Reversal of Misfortune...A Mets Dynasty

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Heading back to San Francisco after Giants show stones by taking two at Shea and evening the NLCS at 2-2.

Ken Dayley got tagged early but some costly errors also played a part in the loss.

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The Giants finished off the Mets, 4-2, in Game 5 of the NLCS, stamping a three-game tear that rallied San Fran from an 0-2 hole in the series.

Nolan Ryan couldn't replicate his Game 1 magic and victimized by his inability to throw strikes.

This one suck after being up 2-0 but, never saw this playoff run coming in the first place. Brett was phenomenal in the post season and a small portion of the sting was eased as the Royals blanked the Yankees, 4-0, in Game 5 in the Bronx. No Subway Series in 1981.

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Giants outscored Royals, 26-9, en route to sweeping their way to the 1981 World Series, stamped with an 8-0 shutout.

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Nolan Ryan won his fourth Cy Young Award in five years.

George Brett, the NL batting champ, and Robin Yount won Silver Sluggers.

Our final offensive numbers...


And, pitching numbers...

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Mets have parted ways for the second time with Johnny Bench. The legendary catcher, who spent '81 at first base, cleared waivers.

Kent Tekulve, Rick Manning and Al Cowens have all opted for free agency. Organization gave little process in return.

Rick Camp, Lee Smith and Mike Scott all won their arbitration hearings while the arbitor ruled against Dave Stewart.

Once again, a rebuild seems upon us, meaning perhaps a prolonged post-season absence (at least by the standards of the Mets in this dynasty). However, a felt the same way after the '80 disaster and we patched together a club that returned to the playoffs and actually finished with a stamp of disappointment after spitting up a 2-0 series lead vs. San Fran in the NLCS.

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The Mets emphasized increasing depth on the mound at the 1981 MLB Draft. They plucked New York native LHP John Franco in the first round with an eye toward the future of the back end of the bullpen.

In the second round, the Mets selected LHP Tom Browning, who could be an instrumental part of a starting rotation in a few years. Round 3 saw 3B/C Pat Borders land with the Mets and lanky RHP Mike Maddux was picked in Round 4.

The Mets took a flyer in Round 5 and grabbed a 21-year-old CF with a hose in John Elway. Kid may spurn us for the NFL but we are willing to see how this pans out.

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The Mets filled a gaping void in right field by signing 31-year-old free agent Lyman Bostock to a four-year deal worth $5.76 million.

Not a lot of power associated with him but he does hit for average and was a two-time All-Star in Baltimore.

His numbers over the last three years...


Mets are still pursuing a first baseman and have been in talks with free agent Bill Buckner.

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Yes, there will be clubhouse bliss in Queens for the 1982 season, but it will come at the expense of a legend's retirement.

Johnny Bench, who despite being a lynchpin in the Mets' six world championships was never truly happy in New York during his 14 seasons in blue and orange, announced his departure from the game.

Say what you want, but the dude was clutch when the chips were in the middle of the table. Never failed to deliver in the post season.

His post season numbers...

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The Mets ended April riding a five-game winning streak, including a 19-4 thrashing of San Francisco, and sit atop the NL East heading into May.



The Amazins have been a bit streaky in the first month.



Robin Yount and Jim Rice are off to fantastic starts. The duo is 1-2 in the NL in batting average.

Bill Buckner and Lyman Bostock are paying immediate dividends. Bostock hitting comfortably over .300 and Buckner stroked five hits, including a pair of doubles, in a 6-4 loss to the Cubs on April 21.



Our pitching staff continues to be a strong point, with Dave Stewart, Storm Davis and Ken Dayley taking nicely to their starting roles.

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Mets are desperately trying to get closer toward operating in the black and in pursuit of that - and with a heavy heart - New York dealt 22-year-old 2B Wally Backman to the Houston Astros in exchange for 20-year-old SS prospect Greg Gagne.

Tough to let Wally go - he never got a true opportunity to make an impact for us - but the trade clears path for Mets to purchage contract of 21-year-old 2B Juan Samuel from Single A Lynchburg. Major jump to Samuel but we are taking a leap of faith.

Stay tuned.

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At 19-11, the Mets - winners of four straight - were enjoying good vibes...until.

CF Kirk Gibson was diagnosed with a forearm strain with an estimated absence of six weeks on the horizon. As a result, the Mets called up 22-year-old CF Darryl Motley from Tidewater.

Gibson was off to a solid start (.273/.318/.488, 5 HRs, 18 RBI).

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Thanks to the unforeseen run put forth by the actual Mets - and what a ride it was - the dynasty was put on hold for good reason.

But, we pick things back up in June of 1982. This month has been a horror show for the Amazins, who were once 10 games over and comfortably atop the NL East. New York dropped 6 of 7 to begin their swoon into June, including 2 of 3 to the second-place Pirates.

Adding injury to insult, 3B George Brett heads to the IL for six weeks to heel a strained hammy.

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The Mets hit July atop the NL East but with very little energy. The division lead changes hands daily with the Pirates separated by an eyelash.


Pretty pleased with the output of the everyday lineup...


What we are missing on the bump is overall consistency from two of our veterans, Carlton and Ryan...


Good news? No one in the National League has established themselves as the team to beat. A lot of parity and July sees the Mets square off againt NL West opposition.

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Really trying to get a little younger and more affordable, all while maintaining the high standards we've firmly established.

To that, the Mets made two moves as the '82 trade deadline nears. In the first, we shipped 18-year-old SS prospect Ozzie Guillen, 31-year-old OF Lyman Bostock and 32-year-old utility man Enos Cabell to the Toronto Blue Jays in exchange for 27-year-old RHP Dennis "El Presidente" Martinez.

On top of the that, Mets moved LHP Dave Dravecky to Baltimore in return for 3B Hubie Brooks.

Some long-term deals, specifically with Steve Carlton, who still has two years left, make Lefty almost impossible to trade, plus he exercises his 10/5 every time, have us handcuffed. Hey, we made the bed. Now, we lie in it.

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Finding a trading partner to move Carlton was exhausting but Cincinnati, with the third-lowest payroll in the league and 5 1/2 games back for the Astros in the NL West, enticed Lefty enough to waive the no-trade clause and head to the Queen City.

Mets pad the farm system, getting 22-year-old OF George Bell and 20-year-old catcher Darren Daulton.

The move comes on the eve of the Mets hosting the Pirates for a crucial four-game series with Pittsburgh owning a 1 1/2-game lead in the NL East.

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Need to make one more trade...another big one.
Would love to add The Kid to our roster. Moving Carlton and his $1.3 million contract may have provide some room within our budget but getting Carter from the Angles may require California to take a big salary in return.

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Mets sent 1B Bill Buckner, RHP Rick Camp and $100,000 to California in return for 28-year-old catcher Gary Carter.

We get another stud behind the plate, following on the heels of Johnny Bench. We also offered free agent 1B Steve Garvey a minor-league contract and await his response.

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Veteran 1B Steve Garvey agreed to a minor-league deal so we fortify that position.
All the moves at trade deadline hopefully put some wind in our sails. Mets have taken 2 of first 3 from Pirates to draw within a half game on July 31.

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George Brett belted a two-run homer in the bottom of the ninth to seal a 4-3 win over the Pirates as Mets take 3 of 4 over the weekend and leap frog into first place in the NL East