Welcome to A Super-casual History of the Mets. This series is a very top level history of the Mets, from memory, to pass along to Generation Z and whatever follows. For a more detailed history of the Mets I refer you to Faith and Fear In Flushing.
In 1984 the Mets have a cool young manager named Davey Johnson and he uses computers! Seaver is gone again but the Mets have this 19 year old pitcher named Dwight Gooden who heals the pain. The Mets are pretty good and you keep waiting for them to suck but they never do. They finish 2nd but you’ve had a great summer. (Yes I know that’s not an 84 uniform)
In 1985 the Mets are really good. Like really good. Gooden is the best you’ve ever seen. Shea Stadium rocks when he pitches. Yet the Mets somehow fall short to the Cardinals.
In 1986 it’s Manifest Destiny. That 85 team was really good, the 86 championship is just a matter of time. If you are reading my site you have probably heard about these 1986 Mets so let’s move on.
1987 is a nightmare. Gooden gets a drug suspension. Everyone gets injured. The Mets crawl back to almost catch the Cardinals and on September 11, 1987 (September 11 was a date you knew before it became something else) the Mets are about to close the gap when Terry Pendleton hits a home run out of nowhere and crushes our spirits. The year is summed up as Terry Pendleton.
In 1988 the dynasty is back. Full cruise until he NLCS when Mike Scioscia does what Terry Pendleton did. The Mets don’t make the World Series. Stunning.
In 1989 the wheels start to come off. Hernandez and Carter are shells of their former selves. The narrative becomes that Davey Johnson is the problem. Its an eh season. Dykstra and McDowell are traded for Juan Samuel for some reason. The Mets are overthinking things and destroying the Dynasty as you watch. You know it’s a stupid trade at the time.
In 1990 they somehow win 91 games but it’s enjoyable. Buddy Harrelson takes over mid-season for the fired Johnson.
1991 it all falls apart. Buddy Harrelson, who at this time was still the Second Most Popular All Time Retired Met – and I know you young folks won’t be able to understand that at all – is fired and his rep is never the same in Queens.
The Dynasty is over and you wonder how that 86 team only one once. You will wonder this for thirty more years.
To sound smart at the bar: just talk about how good Gooden was. If someone mentions 86 just toast Bill Buckner.
