The '86 Mets Revisited: A Championship Roster of Heroes

In 1986, the New York Mets made history by capturing their second World Series title in franchise history, behind a diverse and talented roster that featured some of the game's most memorable personalities. This article takes a look back at the championship roster, celebrating the accomplishments of the players who made the '86 season so unforgettable. From future Hall of Famers to under-the-radar contributors, we'll delve into the stories behind the stars of that iconic team.

The Starting Lineup

The 1986 Mets' starting lineup was one of the most potent in the National League. Led by the duo of Darryl Strawberry and Mookie Wilson, the team boasted a potent mix of power, speed, and agility. As described by former teammate and longtime Mets executive, Omar Minaya, "The '86 lineup was a beautiful mix of guys who could hit for average, power, and speed. Darryl and Mookie were the spark plugs of the team, always getting us going with their energetic play."

1. Mookie Wilson, CF - Wilson's clutch hitting and sparkling defense in center field made him a fan favorite. "Mookie was an incredible player," said former Mets catcher, Gary Carter. "He had a spark in his eye that just energized the entire team."

2. Wally Backman, 2B - Backman's aggressive base running and timely hitting made him a valuable asset in the Mets' lineup. "Wally was a game-changer," said former Mets manager, Davey Johnson. "He had an incredible sense of the game and always seemed to be in the right place at the right time."

3. Gary Carter, C - Carter's dominant presence behind the plate and potent bat made him one of the most feared hitters in the National League. "Gary was a leader and a true professional," said Minaya. "His clutch hitting and leadership helped bring the Mets their second title."

4. Danny Heep, 1B - Heep's solid hitting and fielding at first base provided a consistent presence in the Mets' lineup. "Danny was a utility player who always gave 110% every time he stepped on the field," said Johnson.

5. Lenny Dykstra, RF - Dykstra's speed and aggressive base running made him a fan favorite in 1986. "Lenny was a sparkplug," said Minaya. "He had a way of making things happen on the basepaths."

6. Keith Hernandez, 3B - Hernandez's slick fielding and potent bat made him a cornerstone of the Mets' lineup. "Keith was the perfect third baseman," said Carter. "His intelligence on the field and at the plate was unmatched."

7. Ray Knight, SS - Knight's steady fielding and strong bat made him a valuable asset in the Mets' lineup. "Ray was a true professional," said Johnson. "He always came to play every day."

8. Bob Ojeda, LF - Ojeda's speed and aggressive base running made him a sparkplug in the bottom third of the lineup. "Bob was a fan favorite," said Minaya. "His speed and energy on the basepaths were contagious."

9. Darryl Strawberry, DH/RF - Strawberry's power and speed made him a dominant force in the Mets' lineup. "Darryl was the straw that stirred the drink for us," said Johnson. "He had a way of taking over games with his power and speed."

The Rotation and Bullpen

The Mets' pitching staff was one of the strongest in the National League, featuring a mix of veteran leaders and young up-and-comers. Led by Tom Seaver, the team boasted a deep rotation that was able to match up against any opponent. As described by Johnson, "We had a deep rotation with experienced pitchers who knew how to pitch. Tom Seaver, Jerry Koosman, and Bob Ojeda were all guys who knew how to get the job done."

1. Dwight Gooden, P - Gooden's electric fastball and sharp slider made him one of the most dominant pitchers of the 1986 season. "Dwight was like a whirlwind on the mound," said Carter. "He had a way of making hitters look silly."

2. Ron Darling, P - Darling's sharp curveball and pinpoint control made him a dominant force in the Mets' rotation. "Ron was a true professional," said Johnson. "He always came to the mound with a plan."

3. Sid Fernandez, P - Fernandez's blazing fastball and sharp slider made him one of the most feared pitchers in the National League. "Sid was a game-changer," said Minaya. "His fastball was just too much for hitters to handle."

4. Bob Ojeda, P - Ojeda's sharp slider and pinpoint control made him a valuable asset in the Mets' rotation. "Bob was a true competitor," said Johnson. "He always came to the mound with a desire to win."

5. Rick Aguilera, P - Aguilera's sharp sinker and pinpoint control made him a dominant force out of the Mets' bullpen. "Rick was a firecracker," said Carter. "He had a way of shutting the door on the opposing team's offense."

6. Roger McDowell, P - McDowell's blazing fastball and sharp slider made him one of the most dominant relievers in the National League. "Roger was a closer and a true professional," said Johnson. "He always came to the mound with a desire to win."

7. Jesse Orosco, P - Orosco's sharp slider and pinpoint control made him a valuable asset in the Mets' bullpen. "Jesse was a true competitor," said Carter. "He always came to the mound with a desire to win."