It’s time once again for the Mets Police annual tradition of the Top New York Mets Turkeys of all-time.
One of the great things about having had the blog now for some time is that I can (being honest) reuse some content. This started in 2008. 2009 was a great year for turkeys and provided some new additions, and 2010 was no slouch.
However let’s get right to it. There is one man who may make the Mets Turkey Hall of Fame.
This man could not help the team on the mound. He would not help the team or himself by agreeing to go the minors to try to get better. This turkey ate a roster spot for half a season and in blowouts where Jerry Manuel used me for three innings before even looking at #46 he still proved to be a disaster. Somewhere in the Mexican Winter League our 2010 Turkey is giving up a run. You know him, you love him…
In no particular order, here are some of the great Mets Turkeys of the past…
Generation K: I think it was best put by a friend of mine (whose brain I picked for this article) who said “Pulsipher, Isringhuasen and The Other Guy.” Yep, these three pitchers were going to dominate the 1990s. Izzy had a decent career somewhere else, Pulse was a mess, and you’re still trying to remember the other guy’s name. At least Generation K weren’t saddled by horrible black uniforms for this picture.
Kaz Matsui: The Yankees have a Matsui, we should get one too! This was the height of the Japanese obsession where the Mets would sign Shinjo and “The Japanese Greg Maddux” rather than get the real guys.
Speaking of the Japanese Greg Maddux, I always enjoy this quote:
“Satoru really throws four pitches,” Mets assistant general manager Omar Minaya said. “He has a fastball, curve, change and cutter and has command of all of them. Satoru is an experienced pitcher who will be able to help our staff in a variety of different ways.”
Bobby Bonilla. We’ve covered this many times. Great with Bonds, horrible with Mets. One of the most hated Mets of all time, so what do the Mets do? They bring him back for a second time so we can boo him more. He didn’t make it to the final game at Shea.
Best of all, Bobby will be paid $1 million a year by the Mets for the forseeable future. It may have made sense for financing purposes, but it sure will be annoying when you buy an overpriced pretzel.
Joe Foy. You don’t know who he is. He’s the Bobby Bonilla of 1970. You kids won’t believe it now but the Mets could never find a good third-baseman, so they traded for one. He hit .236. The player they gave up was Amos Otis who played until 1984 and went to the playoffs numerous times for the Royals. Foy was done after 1971.
Roberto Alomar. At one point he was a lock for the Hall of Fame. It was plausible that he was going to be the greatest second baseman of all-time. He hit .336 with 20 and 100 in the pre-steroids 2001. In 2002 he joins the Mets and .266 with 11 home runs. Robby fell so far he wond up on the Long Island Ducks
We’re just getting started…more turkeys tomorrow, including two more from the class of 2010!
Any more suggestions? Hit me: [email protected]
Ah yes, Paul Wilson.
I bought into the Generation K pitching phenoms (literally) — I bought a Pulsipher jersey, the only Mets jersey I’ve ever purchased (learned my lesson afterward).
I never had an opportunity to wear it proudly, and it wound up hanging in my closet for many years.
When I was moving to NH it was extra baggage (literally and figuratively) — I didn’t want to pack it, so I threw it away.
I only regret doing that when I see “You Own This Jersey” posts.
Maggie if you still have that Pulsipher jersey and it’s an authentic I’ll be more than happy to take it off your hands. I am a big fan of the 3 of them. They didn’t so much fail as injuries plagued them early on. I had a chance to meet Pulsipher a few months back. He was playing in an independant league for the Somerset Patriots. I won his jersey that he wore that night in a silent auction. He was a nice guy hard to believe it’s been 15 yrs since there arrival.I collect game used and worn jerseys and these 2 are the center of my collection. If you still have the jersey and it’s an authentic I’ll be more than happy to take it off your hands. If anyone has any items for Pulse,Wilson and Izzy and they don’t want them lmk my email addy is [email protected]. Shannon my contribution for turkey would be Juan Samuel. Mets traded Dykstra,McDowell and another for this bum. What the hell were they thinking. Hell maybe the Mets front office should get the turkey award for that.
Unfortunately, I DO remember Joe Foy, AND that trade.
I trust that Vince Coleman, Bret Saberhagen & Francicso Rodriguez will be making tomorrow’s turkey list.
Jim Fregosi
saberhagen. a jerk.
others… duquette…harazin…m. Donald trade Seaver grant… and the biggest…drum roll….LORINDA DE ROULET for amazin’ incompetence!