When Jeurys Familia was first handed the closer's role in 2015, he stepped into a high-pressure situation. Filled in for injured Jenrry Mejia, the Dominican right-hander used a powerful sinker touching 98 mph, transforming the New York bullpen's backend. He efficiently handled the pressure, with 43 saves and a 1.85 ERA, leading the relief corps and helping the Mets win an unexpected National League pennant.

That dominant introduction set the stage for a record-breaking 2016 campaign. Familia became the leading late-inning reliever in the senior circuit, recording a franchise-record 51 saves to lead the major leagues. He was nearly unhittable during summer, earning an All-Star nod and finishing in the top twenty in National League MVP voting. When his sinker dived beneath bats, he provided Queens with total late-game security, becoming a marquee closer.

Familia’s career abruptly ended in 2017 after a 15-game suspension for domestic violence, damaging fan support. Upon returning, blood-clot surgery reduced his velocity, resulting in inconsistent performances. During the Mets’ 2018 rebuild, they traded him to Oakland, leveraging his remaining value.

Familia's return to Citi Field in 2019 on a $30 million, three-year deal was short-lived. His second stint didn't match his peak, as command issues, walks, and high-stress innings, especially in the ninth, made his role challenging for Mets fans.

He eventually left New York after the 2021 campaign, leaving a complex legacy in franchise history. Despite volatility and struggles off-field, his volume during the pennant window is statistically undeniable. Familia finished his Mets career with 124 saves, ranking third all-time behind John Franco and Armando Benítez, and pitched 233 games for the team.

When Wayne Garrett joined the roster as a 21-year-old rookie in 1969, he entered a competitive infield on a team ready to make history. Picked by the Mets from the Braves organization during the 1968 Rule 5 draft, this left-handed infielder quickly became a key part of the legendary "Miracle Mets." Sharing third base with Ed Charles, Garrett offered dependable defense and a disciplined batting approach, walking 53 times in limited appearances, crucial in guiding the young team to its first National League pennant and ultimately winning the World Series.

Over several seasons, Garrett established himself as the dependable presence in the Mets' infield. Though lacking the flashy skills of some peers, his adaptability and keen batting eye ensured his regular spot in the lineup. He moved between second and third base, persistently confronting challenging at-bats and often leading the team in walks. Regardless of new competitors for playing time, Garrett’s professional attitude consistently earned him a place on the field.

His patience and dedication reached their highest during the memorable 1973 "Ya Gotta Believe" campaign. As the everyday third baseman, Garrett delivered the best regular-season performance of his career. He amassed 129 hits, drew 92 walks to achieve a remarkable .363 on-base percentage, and set career highs with 16 home runs and 58 RBIs. He led the top of the lineup for a resilient team that ignited in September to win the National League East title.

Garrett carried his momentum into October, saving some of his best moments for the postseason. After hitting a key home run against Cincinnati in the NLCS, he made the World Series against the strong Oakland Athletics his personal showcase. Leading off for the Mets, he hit two memorable home runs in the seven-game series, showing a tough, big-game spirit that won the hearts of Shea Stadium fans forever.

Garrett stayed a key presence in Flushing for two more full seasons, reliably playing third base. His extended time in New York ended in July 1976, when the front office traded him to the Montreal Expos in exchange for Pepe Mangual. He left Queens after serving the organization for seven and a half years, leaving behind 586 hits, 52 home runs, and a respected legacy as a core player in the Mets' first two pennant-winning teams.

Armando Benítez's arrival in Flushing before the 1999 season introduced a fearsome mix of high-velocity pitches and unpredictable volatility to the Mets' bullpen. Traded from Baltimore in a three-team deal, the tall right-hander was initially assigned to a setup role behind John Franco. Nevertheless, Benítez's dominant arsenal, centered on a blazing fastball and a deadly split-finger, rapidly led to a change in leadership, making him the go-to closer for the final three outs.

His first full season as the closer in 2000 marked a career-high moment that contributed to the Mets reaching the Subway Series. Benítez recorded 41 saves with an excellent 2.61 ERA and struck out 106 batters in 76 innings. However, this season also highlighted the conflicting aspects of his reputation in Queens; although his regular-season stats were outstanding, his notable errors in October, including a blown save in Game 1 of the World Series versus the Yankees, significantly damaged his relationship with fans, making every ninth-inning appearance feel like walking a tightrope.

Despite increasing postseason pressure, his regular-season performance peaked in 2001. Benítez utilized his power skills to achieve 43 saves, with a remarkable 1.85 ERA, and held opposing batters to just a .162 average. His impressive summer performance earned him the National League Rolaids Relief Man Award, confirming his status as one of the top closers in the sport, despite local critics still focusing on his rare, intense meltdowns.

The heavy usage persisted through the 2002 campaign, with him surpassing 30 saves for the third year in a row. By 2003, the team's competitive window had closed, and the roster was in transition. Benítez earned his first All-Star selection that July by recording 21 saves, but as his contract was nearing its end and the team was out of contention, the front office acted quickly.

Just days after the midsummer classic, management traded him to the crosstown Yankees, ending a tumultuous five-year tenure in Queens. He left the Mets with 160 saves, placing him near the franchise's all-time leaders. His legacy is mixed: marked by moments of historical, game-changing prowess, yet also defined by a few costly, high-pressure failures that remain etched in memory.