Mets' Shortstops of the 80s: Solid Defense and Timely Hitting

1980 was a 67-win catastrophe for the New York Mets, and the Joe Torre-led team wasn't competitive for almost the entire season. They finished 24 games out of first place. It was still four games better than the 63-win 1979 campaign. And just like 1979, the Mets' shortstop was Frank Taveras. The speedy, sure-handed player had a good season.

Taveras swiped 32 bags while batting a career-high .279. He added 27 doubles to the stat line. Taveras started the season batting in the mid-hundreds early in the season, then a tip from his wife set him on fire. He went 27 for the next 51, and at one point was in the top ten in the NL in batting. The best years of his career were definitely behind him, however.

Fast forward to 1983, where a young, talented SS/Utility player steps in to play a significant amount of time for the team. Although his best seasons were not with the Mets at all, you could see there was a spark in Jose Oquendo. The skinny middle-infielder had tremendous range. 1983 was full of plays where he scooped the ball and threw runners out while in a full stride.

Oquendo was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals in 1985, and he went on to have a solid career with them.

The Mets plugged in a young, spectacular fielder, Rafael Santana, after the Oquendo Trade.

Raffy was a human highlight reel at short. He wasn't too shabby at the plate either. In 1985, he knocked 136 hits, with 19 doubles. He batted .257 that year, which was pretty good for a shortstop at the time.

In his four years with the Mets, there were countless huge moments where Raffy would shine. His big hit down the first base line to score Dykstra in Game 7 of the 1986 World Series was one of his most memorable. Santana’s hit came as part of a three-run 7th inning, driving in a run during a comeback from an early deficit.

Santana came back for his final season with the Mets in 1987 and put together a solid year. He batted .255 with a career-high 44 RBIs. He had 21 doubles that year, with 112 hits overall. Raffy played the entire season at shortstop that year and, as always, he was a solid fielder. Raffy's time with the Mets was at such a highly watched period that he'll always be remembered as a team legend.

1988 was the time for new blood at shortstop for the team. The young, brash, and super-talented Kevin Elster stepped into the role vacated by Santana.

Elster had great range at short, and he could get to most grounders in the hole on either side of him. Elster was just OK at the plate. In 1988, he batted just .214, but he had some pop. He had 9 HRs and 37 RBIs.

Make no mistake about it, Elster was in for his defense. In Early 1989, Elster made history with the Mets and in the entire Major Leagues. He played his 73rd consecutive game at shortstop without making an error during the New York Mets’ 4-2 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies, on April 19, in '89.

Elster would play shortstop for the Mets until 1992. Late in his tenure with the Mets, injuries limited his playing time, and the dazzling days of his spectacular fielding were long behind him.

The 80s Mets shortstops were great fielders, and they led infields of championship pedigree. 40 years ago, Santana was a solid SS who helped bring home the ring. 38 years ago, Elster led an infield that many believe should have won it all, if they didn't run into one of the hottest pitchers of all time in the 1988 NLCS. Both will be remembered for their gloves, and both will forever be fan favorites.