Mets All-Time Team: The 26-man...

Since their inception in 1962, lots of incredible players have donned the orange and blue. Below, the Mets' all-time 26-man roster is unveiled. But first, some rules...

In order to be eligible for the team, a player must have spent a solid chunk of his career in Queens and experienced a solid part of his peak during that time. That means Pedro Martinez and Nolan Ryan won't be in the starting rotation, Max Scherzer can't be included yet, and Willie Mays won't be patrolling center field. And now, the Mets' all-time team...

Starting Lineup

Catcher: Mike Piazza

Aside from the ace of the pitching staff, this was the easiest call to make.

While there is sentimentality when it comes to Gary Carter -- who was a co-captain with the Mets, helped them win the 1986 World Series, and is a Hall-of-Famer -- the answer is Piazza.

The greatest hitting catcher ever, who has a Mets cap adorning his plaque in Cooperstown, Piazza hit .296/.373/.542 with 220 homers in 972 games over eight seasons in Queens, was the backstop during two of their most exciting playoff runs, and has his No. 31 retired.

First Baseman: Keith Hernandez

A true difference-maker on both sides of the ball, the arrival of Hernandez via trade in 1983 helped revitalize the franchise. Hernandez was a clutch performer, team captain, and heart and soul of the mid-to-late '80s squad. Like Piazza's No. 31, Hernandez's No. 17 is now retired.

Both Carlos Delgado (who hit 104 homers in four seasons with the Mets) and John Olerud (whose departure after 1999 hurt in a big way) deserve to be mentioned here, but neither played with the Mets long enough to challenge Hernandez for this honor.

Pete Alonso, who has hit .261/.349/.535 with 146 homers in his first four big league seasons, will almost certainly grab this spot if he remains with the team beyond 2024 (when he is set to hit free agency), but he's not there yet.

Second Baseman: Edgardo Alfonzo

Part of the Greatest Infield Ever with Olerud, Rey Ordoñez, and Robin Ventura, Alfonzo was the perfect sidekick to Piazza in the late '90s-early 2000s, and put up one of the best offensive seasons ever by a Met. In 2000, Alfonzo slashed .324/.425/.542 with 25 homers and 40 doubles for a Mets team that made it to the World Series. Unfortunately, injuries started to derail Alfonzo's career after the 2002 campaign.

Jeff McNeil, who just signed an extension with the Mets and is one of the best pure hitters the team has ever had, is starting to inch closer to Alfonzo for this honor.

Shortstop: Jose Reyes

When it comes to electricity on the field in a Mets uniform, there was nothing quite like Reyes from 2005 to 2011, when his mix of speed and extra-base power combined to make him one of the best players in baseball.

A typical Reyes season during his peak meant a high batting average and on-base percentage along with 15-to-20 triples, 30-plus doubles, 55-plus stolen bases, and the daily sight of him turning singles into doubles and doubles into triples. The gear Reyes hit when rounding second and heading to third was a sight to see.

Like Alonso with first base and McNeil at second base, Francisco Lindor -- whose 2022 was one of the best years ever by a Met -- might one day grab this honor. 

Third Baseman: David Wright

The Captain and a career Met, Wright was on a Hall-of-Fame trajectory when injuries -- including chronic spinal stenosis -- derailed his career when he was in his early 30s.

Still, Wright is the Mets' franchise leader in most offensive categories, and his final career totals (even weighed down by his final injury-plagued seasons) are spectacular.

Wright hit .296/.376/.491 with 242 homers, 390 doubles, and 970 RBI in 14 seasons, and his No. 5 will almost certainly never be worn by any Met ever again.

Left Fielder: Cleon Jones

An integral part of the 1969 Miracle Mets, Jones spent 12 of his 13 big league seasons in Queens, hitting .281/.340/.406 in a shade under 1,200 games played with the team.

Jones also caught the final out of the '69 World Series in left field, clenching it moments before thousands of fans rushed the field.

Center Fielder: Carlos Beltran

Arguably the greatest two-way player in Mets history, Beltran was one of the best fielding center fielders and an elite all-around hitter during his time with the Mets from 2005 to 2011.

Beltran's smooth style was a joy to watch, and his 2006 season -- when he slugged close to .600 and crushed a then-team-record-tying 41 homers -- was incredible.

The 45-year-old is now back with the team in a front office role three years after his brief tenure as manager was derailed due to his role in the Houston Astros' sign-stealing scandal. if Beltran eventually makes the Hall of Fame -- and he should -- it could very well be with a Mets cap on his plaque. The Mets should also consider retiring Beltran's No. 15.