“Mets Icon Retires Abruptly Amid Controversy and Rumors!”…..
One of the top pitchers to come through the New York Mets organization will be recognized Sunday as Dwight Gooden has his No. 16 retired by the team before the 1:40 p.m. matchup with the Kansas City Royals at Citi Field.
Gooden captivated his teammates, coaches and fans alike as he broke onto the scene in 1984 and supplied two of the most iconic seasons of pitching prowess in the history of the franchise. Then, helped them to their second World Series crown in 1986.
With Gooden being honored Sunday, here are our rankings of the 16 great single-season pitching performances by Mets players:
16. Jon Matlack, 1972
With Tom Seaver leading the staff, Jon Matlack provided an encouraging rookie season back in 1972 behind the ace. The left-hander started the season with six straight wins and went on to post a 15-10 record with a club-best 2.32 ERA and 169 strikeouts in 244 innings on his way to claiming National League Rookie of the Year honors.
15. Frank Viola, 1990
It was one of the underrated efforts by a Mets starter in a bygone era. In his first full season with the Mets after spending part of eight seasons with the Twins, Viola captured 20 wins and led the NL with 35 starts. He posted a 2.67 ERA in 249.2 innings while notching his second All-Star selection and finishing third in the Cy Young.
14. Jerry Koosman, 1976
One of the top pitchers to come through the Mets organization in the early years, Koosman pieced together one of his most complete seasons in 1976. The left-hander finished with 200 strikeouts in 247⅓ innings while posting a 2.69 ERA with 17 complete games and three shutouts.
13. Pedro Martinez, 2005
It was the last glimpse of greatness for Martinez as he moved south to New York. In his first season with the Mets, he finished 15-8 and grabbed his seventh of eight All-Star selections. He led the major leagues with a 0.95 WHIP and struck out more than 200 for the final time in 217 innings.
12. Johan Santana, 2008
After agreeing to a six-year, $137.5 million deal with the Mets before the season, the left-hander lived up to the hype in the early going. He led MLB with a 2.53 ERA, 35 starts and the National League in innings pitched (234⅓) as the Mets narrowly missed the playoffs despite 89 wins. He added 206 strikeouts and finished third in Cy Young voting.
