49. Lee Mazzilli

The New York Mets selecting Lee Mazzilli in the first round of the 1973 draft was about more than just picking a promising prospect from Brooklyn; it was about welcoming a local legend. With his movie-star looks, flamboyant switch-hitting, and a signature "basket catch" at his waist while catching fly balls, the charismatic outfielder made his major league debut in 1976. He quickly became the team's main star and the literal heartbeat during one of its most challenging and low-leverage periods.

By the late 1970s, “Maz" had become the face of a rebuilding franchise, carrying the heavy burden with ease. He adapted flawlessly to the pressures of Shea Stadium, blending patience at the plate with surprising power and exceptional speed. His breakout year was 1979, a summer in which he alone kept New York baseball in the spotlight. Mazzilli earned his first All-Star nod, hitting 15 home runs, stealing 34 bases, and drawing 93 walks, which led to a remarkable .395 on-base percentage. He finished that summer by tying the game with a solo home run and then securing the win for the National League with a bases-loaded walk in the ninth inning.

His peak productivity carried over into the 1980 campaign. Adjusting between center field and first base to suit the roster needs, Mazzilli achieved a career-high 162 hits, scored 82 runs, and drove in 61, while also stealing 31 bases. Even in a lineup that was largely stagnant, where opposing pitchers often walked him out of respect, he stayed a picture of durability and consistency, leading off at the top of the order for two consecutive seasons.

However, the team's urgent need to rebuild quickly led to his early departure. In April 1982, the front office orchestrated a major trade, sending the highly popular star to Texas for promising pitchers Ron Darling and Walt Terrell. Although this decision disappointed local fans, it eventually helped establish the pitching strength that formed the team's future championship core.

Fate had a poetic second act in store for the Brooklyn native. After brief stints with the Rangers, Yankees, and Pirates, the Mets reclaimed Mazzilli off waivers in August 1986. Recast as a potent bench asset, he embraced a quiet, high-stakes reserve role on the legendary 1986 team. He batted .302 in the season's final two months and scored a crucial run in Game 6 of the World Series, finally earning the championship ring that had previously eluded him during his earlier years in Queens.

Mazzilli remained with the team until mid-1989, concluding his nine-year tenure as a Met with 745 hits, 58 home runs, and a lasting place in local history.