the voters handed the trophy to Gibson.
1987: An Even Better Year?
If you thought 1988 was Strawberry’s best, think again. His 1987 season was likely even more impressive, with 39 home runs, 104 RBIs, and 36 steals. He finished sixth in the MVP race that year, despite putting up ridiculous numbers. But the Mets weren’t as dominant, and let’s face it—leadership played a bigger role in the voting. Strawberry wasn’t the vocal leader that year, but he was the team’s biggest weapon.
The Legacy of 1988
Looking back, 1988 was a glaring missed opportunity. Strawberry had the numbers, the impact, and the ability to lead the Mets to the postseason. Unfortunately, voters gave too much weight to “intangibles” and too little to what actually mattered: his stats. He may have never won the MVP, but in Mets history, he’s still one of the best to ever play the game.
Among the Mets' Best MVP Runners-Up
As for where Strawberry ranks among Mets MVP runners-up, 1988 is right up there—I’d say third, behind Keith Hernandez’s 1984 and Tom Seaver’s 1969. But let’s not kid ourselves: Straw should’ve won that year. If you’re going strictly by the stats, he was the clear choice. When you look at what Seaver and Hernandez did, it’s tough to argue they deserved the top spot over Strawberry based on numbers alone. Sure, Seaver and Mex were vital parts of great Mets teams, but in 1988, Strawberry put up a statistical masterpiece. The voters got it wrong, plain and simple.
But here’s the thing: leadership matters. The reason I place him behind Keith is that Hernandez was transformational in a way that even Strawberry’s impressive numbers couldn’t match. Keith didn’t just put up great stats—he changed the culture of the team. That kind of impact is hard to measure but impossible to ignore.
Francisco Lindor: The Best Shortstop in Mets History?
If you've done the math, you’ve probably figured out that I’ve placed Francisco Lindor’s 2024 MVP runner-up season as the #1 runner-up in Mets history. Let’s break it down.
The case for Lindor is pretty simple: he was far and away the best position player in the National League. Sure, Shohei Ohtani took home his third MVP award, and deservedly so, given his otherworldly abilities at the plate. But Ohtani didn't play defense, and that’s where Lindor really separated himself. Not only did he produce the second-highest offensive WAR among National League players (behind only Ohtani), but he also ranked as one of the top defensive shortstops in the game, earning 16 Outs Above Average, which placed him second only to Dansby Swanson.
Offensively, Lindor was just a hair shy of a second straight 30-30 season, finishing with 33 home runs and 29 stolen bases. He also stayed durable, playing in every Mets game until a back injury sidelined him in mid-September.
Lindor’s leadership became even more evident as the season progressed. Most notably, he called a players-only meeting that his teammates credited for their dramatic turnaround in the standings. He was a huge part of that resurgence, hitting .309/.377/.566 from May 21 through the end of the season, shaking off a rough start. While he didn’t rack up numbers like Ohtani’s 54 home runs or 59 stolen bases, Lindor accomplished a lot that Ohtani couldn’t—like thriving without the luxury of playing alongside two former MVPs in Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman. In another season, Lindor would have been a slam-dunk MVP winner, no doubt about it.
Comparing Lindor to José Reyes' 2006 Gold Standard
It’s hard not to compare Lindor’s 2024 season to José Reyes’ magical 2006 campaign, which has long been considered the gold standard for Mets shortstops. That year, Reyes posted a stat line of .300/.354/.487, with 19 home runs, 17 triples, 122 runs, and 64 stolen bases, finishing with 5.9 bWAR and 5.7 fWAR. Reyes was an electrifying presence at the top of the Mets lineup, a huge part of their success, and many fans still remember his 2006 season as one of the most exciting in franchise history.
Fast forward to 2024, and Lindor’s numbers were almost as impressive, if not more so, across the board. Lindor’s .254/.336/.470 batting line may seem slightly less flashy than Reyes’ .300 average, but keep in mind the context—Lindor played in a tougher offensive environment, in a lineup that wasn’t nearly as loaded as the 2006 Mets. His 33 home runs in 2024 surpass Reyes’ 19, and while his 29 stolen bases fall far short of Reyes’ 64, it’s important to note that stolen bases aren’t as highly valued in today’s game as they were back in 2006. Lindor’s 7.0 bWAR and 7.8 fWAR are in another stratosphere compared to Reyes' marks.
In short, Lindor’s 2024 was not just another great season for a Mets shortstop. It was the best the franchise has ever seen, making him a clear-cut # 1 of MVP runners up in Mets history.
Beyond the Trophy: Mets Seasons That Shined Brightly
In the end, while the Mets’ lack of a National League MVP winner remains a curious distinction, the runners-up in the voting represent some of the best individual seasons in franchise history. From Seaver’s legendary 1969 season to Hernandez’s transformative leadership in 1984, Strawberry’s powerhouse campaigns in 1987 and 1988, and Lindor’s near-miss in 2024, these players embodied what it means to be truly valuable to their teams. In ranking these MVP-worthy seasons, Lindor’s 2024 campaign stands out as the best, with his all-around excellence and leadership driving the Mets’ success. Hernandez’s 1984 season follows closely, highlighted by his balanced contributions both offensively and defensively, and his leadership in a pivotal year for the team. Strawberry’s unforgettable 1988 season comes in third, a year in which his power and presence on the field made a strong case for the MVP, despite the controversy surrounding his snub. Finally, Seaver’s near-perfect 1969 performance rounds out the rankings, a testament to his dominance on the mound, even if the MVP award eluded him. While the Mets may still be waiting for their first MVP, these runner-up seasons are some of the most iconic in the team’s storied history and serve as a testament to the greatness that has graced Shea Stadium and Citi Field
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