History of New York Mets in Timeline

The New York Mets are a Major League Baseball team based in Queens, New York City, competing in the National League East Division. Founded in 1962 as an expansion team, the Mets were created to fill the void left by the departure of the Brooklyn Dodgers and New York Giants. Their team colors, blue and orange, are a tribute to these former New York teams.

1926: Longest Scoreless Opening Day Game

The Mets and Phillies were involved in the longest scoreless opening day game in the National League and the longest one in the MLB since 1926 on March 31, 1998.

1930: Johnson's Triples

In 1996, Lance Johnson's 21 triples led the National League, the highest amount by an NL player since 1930.

1957: Dodgers and Giants Relocated

After the 1957 season, the Brooklyn Dodgers and New York Giants relocated from New York to California.

1961: "Meet the Mets" Written

In 1961, "Meet the Mets," the New York Mets' signature song, was written by Bill Katz and Ruth Roberts.

1962: Mets Posted 40-120 Record

In 1962, the Mets posted a 40–120 record.

1962: Mets Played at the Polo Grounds

In 1962, the New York Mets played home games at the Polo Grounds in Manhattan.

1962: Mets Founded

In 1962, the New York Mets were founded to replace New York's departed NL teams, the Brooklyn Dodgers and the New York Giants.

1963: Carlton Willey's Season

During the 1963 season, pitcher Carlton Willey had four shut-outs before an injury affected his record.

1963: Duke Snider's Milestones

In 1963, Duke Snider achieved his 2,000th hit, 400th home run, and earned a spot in the All-Star Game.

1963: Mr. Met Introduced

In 1963, Mr. Met was introduced on the cover of game programs when the New York Mets were playing at the Polo Grounds.

1963: Mets Played at the Polo Grounds

In 1963, the New York Mets played home games at the Polo Grounds in Manhattan.

1963: New York Mets Foundation Founded

The New York Mets Foundation, the philanthropic organization of the New York Mets, was founded in 1963.

1964: Yogi Berra Hired as Coach

In 1964, Yogi Berra was hired as a coach under Casey Stengel's coaching staff.

1964: Live Costumed Version of Mr. Met Introduced

In 1964, fans were introduced to a live costumed version of Mr. Met, believed to be the first mascot in Major League Baseball in human form, when the Mets moved to Shea Stadium.

1964: Mets Moved to Shea Stadium

In 1964, the New York Mets moved to Shea Stadium in Queens.

1965: Worst Record Since 1965

In 1993, the Mets meltdown season resulted in their worst record since 1965.

1966: Mets Drafted Steve Chilcott Instead of Reggie Jackson

In 1966, the Mets bypassed future Hall of Famer Reggie Jackson in the amateur draft, selecting Steve Chilcott instead.

1969: Miracle Mets Win World Series

In 1969, the "Miracle Mets" beat the Baltimore Orioles in the World Series.

1969: Mets Win First World Series

In 1969, the Mets swept the Braves in the NLCS, en route to their first World Series championship.

1973: Mets Won Division and Reached World Series

In 1973, the Mets rallied to win their division and shocked the Cincinnati Reds in the NLCS, reaching the World Series.

1976: Mets first winning season since 1976

Davey Johnson became the manager in 1984, leading the Mets to their first winning season since 1976.

1977: Tom Seaver Traded

In 1977, star pitcher Tom Seaver was traded in an event remembered as "the Midnight Massacre."

1979: Mettle the Mule Represents the Mets

In 1979, Mettle the mule represented the New York Mets for only one season, after a contest was held to name the mascot.

January 1980: Doubleday Publishing Company Purchased Mets

In January 1980, the Payson heirs sold the Mets franchise to the Doubleday publishing company for $21.1 million.

1980: Mets Drafted Darryl Strawberry

In 1980, the Mets drafted slugger Darryl Strawberry.

1982: Mets Drafted Dwight Gooden

In 1982, the Mets drafted Dwight Gooden.

1983: Keith Hernandez Trade

In 1983, the Mets acquired Keith Hernandez from the Cardinals, transforming the team into contenders.

1983: Mets Acquired Keith Hernandez

In 1983, the Mets acquired Keith Hernandez from the St. Louis Cardinals, beginning a rivalry between the teams.

1984: Davey Johnson Became Manager

In 1984, Davey Johnson became the manager and led the Mets to their first winning season since 1976.

1985: NL East Supremacy

Between 1985 and 1988, the NL East was dominated by either the Mets or the Cardinals.

1985: Mets Acquired Gary Carter

In 1985, the Mets acquired Gary Carter and won 98 games but missed the playoffs.

1985: Mets and Cardinals Swapped NL East Titles

In 1985, the Mets and Cardinals began swapping NL East titles.

1986: Departures from 1986 Team

After the 1993 season, Howard Johnson and Sid Fernandez, two links to the 1986 team, departed via free agency.

1986: Mets Championship

Following the 1986 championship, the Mets tried to rebuild using experienced superstars.

1986: Mets Won Division and World Series

In 1986, the Mets won the division and a dramatic NLCS, and ultimately won the World Series against the Boston Red Sox.

1987: Strawberry and Johnson Became First Teammates to Hit 30 HR and Steal 30 Bases

In 1987, Darryl Strawberry and Howard Johnson became the first teammates ever to hit 30 homers and steal 30 bases in the same season.

1987: Terry Pendleton's Homer

In 1987, Terry Pendleton hit a homer to give the Cardinals a lead, and eventually the NL East title.

1987: WFAN Inherits Rights

In 1987, WFAN inherited the Mets' broadcast rights from WHN.

1987: Mets Traded for Kevin McReynolds and David Cone

In 1987, the Mets traded for Kevin McReynolds and David Cone after Dwight Gooden was admitted to a drug clinic.

1988: NL East Supremacy

Between 1985 and 1988, the NL East was dominated by either the Mets or the Cardinals.

1988: Mets and Cardinals Swapped NL East Titles

In 1988, the Mets and Cardinals swapped NL East titles.

1988: Mets Won Division but Lost in NLCS

In 1988, the Mets rebounded to win their division but lost in the NLCS to the Los Angeles Dodgers.

1991: Coleman, Gooden, and Boston Named in Alleged Sexual Abuse Incident

At the beginning of the 1991 season, Coleman, Gooden and outfielder Daryl Boston were named in an alleged sexual abuse incident; the charges were later dropped.

1991: Harrelson Fired

During the 1991 season, Harrelson was fired as the Mets manager.

1991: Losing Record Streak

The Mets struggled for much of the 1990s, finishing with a losing record for six consecutive seasons between 1991 and 1996.

1992: David Cone Traded to Blue Jays

During the 1992 season, David Cone was traded to the Toronto Blue Jays for Ryan Thompson and Jeff Kent.

1993: Meltdown Season

In 1993, the Mets had a season filled with controversies, including Coleman accidentally hitting Gooden with a golf club, Saberhagen throwing a firecracker near reporters, and Young setting a record for consecutive losses. Coleman's firecracker incident led to felony charges, and Saberhagen sprayed bleach at reporters. The 1993 season was the worst for the Mets since 1965.

1994: Division Realignment

In 1994, a division realignment put the Mets and the Braves in the NL East together, intensifying their rivalry.

1994: Braves Rivalry Established

In 1994, division realignment put the Mets and the Atlanta Braves in the National League East together, intensifying their rivalry.

1994: Cardinals Moved to NL Central

In 1994, the Cardinals were moved to the National League Central, causing the rivalry with the Mets to fade.

1994: Promising Season

The 1994 season showed promise for the Mets with the emergence of Rico Brogna and Jeff Kent, Bonilla improving, and a healthy Saberhagen contributing to the pitching staff. However, the strike-shortened 1994 season ended on August 12 with the Mets in 3rd place.

1995: Improved Performance

In 1995, the Mets showed some promise again, finishing in 2nd place, but still 6 games under .500, behind eventual World Series champion Atlanta.

1995: Emergence of Generation K

The 1995 season marked the emergence of pitchers Bill Pulsipher, Jason Isringhausen, and Paul Wilson, known as Generation K. These young pitchers were expected to bring greatness to the Mets, but injuries prevented them from reaching their full potential.

1996: 1997 Improved Record

In 1997, the Mets bounced back with an 88-74 record, the team improved by 17 wins from 1996.

1996: Losing Record Streak

The Mets struggled for much of the 1990s, finishing with a losing record for six consecutive seasons between 1991 and 1996.

1996: Hundley's Home Run Record and Johnson's Records

The Mets' dismal 1996 season was highlighted by Todd Hundley breaking the MLB single-season record for home runs hit by a catcher with 41. Lance Johnson also set single-season franchise records in hits (227), triples (21), at-bats (682), and runs scored (117).

April 15, 1997: Jackie Robinson's Number Retired

On April 15, 1997, Major League Baseball retired Jackie Robinson's number 42, when the New York Mets played the Dodgers at Shea Stadium, although Butch Huskey wore the number due to a grandfather clause.

1997: Improved Record and First Subway Series Game

In 1997, the Mets bounced back with an 88–74 record, improving by 17 wins from 1996. On June 16, the Mets beat the New York Yankees in the first regular-season game between the rivals. Hundley's season was derailed by an elbow injury.

1997: Interleague Play Begins

Since the inception of interleague play in 1997, the Mets and Yankees have met every regular season.

1998: Missed Postseason and Roster Changes

After the Piazza trade, the Mets missed the 1998 postseason by one game. Following the season, the Mets re-signed Mike Piazza and traded Todd Hundley. They also acquired Roger Cedeño, Armando Benítez, Robin Ventura, Rickey Henderson, and Bobby Bonilla.

1998: Black Alternate Home Jersey Worn

From 1998, the New York Mets wore a black alternate home jersey.

1998: Study on Economic Effect of Mets and Yankees

In 1998, a study found that most Mets fans lived in the NYC area, and the Mets shared fans in Western New York with the Yankees and Toronto Blue Jays.

1998: Black Added to Color Scheme

In 1998, black was added to the New York Mets color scheme.

1998: Primary Logo Displayed on Black Jersey

In 1998, the black alternate jerseys displayed the primary blue and orange logo on the left sleeves.

1998: Longest Scoreless Opening Day Game

The Mets' 1998 season began with a game on March 31 against the Philadelphia Phillies, marking the first time a regular season baseball game was played in New York in March. The Mets and Phillies were involved in the longest scoreless opening day game in the National League. The Mets won 1-0 in 14 innings.

1999: Playoff Run

After the 1999 regular season ended, the Mets played a one-game playoff against the Cincinnati Reds and advanced to the playoffs. They defeated the Arizona Diamondbacks in the NLDS but lost to the Atlanta Braves in the NLCS.

1999: Postseason Appearance

In 1999, the Mets and Yankees made the postseason in the same year.

1999: Mets and Braves Face Off in NLCS

In 1999, the Mets and the Braves faced each other in the NLCS, with the Braves winning the series.

1999: Alternate Team Logo Created

In 1999, with the introduction of black as an official color, an alternate black and blue team logo was created for the New York Mets.

1999: Games Broadcast on WPIX

Since 1999, Mets games have been broadcast on WPIX.

1999: Coaching Staff Firing and Season Turning Point

The Mets fired their entire coaching staff except for the manager Bobby Valentine after an eight-game losing streak in 1999. The Mets then beat the New York Yankees in a turning point of the 1999 season.

2000: World Series Appearance

In 2000, the Mets and Yankees made the postseason in the same year and faced off in the World Series.

2000: Mets Win National League Pennant

In 2000, the New York Mets won a National League pennant.

September 11, 2001: Support for Tuesday's Children

The New York Mets Foundation supports Tuesday's Children, a non-profit family service organization committed to families affected by the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001.

2001: Piazza's Home Run After 9/11

During the 2001 season, after the September 11 terrorist attacks, Shea Stadium hosted the first sporting event in New York City. Mike Piazza hit a home run in the bottom of the 8th inning, giving the Mets a 3–2 lead and the eventual win. The game is considered to be one of the greatest moments in the history of the franchise.

2002: Distractions and Ownership Change

In 2002, despite the off-season signings, the Mets finished last in the NL East. The team also dealt with off-field distractions as the co-owners Wilpon and Doubleday were in a legal battle which was later settled with Wilpon becoming the sole owner on August 23, 2002.

2004: Rose Replaced Murphy

In 2004, Howie Rose replaced Bob Murphy as Gary Cohen's broadcast partner.

2004: New General Manager

In the aftermath of the 2004 season, the Mets hired a new general manager, Omar Minaya, who immediately turned the franchise around.

2005: Sixth Game of 1986 NLCS Record Broken

In 2005, the sixth game of the 1986 NLCS between the Mets and Astros was no longer the longest playoff game in history.

2005: Resurgence

The Mets finished 2005 four games over .500 after hiring Omar Minaya who immediately turned the franchise around.

2006: Hot Rivalry

From 2006 to 2008 the rivalry between the Mets and the Philadelphia Phillies was said to be among the "hottest" rivalries in the National League.

2006: Cohen Moves to Television

In 2006, Gary Cohen moved to television with the launch of SNY.

2006: Postseason Appearance

In 2006, the Mets and Yankees made the postseason in the same year.

2006: First Postseason Berth Since 2006

On September 26, 2015, the Mets clinched the NL East division title, securing their first postseason berth since 2006.

2006: Playoff contention

Since 2006, the Mets and Phillies have battled for playoff position.

2007: Late Season Collapse

In 2007, the Mets lost 11 of their last 15 games after holding a seven-game lead in the NL East, resulting in the Philadelphia Phillies winning the division.

2007: Phillies Win Division Title

The Phillies' 2007 Eastern Division Title was won on the last day of the season after the Mets lost a seven-game lead.

April 8, 2008: Shea Sign Unveiled

On April 8, 2008, during the final opening day at Shea Stadium, the New York Mets unveiled a sign bearing the name "Shea" next to the team's retired numbers.

2008: Hot Rivalry

From 2006 to 2008 the rivalry between the Mets and the Philadelphia Phillies was said to be among the "hottest" rivalries in the National League.

2008: Final Season at Shea Stadium

In 2008, the New York Mets played their final season at Shea Stadium.

2008: Randolph Firing and Another Division Loss

On June 16, 2008, Omar Minaya fired Willie Randolph, Rick Peterson, and Tom Nieto. Jerry Manuel was named interim manager. Despite an improved record, the Phillies passed them again for the division crown.

2008: Playoff contention

Since 2006, the Mets and Phillies have battled for playoff position.

2009: Fourth Place Finish

As a result of injuries, the Mets finished in fourth place in 2009, failing to qualify for the playoffs for the third straight season. Mets players spent more than 1,480 days on the disabled list, more than any other team in the majors.

2009: Mets Moved to Citi Field

In 2009, the New York Mets moved to Citi Field.

2009: Sheffield's 500th Home Run

On April 17, 2009, Gary Sheffield hit his 500th home run against the Milwaukee Brewers, becoming the first pinch hitter to reach this milestone and the first to do it in a Mets uniform. The Mets were marred by numerous injuries suffered by its players.

2009: Limited Success

Though the first half of the 2010s saw limited success for the Mets, who failed to finish with a winning record between 2009 and 2014.

2011: Lewin Joins Broadcast

Following Hagin's departure after the 2011 season, Josh Lewin joined the broadcast team.

2011: Phillies win consecutive division titles

From 2007 to 2011, the Phillies won five consecutive division titles.

2011: Shares Sold

In 2011, Mets ownership sold twelve minority 4% shares (totaling 48%) of the franchise at $20 million apiece to provide a cash infusion of $240 million for the team.

2012: The 7 Line Army Founded

In 2012, Darren Meenan founded The 7 Line Army, a group of passionate Mets fans occupying the Big Apple Section of Citi Field during home games.

2012: First No-Hitter and Cy Young Award

In 2012, Johan Santana pitched the first no-hitter in franchise history. R.A. Dickey won the NL Cy Young Award pitching for the Mets.

2012: Settlement of Madoff Lawsuit

In 2012, Mets owners Fred Wilpon and Saul Katz settled a lawsuit related to Bernard Madoff's Ponzi scheme for $162 million. The liquidator agreed to drop charges that they blindly went along with the scheme.

2012: Welcome Home Dinner

In 2012, the Mets hosted the annual Welcome Home Dinner, raising over $550,000 for the Mets Foundation.

2013: Game Reduction

From the 2013 season the number of games between the Yankees and Mets was reduced to four.

2014: Ralph Kiner Memorial Logo Displayed

In 2014, a special memorial logo honoring broadcaster Ralph Kiner was displayed on the left-field wall from 2014 to 2016.

2014: Limited Success

Though the first half of the 2010s saw limited success for the Mets, who failed to finish with a winning record between 2009 and 2014.

2014: Logo Alteration on Social Media

Toward the end of the 2014 season, the New York Mets made a slight alteration to their logo on their Facebook and Twitter accounts, changing the roof of the building to the far right to the Citigroup Center, which was immediately reverted due to negative fan reaction.

2014: WOR as Radio Flagship

WOR was the Mets' radio flagship from 2014 to 2018.

September 26, 2015: NL East Division Title

On September 26, 2015, the Mets clinched the NL East division title, securing their first postseason berth since 2006. They later won the NLDS and NLCS, advancing to the World Series.

2015: Postseason Appearance

In 2015, the Mets and Yankees made the postseason in the same year.

2015: Mets Win National League Pennant

In 2015, the New York Mets won a National League pennant.

January 2016: Keith Hernandez Re-signs with SNY

In January 2016, Keith Hernandez re-signed with SNY.

2016: Kiner Logo Moved

During the 2016 season, to accommodate Mike Piazza's number, the Kiner logo was placed next to the Shea and Jackie Robinson numbers.

2016: Wild Card Game Loss

In 2016, the Mets returned to the postseason, marking the second time in franchise history that the team qualified for the postseason in consecutive years. The team qualified for the wild-card game, only to lose 3–0 to the San Francisco Giants.

2018: deGrom's Cy Young Award

In 2018, Jacob deGrom was awarded a Cy Young Award after finishing the year with a 1.70 ERA.

2018: WOR as Radio Flagship

WOR was the Mets' radio flagship from 2014 to 2018.

October 3, 2019: Callaway Fired

On October 3, 2019, the Mets fired manager Mickey Callaway.

November 1, 2019: Beltrán Named Manager

On November 1, 2019, the Mets named Carlos Beltrán as the new manager replacing Callaway.

2019: Mets on WHSQ-AM

Since 2019, the Mets have aired games at WHSQ's 880 AM frequency.

2019: Winning Record, No Postseason

The Mets failed to make the playoffs for the rest of the decade, finishing no higher than third place in 2019 when they finished with a winning record of 86–76.

January 16, 2020: Beltrán Steps Down as Manager

On January 16, 2020, Carlos Beltrán stepped down as the New York Mets manager due to his involvement in the Houston Astros sign-stealing scandal.

October 30, 2020: Steve Cohen Becomes Majority Owner

On October 30, 2020, Steve Cohen became the majority owner of the New York Mets, owning 95% of the team after buying it from the Wilpon family for $2.4 billion.

2020: Spanish Broadcasts on WQBU-FM

From 2020 to 2021, Spanish-language broadcasts were on WQBU-FM 92.7, Que Buena.

2020: Steve Cohen Purchased the Mets

In 2020, Steve Cohen purchased the Mets for $2.4 billion.

January 7, 2021: Mets Acquire Lindor and Carrasco

On January 7, 2021, the New York Mets acquired Francisco Lindor and Carlos Carrasco in a trade with the Cleveland Indians.

August 28, 2021: Jerry Koosman's Number Retirement

On August 28, 2021, the Mets retired Jerry Koosman's number 36.

2021: Spanish Broadcasts on WQBU-FM

From 2020 to 2021, Spanish-language broadcasts were on WQBU-FM 92.7, Que Buena.

2021: "Let's Go Mets" Internet Meme

In 2021, an internet meme involving the fan chant "let's go, Mets" began spreading through social media.

2021: Black Reintroduced in Alternate Uniforms

In 2021, the New York Mets reintroduced black in their alternate uniforms.

2021: Black Alternate Home Jersey Reintroduced

In 2021, the New York Mets reintroduced the black alternate home jersey.

2021: Blue and Orange Logo Patch on Black Jerseys

In 2021, when the New York Mets brought back the black jerseys, they featured the blue and orange logo patch instead of the black and blue logo.

April 29, 2022: Mets Pitch Second No-Hitter in Franchise History

On April 29, 2022, Tylor Megill, Drew Smith, Joely Rodríguez, Seth Lugo and Edwin Díaz combined to pitch the second no-hitter in New York Mets franchise history in a 3–0 victory against the Philadelphia Phillies.

July 9, 2022: Keith Hernandez's Number Retirement

On July 9, 2022, the Mets retired Keith Hernandez's number 17.

2022: Postseason Appearance

In 2022, the Mets and Yankees made the postseason in the same year.

2022: Mets Clinch Postseason Berth and Alonso Breaks RBI Record

In 2022, the New York Mets clinched their first postseason berth since 2016, and Pete Alonso broke the Mets single-season RBI record previously set by Mike Piazza and David Wright. The Mets lost the 2022 National League Wild Card Series to the San Diego Padres.

April 5, 2023: Bob Murphy Honored

On April 5, 2023, the Mets honored broadcaster Bob Murphy with a microphone logo alongside Ralph Kiner.

September 12, 2023: David Stearns Hired as President of Baseball Operations

On September 12, 2023, the New York Mets hired David Stearns as their new president of baseball operations.

2023: Mets Ranked Sixth Most Valuable MLB Team

As of 2023, Forbes ranked the Mets as the sixth most valuable MLB team, valued at $2.9 billion.

2023: Mets Miss Playoffs After Losing DeGrom

In 2023, the New York Mets missed the playoffs, finishing fourth in the NL East with a 75–87 record, despite signing Justin Verlander and Kodai Senga after losing Jacob deGrom to free agency.

2023: Randazzo Replaced by Keith Raad

Starting in the 2023 Season, Randazzo will be replaced by Keith Raad as Randazzo will be doing the television broadcasts for the Los Angeles Angels.

April 14, 2024: Dwight Gooden's Number Retirement

On April 14, 2024, the Mets retired Dwight Gooden's number 16.

August 2024: Mets radio broadcasts produced by Audacy, Inc.

As of late August 2024, Mets radio broadcasts are produced by Audacy, Inc..

December 8, 2024: Mets Sign Juan Soto to Record-Breaking Contract

On December 8, 2024, the New York Mets signed Juan Soto to a 15-year, $765 million contract, the largest in professional sports history.

2024: Team's Overall Win-Loss Record

As of the end of the 2024 regular season, the team's overall win–loss record is 4,816–5,148 (.483).

2024: Mets Improve After Players-Only Meeting and Reach NLCS

In 2024, after a dismal start, the New York Mets significantly improved and reached the National League Championship Series after a players-only meeting and team bonding, before losing to the Los Angeles Dodgers.

2024: Chicago White Sox Lost More than 1962 Mets

In 2024, the Chicago White Sox had more losses than the 1962 Mets.

2024: Postseason Appearance

In 2024, the Mets and Yankees made the postseason in the same year.

2024: Black Alternate Home Jersey Modified

In 2024, the black alternate New York Mets home jersey was introduced in its current form, a modified version of the one worn from 1998 to 2012 and reintroduced for Friday home games in 2021.

2024: City Connect Jersey Introduced

In 2024, the dark gray New York Mets City Connect jersey with black and purple accents was introduced.

February 24, 2025: Roster Update

On February 24, 2025, Roster, coaches, and NRIs were updated.

July 19, 2025: David Wright's Number Retirement Announcement

On December 13, it was announced that the Mets will retire David Wright's number 5 on July 19, 2025.

2025: New Road Uniforms to be Introduced

In 2025, the New York Mets road uniforms will be introduced in their current form, featuring a radially-arched "NEW YORK" in Tiffany-style letters across the chest.