Baseball Like it Oughta Be---The 1986 New York Mets

[majormet]

Originally Posted by Amazin69

Berenyi was a very strong arm and a good acquisition from Cincinnati when we got him, but in '86 they're just hoping against hope that he comes back to take the 5th starter slot, since they don't think Aguilera is necessarily starter material. (And "Steady Eddie" Lynch, who was pitching every time I hit Shea in '85, it seemed, can't nail the job down, either.)

So you're doing real lineups, but not real transactions? I see the likes of September call-up Rubén Rodriguez sneaking into early-season games now and then. I wonder if this means George Foster will still be on the team, even after he cries "racism!" over his diminished playing time. (I wouldn't think so, since he still has his White Sox cameo to make; HR and 3B his first two ABs there, but almost nothing more after that.)

Where do you get those lovely historic ballpark shots? My heart aches every time I see Big Shea in all of its beauty…the deep green sweep of the outfield, the view of the city (okay, the parking lot and then the city) beyond the fence…so much better than some boxed-in boutique ballpark with stupid video boards everywhere. (I'm fine with original old-school DiamondVision; I just don't need them all over the place, angling us out to the concourses so we can buy more and more merchandise, gotta get those ancillary bucks! Blech.)

And yeah, the '86 Giants gave a good run before falling off down the stretch. I was more scared of them as an LCS opponent than I was the Astros ("Remember, Houston took three in a row from the Mets in the Astrodome, right after the All-Star break! Don't count them out!" [-Vin Scully, every freaking Saturday on Game of the Week in August/September, as he desperately tried to hype the playoffs, conveniently omitting that the Mets were 9-3 against Houston on the season, losing ONLY those three games. Shut up, Vin.]), since the Giants had posted one win against us in each of the four series we played, with Mike Krukow ("The Polish Prince") seeming invincible. But the Giants' turn wasn't until '87 and '89…or 2002, if you were waiting for them to actually win a WS game.

Ou est les Expos?

I think the Polish Prince was the biggest nemesis until John Smiley reared his kickboxing head. You could put Krukow in any uniform and the Mets could not hit him.

Aggie was a no name prospect that was brought up to fill a 25th spot on the roster, who would have thought he was going to be the 5th starter and have a great career.

Not sure where this team went wrong, they had Magadan and Jeffries as can't miss prospects as well. Probably the McReynolds trade was a turning point, mets were so high on Gene Walter ugh.... and Keith Miller was a bad seed, he really made life tough for Jeffries when he was coming up.

[rjl518]

5/27

It took extra innings and a great battle between the Mets and Dodgers pitching staffs.
But in the end, a 2-run HR by George Foster in the bottom of the 11th gave the Mets a 3-1 win over the Dodgers @ Shea.
Ron Darling went up against Bob Welch and neither pitcher wanted to give up anything in this game.
But the Mets bullpen was able to hold LA, so that the Mets could win it in extras.

RP: 23-16
RL: 28-11 (Win vs LA 8-1)

[Dr.K]

Nice one George! Walk off homer! In your head to head with Davey Johnson you are not far behind. How's Doc doing for the season?

[rjl518]

Originally Posted by Dr.K

Nice one George! Walk off homer! In your head to head with Davey Johnson you are not far behind. How's Doc doing for the season?

hes doing just fine

[rjl518]

5/28

Dr. K gets his 6th win, Rafael Santana and Wally Backman get a couple of big RBIs in the 8th to led the Mets to victory over the Dodgers @ Shea 5-3.
The Doctor gave up 3 ER in this game, but was able to do the job, then McDowell and Orosco tag teamed to close the game.
This win gives the series to the Mets and we have now won 4 straight games.
We try for the sweep tomorrow.

RP: 24-16
RL: 29-11 (Win vs LA 4-2)

[rjl518]

5/29

Close game, but one that the Mets will take as they edge the Dodgers 5-4 and complete the sweep @ Shea Stadium.
El Sid, once again showed his stuff as he got his 6th win of the year.
Ray Knight was 3 for 4, and Kevin Mitchell had 4 of the Mets' 5 RBI.
The Dodgers did threaten late, but the bullpen, although a little shaky, did close out the game with Jesse Orosco getting his 7th save.
The Mets have now won 5 in a row.
Next up: A 3-game series against the San Francisco Giants @ Shea.

RP: 25-16
RL: 30-11 (Win vs LA 5-2)

[rjl518]

5/30

Every time Bruce Berenyi is the starter, i get nervous.
He actually did pretty good and he got a lot of help when the Mets got out to a 5-run lead.
But the 1986 SF Giants were a good team and they came storming right back on my bullpen, and tied it up.
But George Foster, who was 2 for 4 with 3 RBI in this game was the difference maker as the Mets got the win over the Giants 7-5 @ Shea.
The Mets are 10 games over .500 and are on a 6 game winning streak!

RP: 26-16
RL: 31-11 (Win vs SF 8-7)

[RubeBaker]

This is one of the BEST replays on here that I've seen in a long time. Hope your Mets go all the way!

[rjl518]

Originally Posted by RubeBaker

This is one of the BEST replays on here that I've seen in a long time. Hope your Mets go all the way!

thank you for reading my dynasty...and i hope so too...long way to go..

[rjl518]

5/31

Bob Ojeda was in a pitchers duel for the early part of the game.
Then he gave up 2 runs to the Giants in the top of the 6th inning.
But that was okay, because the Mets put up a snowman in the bottom of the 6th inning and that was all she wrote for the Giants.
The Mets win their 7th straight game as they take out SF 8-2 @ Shea.
Wally Backman was 3 for 4 with 1 RBI, while Keith Hernandez slugged out 2 hits for 2 RBI.
Bob Ojeda went the distance giving up 2 ER, but he struck out 10 batters en route to his 5th win of the season.
The Mets will try for the sweep tomorrow afternoon.

RP: 27-16
RL: 31-12 (Loss vs SF 3-7)

[rjl518]

The 1986 New York Mets finish with a 17-10 month of May.
Considering how the month started out with New York losing some key early games, i think we did very well.
The Mets are currently on a 7 game winning streak and hold a 6.5 game lead on the Chicago Cubs.
However, the Mets are -4 against the real life record at this time, so i need to get this team going and win some more games.
Keith Hernandez and Ray Knight still lead the Mets in batting, while on the mound, its all about Dr.K, El Sid, and Bobby O.
George Foster leads the team in HRs with 8, which kind of sucks because the Mets will lose Foster later on by transaction.
The month of June has the Mets finishing the series against the Giants, then the Padres, Pirates, Expos, Cubs, and Cardinals are on the docket.
The Mets will playing the Pirates 9 games early, including TWO doubleheaders, to make up for the early season rainouts.
As far as the rest of the league is going, the NY Yankees are the best team in baseball at this time, while the CAL Angels and SF Giants lead their respective divisions.
The 1986 season is now going into positional time.
June and July is when teams really start playing the way they are supposed to, in order to get into position for the Pennant Chase.
Lets see where the 1986 New York Mets end up at the halfway mark.

[Westheim]

Well, if we know one thing for (fairly) sure right now, it's that the Red Sox won't be facing the Mets in the World Series...

[rjl518]

Originally Posted by Westheim

Well, if we know one thing for (fairly) sure right now, it's that the Red Sox won't be facing the Mets in the World Series...

It looks like it doesnt it...but there is a long way to go...

[RubeBaker]

Originally Posted by rjl518

It looks like it doesnt it...but there is a long way to go...

No, but there could be a Subway Series.

[rjl518]

6/1

I said to "The Kid", Can you get me a nice solid hit up there?"
Gary Carter looked at me, then turned and walked up to the plate.
CRACK!!
PH HR to put the Mets in front for good!
He came back to the dugout and sat right next to me and said "How's that?"
I didnt even look at him and stared out into Shea and said, nonchalantly, "Ehhhh...Not bad."
His HR was the difference as the Mets finish the sweep against the SF Giants 2-1 @ Shea.
Ron Darling got his 4th win, and the bullpen finished the job with John Mitchell getting the save this time.
The Mets have now won 8 in a row!
Next up: A 3-game series against the San Diego Padres @ Shea Stadium.

RP: 28-16
RL: 31-13 (Loss vs SF 3-7)

[rjl518]

6/2

Dr. K was in his office today, Ray Knight hit a big 2-run HR as the Mets topped the SD Padres 5-3 @ Shea.
Gooden gave up 3 runs on 6 hits and struck out 4 to earn his 7th win.
Knight went 4 for 4 with 3 RBIs including the big hit in the 4th.
Hernandez and Foster both went 2 for 4 in this game as well.
McDowell and Orosco combined to close the game out with Jesse getting his 8th save.
The Mets have now won 9 in a row!

RP: 29-16
RL: 32-13 (Win vs SD 11-2)

[rjl518]

6/3

El Sid did it again as he went 8 innings, gave up 1 run, walked 2 and struck out 10, as the Mets pinned another loss on the Padres 3-1 @ Shea Stadium.
Mookie Wilson was 2 for 3 and Keith Hernandez accounted for all 3 of the Mets runs in this game.
Knight was 3 for 3 and Santana continues to hit well as he was 2 for 3 with a run scored.
McDowell and Orosco combined to close out their second straight game together with Jesse getting another save, his 9th.
But today, it was all about Sid Fernandez, who is having an awesome year on the mound and at the plate, because he is batting .360.
Another great team win for the Mets!
Their 10th straight, and their 30th of the season!

RP: 30-16
RL: 32-14 (Loss vs. Padres 4-5)

[rjl518]

6/4

The winning streak comes to an end and Bruce Berenyi was the reason why.
I wonder why he got so many starts at this time of the year.
Maybe Rick Aguilera was hurt...ill have to check.
Anyway, the Padres beat the Mets 8-1 @ Shea.
Pretty much a Trash Can game.
Next up: A 5-game series against the Pittsburgh Pirates @ Three Rivers Stadium.

RP: 30-17
RL: 33-14 (Win vs SD 4-2)

[rjl518]

6/5

Bobby O did not have one of his better games as the Pirates handed the Mets a 7-4 loss @ Three Rivers Stadium.
Mitchell and Carter both hit 2-run HRs for the Mets, but the Pirates got out to an early lead on Ojeda, and the Mets couldn't get a grip on PIT Bob Kipper, who went the distance in this game.
It was only the 2nd loss of the season for Ojeda.
The Mets have a doubleheader against the Pirates tomorrow.

RP: 30-18
RL: 34-14 (Win vs PIT 7-0)

[rjl518]

6/6 Game 1

Ron Darling goes 7 innings, gives up 3 runs, and strikes out 7 as the Mets take game 1 of this doubleheader against the Pirates 6-3 @ Three Rivers.
It was Keith Hernandez and Ray Knight who got 3 hits today, and 6 different players in the lineup got an RBI.
Roger McDowell got his 6th save.

RP: 31-18
RL: 34-15 (Loss @ PIT 1-7)