2006 New York Mets

After finishing over .500 (83-79) for the first time since 2001, the "New" Mets became the New "New" Mets -- and rode the wave to the best record in the NL; their first NL East pennant, and came dangerously close to a World Series berth.

The Offseason
The Mets said goodbye to Mike Piazza, the final player from the NL Champion 2000 team, when they failed to offer him arbitration after he declared free agency. The Mets replaced Piazza behind the plate with Paul Lo Duca, acquiring him from the Florida Marlins for pitching prospect Gaby Hernandez and a low-level minor leaguer.

But Piazza's departure, even given his decline over the years prior, left a gaping hole in the lineup. General manager Omar Minaya cleared salary by trading Mike Cameron to the Padres for one-time San Diego organzational darling Xavier Nady, and used the budgetary wiggle-room to absorb the contract of Carlos Delgado. Delgado, acquired from the Marlins in a trade separate from the Lo Duca deal (at the price of Yusmeiro Petit and Mike Jacobs), was a top target of Minaya's in the prior year's offseason.

The Mets also added a number of smaller bats: the ageless Julio Franco, journeyman Jose Valentin, and stop-gap outfielders Endy Chavez and Tike Redman.

The biggest change, however, may have been the bullpen. The Mets inked free agent relief pitcher Billy Wagner to a four year, $44 million dollar deal, solidifying the closer slot and replacing Braden Looper, who departed via free agency himself. Starting pitchers Jae Seo and Kris Benson were traded for Duaner Sanchez (from Los Angeles) and Jorge Julio (from Baltimore, with John Maine), respectively. Aaron Heilman moved from the pen to the rotation, filling the fifth slot behind Pedro Martinez, Tom Glavine, Steve Trachsel, and Victor Zambrano.

Of perhaps primary concern to Mets fans was the state of Pedro's big toe on his right foot. The injury, a bi-product of his pitching style, required Martinez to wear a specially designed Nike shoe.

On the business end, the Mets launched SNY, their own sports network. Also, the city of New York issued bonds to help further the creation of a new stadium.

Spring Training and Pre-Season Predictions
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Regular Season Highlights
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Opening Day
The 2006 New York Mets opened their season on April 3rd, 2006 with a 3-2 win against the Washington Nationals. The attendance at the Mets' home opener, though not quite the sellout capacity, the crowd of 56,337 was still impressive. Tom Glavine, starting his 3rd Opening Day game since joining the Mets in 2003, threw 6 innings, giving up 1 run on 6 hits and 3 walks, with 5 strikeouts. The lone run given up by Glavine came on a sacrifice fly off the bat of Royce Clayton. David Wright hit a solo HR, Xavier Nady went 4-4 with 2 2B and an RBI for to spark the Mets offense. The save was picked up by new closer Billy Wagner, who gave up one hit and struck out pinch-hitter Matt LeCroy.

April
The Mets got off to a blistering start, finishing April with a 16-8 record.

May
The Mets, while not quite maintaining their .667 pace, still managed to post a 16-12 record in the month of May.

June
In June, the Mets continued to play above-.500, and finished the month with a record of 15-12.

July
July was the month in which the Mets began to assert their dominance over the National League, finishing the month with a remarkable record of 16-9.

August
In August, the Mets ran roughshod over the rest of the league, ending the month with an amazing record of 19-9.

Player Data
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Trivia
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