Bud Harrelson made his debut with the New York major league team in 1965. He was a small, wiry shortstop who became the key defensive player for over a decade. Though he often joked about his limited hitting ability, Harrelson was a hardworking and reliable presence for the franchise during its most celebrated victories.

Harrelson had his peak seasons in 1970 and 1971, earning consecutive All-Star titles primarily for his exceptional defense. In 1971, he demonstrated remarkable efficiency, leading Major League fielders in Defensive bWAR and winning the National League Gold Glove Award. As a consistent professional, he often made challenging plays look effortless, notably setting a franchise record by playing 54 straight error-free games at shortstop.

Harrelson, with a .234 batting average as a Met, was a high-energy spark plug at the bottom of the order. He was vital to the 1969 "Miracle Mets," helping ignite their summer run and anchoring the infield during their World Series victory over Baltimore. He demonstrated grit again in the 1973 pennant race, famously engaging in a bench-clearing NLCS brawl with Pete Rose for refusing to back down. His presence drove wins; in 1973, the Mets went 59-43 with him on the field, showing his high-leverage impact.

His run with the Mets closed just before the 1978 season when he was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies.  In New York, Harrelson had 1,029 hits and was inducted into the Mets Hall of Fame in 1986.  Notably, he was New York’s third-base coach that year, when they won their third World Series Championship.

How can you not love a guy named Mookie?

You have to love him, and even if Mookie Wilson was actually named “Sour Bastard”, you would still love the guy because he had one of the most positive and infectious attitudes in Baseball and is easily one of the most popular players in Mets history.

Debuting in 1980, Wilson established himself as a key player by consistently leading the team with his speed, recording at least 20 stolen bases for seven straight seasons. His most exceptional period was between 1982 and 1984, when he became one of the top baserunners, surpassing 45 stolen bases each year and setting a franchise record with 58 in 1982. Known for his speed, he often turned singles into doubles and challenged outfielders' arms, ultimately retiring as the franchise's all-time leader in stolen bases (281) and triples (62).

While Wilson’s speed was his defining trait, he was also a highly effective hitter, with 1,112 hits and 592 runs scored for the Mets. His most significant contribution came on October 25, 1986, in the bottom of the 10th inning of Game 6 of the World Series. After a tough, ten-pitch duel with Bob Stanley, Wilson demonstrated remarkable composure by fouling off difficult pitches and working the count. Moments later, he made the famous, slow ground ball that slipped through the legs of Boston first baseman Bill Buckner—an unforgettable play that completed a dramatic three-run rally and sparked one of the most memorable moments in New York sports history.

In August 1989, the Mets shifted their outfield configuration after acquiring Juan Samuel, and the front office traded the veteran icon to the Toronto Blue Jays in exchange for pitcher Jeff Musselman. Wilson was added to the Mets Hall of Fame in 1996.

John Stearns joined the organization in December 1974 via a massive six-player blockbuster trade that sent beloved relief ace Tug McGraw to the Philadelphia Phillies. Stearns, a former standout gridiron defensive back at the University of Colorado who was also drafted into the NFL, brought a raw, contact-sport intensity to the diamond.

Stearns was a remarkable athlete, combining a strong defensive arm with impressive, speedy base-running skills. During the 1978 season, he made history by stealing 25 bases, setting a modern National League single-season record for catchers that lasted for more than twenty years. He complemented his speed with a focused batting style, achieving career highs with 15 home runs and 73 RBIs, proving himself to be a true dual-threat player.

Although the Mets faced several tough, ninety-loss seasons in the late 1970s, Stearns remained a consistent professional whose individual talent stood out among his peers. He received four notable National League All-Star selections (1977, 1979, 1980, and 1982), often being the sole representative of the team. His aggressive playing style peaked in 1982, when he achieved a career-high batting average of .293 and hit 25 doubles in only 98 games.

Elbow and shoulder ailments severely limited his playing time after 1982. He made his final big-league appearance in September 1984, marking the definitive end of a career in which he played in all but one of his 810 major-league games for the Mets. He departed Queens with 695 hits and a highly respectable .341 on-base percentage.

Edgardo Alfonzo made his debut on Shea Stadium's turf in 1995 as a notably poised young infielder from Venezuela. Over time, he subtly developed into one of the most versatile and clutch players in franchise history. Although he did not have the flashy public profile of some peers, he served as the vital backbone of the Mets' infield, moving effortlessly between third and second base.

Anchoring the iconic late-1990s infield, Alfonzo achieved a historic milestone by accumulating over 150 hits in five different seasons with the Mets. He combined this volume with a keen eye at the plate, hitting over .300 in four of those years. His peak offensive performance came in 1999, when he hit 27 home runs and drove in 108 RBIs, earning the National League Silver Slugger Award at second base. He continued his strong play with an All-Star selection in 2000, batting .324 with 109 runs scored, helping the Mets secure their fourth National League Pennant.

Beyond the numbers, Alfonzo achieved peer recognition, finishing in the top 15 of NL MVP twice (8th in 1999, 15th in 2000) and receiving votes in three years. He combined offensive efficiency with stellar defense, providing Gold Glove-caliber glove work wherever manager Bobby Valentine put him. In Flushing, he proved to be a postseason weapon, launching a two-run homer in the 1999 Wild Card game and a historic grand slam in the NLDS against Arizona.

Alfonso departed the Mets for San Francisco as a Free Agent in 2002.  As a Met, he collected 1,136 hits, 120 home runs, and a stellar .374 on-base percentage.  In 2020, he was selected for the Mets Hall of Fame.