2009 New York Mets season
Encyclopedia
The 2009 New York Mets
New York Mets
The New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. They belong to Major League Baseball's National League East Division. One of baseball's first expansion teams, the Mets were founded in 1962 to replace New York's departed National League...

 season
was a season in American baseball
Baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...

. It was the franchise's 48th season, and the team's first year at Citi Field, which opened on April 13 against the San Diego Padres
San Diego Padres
The San Diego Padres are a Major League Baseball team based in San Diego, California. They play in the National League Western Division. Founded in 1969, the Padres have won the National League Pennant twice, in 1984 and 1998, losing in the World Series both times...

. The Mets finished with a 70–92 record, as the season was plagued by many injuries.

Offseason

Looking to improve the bullpen after the struggles of the 2008 season, the Mets signed closer Francisco Rodriguez to a three year, $37 million contract on December 10, 2008. Immediately after, the team acquired reliever J. J. Putz from the Seattle Mariners
Seattle Mariners
The Seattle Mariners are a professional baseball team based in Seattle, Washington. Enfranchised in , the Mariners are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Safeco Field has been the Mariners' home ballpark since July...

 in a three team trade involving the Mariners and the Cleveland Indians
Cleveland Indians
The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...

, giving the Mets a setup man for Rodriguez. New York shipped reliever Aaron Heilman
Aaron Heilman
Aaron Michael Heilman is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates of Major League Baseball. Heilman was drafted by the New York Mets out of Notre Dame in 2001. He came up through the Mets system as a starting pitcher but was converted to a relief pitcher in 2005...

, outfielder Endy Chávez
Endy Chávez
Endy de Jesus Chávez is a Major League Baseball outfielder.Chávez bats and throws left-handed and is considered to have good fielding skills, speed, and the ability to hit to all parts of the field...

, pitcher Jason Vargas
Jason Vargas
Jason Matthew Vargas is a Major League Baseball starting pitcher for the Seattle Mariners. He has played parts of two seasons in the major leagues with the Florida Marlins, part of one season in the major leagues with the New York Mets and the last two seasons with the Seattle Mariners.-College...

 and three minor leaguers to Seattle for Putz, center fielder Jeremy Reed
Jeremy Reed
Jeremy Thomas Reed is an American professional baseball outfielder who is a free agent.Reed graduated from Bonita High School in 1999, and went on to play college baseball at Long Beach State University...

 and reliever Sean Green
Sean Green (baseball)
Sean William Green is an American professional baseball pitcher. He was born in Louisville, Kentucky.-Biography:Green grew up in east Louisville, Kentucky, in the Fincastle community....

, while Mets reliever Joe Smith was acquired by Cleveland.

On December 12 the Mets traded Scott Schoeneweis
Scott Schoeneweis
Scott David Schoeneweis is an American Major League Baseball left-handed relief pitcher who is currently a free agent.In the five seasons from 2003–07, Schoeneweis allowed only one home run to left-handed batters...

 to the Arizona Diamondbacks
Arizona Diamondbacks
The Arizona Diamondbacks are a professional baseball team based in Phoenix. They play in the West Division of Major League Baseball's National League. From 1998 to the present, they have played in Chase Field...

 for Connor Robertson
Connor Robertson
James Connor Robertson is a currently inactive right-handed Major League Baseball relief pitcher...

. On January 12, the Mets signed RHP Tim Redding
Tim Redding
Timothy James Redding is an American professional baseball pitcher, who is currently a free agent. He has also pitched for the Houston Astros, San Diego Padres, Washington Nationals, New York Yankees, and New York Mets.-Biography:...

 to a one-year contract. The Mets signed Alex Cora
Alex Cora
José Alexander "Alex" Cora is a Major League Baseball infielder. He played college baseball at the University of Miami.-Early career:...

 to a one-year $2 million dollar contract. The Mets signed Freddy Garcia
Freddy García
Freddy Antonio García , nicknamed "The Chief", is a Venezuelan Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher who is currently a free agent...

 and Rob Mackowiak
Rob Mackowiak
Robert William Mackowiak is an American professional baseball player who is currently a free agent. He bats left-handed, throws right-handed, and is a utility player. During his Major League Baseball career, he has played for the Pittsburgh Pirates, Chicago White Sox, San Diego Padres, and...

 to minor league deals. Garcia's contract, which is full of incentives, could reach $8 million dollars if he reaches the major league roster. On April 3, 2009, the Mets signed outfielder Gary Sheffield
Gary Sheffield
Gary Antonian Sheffield , nicknamed "Sheff", is an American retired Major League Baseball outfielder. He played for eight major league ball clubs from 1988 to 2009, primarily as an outfielder.-Biography:...

 after being released by the Detroit Tigers
Detroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...

.

Roster

2009 New York Mets
Roster
Pitchers Catchers
Infielders
Outfielders
Utility player
Manager
Coaches (first base)
(catching) (bench) (hitting) (bullpen) (third base) (pitching)

Regular season

The Mets opened up the season in Cincinnati against the Reds on April 6. The Mets collected the victory, improving their win-loss record on opening day. The first home game at Citi Field was on April 13, 2009 against the San Diego Padres, who spoiled the opener with a 6–5 win against the Mets. In that game, Jody Gerut
Jody Gerut
Joseph Diego Gerut is a former Major League Baseball center fielder. He attended Jackson Middle School, Willowbrook High School, and later Stanford University...

 of the Padres became the first player to open a new ballpark with a leadoff home run.

On April 17, Gary Sheffield hit his 500th home run
500 home run club
In Major League Baseball , the 500 home run club is a term applied to the group of batters who have hit 500 or more regular-season home runs in their careers. On August 11, 1929, Babe Ruth became the first member of the club. Ruth ended his career with 714 home runs, a record which stood from 1935...

 against the Milwaukee Brewers
Milwaukee Brewers
The Milwaukee Brewers are a professional baseball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, currently playing in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League...

. On May 10, José Reyes stole his 300th base against the Pittsburgh Pirates
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions...

. Despite an injury depleted roster, the Mets finished May with a 19–9 record and trailed the Philadelphia Phillies
Philadelphia Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883. The Phillies are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League...

 by a half game for the NL East lead.

After finishing April and May with a combined record of 28–21, injuries hurt the Mets in June and they went 9–18, their worst month since September 2003, but lost only 2½ games in the standings, as the Phillies were having their own struggles. Injuries continued to hurt them Mets in July, as they went 12–14, quickly falling to 4th place in the National League East
National League East
The National League East Division is one of Major League Baseball's six divisions. The Atlanta Braves and the Philadelphia Phillies are tied for the most National League East Division titles . All of Atlanta's NL East titles came during a record stretch of 14 consecutive division titles...

 and out of playoff contention.

On July 10, the Mets sent outfielder Ryan Church to the Atlanta Braves
Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....

 for outfielder Jeff Francoeur
Jeff Francoeur
Jeffrey Braden Francoeur , nicknamed "Frenchy", is a Major League Baseball right fielder who now plays for the Kansas City Royals. Francoeur is known for a strong throwing arm.-Minor league career:...

.

However, the Mets did set a team record during the 2009 season. They had a team-record 10 hits in the fourth inning on August 18 against the Atlanta Braves
Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....

. They scored eight runs in that inning, on their way to a 9–4 victory.

On August 23, the Mets became the first team in National League
National League
The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League , is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball, and the world's oldest extant professional team sports league. Founded on February 2, 1876, to replace the National Association of Professional...

 history to fall victim to a game-ending unassisted triple play
Unassisted triple play
In baseball, an unassisted triple play occurs when a defensive player makes all three putouts by himself in one continuous play, without any teammates touching the ball . In Major League Baseball , it is one of the rarest of individual feats, along with hitting four home runs in one game and the...

, turned by Eric Bruntlett
Eric Bruntlett
Eric Kevin Bruntlett is a retired Major League Baseball utility player who last played in the New York Yankees organization. He was known for his defensive versatility; he usually played second base or shortstop, but has also played left field. Bruntlett played every position except for catcher...

 of the Philadelphia Phillies
Philadelphia Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883. The Phillies are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League...

 at Citi Field in the bottom of the 9th inning.

The 2009 Mets season will be remembered as a season marred by injuries. On August 25, it was announced that ace Johan Santana
Johan Santana
Johan Alexander Santana Araque is a Major League Baseball left-handed starting pitcher who is currently playing for the New York Mets. He is a native of Venezuela....

 would undergo season-ending elbow surgery on his pitching elbow, and was added to the long list of injured players. Including Santana, the Mets' had 20 players see time on the Disabled list
Disabled list
In Major League Baseball, the disabled list is a method for teams to remove their injured players from the roster in order to summon healthy players.-General guidelines:...

 at some point during the 2009 season, including David Wright, John Maine
John Maine
John Kevin Maine is an American professional baseball pitcher. He has played for the Baltimore Orioles and New York Mets. He bats and throws right-handed.-Early life and college:Maine was born in Fredericksburg, Virginia...

, Jon Niese
Jon Niese
Jonathon Joseph "Jon" Niese is an American professional baseball player. A left-handed pitcher, he currently plays for the New York Mets of Major League Baseball.-Biography:...

, Fernando Nieve
Fernando Nieve
Fernando Alexis Nieve [knee-EH-veh] is a Venezuelan professional baseball pitcher for the Doosan Bears of the Korean Baseball Organization. He previously played in Major League Baseball for the Houston Astros and New York Mets...

, J.J. Putz
J.J. Putz
Joseph Jason "J. J." Putz is a Major League Baseball relief pitcher for the Arizona Diamondbacks.-High school:Born in Trenton, Michigan, Putz led Trenton High School to the 1994 Division 2 state championship. He graduated in 1995 and won the Mr...

, Billy Wagner
Billy Wagner
William Edward Wagner , nicknamed "Billy the Kid", is a retired Major League Baseball relief pitcher. He pitched for the Houston Astros , the Philadelphia Phillies , the New York Mets , the Boston Red Sox , and the Atlanta Braves...

, Brian Schneider
Brian Schneider
Brian Duncan Schneider is an American Major League Baseball catcher.-Early life:Schneider was born in Jacksonville, Florida to Peter and Karen Schneider...

, Carlos Delgado
Carlos Delgado
Carlos Juan Delgado Hernández is a retired Puerto Rican professional baseball player. With 473 home runs and 1,512 RBI, he holds the all-time home run and RBI records among Puerto Rican players....

, Ángel Pagán
Angel Pagán
Ángel Anthony Pagán is a Puerto Rican professional baseball player. He currently plays outfield for the New York Mets of Major League Baseball. Pagan's original contract in Major League Baseball was with the Mets, but he was transferred to the Chicago Cubs when they bought his contract...

, Gary Sheffield
Gary Sheffield
Gary Antonian Sheffield , nicknamed "Sheff", is an American retired Major League Baseball outfielder. He played for eight major league ball clubs from 1988 to 2009, primarily as an outfielder.-Biography:...

, Oliver Perez
Oliver Pérez
Óliver Pérez Martínez is a left-handed pitcher currently in the Washington Nationals organization.-San Diego Padres:...

, Ryan Church, Ramón Martínez, Jose Reyes, Alex Cora
Alex Cora
José Alexander "Alex" Cora is a Major League Baseball infielder. He played college baseball at the University of Miami.-Early career:...

, Carlos Beltran
Carlos Beltrán
Carlos Iván Beltrán is a Major League Baseball outfielder.-Early life:In his youth, Beltrán excelled in many sports, with volleyball and baseball being his favorites. At his father's urging, he gave up volleyball to concentrate on baseball when he was seventeen...

, and Fernando Martinez
Fernando Martínez (baseball)
Jesús Fernando Martínez Álvarez is a Dominican professional baseball outfielder. He is a current Free agent, and last played for the orginization o fht eNew York Mets appearing several times in the majors, in center-field.-Career:...

. Mets players spent more than 1,480 days in the Disabled list in 2009, more than any other team in the majors. However, second-half turnarounds of Francoeur and Daniel Murphy helped the Mets finish the season with the best batting average in the National League, tied with the Los Angeles Dodgers
2009 Los Angeles Dodgers season
The 2009 Los Angeles Dodgers season sees the team defend their National League West title while earning the best record in the National League, and marks the fiftieth anniversary of their 1959 World Series Championship...

.

On August 25 the Mets traded former all-star closer Billy Wagner
Billy Wagner
William Edward Wagner , nicknamed "Billy the Kid", is a retired Major League Baseball relief pitcher. He pitched for the Houston Astros , the Philadelphia Phillies , the New York Mets , the Boston Red Sox , and the Atlanta Braves...

 to the Boston Red Sox
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...

 for minor league outfielder Chris Carter and minor league first baseman Eddie Loria.

Pat Misch
Pat Misch
Patrick "Pat" Theodore Joseph Misch is an American Major League Baseball pitcher who is currently in the Philadelphia Phillies organization.-Early life:Misch was born in Northbrook, Illinois...

 earned his 1st Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...

 win on September 3 in his 12th start.

Game log

2009 Game Log

Batting

Player G AB H BA OBP HR RBI R SB
4 4 0 .000 .000 0 0 0 0
62 241 81 .336 .425 8 40 40 11
11 19 3 .158 .238 0 2 3 0
3 5 1 .200 .333 0 0 0 0
1 1 0 .000 .000 0 0 0 0
91 303 90 .297 .395 0 25 56 12
26 79 20 .253 .322 3 13 5 0
67 232 65 .280 .332 2 22 26 6
74 236 60 .254 .330 0 14 26 8
26 94 28 .298 .393 4 23 15 0
15 44 11 .250 .298 1 6 5 0
52 1 0 .000 1.000 0 0 0 0
1 2 0 .000 .000 0 0 0 0
19 73 22 .301 .325 4 19 7 0
19 37 5 .135 .135 0 0 0 0
12 20 4 .200 .200 0 2 0 0
29 91 16 .176 .242 1 8 11 2
12 42 7 .167 .182 0 4 1 1
13 1 0 .000 .000 0 0 0 0
99 303 75 .248 .316 6 35 38 2
4 8 1 .125 .125 0 0 0 0
7 9 3 .333 .333 0 1 0 0
34 125 36 .288 .328 1 12 20 7
19 34 4 .118 .139 0 4 2 0
10 15 5 .333 .375 0 0 1 0
14 13 1 .077 .077 0 0 0 0
82 109 28 .257 .299 0 7 6 0
9 17 2 .118 .167 0 0 0 1
36 147 41 .279 .355 2 15 18 11
19 32 3 .094 .194 0 1 0 0
62 186 49 .263 .299 6 28 19 0
38 107 22 .206 .307 3 22 8 0
76 212 60 .283 .385 10 36 40 2
11 30 8 .267 .324 0 4 4 1
13 2 0 .000 .000 0 0 0 0
74 198 48 .242 .309 6 25 26 3
11 24 5 .208 .269 0 3 2 0
103 385 124 .322 .413 7 51 67 23

Legend: G = games played; AB = at-bats
At bat
In baseball, an at bat or time at bat is used to calculate certain statistics, including batting average, on base percentage, and slugging percentage. It is a more restricted definition of a plate appearance...

; H = hits; BA = batting average
Batting average
Batting average is a statistic in both cricket and baseball that measures the performance of cricket batsmen and baseball hitters. The two statistics are related in that baseball averages are directly descended from the concept of cricket averages.- Cricket :...

; OBP = on-base percentage; HR = home runs; RBI = runs batted in; R = runs scored; SB = stolen bases
; bold = league leader

Pitching

Player G GS IP W L S ERA H SO BB
9 0 12 ⅓ 0 0 0 3.65 9 6 5
58 0 43 4 3 0 2.51 32 39 10
1 1 6 0 1 0 4.50 5 3 2
3 0 4 0 0 0 2.25 4 3 4
52 0 47 ⅔ 1 3 1 4.72 45 37 19
20 20 120 ⅔ 7 5 0 4.77 138 67 43
11 11 61 ⅔ 5 4 0 4.52 51 42 34
13 0 14 ⅓ 0 0 0 2.51 16 9 9
4 4 24 1 1 0 4.50 26 16 8
8 7 36 ⅔ 3 3 0 2.95 36 23 19
4 0 3 0 0 0 0.00 5 2 1
52 0 40 ⅔ 2 3 0 4.20 49 34 21
21 21 121 ⅓ 8 7 0 4.75 137 67 45
10 10 48 ⅔ 2 3 0 7.03 52 44 47
29 0 29 ⅓ 1 4 2 5.22 29 19 19
16 9 58 ⅓ 1 4 0 6.94 69 38 28
47 0 48 2 2 24 2.06 31 49 26
21 21 137 12 8 0 2.96 124 128 43
42 0 43 ⅔ 1 2 0 3.50 45 26 20
4 0 3 ⅓ 0 0 0 8.10 4 3 2
15 0 18 0 1 0 3.00 16 14 9

Legend: G = games pitched; GS = games started; IP = innings pitched; W = wins; L = losses; ERA = earned run average
Earned run average
In baseball statistics, earned run average is the mean of earned runs given up by a pitcher per nine innings pitched. It is determined by dividing the number of earned runs allowed by the number of innings pitched and multiplying by nine...

; H = hits allowed; SO = strikeouts; BB = walks; S = saves
; bold = league leader

As of August 2, 2009

External links

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