History of the New York Mets facts for kids

The New York Mets baseball team started in 1962 as a new team in the National League. Since then, they have won two World Series championships and five National League pennants, making their mark in baseball history.

Team History

How the Mets Started

In 1957, New York City lost its two National League baseball teams, the Brooklyn Dodgers and New York Giants, when they moved to California. This left New York with only one team, the Yankees. To bring National League baseball back, a lawyer named William Shea helped create a new league. When that didn't work out, the existing major leagues decided to add new teams, and New York City was chosen for one of them.

The new team needed a name! Many ideas were suggested, like "Bees" or "Skyscrapers." But the owners chose "Mets" because it was short, easy to remember, and connected to an older New York team called the "Metropolitans." Fans and the media loved the name.

The Mets wanted to bring together fans of the old Dodgers and Giants. That's why their team colors are orange (from the Giants) and blue (from the Dodgers). These colors are also the official colors of New York City!

For their first two years, the Mets played at the old Polo Grounds stadium. In 1964, they moved to the brand-new Shea Stadium in Queens, named after William Shea. The Mets played there until 2008, and then moved to their current home, Citi Field, in 2009.

Over the years, the Mets have won two World Series titles (in 1969 and 1986), five National League pennants (1969, 1973, 1986, 2000, 2015), and six division titles. They've also made it to the playoffs as a Wild Card team several times. The Mets have played in more World Series (five) than any other expansion team in Major League Baseball.

For a long time, the Mets were the only team in Major League Baseball that had never had a pitcher throw a no-hitter (a game where the opposing team gets no hits). But that changed on June 1, 2012, when Johan Santana finally threw one against the St. Louis Cardinals!

The "Lovable Losers" (1962–1966)

When the Mets first started, they picked players from other teams. Instead of choosing young, rising stars, they often picked older players who used to be famous on the Dodgers and Giants. This was to make old fans happy. They even hired legendary Yankees manager Casey Stengel to lead the team.

First Seasons (1962–1963)

The Mets played their first game on April 11, 1962. They lost that game and many more. The 1962 Mets finished with a record of 40 wins and 120 losses, which was one of the worst records in baseball history! They were known as the "Lovable Losers" because New York fans still loved them, even though they lost so much. Players like Marv Throneberry became famous for their funny mistakes. A book called Can't Anybody Here Play This Game? was even written about their first year.

The 1963 Mets had some bright spots, like pitcher Carlton Willey and veteran Duke Snider, who reached his 2,000th hit and 400th home run that year.

Moving to Shea Stadium (1964)

In 1964, the Mets moved into their new home, Shea Stadium. It was a huge stadium built in Queens. The stadium was named after William Shea, who worked hard to bring National League baseball back to New York. One famous game at Shea Stadium in its first year was when Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Jim Bunning threw a perfect game against the Mets.

Getting Better (1966)

By 1966, the Mets were slowly starting to improve. They finished the season with 66 wins and 95 losses, which was the first time they didn't lose 100 or more games!

New Stars Arrive (1967–1968)

Things really started to change when the Mets got a talented young pitcher named Tom Seaver in 1967. He became the league's Rookie of the Year. Other important young players joined too, like catcher Jerry Grote and shortstop Bud Harrelson. These new players were determined to win. In 1968, Gil Hodges became the team's manager. Pitcher Jerry Koosman also had a great first year, winning 19 games. Even with these improvements, the 1968 team still finished in 9th place.

The "Miracle Mets" (1969–1972)

The 1969 season started okay, but by mid-August, the Mets were far behind the first-place Chicago Cubs. But then, something amazing happened! The Mets started winning almost every game, especially with their great young pitchers. Meanwhile, the Cubs started losing. The Mets took first place in September and finished the season with 100 wins, their first winning year ever!

The "Miracle Mets" or "Amazin' Mets," as they were called, then swept the Atlanta Braves in the first-ever National League Championship Series.

In the 1969 World Series, the Mets were big underdogs against the powerful Baltimore Orioles. Many people thought the Orioles would easily win. But the Mets' pitching was incredible, and they shut down the Orioles, winning the World Series 4 games to 1! It was a truly amazing upset.

After their championship, the Mets continued to have winning seasons, but they didn't win another World Series right away. They made some trades that didn't work out well, like trading future Hall of Fame pitcher Nolan Ryan for another player.

Before the 1972 season, the team faced a sad moment when their manager, Gil Hodges, suddenly passed away. Coach Yogi Berra took over as manager.

"Ya Gotta Believe!" (1973)

In 1973, the Mets had many injuries and were in last place by the end of August. But then, relief pitcher Tug McGraw started saying, "Ya gotta believe!" This became the team's rallying cry. The Mets got healthy and started winning a lot of games, making an incredible comeback to win their division!

Even though their record was only 82 wins and 79 losses (one of the lowest for a division winner), the Mets surprised everyone by beating the strong Cincinnati Reds in the National League Championship Series. They then pushed the defending World Series champion Oakland Athletics to a seventh game in the World Series before finally losing. It was another near-miracle season for the Mets.

The "Dark Ages" (1974–1979)

After their exciting 1973 season, the Mets struggled for several years. Attendance at Shea Stadium dropped. In 1977, the team traded away two of their biggest stars, pitcher Tom Seaver and slugger Dave Kingman, in what was called "The Midnight Massacre" by newspapers. This made fans very unhappy. The team finished in last place in 1978 and 1979, and attendance fell even further.

New Ownership and New Stars (1980–1984)

In 1980, the Mets were sold to the Doubleday publishing company. Fred Wilpon became the team president, and Frank Cashen was hired as general manager. Cashen started rebuilding the team by drafting talented young players like slugger Darryl Strawberry (in 1980) and hard-throwing pitcher Dwight Gooden (in 1982). Both players quickly became stars, winning Rookie of the Year awards.

In 1983, the Mets traded for former MVP Keith Hernandez, which helped the team become competitive again. Fan favorite Tom Seaver even returned to the Mets for one season. In 1984, with new manager Davey Johnson, the Mets had their first winning season since 1976.

The "Party Hard; Play Harder" Era (1985–1988)

Close Call in 1985

In 1984, the Mets traded for star catcher Gary Carter. In 1985, the Mets won 98 games, but they narrowly lost the division title to the St. Louis Cardinals in the final days of the season.

World Champions Again (1986)

The 1986 Mets were an incredibly strong team. They started the season by winning 20 of their first 24 games and dominated their division all year. They finished with 108 wins, one of the highest win totals in National League history!

In the 1986 National League Championship Series, the Mets faced the Houston Astros. The series was very exciting, with the Mets winning in six games after a thrilling 16-inning victory in Game 6. This sent them to the World Series.

In the World Series against the Boston Red Sox, the Mets were down 3 games to 2. Game 6 became one of the most famous games in baseball history. The Red Sox were just one strike away from winning the World Series twice in the 10th inning. But the Mets made an incredible comeback! With two outs, three singles tied the game. Then, a wild pitch tied the game, and a ground ball hit by Mookie Wilson went through the legs of Red Sox first baseman Bill Buckner, allowing the winning run to score! The Mets won Game 6 in a truly unbelievable way.

The Mets then went on to win Game 7, also in dramatic fashion, coming back from being down by three runs. They scored eight runs in the final three innings to win the World Series 8–5. Mets pitcher Jesse Orosco struck out the final batter and threw his glove in the air in celebration, creating an iconic image. This was the Mets' second World Series title.

After the Championship (1987–1988)

After winning the World Series, the Mets had another strong season in 1987, but they lost the division title to the St. Louis Cardinals in the final weeks. A highlight was Darryl Strawberry and Howard Johnson becoming the first teammates to hit 30 home runs and steal 30 bases in the same season.

In 1988, the Mets won 100 games again and captured the NL East division title. They had great pitching from Gooden, Ron Darling, and David Cone, and strong hitting from Strawberry and Johnson. However, they lost to the Los Angeles Dodgers in seven games in the National League Championship Series, and the Dodgers went on to win the World Series.

Changes to the Team (1989–1990)

The Mets started to change after their championship years. Key players like Keith Hernandez and Gary Carter left the team. While they still had some good players like Howard Johnson and new additions like pitcher Frank Viola, they also made some trades that didn't work out well, like trading Lenny Dykstra to Philadelphia. Manager Davey Johnson was replaced by former Mets shortstop Bud Harrelson.

Tough Times (1991–1993)

Struggles and Injuries (1991–1992)

The early 1990s were a difficult time for the Mets. They tried to build a team by signing many expensive superstar players, but it didn't work out. Players like Eddie Murray and Bobby Bonilla were signed for large amounts of money. However, many players got injured, and some had problems off the field. The team traded popular pitcher David Cone to the Toronto Blue Jays, who then went on to win the World Series. A book was even written about this period, called The Worst Team Money Could Buy.

A Difficult Season (1993)

The lowest point was the 1993 season, when the Mets lost 103 games. There were many strange incidents, including players getting injured in unusual ways or causing trouble. This season was the worst for the Mets since 1965.

Strike-Shortened Season (1994)

The 1994 season had some good moments, but it was cut short by a player strike. The Mets were in third place when the season ended in August.

Working Their Way Back (1995–1997)

New Pitching Prospects (1995)

When baseball returned in 1995, the Mets started to show some promise. They had a group of talented young pitchers called "Generation K" (Bill Pulsipher, Jason Isringhausen, and Paul Wilson), who were expected to be great, but injuries kept them from reaching their full potential.

Individual Records (1996)

The 1996 season was tough for the team, but catcher Todd Hundley set a Major League record for most home runs by a catcher in a single season with 41. Outfielder Lance Johnson also set several team records for hits and triples.

Improvements (1997)

In 1997, the Mets improved significantly, winning 88 games. They also played their first regular-season game against their crosstown rivals, the New York Yankees, winning 6–0 at Yankee Stadium. On April 15, the Mets hosted a ceremony to honor Jackie Robinson and retired his jersey number, 42, across all of Major League Baseball.

Piazza, the Subway World Series, and 9/11 (1998–2002)

Adding a Star (1998)

The 1998 season was exciting because the Mets traded for superstar catcher Mike Piazza. He brought a lot of excitement and talent to the team. The Mets played well after he joined but just missed the playoffs by one game. After the season, Piazza signed a huge contract to stay with the Mets.

Playoff Runs (1999)

The Mets started the 1999 season well. They made it to the playoffs by winning a special one-game playoff against the Cincinnati Reds. In the playoffs, they beat the Arizona Diamondbacks but lost to the Atlanta Braves in an exciting six-game series.

The "Subway Series" (2000)

The 2000 season was a memorable one. The Mets made it to the playoffs as a Wild Card team. They beat the San Francisco Giants and the St. Louis Cardinals to win their fourth National League pennant. This meant they would face their crosstown rivals, the New York Yankees, in the 2000 World Series. This was called the "Subway Series" because both teams are from New York City. The Yankees won the series, but it was a very exciting time for New York baseball fans.

After 9/11 (2001)

After the September 11 terrorist attacks in 2001, Shea Stadium was used as a relief center. On September 21, the Mets played the first sporting event in New York City since the attacks. It was a very emotional game. In the 8th inning, with the Mets losing, Mike Piazza hit a dramatic home run to give the Mets the lead and the win. This moment is considered one of the greatest in franchise history. The Mets and other teams wore special caps to honor the rescue workers.

Struggles Continue (2002)

In the following seasons, the Mets struggled again due to some player trades that didn't work out. Their general manager was fired. The team's co-owners also had a disagreement, which was eventually settled, and Fred Wilpon became the sole owner of the Mets.

New Era and Citi Field (2003–2010)

The Mets brought up two very talented young players, shortstop José Reyes and third baseman David Wright, who became important stars for the team.

Building a New Team (2003–2005)

The 2003 season was tough, but it marked the debut of José Reyes.

In 2004, David Wright made his debut. After the season, the Mets made big changes. They hired a new general manager, Omar Minaya, and a new manager, Willie Randolph. They also signed two star free agents, pitcher Pedro Martínez and outfielder Carlos Beltrán.

The 2005 season saw the team finish with a winning record for the first time since 2001. It was also Mike Piazza's last season as a Met.

Division Champions (2006)

In 2006, the Mets had a fantastic season! They had six All-Stars and won their division title for the first time in 18 years, leading the division for almost the entire season. They finished with the best record in the National League.

The Mets swept the Los Angeles Dodgers in the first round of the playoffs. In the National League Championship Series, they played the St. Louis Cardinals. The series went to seven games. In Game 7, Mets outfielder Endy Chávez made an amazing catch, leaping over the wall to rob a home run. However, the Cardinals eventually won the game and the series.

Late-Season Struggles (2007–2008)

In 2007, the Mets had high expectations and a big lead in their division with only 17 games left. But they lost many of their final games, and the Philadelphia Phillies caught up and won the division on the very last day of the season.

Before the 2008 season, the Mets acquired star pitcher Johan Santana. The 2008 season was the final season at Shea Stadium. The Mets struggled early in the season, and manager Willie Randolph was replaced by Jerry Manuel. The team improved under Manuel and again had a lead in September, but they lost many games at the end of the season and missed the playoffs on the final day, for the second year in a row.

New Home, New Challenges (2009)

The 2009 season was the Mets' first at their new stadium, Citi Field. The stadium's design looks like the old Ebbets Field, which was once home to the Brooklyn Dodgers. The season was unfortunately marked by many injuries to key players, and the Mets finished in fourth place.

Another Tough Season (2010)

In 2010, the Mets signed outfielder Jason Bay. They had some good winning streaks but couldn't keep up the momentum and finished with a losing record again.

The Terry Collins Era (2011–2017)

After the 2010 season, the Mets hired Sandy Alderson as their new general manager and Terry Collins as their new manager.

Reyes Wins Batting Title (2011)

The 2011 season was another losing one. However, José Reyes made history by becoming the first Met ever to win a National League batting title, with a .337 batting average. After the season, Reyes left the Mets to sign with another team.

Santana and Dickey Make History (2012)

In 2012, Johan Santana threw the Mets' first-ever no-hitter! Pitcher R. A. Dickey also had an amazing season, winning the National League Cy Young Award (given to the best pitcher), becoming the first knuckleball pitcher to win the award. Dickey was traded after the season.

All-Star Game at Citi Field (2013)

In 2013, Citi Field hosted the 2013 Major League Baseball All-Star Game. Mets pitcher Matt Harvey was the starting pitcher for the National League All-Stars. The Mets also swept their crosstown rivals, the Yankees, in the "Subway Series" for the first time ever.

DeGrom's Rookie Year (2014)

Mets ace Matt Harvey missed the entire 2014 season due to injury. However, rookie pitcher Jacob deGrom had a fantastic year and won the National League Rookie of the Year Award.

National League Pennant Champions (2015)

The 2015 season started strong, and the Mets made a big trade for outfielder Yoenis Céspedes, which gave the team a huge boost. The Mets won the National League East Division title for the first time since 2006!

In the playoffs, they beat the Los Angeles Dodgers in five games. Then, they swept the Chicago Cubs in the National League Championship Series, led by Daniel Murphy, who hit home runs in six straight playoff games, setting a new Major League record!

In the World Series, the Mets faced the Kansas City Royals. The Royals defeated the Mets in five games.

Wild Card Game (2016)

The Mets re-signed former shortstop José Reyes in 2016. The Mets finished the season strong and earned a spot in the Wild Card Game, but they lost to the San Francisco Giants.

Injury-Plagued Season (2017)

The 2017 season was disappointing, as many key players suffered injuries. Manager Terry Collins retired after the season and was replaced by Mickey Callaway.

The Mickey Callaway Era (2018–2019)

Strong Start, Tough Finish (2018)

The Mets started the 2018 season very well, winning 11 of their first 12 games. However, they couldn't keep up the winning and finished in fourth place. The bright spot was pitcher Jacob deGrom, who had an amazing season and won the Cy Young Award.

More of the Same (2019)

In 2019, the Mets finished third in their division. First baseman Pete Alonso had a record-breaking rookie season, hitting 53 home runs and winning the NL Rookie of the Year Award. Jacob deGrom won his second straight Cy Young Award. Manager Mickey Callaway was fired after the season.

The Luis Rojas Era (2020–2021)

Luis Rojas became the Mets' manager in 2020. The 2020 season was shortened due to the pandemic, and the Mets finished with a losing record. They also had a losing record in 2021, and Rojas's contract was not renewed. Before the 2022 season, the Mets made some big signings, including three-time Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer.

The Buck Showalter Era (2022–2023)

The Mets hired Buck Showalter as their new manager in late 2021. Showalter's first year was a great success! The Mets won 101 games, their best season since 1986. They tied for the best record in their division but were a wild card team. They lost in the Wild Card Series to the San Diego Padres.

In the offseason, the Mets lost Jacob deGrom but signed three-time Cy Young Award winner Justin Verlander. However, the 2023 season was tough due to injuries to key players like closer Edwin Díaz and Verlander. The Mets traded away Verlander and Scherzer during the season and finished with a losing record. Showalter and the Mets parted ways after the season.

Longest Games in Major League History

The Mets have played in three of the longest Major League games ever, all of which went beyond 22 innings!

• On May 31, 1964, they played a 23-inning game against the San Francisco Giants, which the Giants won 8–6.
• On April 15, 1968, the Mets lost to the Houston Astros 1–0 in a memorable 24-inning pitching duel. Tom Seaver pitched 10 shutout innings in that game!
• On September 12, 1974, the St. Louis Cardinals beat the Mets 4–3 in what became the longest night game in Major League history, ending at 3:12 AM!

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