Saturday Seasons: 1981: The Split Season

The final record of the 1980 Mets did not tell the whole story. Despite ultimately finishing in fifth place and losing 95 games, there was a lot to look forward to as the front office began preparing for 1981. For one, the team had a strong run through July, and for the first time since 1976, a .500 record was within striking distance. Suddenly beset by injuries, the team floundered for the remainder of the season and ended up with a 95-loss campaign.

Still, fans began returning to Shea Stadium, and with September call-ups like Mookie Wilson, Hubie Brooks, and Wally Backman, there was finally a light at the end of a long, dark tunnel. More importantly, in contrast to previous ownership—who had been unwilling to engage in the free agent market—the new regime was all in.

The biggest name in the 1980 free agent reentry draft was Dave Winfield. Desperate to bolster their anemic offense, the Mets made Winfield their top priority. Suddenly, a bidding war emerged between the Mets and their crosstown rival Yankees for the star outfielder. Although the Mets made a better financial offer, Winfield ultimately signed with the Yankees—primarily because he was concerned about the weak Mets lineup.

Winfield had made it clear that if the Mets could acquire another power hitter, he would sign with them, noting his preference to remain in the National League. The Mets nearly made that happen by orchestrating a trade for the Angels' Jason Thompson in exchange for John Stearns. However, the deal was canceled at the last minute due to concerns over Stearns’ health. Adding to their woes, the Mets lost their lone power threat, Claudell Washington, to the Atlanta Braves, despite believing he had verbally agreed to re-sign.

With Winfield off the market, the Mets’ consolation prize was the re-signing of former fan favorite Rusty Staub. Despite his advancing age, Staub could still hit and was penciled in at first base. During spring training, the Mets added more power by reacquiring Dave Kingman in a trade that sent Steve Henderson to the Chicago Cubs. To bolster the starting rotation, General Manager Frank Cashen acquired Randy Jones from the San Diego Padres, hoping the lefty could recapture the form that earned him the 1976 Cy Young Award and a second-place finish to Tom Seaver in 1975.

The team that headed east was an intriguing blend of youth and experience, power and speed. Once again, there was hope. The new Mets lineup featured the speed of Mookie Wilson, Frank Taveras, and Lee Mazzilli, while Staub, Kingman, and Hubie Brooks provided the power. The pitching staff consisted of veterans Craig Swan, Pat Zachry, and Randy Jones, while Mike Scott and rookie sensation Tim Leary—billed as the next Tom Seaver—rounded out the rotation.

Fernandomania hitting Shea Stadium as the rookie sensation is shown pitching to the Mets. Fernando spun a 1-0 shutdown.

Fernandomania hit Shea Stadium that year, with the rookie sensation Fernando Valenzuela spinning a 1–0 shutout against the Mets.

Once again, the Mets were Opening Day juggernauts, winning the season opener in Chicago behind the bats of Staub and Mazzilli, and then their home opener as well. But the season did not unfold the way the Mets had hoped. Tim Leary, who made the team at the urging of manager Joe Torre—despite Frank Cashen’s reservations—saw his elbow tighten up during his major league debut in the third inning of a raw and windy day at Wrigley Field. He left the game and would never make his mark with the Mets. Cashen never forgave Torre for insisting on Leary’s inclusion, and for all practical purposes, that marked the beginning of the end of Torre’s tenure as Mets manager.

The offense struggled mightily, averaging just 3.4 runs per game. Lee Mazzilli struggled to a .228 average with just six home runs. Dave Kingman belted 22 homers but posted a predictably low .221 batting average. The pitching was inconsistent, with Pat Zachry leading the team with just seven wins.

With 1981 split into two halves due to the players' strike, the Mets finished the first half at 17–34 but showed some improvement in the second half, going 24–28.

In a desperate attempt to jump-start the offense, Cashen—who would eventually build the Mets dynasty of the 1980s—made what is arguably the worst trade of his tenure, sending relief ace Jeff Reardon to the Montreal Expos in exchange for outfielder Ellis Valentine. While Valentine had once been regarded as a top-tier player with a rifle arm in right field, he was never the same after being beaned by Roy Thomas of the St. Louis Cardinals on May 30, 1980.