A Basic History of the New York Mets Baseball Team

The New York Mets are a professional baseball team that plays in Major League Baseball. The Mets play in the East Division of the National League.

The franchise was founded in 1962 when the Mets began playing their home games at the Polo Grounds. After the 1963 season, the Mets moved to their current location, Shea Stadium.

In the franchise history of the New York Mets, the team has won five NL East Division titles. They won the NL East in 1969, 1973, 1986, 1988, and 2006. The Mets also made it into the playoffs twice by winning the wildcard berth back-to-back in 1999 and 2000.

The New York Mets have gone on to win the National League Championship on four different occasions in 1969, 1973, 1986, and 2000, earning themselves trips to the World Series.

The Mets went on to win two of the World Series they played in, taking home the World Series Championship in 1969 and 1986.

Only one player in the National Baseball Hall of Fame has ever been inducted as a New York Met, Tom Seaver. Seaver was a pitcher for the Mets from 1967-1977 and in 1983. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1992.

Eight other former New York Mets players are currently enshrined in the Hall of Fame, although they were inducted on other teams. Those players are Richie Ashburn, Yogi Berra, Gary Carter, Willie Mays, Eddie Murray, Nolan Ryan, Duke Snider, and Warren Spahn. Former manager of the Mets, Casey Stengel, is also in the Hall of Fame.

Carter asked the Hall of Fame that he be inducted as a Met and an Expo. When this was turned down, he asked to be inducted as a Met, but the Hall of Fame refused. Carter was inducted as a part of the Montreal Expos.

Three former members of the New York Mets have had their numbers retired by the Mets: Casey Stengel - 37, Gil Hodges - 14, and Tom Seaver - 41. Stengel was the manager of the Mets from 1962-1965. Hodges played on the Mets from 1962-1963 and then was the manager from 1968-1971. The number 42 is also retired by the Mets, as it is across baseball, in honor of Jackie Robinson.

The New York Mets are currently owned by Fred Wilpon. Willie Randolph is the manager, and Omar Minaya is the general manager.