1986 New York Mets season

Major League Baseball season March 2026 November 2013 New York Mets 1986 World Series championsNational League championsNational League East champions National League East Shea Stadium New York 108 54 y 1st Nelson Doubleday Jr. andFred Wilpon Frank Cashen Davey Johnson WOR-TV 9(Ralph Kiner, Tim McCarver, Steve Zabriskie, Rusty Staub)SportsChannel New York(Ralph Kiner, Tim McCarver, Fran Healy, Rusty Staub) WHN–AM 1050 (Bob Murphy, Gary Thorne, Juan Alicea (SP)) frameless The 1986 World Champion New York Mets reuniting at Citi Field for the team's 30th anniversary in 2016 A group of middle-aged men in baseball shirts gather During the 1986 Major League Baseball (MLB) season, the New York Mets won the National League East (NL East), the National League Championship Series (NLCS) and the World Series, the team's second and most recent World Series championship. General manager Frank Cashen and manager Davey Johnson built a powerful team that compiled one of the best regular season records in MLB history. The Mets' season began on April 8, 1986, with a victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates at Three Rivers Stadium, and they were soon in first place, where they remained the rest of the season. Playing their 25th season in the National League, the Mets improved from a 98–64 record in 1985 to a franchise-best 108–54. They were never seriously challenged in the NL East, defeating the second-place Philadelphia Phillies by 211 2 games. They went on to defeat the Houston Astros in six games in the NLCS and the American League champion Boston Red Sox in seven games in the World Series. Both series featured a memorable extra-inning Game 6 won by the Mets after being down to their final at-bat: over the Astros to win the NLCS and over the Red Sox to avoid elimination and force a Game 7. The 1986 Mets have been described as one of the best teams in MLB history. Nevertheless, the failure to sustain the success has marred the team's legacy. During the season, many team members drank heavily, and the 1986 Mets have become known for their lifestyle off the field. Background History of the New York Mets The New York Mets began play in 1962, and for their first seven years were known mostly for losing. Despite this, they attracted considerable fan support,Goodman 6 especially once Shea Stadium opened in 1964.Gordon 64–65 By 1968, they had one of the National League's premier pitching staffs, but still finished ninth in the ten-team league.Golenbock 213–214 But the following year, the "Miracle Mets" won the National League East with a 100–62 record and swept the Atlanta Braves in the 1969 National League Championship Series.Goodman 13–14Gordon 93 The American League champions, the Baltimore Orioles, who had won 109 games during the regular season, had difficulty taking New York seriously, given the team's reputation for losing.Gordon 98–99 They learned to do so, as in the 1969 World Series, the Mets defeated the Orioles, four games to one.Goodman 14 The Mets failed to build on this triumph.Gordon 107–109 In 1973, the Mets, despite a mediocre regular season, took the defending champion Oakland A's to the seventh game of the 1973 World Series.Goodman 17, 20 That would be the last postseason appearance for the Mets until 1986.Pearlman 167 Minimal success followed 1973, leading into losing seasons in the late 1970s and early 1980s, with low attendance. Many fans were alienated by the 1977 trade of pitcher Tom Seaver in a contract dispute.Goodman 21 In 1979, the Mets finished last, 35 games behind the Pittsburgh Pirates, and drew fewer than 800,000 fans to Shea Stadium, the lowest full-season attendance thus far in team history.Pearlman 22 In January 1980, Nelson Doubleday Jr. and Fred Wilpon purchased the Mets. They hired Frank Cashen as general manager.Pearlman 23 He began work, warning that it would take four or five years to build a winning team. One advantage the Mets' woeful record had gotten them was the first pick in the 1979 MLB Draft, which they used to select Darryl Strawberry.Pearlman 24–25 Cashen made only one minor trade in 1980, spending the season observing,Golenbock 361 and the team avoided last place for the first time since 1976, finishing fifth. The 1981 season saw improvement, with young prospects such as Hubie Brooks and Mookie Wilson playing well. The team briefly contended in the second half of the strike-marred 1981 season, before fading due to injuries.Pearlman 27–28Silverman 20 thumb|upright|alt=A baseball player in uniform kneels facing the camera|The acquisition of Keith Hernandez was a key ingredient in building the 1986 Mets. The 1982 Mets started well, six games over .500 on Memorial Day, and then fell apart, losing 97 games and coming within two of the team record for consecutive losses, set at 17 by the woeful 1962 Mets.Silverman 20–21 Cashen made a number of trades, acquiring Ron Darling and George Foster, and with the fifth selection in the 1982 MLB Draft took Dwight Gooden.Pearlman 29–30 The Mets finished last again in 1983, but Strawberry won NL Rookie of the Year and the Mets' young pitching staff showed potential. The Mets acquired former Most Valuable Player Keith Hernandez from the St. Louis Cardinals.Silverman 21 Before the 1984 season, Cashen hired former Oriole Davey Johnson as manager. Despite an abundance of quality pitching, the Mets were picked to finish last again.Pearlman 45–36 Gooden won seventeen games and the NL Rookie of the Year award and Strawberry started the All-Star Game as the Mets finished second, 61 2 games behind the Chicago Cubs.Pearlman 29 The Mets improved what was already a strong lineup by acquiring slugging catcher Gary Carter from the Montreal Expos in December 1984.Pearlman 38–39 The Mets built by such trades: of the eight position players who started most for the 1986 Mets, only four were originally signed by New York, and of the four regular starting pitchers, only Gooden was a Mets draft pick.Neyer & Epstein 336 In 1985, the Mets won 98 games and took the Cardinals to the final weekend of the regular season before finishing second, three games back.Silverman 6–7 Despite having the most wins in baseball for the combined 1984 and 1985 seasons, in an era before the wild card in baseball, the Mets had no playoff appearances to show for it.Silverman 23 Offseason The Mets signed no expensive free agents in the 1985–86 offseason. GM Frank Cashen did not favor free agency, and most baseball owners, at the request of the new baseball commissioner, Peter Ueberroth, had agreed to refrain from signing free agents to keep salary costs down. For this, they were later penalized for collusion.Silverman 25–30 Given Cashen's views on the subject, the Mets might have stayed out of the free agent market anyway, but their rivals also doing so benefitted New York.Silverman 35 Notable offseason transactions involving the Mets included: November 13, 1985: Calvin Schiraldi, Wes Gardner, John Christensen, and La Schelle Tarver are traded by the Mets to the Boston Red Sox for Bob Ojeda, Tom McCarthy, John Mitchell and Chris Bayer (minors).https://www.baseball-reference.com/o/ojedabo01.shtml Bob Ojeda page Baseball-Reference.com September 12, 2010 November 13, 1985: Kelvin Chapman, Brent Gaff and Tom Paciorek were released by the Mets, who sent Clint Hurdle, Randy Niemann and Terry Leach to the Tidewater Mets.Silverman 33 December 10, 1985: Hurdle was selected by the Cardinals from the Mets in the 1985 rule 5 draft.https://www.baseball-reference.com/h/hurdlcl01.shtml Clint Hurdle page Baseball-Reference.com September 12, 2010 January 16, 1986: Ronn Reynolds was traded by the New York Mets with Jeff Bittiger to the Philadelphia Phillies for Rodger Cole and Ronnie Gideon.https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/r/reynoro02.shtml Ronn Reynolds Statistics and History Baseball-Reference.com August 24, 2012 January 16, 1986: Billy Beane, Joe Klink, and Bill Latham were traded by the Mets to the Minnesota Twins for Tim Teufel and Pat Crosby (minors).https://www.baseball-reference.com/b/beanebi01.shtml Billy Beane page Baseball-Reference.com September 12, 2010 March 4, 1986: Tim Corcoran was signed as a free agent by the Mets.https://www.baseball-reference.com/c/corcoti01.shtml Tim Corcoran page Baseball-Reference.com September 12, 2010 Spring training thumb|right|alt=Baseball players running together|Mets spring training in 1986 One issue that shadowed the Mets as they began preparation for the 1986 season was the involvement of Hernandez in cocaine use–he had testified during a criminal trial in Pittsburgh during the previous year's pennant race. On February 28, 1986, Commissioner Ueberroth suspended Hernandez, along with six players on other teams, for a year, but allowed them to play the 1986 season if they agreed to drug testing, performed community service and donated part of their salaries to anti-drug initiatives. All affected players agreed to these terms.Silverman 42–46 The 1986 Mets held spring training at Al Lang Stadium in St. Petersburg, Florida for the 25th season, at facilities that they shared with the Cardinals.Silverman 50 Tired of the arrangement, the Mets signed an agreement in June 1986 to move to a complex in Port St. Lucie, Florida.Silverman 61–62 During the exhibition season, the Mets posted a record of 13 wins, 13 losses and a tie.Pearlman 55 One major injury during spring training was to Mookie Wilson, whose sunglasses shattered when hit by a thrown ball during a drill. He needed eye surgery and was out for two months.Pearlman 48 Regular season right 24em right The 1986 Mets were my introduction to the experience of being good, and of course it was a complete anomaly—our one and only unstoppable winning machine. We were the favorite in every game we played. The Mets were the favorite. We were supposed to win and we did. It'll never happen again ... It felt less like magic, more like curb-stomping. The '86 Mets were crude and brutish and swaggering, and they kept punching people ... The '86 Mets were a pack of savages, and I loved it. Devin Gordon (2021). So Many Ways to Lose: The Amazing True Story of the New York Mets, the Best Worst Team in Sports, p. 183 April The Mets won their opening day game against the Pirates at Three Rivers Stadium on April 8, but then lost three of their next four, including extra-inning losses to the Cardinals and Philadelphia Phillies. But when the Mets beat the Pirates on April 22 for their fifth straight victory, moving their record to 7–3, they took over first place, a position they would never relinquish.Pearlman 62–63Johnson Error in 13th Leads to Mets' 6-2 Loss April 15, 1986 Joseph Durso New York Times A25 Joe Durso https://www.nytimes.com/1986/04/15/sports/johnson-error-in-13th-leads-to-mets-6-2-loss.html subscription The Mets had their first off-the-field controversy of the season, with Gooden involved in an altercation at LaGuardia Airport while returning a rental car. Although this later led to Gooden doing commercials for another rental car company, there were negative headlines in the New York press at the time.Pearlman 60 Their toughest test in this stretch happened in St. Louis in a four-game series. On April 24, with the Cardinals leading 4–2 in the top of the ninth, Howard Johnson hit a game-tying home run and the Mets won in ten innings, the first blown ninth inning lead for the Cardinals in 90 games. After Gooden shut out the Cardinals in the second game, New York completed the sweep with two more wins. Cardinals manager Whitey Herzog told sportswriters, "The Mets are the team to beat. Hell, they think they won the last two years anyway."Pearlman 65 The Mets finished the month 13–3, 41 2 games in front of the Cardinals and the best start in franchise history.Pearlman 65–68 May After posting the best winning percentage of any month in franchise history in April, the Mets won twice more, over the Braves, before losing, but then started a seven-game winning streak, thus winning 18 of 19 games and posting an overall record of 20–5. By then, four of the Mets' five NL East rivals were at least nine games back, including the Cardinals, leaving only the Expos, whom the Mets had not yet played.Silverman 89, 92–93 On May 15, after a victory over Houston and ex-Met Nolan Ryan, Gary Carter stated that the other teams "must be thinking, 'Gee, when are the Mets going to take a dive?' Well, we don't plan on it."Pearlman 75 Many of the Mets drank heavily, including on the charter aircraft taking the team from city to city. Davey Johnson, a hard drinker both as a player and as Mets manager, strongly disliked taking on the role of disciplinarian, and avoided it. Though some Mets, like Gary Carter and Mookie Wilson, were well-behaved, others, such as Danny Heep, Doug Sisk and Jesse Orosco, drank heavily in the rear of the team aircraft (and elsewhere) and were known as the "Scum Bunch".Pearlman 75–86 The Mets continued from Houston on a nine-game West Coast swing, on which they went 5–4.1986 New York Mets Schedule June 3, 2026 https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/NYM/1986-schedule-scores.shtml Baseball-reference.com The Mets had rarely had success on West Coast road trips in recent years and counted it a victory to return to Shea with the same four-game lead they had left with.Silverman 99–100 On May 27 at Shea, the Mets and Dodgers had an on-the-field brawl after Dodgers reliever Tom Niedenfuer hit Ray Knight with a pitch after George Foster had hit a grand slam home run.Silverman 101–103 The Mets went 18–9 in May and ended the month with a season record of 31–12. June The Mets had suffered injuries to third baseman Howard Johnson and to Strawberry, the latter causing great concern since an injury to him the previous year was blamed with costing the Mets the division title. Both returned in June, with the Mets 6–3 in Strawberry's absence.Silverman 106–109 Playing against the Pirates at Three Rivers Stadium on June 6, the Mets were in another on-field brawl, this one sparked by a dispute between Pirates pitcher Rick Rhoden and Mets first base coach Bill Robinson over whether Rhoden was tampering with the ball.Pearlman 97–98 The Mets split a doubleheader with the Pirates that day, with Strawberry went 4–7 with a home run on his first day back, and the Mets took four of five games in that series.Silverman 110–111 On June 10 against the Phillies, reserve infielder Tim Teufel hit a pinch-hit, game-winning grand slam in the 11th inning.Teufel Slams Phils; Yanks Escape; Mets win in 11th, 8-4 Durso Joseph The New York Times June 11, 1986 D27 https://www.nytimes.com/1986/06/11/sports/teufel-slams-phils-yanks-escape-mets-win-in-11th-8-4.htmlurl-access=subscriptionMets Rock Phils on Grand Slam in 11th Philadelphia Inquirer June 11, 1986 Peter Pascarelli F1 New York finally played Montreal in mid-June; the Expos won two of three at Stade Olympique, with Gooden losing the third game, and Montreal also won two of three at Shea, with Gooden pitching poorly in a no decision. Despite an 8–2 record, Gooden was pitching badly enough that there was speculation as to what might be wrong–his increasing cocaine habit was not yet publicly known. Ahead by 91 2 games at month's end,Silverman 111–113 the Mets went 19–9 during June and finished the month with a season record of 50–21. July A Gooden victory over the Astros at Shea on July 4 was the team's eighth straight, and put the Mets 121 2 games ahead in the NL East, the second-largest July 4 lead in NL history after the 1912 New York Giants.Silverman 124 The Mets had their third brawl of the season on July 11 when Braves pitcher David Palmer hit Strawberry with a pitch after Carter hit a three-run home run and then took a curtain call to the Shea crowd. Carter, on his next at bat against Palmer hit a grand slam, and the Mets won 11–0.Pearlman 111–112 At the 1986 MLB All-Star Game in Houston, with New York 131 2 games ahead, there were five Met players including Gooden, who was the starting (and losing) pitcher for the NL. Also present was Davey Johnson, one of Whitey Herzog's coaches.Silverman 124–127 The night after the All-Star break concluded, still in Houston, the Mets defeated Nolan Ryan and the Astros, 13–2. Then, several Mets went out to a local nightclub and there was an altercation with the Houston police, and four Mets were arrested. Charges were dropped, but there was massive publicity and the Mets lost the remaining games in the series.Silverman 127–132 The remaining brawl the Mets had on the field in 1986 occurred at Cincinnati's Riverfront Stadium on July 22. In the top of the ninth, Dave Parker dropped the ball that could have been the final out for the Reds, allowing the Mets to tie the game. In the bottom of the tenth, Eric Davis got to third and brawled with Ray Knight. Both men, along with Kevin Mitchell and Mario Soto, were ejected. Johnson was forced to alternate Orosco and Roger McDowell in the outfield and at pitcher. In the top of the fourteenth, Howard Johnson hit a three-run home run to score the winning runs.Silverman 130–134 The Mets went 16–11 during July and finished the month with a season record of 66–32 and were up by 151 2 games in the NL East. August Former MVP George Foster was released after he was benched for Mitchell, and in interviews stated his belief that the benching was not due to his decline in production, but was for racial reasons. Foster had also refused to leave the bench for the brawl in Cincinnati, which was seen by teammates as a refusal to defend them. Former Mets favorite Lee Mazzilli was re-signed, filling Foster's spot on the roster.Pearlman 145–148 By mid-August, the pennant race was just about over, with the Mets up 18 games.Pearlman 150 The Mets went 21–11 in August and ended the month with a season record, to that point, of 87–43 and were up by 19 games in the NL East. September–October By September 12, the Mets had reduced their magic number, the number of wins (or losses by the second-place team) they needed to clinch the division, to 2, and with a three-game series upcoming at the second-place Phillies, the Mets expected to clinch the division.Pearlman 166–167Magic Number (MN) https://www.mlb.com/glossary/advanced-stats/magic-number June 12, 2026 Major League Baseball Droves of Mets fans were at Veterans Stadium hoping to see them clinch the NL East.Mets Set to Clinch Vs. Phils September 12, 1986 Peter Pascarelli Philadelphia Inquirer D1 Instead, the Phillies remained alive in the division by sweeping the Mets.Pearlman 167 The Mets then split a two-game series in St. Louis, trimming the magic number to clinch to 1 on September 16. The following day, they hosted Dennis Eckersley and the Chicago Cubs. With Hernandez not in the starting lineup, suffering from the flu, Dave Magadan was the offensive hero of the day. Hernandez returned in the 9th for the final out.Finally, the Mets achieve the Inevitable Title September 18, 1986 Joseph Durso New York Times B17 subscription https://www.nytimes.com/1986/09/18/sports/finally-the-mets-achieve-the-inevitable-title.html Champagne popped in the clubhouse as the fans quickly stormed the field, destroying much of Shea Stadium's grass surface.Fans Rip Up Field Yannis Alex New York Times September 18, 1986 B17 https://www.nytimes.com/1986/09/18/sports/fans-rip-up-field.htm subscription The Mets won a team-record 108 games.Mets Installing Single-Wing Offense? October 6, 1986 George Vecsey New York Times C4 subscription George Vecsey https://www.nytimes.com/1986/10/06/sports/mets-installing-single-wing-offense.html They went 16–11 during September and won all five regular season October games to end the season with a record of 108-54 while winning the NL East by 211 2 games. Postseason NLCS box scores and full statistics 1986 National League Championship Series right 26em right There was for the Mets the terrifying shadow of a pitcher named Mike Scott hanging over the entire proceedings. In his two starting assignments, Mike Scott positively humiliated New York's killers. After that the Mets kept looking over their shoulders, anticipating when they would see him next, until on the day of the sixteen-inning game, Scott's shadow lent a new kind of ferocity to the Mets' game plan. Time may twist the Mets' memories of that situation, but virtually every one of them felt that the team could not beat Scott. Virtually every one of them believed that either they would win it in six or give back to Scott in Game Seven everything they had created in the magnificent summer of 1986. Jerry Izenberg (1987). The Greatest Game Ever Played, p. 17 The Astros had won the NL West with 96 wins, 12 fewer than the Mets. It was the NL East's turn to have home team advantage, but the Houston Oilers had an NFL game scheduled for the same day as Game 4 that could not be moved, and the league scheduled the Astros to have the extra home game.Izenberg 41 Thus, the Astros hosted the Mets for the first two games of the 1986 National League Championship Series,Silverman 172 with Game 1 on October 8 featuring Gooden against Mike Scott. A second-inning home run by Houston's Glenn Davis was the only run as the Astros won the opening game, 1–0.Izenberg 41–43 The Mets evened the series the next day as Bob Ojeda outpitched Nolan Ryan, 5–1.Pearlman 185–187 Game 3 at Shea Stadium on October 11 featured a matchup of Bob Knepper versus the Mets' Ron Darling. Houston took a 4–0 lead, including a two-run home run by Bill Doran but the Mets tied it with four runs in the sixth, including a home run by Strawberry with two men on base. Rick Aguilera of the Mets gave up an unearned run in the top of the seventh, but in the bottom of the ninth, Lenny Dykstra of the Mets hit a two-run home run off Houston closer Dave Smith to win the game 6-5, with Orosco taking the decision.Pearlman 187–191 Houston pitched Scott again in Game 4; he outdueled Sid Fernandez, 3–1, for his second win of the series.Silverman 178 Postponed a day due to rain,Silverman 179 Game 5 was another pitcher's duel with Nolan Ryan for the Astros against Dwight Gooden. Ryan gave up one run in nine innings, while Gooden gave up one run in ten. Wally Backman singled in the twelfth and was brought home by a Carter hit for the winning run in a 2–1 game, with Orosco winning his second game.Neyer & Epstein 328 The series returned to Houston for its conclusion, with the Mets up three games to two. The Mets were desperate to avoid giving Mike Scott a chance at a third victory in a Game 7.Izenberg 51 The Astros scored three runs in the bottom of the first and Knepper set to work protecting that lead, allowing no runs through eight innings, and the score remained 3–0 Astros going into the top of the ninth.Pearlman 199–200 Three hits by the Mets in the top of the ninth scored two runs and drove Knepper from the game, bringing in Smith, who allowed a sacrifice fly by Knight to tie the score. The game went into extra innings. The Mets scored in the top of the fourteenth, but in the bottom of the inning Billy Hatcher homered to tie the game again at 4–4. In the sixteenth, the Mets scored three times, but the Astros cut the lead to a run before Orosco retired the side for his third win of the series, 7–6, giving the Mets the pennant.Pearlman 201–204 On the flight back to New York, the Mets partied on the charter flight and trashed the plane, causing United Airlines to present them with a bill for $7,500 and a notice that the team's business was no longer welcome.Pearlman 13–16 World Series thumb|upright|alt=A man in baseball uniform swinging a bat|Mookie Wilson's two-run at bat won Game 6. box scores and full statistics 1986 World Series The Boston Red Sox had defeated the California Angels in the 1986 American League Championship Series.Pearlman 215 They quickly took the wind out of the Mets' sails by winning the first two games at Shea, the first 1–0 behind Bruce Hurst, the second 9–3, a Steve Crawford win in relief of Roger Clemens over Gooden.Pearlman 217–222 The Mets won Game 3 at Fenway Park behind two Gary Carter home runs, as Bob Ojeda was the winner, 7–1, over Oil Can Boyd. They evened the series behind Darling, 6–2, as Al Nipper took the loss. But Hurst beat the Mets again in Game 5, defeating Gooden, 4–2. This sent the series back to Shea Stadium with the Mets needing to win two straight games to take the series.Silverman 202–206 Ojeda and Clemens faced off in Game 6, though neither figured in the decision. The Red Sox took leads of 2–0 and 3–2, but the Mets tied it each time and the game went to extra innings, tied 3–3. In the top of the tenth, Dave Henderson homered and Marty Barrett drove home Wade Boggs to give the Red Sox a 5–3 lead.Silverman 208–215 In the bottom of the tenth, the first two Mets went quietly against Calvin Schiraldi. With the Mets down to their last out, Carter and Kevin Mitchell singled, and Ray Knight drove home a run with a single to narrow the score to 5–4 and bring Mookie Wilson to the plate. Boston manager John McNamara brought in Bob Stanley to pitch to Wilson.Pearlman 246–252 As Wilson batted, he fouled off a series of pitches. Stanley threw a wild pitch to bring home Mitchell and tie the game at 5–5. Wilson hit a ball down the first base line. First baseman Bill Buckner attempted to field it but it went between his legs, Knight scored, and the Mets won 6–5, meaning there would be a series-deciding Game 7.Pearlman 252–254 The final game was postponed a day due to rain, allowing McNamara to start Hurst for the third time.Pearlman 256 The Red Sox took a 3–0 lead in the second inning, while Hurst allowed little until the sixth inning, when the Mets broke through to tie the score. Schiraldi replaced Hurst, and in the seventh inning, Knight hit a home run and the Mets scored three runs to take a 6–3 lead. Boston narrowed the lead to 6–5 in the top of the eighth, but two runs, including a home run from Strawberry, gave the Mets an 8–5 lead. Jesse Orosco, who had been brought in to relieve Roger McDowell in the eighth, retired the Red Sox in the ninth to give the Mets their second World Series championship.Pearlman 256–260 Aftermath and legacy right 26em right The Mets owned New York City because they were New York City. In 1986, way before the Giuliani crackdowns, the Big Apple was a cesspool of sin ... There was a ruthlessness floating through the air, a vibe that the movie Wall Street summed up perfectly. Mets manager Davey Johnson guaranteed that his team would dominate, and the town didn't flinch. They expected nothing less. Jeff Pearlman (2004). The Bad Guys Won, p. 5 New York City threw a parade for the Mets the day after Game 7; two million fans attended. Not among those present was Dwight Gooden, who would have a difficult winter, including an arrest in his hometown of Tampa, culminating with his testing positive for cocaine at the start of the 1987 season and entering a rehabilitation facility.Silverman 245–247 Just like in 1985, the Mets finished second, both times three games behind the Cardinals.Neyer & Epstein 323 The 1988 Mets easily won the NL East, but fell in seven games to Orel Hershiser and the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 1988 NLCS. The Mets finished second the next two years, but by then few 1986 Mets remained on the team, and Davey Johnson was fired early in the 1990 season.Silverman 251–252 Despite World Series appearances in 2000 and 2015, they have not won the Series again.MLB World Series Winners June 3, 2026 https://www.espn.com/mlb/worldseries/history/winners ESPN In 1987, Bill James said of the 1986 Mets, "In what areas of play were they outstanding? They led the league in both ERA and runs scored ...There may never have been a pennant winner which had such an extraordinary balance of pitching and hitting."Silverman 253–254 In 2000, Rob Neyer and Eddie Epstein ranked the 1986 Mets eighth and tenth, respectively, in lists of all-time great teams.Neyer & Epstein 361–365 The team is often regarded as one of the best of all time, being cited in 2021 by ESPN as a top contender for best MLB team of the previous half-century.David Schoenfield https://www.espn.com/mlb/insider/story/_/id/32177903/are-1986-new-york-mets-best-mlb-team-half-century-rank-top-10-contenders Are the 1986 New York Mets the best MLB team of the past half-century? We rank the top 10 contenders ESPN September 14, 2021 October 6, 2021 Nevertheless, according to Neyer and Epstein, "Davey Johnson's Mets won only one World Series, which of course hurts their standing in the court of popular opinion."Neyer & Epstein 332 In 2009, ESPN.com writer David Schoenfeld described Game 6 of the 1986 World Series as the second-greatest sports moment of the 1980s, behind the "Miracle on Ice" of the 1980 Winter Olympics.Silverman 254 Jerry Izenberg wrote a book about Game 6 against Houston entitled, The Greatest Game Ever PlayedNeyer & Epstein 327 Silverman agreed with that assessment: "three decades later, there is not a lot of argument against it. More than a dozen LCS have gone the full seven games since 1986, but the drama of this six-game series remains unparalleled."Silverman 172 At the time, it was the longest postseason game ever played; though it has been surpassed in that regard, it remains the longest game in the NLCS. Brett Baker of baseball-reference.com stated, "In retrospect the 1986 Mets were a team of destiny. And this game, when they were up 3-2 in the series, but down 3-0 going into the 9th is a prime example."Brett Baker November 17, 2025 June 4, 2026 https://www.baseball-reference.com/br-blog/2023/10/longest-playoff-games-in-mlb-history/ Longest Playoff Games in MLB History ESPN's 30 for 30 in 2021 released a four-part documentary on the 1986 Mets entitled Once Upon a Time in Queens.Steinberg Brian 2021-04-27 ESPN Sets Launch of Mets Documentary, 'Once Upon a Time in Queens,' for 2021 https://variety.com/2021/tv/news/espn-mets-documentary-launch-once-upon-queens-1234961292/ 2021-06-08 Variety en-USESPN Films Latest 30 for 30 "Once Upon a Time in Queens" to Premiere September 14 & 15 August 25, 2021 ESPN https://espnpressroom.com/us/press-releases/2021/08/espn-films-latest-30-for-30-documentary-once-upon-a-time-in-queens-to-premiere-september-14-15/ September 15, 2021 The 1986 Mets have become as known for their partying as for their success on the baseball diamond, in large part due to Jeff Pearlman's 2004 bestseller, The Bad Guys Won. Pearlman stated that there could be no parallel to the 1986 Mets in the 21st century: There's no way with Twitter and cell phones, iPhones, that the '86 Mets could have lived that way—there's no way. At [the bar] Finn McCool's getting wasted and someone would videotape it. Or some woman would have taken pictures [of] her hooking up with ... No. Impossible.Silverman 249–250 Standings and game logs Regular season standings New York Mets Source:baseball-reference.com 1986 National League Team Statistics https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1986.shtml June 1, 2026 New York Mets 1962thru1992; 1986 Game LogOverall: 108–54 (Home: 55–26; Away: 53–28) y New York Mets 1962thru1992; April (13–3) (Home: 5–1; Road: 8–2) # Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Stadium Record Report Rank GB Game Time Local TV Local Cable TV National TV National Radio |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 1 || April 8 || @ Pirates|| 4–2 || Gooden (1–0) || Reuschel (0–1) || || 48,962 || Three Rivers Stadium || 1–0 || Boxscore || 1 || Tied || 6:05 pm EST || WOR-TV || || || |- style="text-align:center; background:#bbb;" | || April 10 || @ Pirates || colspan=5|Postponed (inclement weather); rescheduled for June 6 || Three Rivers Stadium || || || || bgcolor="ffbbbb" | -½ || || || || || |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 2 || April 11 || @ Phillies|| 9–7 || Ojeda (1–0) || Gross (0–1) || Orosco (1) || 36,190 || Veterans Stadium || 2–0 || Boxscore || 2 || -½ || 7:35 pm EST || || SportsChannel New York Plus || || |- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;" | 3 || April 12 || @ Phillies|| 8–9 (14) || Hudson (1–0) || Niemann (0–1) || || 22,737 || Veterans Stadium || 2–1 || Boxscore || 2 || -1 1 2 || 1:20 pm EST || || || NBC || |- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;" | 4 || April 13 || @ Phillies|| 2–4 || Rawley (1–0) || Aguilera (0–1) || || 27,691 || Veterans Stadium || 2–2 || Boxscore || 3 || -1 1 2 || 3:05 pm EST || WOR-TV || || ABC || |- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;" | 5 || April 14 || Cardinals|| 2–6 (13) || Perry (1–0) || Niemann (0–2) || || 47,752 || Shea Stadium || 2–3 || Boxscore || 4 || -2 1 2 || 1:35 pm EST || WOR-TV || || || |- style="text-align:center; background:#bbb;" | || April 16 || Cardinals || colspan=5|Postponed (rain); rescheduled for August 14 || Shea Stadium || || || || bgcolor="ffbbbb" | -2 1 2 || || || || || |- style="text-align:center; background:#bbb;" | || April 17 || Cardinals || colspan=5|Postponed (rain); rescheduled for August 17 || Shea Stadium || || || || bgcolor="ffbbbb" | -2 1 2 || || || || || |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 6 || April 18 || Phillies|| 5–2 || Darling (1–0) || Carlton (0–2) || Orosco (2) || 26,906 || Shea Stadium || 3–3 || Boxscore || 3 || -2 1 2 || 7:35 pm EST || WOR-TV || || || |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 7 || April 19 || Phillies|| 3–2 || Gooden (2–0) || Rawley (1–1) || || 38,333 || Shea Stadium || 4–3 || Boxscore || 3 || -2 1 2 || 1:35 pm EST || || SportsChannel New York || || |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 8 || April 20 || Phillies|| 8–0 || Fernandez (1–0) || Gross (0–2) || || 41,848 || Shea Stadium || 5–3 || Boxscore || 3 || -1 1 2 || 1:35 pm EST || WOR-TV || || || |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 9 || April 21 || Pirates || 6–5 || McDowell (1–0) || Clements (0–1) || || 10,282 || Shea Stadium || 6–3 || Boxscore || 2 || -1 || 7:35 pm EST || WOR-TV || || || |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 10 || April 22 || Pirates || 7–1 || Ojeda (2–0) || Kipper (0–1) || || 15,668 || Shea Stadium || 7–3 || Boxscore || 1 || Tied || 7:35 pm EST || || SportsChannel New York Plus || || |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 11 || April 24 || @ Cardinals || 5–4 (10) || McDowell (2–0) || Worrell (0–1) || || 33,597 || Busch Memorial Stadium || 8–3 || Boxscore || 1 || +1 1 2 || 8:35 pm EST || || SportsChannel New York Plus || || |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 12 || April 25 || @ Cardinals || 9–0 || Gooden (3–0) || Horton (0–2) || || 43,721 || Busch Memorial Stadium || 9–3 || Boxscore || 1 || +2 1 2 || 8:35 pm EST || WOR-TV || || || |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 13 || April 26 || @ Cardinals || 4–3 || Fernandez (2–0) || Cox (0–1) || Orosco (3) || 44,769 || Busch Memorial Stadium || 10–3 || Boxscore || 1 || +3 1 2 || 1:20 pm EST || || || NBC || |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 14 || April 27 || @ Cardinals || 5–3 || Ojeda (3–0) || Tudor (3–1) || || 39,193 || Busch Memorial Stadium || 11–3 || Boxscore || 1 || +4 || 3:05 pm EDT || WOR-TV|| || ABC || |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 15 || April 29 || @ Braves || 10–5 || Berenyi (1–0) || McMurtry (0–1) || McDowell (1) || 12,258 || Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium || 12–3 || Boxscore || 1 || +4 1 2 || 5:40 pm EDT || || SportsChannel New York || || |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 16 || April 30 || @ Braves || 8–1 || Gooden (4–0)|| Johnson (3–1) || || 23,361 || Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium || 13–3 || Boxscore || 1 || +5 || 7:40 pm EDT || || SportsChannel New York Plus || || |- y New York Mets 1962thru1992; May (18–9) (Home: 9–3; Road: 9–6) # Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Stadium Record Report Rank GB Game Time Local TV Local Cable TV National TV National Radio |- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;" | 17 || May 1 || @ Braves || 2–7 || Smith (2–2) || Aguilera (0–2) || || 8,343 || Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium ||13–4|| Boxscore || 1 || +4 1 2 || 5:40 pm EDT || || SportsChannel New York || || |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 18 || May 2 || @ Reds || 8–7 || Fernandez (3–0) || Gullickson (0–3) || Orosco (4) || 20,677 || Riverfront Stadium ||14–4|| Boxscore || 1 || +5 1 2 || 7:35 pm EDT || WOR-TV || || || |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 19 || May 3 || @ Reds || 4–1 || Ojeda (4–0) || Denny (1–3) || Orosco (5) || 20,268 || Riverfront Stadium ||15–4|| Boxscore || 1 || +5 1 2 || 2:15 pm EDT || || SportsChannel New York Plus || || |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 20 || May 4 || @ Reds || 7–2 || Darling (2–0) || Soto (2–3) || McDowell (2) || 25,407 || Riverfront Stadium ||16–4|| Boxscore || 1 || +5 1 2 || 2:15 pm EDT || WOR-TV || || || |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 21 || May 6 || Astros || 4–0 || Gooden (5–0) || Knepper (5–1) || || 41,722 || Shea Stadium ||17–4|| Boxscore || 1 || +5 || 7:35 pm EDT || || SportsChannel New York || || |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 22 || May 7 || Astros || 3–2 || Fernandez (4–0) || Ryan (3–4) || Orosco (6) || 26,956 || Shea Stadium ||18–4|| Boxscore || 1 || +5 || 7:35 pm EDT || || SportsChannel New York || || |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 23 || May 9 || Reds || 2–1 || Ojeda (5–0) || Soto (2–4) || 'McDowell (3) || 40,744 || Shea Stadium ||19–4|| Boxscore || 1 || +5 || 7:35 pm EDT || WOR-TV || || || |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 24 || May 10 || Reds || 5–1 || Darling (3–0) || Browning (0–4) || || 45,303 || Shea Stadium ||20–4|| Boxscore || 1 || +5 || 1:20 pm EDT || || || NBC || |- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;" | 25 || May 11 || Reds || 2–3 || Gullickson (2–3) || Gooden (5–1) || Franco (4) || 44,236 || Shea Stadium ||20–5|| Boxscore || 1 || +4 || 1:35 pm EDT || WOR-TV || || || |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 26 || May 12 || Braves || 1–0 || McDowell (3–0) || Assenmacher (1–1) || Shea Stadium || 45,303 || Shea Stadium ||21–5|| Boxscore || 1 || +5 || 7:35 pm EDT || || SportsChannel New York || || |- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;" | 27 || May 13 || Braves || 3–6 || Johnson (4–3) || Aguilera (0–3) || Sutter (2) || 29,052 || Shea Stadium ||21–6|| Boxscore || 1 || +4 || 7:35 pm EDT || || SportsChannel New York || || |- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;" | 28 || May 14 || @ Astros || 2–6 || Knepper (7–1) || Ojeda (5–1) || || 11,626 || Astrodome ||21–7|| Boxscore || 1 || +3 || 8:35 pm EDT || WOR-TV || || || |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 29 || May 15 || @ Astros || 6–2 || Darling (4–0) || Ryan (3–5) || || 13,856 || Astrodome ||22–7|| Boxscore || 1 || +4 || 8:35 pm EDT || WOR-TV || || || |- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;" | 30 || May 16 || @ Dodgers || 3–4 (11) || Howell (1–2) || Orosco (0–1) || || 11,626 || Dodger Stadium ||22–8|| Boxscore || 1 || +3 || 10:35 pm EDT || WOR-TV || || || |- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;" | 31 || May 17 || @ Dodgers || 2–6 || Niedenfuer (2–2) || Fernandez (4–1) || || 39,429 || Dodger Stadium ||22–9|| Boxscore || 1 || +3 || 4:05 pm EDT || || || NBC || |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 32 || May 18 || @ Dodgers || 8–4 || Niemann (1–2) || Reuss (2–2) || || 44,426 || Dodger Stadium ||23–9|| Boxscore || 1 || +3 || 3:05 pm EDT || WOR-TV|| || ABC || |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 33 || May 20 || @ Giants || 2–1 || Ojeda (6–1) || LaCoss (4–1) || McDowell (4) || 28,837 || Candlestick Park ||24–9|| Boxscore || 1 || +4 || 10:35 pm EDT || || SportsChannel New York || || |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 34 || May 21 || @ Giants || 7–4 || Darling (5–0) || Mason (2–4) || || 18,618 || Candlestick Park ||25–9|| Boxscore || 1 || +5 || 3:05 pm EDT || || SportsChannel New York || || |- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;" | 35 || May 22 || @ Giants || 2–10 || Krukow (6–3) || Gooden (5–2) || || 27,442 || Candlestick Park ||25–10|| Boxscore || 1 || +4 || 4:05 pm EDT || || SportsChannel New York || || |- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;" | 36 || May 23 || @ Padres || 4–7 || Gossage (3–3) || Orosco (0–2) || || 22,982 || Jack Murphy Stadium ||25–11|| Boxscore || 1 || +3 || 10:05 pm EDT || WOR-TV || || || |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 37 || May 24 || @ Padres || 5–4 || Berenyi (2–0) || Thurmond (2–4) || Orosco (7) || 36,679 || Jack Murphy Stadium ||26–11|| Boxscore || 1 || +3 || 10:05 pm EDT || || SportsChannel New York || || |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 38 || May 25 || @ Padres || 4–2 (11) || Orosco (1–2) || Lefferts (3–2) || || 30,296 || Jack Murphy Stadium ||27–11|| Boxscore || 1 || +4 || 4:05 pm EDT || WOR-TV || || || |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 39 || May 27 || Dodgers || 8–1 || Darling (6–0) || Welch (3–4) || || 35,643 || Shea Stadium ||28–11|| Boxscore || 1 || +4 1 2 || 7:35 pm EDT || WOR-TV || || || |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 40 || May 28 || Dodgers || 4–2 || Gooden (6–2) || Reuss (2–4) || || 41,032 || Shea Stadium ||29–11|| Boxscore || 1 || +5 1 2 || 7:35 pm EDT || WOR-TV || || || |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 41 || May 29 || Dodgers || 5–2 || Fernandez (5–1) || Valenzuela (7–3) || Orosco (8) || 41,080 || Shea Stadium ||30–11|| Boxscore || 1 || +6 || 7:35 pm EDT || || SportsChannel New York || || |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 42 || May 30 || Giants || 8–7 (10) || Orosco (2–2) || Davis (1–3) || || 38,243 || Shea Stadium ||31–11|| Boxscore || 1 || +6 || 7:35 pm EDT || WOR-TV || || || |- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;" | 43 || May 31 || Giants || 3–7 || Garrelts (5–5) || Ojeda (6–2) || || 50,498 || Shea Stadium ||31–12|| Boxscore || 1 || +6 || 7:05 pm EDT || || SportsChannel New York || || |- y New York Mets 1962thru1992; June (19–9) (Home: 11–6; Road: 8–3) # Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Stadium Record Report Rank GB Game Time Local TV Local Cable TV National TV National Radio |- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;" | 44 || June 1 || Giants || 3–7 || Krukow (7–3) || Darling (6–1) || || 49,041 || Shea Stadium ||31–13|| Boxscore || 1 || +6 || 3:05 pm EDT || WOR-TV|| || ABC || |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 45 || June 2 || Padres || 11–2 || Gooden (7–2) || Hoyt (2–2) || || 28,426 || Shea Stadium ||32–13|| Boxscore || 1 || +6 1 2 || 7:35 pm EDT || || SportsChannel New York || || |- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;" | 46 || June 3 || Padres || 4–5 || Hawkins (4–4) || Fernandez (5–2) || Gossage (9) || 25,196 || Shea Stadium ||32–14|| Boxscore || 1 || +6 1 2 || 7:35 pm EDT || WOR-TV || || || |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 47 || June 4 || Padres || 4–2 || McDowell (4–0) || Walter (1–1) || || 26,735 || Shea Stadium ||33–14|| Boxscore || 1 || +7 1 2 || 7:35 pm EDT || WOR-TV || || || |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 48 || June 5 || @ Pirates || 7–0 || Ojeda (7–2) || Kipper (1–5) || || 8,855 || Three Rivers Stadium ||34–14|| Boxscore || 1 || +8 1 2 || 7:35 pm EDT || || SportsChannel New York || || |- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;" | 49 || June 6 || @ Pirates || 1–7 || Rhoden (5–3) || Darling (6–2) || Walk (2) || N/A || Three Rivers Stadium ||34–15|| Boxscore || 1 || +8 || 5:35 pm EDT || WOR-TV || || || |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 50 || June 6 || @ Pirates || 10–4 || McDowell (5–0) || León (1–3) || || 15,113 || Three Rivers Stadium ||35–15|| Boxscore || 1 || +8 || 8:57 pm EDT || WOR-TV || || || |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 51 || June 7 || @ Pirates || 6–4 || Gooden (8–2) || Reuschel (4–5) || Orosco (9) || 29,770 || Three Rivers Stadium ||36–15|| Boxscore || 1 || +9 || 7:05 pm EDT || || SportsChannel New York || || |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 52 || June 8 || @ Pirates || 4–3 || Fernandez (6–2) || McWilliams (1–4) || Orosco (10) || 14,391 || Three Rivers Stadium ||37–15|| Boxscore || 1 || +9 || 1:35 pm EDT || WOR-TV || || || |- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;" | 53 || June 9 || Phillies || 2–3 (10) || Carman (3–0) || Sisk (0–1) || Bedrosian (8) || 26,050 || Shea Stadium ||37–16|| Boxscore || 1 || +8 || 7:35 pm EDT || || SportsChannel New York || || |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 54 || June 10 || Phillies || 8–4 (11) || McDowell (6–0) || Lerch (0–1) || || 27,472 || Shea Stadium ||38–16|| Boxscore || 1 || +8 || 7:35 pm EDT || WOR-TV || || || |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 55 || June 11 || Phillies || 5–3 || Darling (7–2) || Carlton (4–7) || Orosco (11) || 27,830 || Shea Stadium ||39–16|| Boxscore || 1 || +8 || 7:35 pm EDT || WOR-TV || || || |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 56 || June 13 || Pirates || 6–5 || Orosco (3–2) || Clements (0–2) || || 37,582 || Shea Stadium ||40–16|| Boxscore || 1 || +9 || 7:35 pm EDT || WOR-TV || || || |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 57 || June 14 || Pirates || 5–1 || Fernandez (7–2) || Bielecki (4–4) || || 47,664 || Shea Stadium ||41–16|| Boxscore || 1 || +10 || 1:35 pm EDT || || SportsChannel New York || || |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 58 || June 15 || Pirates || 4–1 || Ojeda (8–2) || Walk (2–3) || || N/A || Shea Stadium ||42–16|| Boxscore || 1 || +10 1 2 || 1:05 pm EDT || WOR-TV || || || |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 59 || June 15 || Pirates || 8–5 || Aguilera (1–3) || Kipper (2–6) || McDowell (5) || 41,847 || Shea Stadium ||43–16|| Boxscore || 1 || +10 1 2 || 4:08 pm EDT || WOR-TV || || || |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 60 || June 16 || @ Expos || 4–1 (10)|| Sisk (1–1) || Reardon (6–4) || || 16,347 || Olympic Stadium ||44–16|| Boxscore || 1 || +11 1 2 || 7:35 pm EDT || || SportsChannel New York || || |- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;" | 61 || June 17 || @ Expos || 2–4 || Hesketh (4–4) || Berenyi (2–1) || Burke (4) || 20,193 || Olympic Stadium ||44–17|| Boxscore || 1 || +10 1 2 || 7:35 pm EDT || WOR-TV || || || |- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;" | 62 || June 18 || @ Expos || 4–7 || Youmans (6–5) || Gooden (8–3) || Reardon (16) || 22,026 || Olympic Stadium ||44–18|| Boxscore || 1 || +9 1 2 || 7:35 pm EDT || WOR-TV || || || |- style="text-align:center; background:#bbb;" | || June 19 || Cubs || colspan=5|Postponed (rain); rescheduled for July 29 || Shea Stadium || || || || bgcolor="bbffbb" | +10 || || || || || |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 63 || June 20 || Cubs || 10–3 || Fernandez (8–2) || Sanderson (3–5) || || 44,817 || Shea Stadium ||45–18|| Boxscore || 1 || +10 || 7:35 pm EDT || WOR-TV || || || |- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;" | 64 || June 21 || Cubs || 6–8 || Fontenot (3–2) || Orosco (3–3) || || 42,566 || Shea Stadium ||45–19|| Boxscore || 1 || +10 || 1:35 pm EDT || || SportsChannel New York || || |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 65 || June 22 || Cubs || 4–2 || Darling (8–2) || Sutcliffe (4–9) || || 46,279 || Shea Stadium ||46–19|| Boxscore || 1 || +10 || 1:35 pm EDT || WOR-TV || || || |- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;" | 66 || June 23 || Expos || 4–5 (10) || Burke (5–2) || Orosco (3–4)|| || 44,199 || Shea Stadium ||46–20|| Boxscore || 1 || +9 || 7:35 pm EDT || || SportsChannel New York || || |- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;" | 67 || June 24 || Expos || 2–6 || Smith (5–5) || Berenyi (2–2)|| McClure (2) || 40,092 || Shea Stadium ||46–21|| Boxscore || 1 || +8 || 7:35 pm EDT || WOR-TV || || || |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 68 || June 25 || Expos || 5–2 || Fernandez (9–2) || McGaffigan (5–3)|| McDowell (6) || 33,030 || Shea Stadium ||47–21|| Boxscore || 1 || +9 || 1:35 pm EDT || WOR-TV || || || |- style="text-align:center; background:#bbb;" | || June 27 || @ Cubs || colspan=5|Postponed (rain); rescheduled for August 6 || Wrigley Field || || || || bgcolor="bbffbb" | +9 1 2 || || || || || |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 69 || June 28 || @ Cubs || 5–2 || McDowell (7–0) || Fontenot (3–3)|| || 35,152 || Wrigley Field ||48–21|| Boxscore || 1 || +9 1 2 || 3:20 pm EDT || || || NBC || |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 70 || June 29 || @ Cubs || 7–4 || Gooden (9–3) || Sutcliffe (4–10)|| || 34,222 || Wrigley Field ||49–21|| Boxscore || 1 || +9 1 2 || 2:20 pm EDT || WOR-TV || || || |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 71 || June 30 || @ Cardinals || 7–0 || Ojeda (9–2) || Tudor (6–4)|| || 38,819 || Busch Memorial Stadium ||50–21|| Boxscore || 1 || +9 1 2 || 8:05 pm EDT || || || ABC || |- y New York Mets 1962thru1992; July (16–11) (Home: 9–6; Road: 7–5) # Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Stadium Record Report Rank GB Game Time Local TV Local Cable TV National TV National Radio |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 72 || July 1 || @ Cardinals || 2–1 || Fernandez (10–2) || Cox (2–6)|| McDowell (7) || 25,869 || Busch Memorial Stadium ||51–21|| Boxscore || 1 || +10 1 2 || 8:35 pm EDT || WOR-TV || || || |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 73 || July 2 || @ Cardinals || 4–3 || Sisk (2–1) || Forsch (6–5)|| Orosco (12) || 29,794 || Busch Memorial Stadium ||52–21|| Boxscore || 1 || +11 1 2 || 8:35 pm EDT || WOR-TV || || || |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 74 || July 3 || Astros || 6–5 (10) || Orosco (4–4) || DiPino (1–4)|| || 48,839 || Shea Stadium ||53–21|| Boxscore || 1 || +12 1 2 || 7:35 pm EDT || WOR-TV || || || |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 75 || July 4 || Astros || 2–1 || Gooden (10–3) || Smith (1–5)|| || 28,557 || Shea Stadium ||54–21|| Boxscore || 1 || +12 1 2 || 1:35 pm EDT || || SportsChannel New York || || |- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;" | 76 || July 5 || Astros || 1–2 || Kerfeld (6–1) || McDowell (7–1)|| || 50,939 || Shea Stadium ||54–22|| Boxscore || 1 || +11 1 2 || 7:05 pm EDT || || SportsChannel New York || || |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 77 || July 6 || Astros || 5–3 || Fernandez (11–2) || Knudson (0–3)|| McDowell (8) || 31,017 || Shea Stadium ||55–22|| Boxscore || 1 || +11 1 2 || 1:35 pm EDT || WOR-TV || || || |- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;" | 78 || July 7 || Reds || 6–7 || Robinson (7–0) || Niemann (1–3)|| Franco (13) || 29,265 || Shea Stadium ||55–23|| Boxscore || 1|| +11 1 2 || 7:35 pm EDT || || SportsChannel New York || || |- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;" | 79 || July 8 || Reds || 4–5 (10) || Franco (3–4) || McDowell (7–2)|| || 35,803 || Shea Stadium ||55–24|| Boxscore || 1 || +11 1 2 || 7:35 pm EDT || || SportsChannel New York || || |- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;" | 80 || July 9 || Reds || 1–11 || Browning (7–7) || Gooden (10–4)|| || 38,079 || Shea Stadium ||55–25|| Boxscore || 1 || +10 1 2 || 1:35 pm EDT || WOR-TV || || || |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 81 || July 10 || Braves || 5–1 || Ojeda (10–2) || Smith (7–10)|| || 34,836 || Shea Stadium ||56–25|| Boxscore || 1 || +10 1 2 || 7:35 pm EDT || WOR-TV || || || |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 82 || July 11 || Braves || 11–0 || Fernandez (12–2) || Palmer (5–8)|| || 39,924 || Shea Stadium ||57–25|| Boxscore || 1 || +11 1 2 || 8:35 pm EDT || || || NBC || |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 83 || July 12 || Braves || 10–1 || Aguilera (2–3) || Mahler (10–8)|| || 30,899 || Shea Stadium ||58–25|| Boxscore || 1 || +12 1 2 || 1:50 pm EDT || || || NBC || |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 84 || July 13 || Braves || 2–0 || Darling (9–2) || Alexander (6–5)|| || 41,128 || Shea Stadium ||59–25|| Boxscore || 1 || +13 1 2 || 1:35 pm EDT || WOR-TV || || || |- align="center" bgcolor="bbcaff" |colspan="3" bgcolor="#bbcaff"| July 15: All-Star Game (AL wins—) || 3–2 || Clemens (BOS) || Gooden (NYM) || Aase (BAL) || 45,774 || Astrodome || colspan=9| Houston, Texas |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 85 || July 17 || @ Astros || 13–2 || Ojeda (11–2) || Ryan (6–7)|| || 21,536 || Astrodome ||60–25|| Boxscore || 1 || +13 1 2 || 8:35 pm EDT || WOR-TV || || || |- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;" | 86 || July 18 || @ Astros || 0–3 || Knepper (11–7) || Darling (9–3)|| || 22,906 || Astrodome ||60–26|| Boxscore || 1 || +12 1 2 || 8:35 pm EDT || WOR-TV || || || |- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;" | 87 || July 19 || @ Astros || 4–5 || Smith (2–6) || McDowell (7–3)|| || 44,502 || Astrodome ||60–27|| Boxscore || 1 || +12 1 2 || 8:35 pm EDT || || SportsChannel New York || || |- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;" | 88 || July 20 || @ Astros || 8–9 (15) || Knepper (12–7)|| McDowell (7–4)|| || 23,900 || Astrodome ||60–28|| Boxscore || 1 || +12 || 3:05 pm EDT || WOR-TV || || || |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 89 || July 21 || @ Reds || 4–2 || Aguilera (3–3)|| Soto (3–8)|| Orosco (13) || 23,827 || Riverfront Stadium ||61–28|| Boxscore || 1 || +13 || 8:05 pm EDT || || || ABC || |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 90 || July 22 || @ Reds || 6–3 (14) || McDowell (8–4)|| Willis (1–1)|| || 23,707 || Riverfront Stadium ||62–28|| Boxscore || 1 || +14 || 7:35 pm EDT || WOR-TV || || || |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 91 || July 23 || @ Reds || 3–2 || Darling (10–3)|| Robinson (7–1)|| McDowell (9)|| 25,496 || Riverfront Stadium ||63–28|| Boxscore || 1 || +15 || 7:35 pm EDT || WOR-TV || || || |- style="text-align:center; background:#bbb;" | || July 25 || @ Braves || colspan=5|Postponed (rain); rescheduled for July 26 || Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium || || || || bgcolor="bbffbb" | +15 || || || || || |- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;" | 92 || July 26 || @ Braves || 3–4 || Assenmacher (4–2)|| McDowell (8–5)|| || N/A || Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium ||63–29|| Boxscore || 1 || +14 1 2 || 5:40 pm EDT || || SportsChannel New York || || |- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;" | 93 || July 26 || @ Braves || 5–8 || Acker (3–4)|| Fernandez (12–3)|| Garber (12) || 44,400 || Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium ||63–30|| Boxscore || 1 || +14 1 2 || 8:46 pm EDT || || SportsChannel New York || || |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 94 || July 27 || @ Braves || 5–1 || Aguilera (4–3)|| Mahler (10–10)|| || 33,338 || Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium ||64–30|| Boxscore || 1 || +15 1 2 || 2:10 pm EDT || WOR-TV || || || |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 95 || July 28 || Cubs || 9–2 || Ojeda (12–2)|| Sanderson (5–7)|| McDowell (10) || 38,890 || Shea Stadium ||65–30|| Boxscore || 1 || +16 1 2 || 7:35 pm EDT || || SportsChannel New York || || |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 96 || July 29 || Cubs || 3–0 || Darling (11–3)|| Trout (4–4)|| || N/A || Shea Stadium ||66–30|| Boxscore || 1 || +16 1 2 || 5:35 pm EDT || || SportsChannel New York || || |- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;" | 97 || July 29 || Cubs || 1–2 || Moyer (11–3)|| Sisk (2–2)|| Smith (18) || 45,731 || Shea Stadium ||66–31|| Boxscore || 1 || +16 1 2 || 8:21 pm EDT || || SportsChannel New York || || |- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;" | 98 || July 30 || Cubs || 3–4 || Eckersley (5–6)|| Fernandez (12–4)|| Smith (19) || 35,734 || Shea Stadium ||66–32|| Boxscore || 1 || +15 1 2 || 7:35 pm EDT || WOR-TV || || || |- y New York Mets 1962thru1992; August (21–11) (Home: 7–5; Road: 14–6) # Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Stadium Record Report Rank GB Game Time Local TV Local Cable TV National TV National Radio |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 99 || August 1 || Expos || 3–1 || Gooden (11–4)|| Youmans (10–7)|| McDowell (11) || 47,883 || Shea Stadium ||67–32|| Boxscore || 1 || +16 1 2 || 7:35 pm EDT || WOR-TV || || || |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 100 || August 2 || Expos || 4–1 || Aguilera (5–3) || Sebra (1–2)|| Orosco (14) || 43,069 || Shea Stadium ||68–32|| Boxscore || 1 || +17 1 2 || 7:05 pm EDT || || SportsChannel New York || || |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 101 || August 3 || Expos || 4–3 (10) || McDowell (9–5) || McClure (2–3)|| || 47,167 || Shea Stadium ||69–32|| Boxscore || 1 || +17 1 2 || 1:35 pm EDT || WOR-TV || || || |- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;" | 102 || August 4 || @ Cubs || 2–4 || Eckersley (6–6) || Darling (11–4)|| Smith (20) || 29,016 || Wrigley Field ||69–33|| Boxscore || 1 || +17 1 2 || 4:05 pm EDT || || SportsChannel New York || || |- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;" | 103 || August 5 || @ Cubs || 5–8 || Smith (7–7) || McDowell (9–6)|| || 28,211 || Wrigley Field ||69–34|| Boxscore || 1 || +16 1 2 || 4:05 pm EDT || || SportsChannel New York || || |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 104 || August 6 || @ Cubs || 7–6 (12) || McDowell (10–6) || Frazier (2–4)|| || N/A || Wrigley Field ||70–34|| Boxscore || 1 || +17 || 1:05 pm EDT || WOR-TV || || || |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 105 || August 6 || @ Cubs || 7–6 || Anderson (1–0) || Trout (4–5)|| Orosco (15) || 33,343 || Wrigley Field ||71–34|| Boxscore || 1 || +17 || 5:37 pm EDT || || SportsChannel New York Plus || || |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 106 || August 7 || @ Cubs || 12–3 || Aguilera (6–3) || Sanderson (5–9)|| || 28,725 || Wrigley Field ||72–34|| Boxscore || 1 || +17 || 2:20 pm EDT || WOR-TV || || || |- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;" | 107 || August 8 || @ Expos || 3–5 || Smith (8–6) || Ojeda (12–3)|| Reardon (26) || 21,027 || Olympic Stadium ||72–35|| Boxscore || 1 || +16 || 7:35 pm EDT || WOR-TV || || || |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 108 || August 9 || @ Expos || 10–8 || McDowell (11–6) || Reardon (6–7)|| Orosco (16) || 33,093 || Olympic Stadium ||73–35|| Boxscore || 1 || +17 || 7:35 pm EDT || || SportsChannel New York || || |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 109 || August 10 || @ Expos || 7–2 || Fernandez (13–4) || Martínez (1–4)|| Anderson (1) || 35,743 || Olympic Stadium ||74–35|| Boxscore || 1 || +18 || 1:35 pm EDT || WOR-TV || || || |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 110 || August 11 || @ Phillies || 8–4 || Gooden (12–4) || Carman (5–4)|| || 43,133 || Veterans Stadium ||75–35|| Boxscore || 1 || +19 || 8:05 pm EDT || || || ABC || |- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;" | 111 || August 12 || @ Phillies || 1–3 || Gross (8–9) || Aguilera (6–4)|| || 36,442 || Veterans Stadium ||75–36|| Boxscore || 1 || +18 || 7:35 pm EDT || || SportsChannel New York || || |- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;" | 112 || August 13 || @ Phillies || 4–8 || Ruffin (4–3) || Ojeda (12–4)|| || 39,041 || Veterans Stadium ||75–37|| Boxscore || 1 || +18 || 7:35 pm EDT || WOR-TV || || || |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 113 || August 14 || Cardinals || 4–3 || McDowell (12–6) || Worrell (7–9)|| || N/A || Shea Stadium ||76–37|| Boxscore || 1 || +17 1 2 || 5:35 pm EDT || || SportsChannel New York || || |- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;" | 114 || August 14 || Cardinals || 1–5 || Horton (2–3) || Anderson (1–1)|| || 48,949 || Shea Stadium ||76–38|| Boxscore || 1 || +17 1 2 || 8:56 pm EDT || || SportsChannel New York || || |- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;" | 115 || August 15 || Cardinals || 2–4 (10) || Perry (2–2) || Orosco (4–5)|| Worrell (26) || 46,780 || Shea Stadium ||76–39|| Boxscore || 1 || +16 || 7:35 pm EDT || WOR-TV || || || |- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;" | 116 || August 16 || Cardinals || 1–3 (11) || Mathews (9–3) || McDowell (12–7)|| Worrell (27) || 44,873 || Shea Stadium ||76–40|| Boxscore || 1 || +16 || 2:20 pm EDT || || || NBC || |- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;" | 117 || August 17 || Cardinals || 1–2 || Tudor (12–6) || Aguilera (6–5)|| Perry (2) || N/A || Shea Stadium ||76–41|| Boxscore || 1 || +16 1 2 || 1:05 pm EDT || WOR-TV || || || |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 118 || August 17 || Cardinals || 9–2 || Niemann (2–3) || Cox (7–10)|| McDowell (12) || 44,843 || Shea Stadium ||77–41|| Boxscore || 1 || +16 1 2 || 4:32 pm EDT || WOR-TV || || || |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 119 || August 18 || @ Dodgers || 5–4 || Ojeda (13–4) || Hershiser (12–9)|| McDowell (13) || 46,099 || Dodger Stadium ||78–41|| Boxscore || 1 || +17 || 8:05 pm EDT || || || ABC || |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 120 || August 19 || @ Dodgers || 6–4 || Darling (12–4) || Valenzuela (15–9)|| McDowell (14) || 46,977 || Dodger Stadium ||79–41|| Boxscore || 1 || +18 || 10:35 pm EDT || WOR-TV || || || |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 121 || August 20 || @ Dodgers || 7–5 || Fernandez (14–4) || Powell (2–5)|| Orosco (17) || 36,738 || Dodger Stadium ||80–41|| Boxscore || 1 || +18 1 2 || 8:20 pm EDT || || || NBC || |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 122 || August 22 || @ Giants || 5–3 || Gooden (13–4) || Blue (9–8)|| McDowell (15) || 30,679 || Candlestick Park ||81–41|| Boxscore || 1 || +19 || 11:05 pm EDT || || SportsChannel New York || || |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 123 || August 23 || @ Giants || 3–2 || Ojeda (14–4) || Downs (0–4)|| McDowell (16) || 31,033 || Candlestick Park ||82–41|| Boxscore || 1 || +20 || 4:05 pm EDT || || SportsChannel New York || || |- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;" | 124 || August 24 || @ Giants || 1–10 || Krukow (13–7) || Aguilera (6–6)|| || 31,606 || Candlestick Park ||82–42|| Boxscore || 1 || +19 || 4:05 pm EDT || WOR-TV || || || |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 125 || August 25 || @ Padres || 5–2 || Orosco (5–5) || Lefferts (7–5)|| McDowell (17) || 18,605 || Jack Murphy Stadium ||83–42|| Boxscore || 1 || +20 || 8:05 pm EDT || || SportsChannel New York || || |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 126 || August 26 || @ Padres || 11–6 || Fernandez (15–4) || Dravecky (9–11)|| || 15,992 || Jack Murphy Stadium ||84–42|| Boxscore || 1 || +20 || 10:05 pm EDT || WOR-TV || || || |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 127 || August 27 || @ Padres || 6–5 (11) || Sisk (3–2) || Gossage (5–7)|| || 19,747 || Jack Murphy Stadium ||85–42|| Boxscore || 1 || +20 || 10:05 pm EDT || WOR-TV || || || |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 128 || August 29 || Dodgers || 2–1 || Ojeda (15–4) || Honeycutt (9–9)|| || 45,667 || Shea Stadium || 86–42|| Boxscore || 1 || +20 || 7:35 pm EDT || WOR-TV || || || |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 129 || August 30 || Dodgers || 6–3 || Aguilera (7–6) || Hershiser (12–10)|| McDowell (18) || 44,040 || Shea Stadium || 87–42|| Boxscore || 1 || +20 || 2:20 pm EDT || || || NBC || |- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;" | 130 || August 31 || Dodgers || 4–7 || Valenzuela (17–9) || Darling (12–5)|| || 45,678 || Shea Stadium || 87–43|| Boxscore || 1 || +19 || 1:35 pm EDT || WOR-TV || || || |- y New York Mets 1962thru1992; September (16–11) (Home: 11–4; Road: 5–7) # Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Stadium Record Report Rank GB Game Time Local TV Local Cable TV National TV National Radio |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 131 || September 1 || Giants || 5–2 || McDowell (13–7) || Davis (4–5)|| || 44,272 || Shea Stadium || 88–43|| Boxscore || 1 || +19 || 1:35 pm EDT || WOR-TV || || || |- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;" | 132 || September 2 || Giants || 3–4 || Krukow (14–8) || Gooden (13–5)|| Garrelts (7) || 26,166 || Shea Stadium || 88–44|| Boxscore || 1 || +19 || 7:35 pm EDT || WOR-TV || || || |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 133 || September 3 || Giants || 4–2 || Ojeda (16–4) || Mulholland (0–6)|| || 25,851 || Shea Stadium || 89–44|| Boxscore || 1 || +20 || 7:35 pm EDT || || SportsChannel New York || || |- style="text-align:center; background:#bbb;" | || September 5 || Padres || colspan=5|Postponed (rain); rescheduled for September 7 || Shea Stadium || || || || bgcolor="bbffbb" | +20 1 2 || || || || || |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 134 || September 6 || Padres || 4–3 || Orosco (6–5) || McCullers (7–7)|| || 46,879 || Shea Stadium || 90–44|| Boxscore || 1 || +20 1 2 || 2:20 pm EDT || || || NBC || |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 135 || September 7 || Padres || 7–1 || Gooden (14–5) || LaPoint (4–8)|| || N/A || Shea Stadium || 91–44|| Boxscore || 1 || +21 || 1:05 pm EDT || WOR-TV || || || |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 136 || September 7 || Padres || 6–5 || Sisk (4–2) || Lefferts (7–7)|| McDowell (19) || 38,630 || Shea Stadium || 92–44|| Boxscore || 1 || +21 || 3:54 pm EDT || WOR-TV || || || |- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;" | 137 || September 8 || Expos || 1–9 || Sebra (4–3) || Ojeda (16–5)|| || 38,630 || Shea Stadium || 92–45|| Boxscore || 1 || +21 || 7:35 pm EDT || || SportsChannel New York || || |- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;" | 138 || September 9 || Expos || 7–9 || Burke (9–7) || Orosco (6–6)|| Reardon (31) || 26,867 || Shea Stadium || 92–46|| Boxscore || 1 || +21 || 7:35 pm EDT || WOR-TV || || || |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 139 || September 10 || Expos || 6–1 || Darling (13–5) || Valdez (0–1)|| || 31,934 || Shea Stadium || 93–46|| Boxscore || 1 || +22 || 7:35 pm EDT || || SportsChannel New York || || |- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;" | 140 || September 12 || @ Phillies || 3–6 || Ruffin (8–3) || Gooden (14–6)|| Bedrosian (24) || 43,070 || Veterans Stadium || 93–47|| Boxscore || 1 || +21 || 7:35 pm EDT || WOR-TV || || || |- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;" | 141 || September 13 || @ Phillies || 5–6 || Schatzeder (4–4) || McDowell (13–8)|| Bedrosian (25) || 47,108 || Veterans Stadium || 93–48|| Boxscore || 1 || +20 || 7:05 pm EDT || || SportsChannel New York || || |- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;" | 142 || September 14 || @ Phillies || 0–6 || Gross (10–11) || Fernandez (15–5)|| || 38,652 || Veterans Stadium || 93–49|| Boxscore || 1 || +19 || 1:35 pm EDT || WOR-TV || || || |- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;" | 143 || September 15 || @ Cardinals || 0–1 (13) || Worrell (9–10) || McDowell (13–9)|| || 29,566 || Busch Memorial Stadium || 93–50|| Boxscore || 1 || +18 || 8:35 pm EDT || WOR-TV || || || |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 144 || September 16 || @ Cardinals || 4–2 || Aguilera (8–6) || Conroy (4–9)|| Orosco (18) || 30,935 || Busch Memorial Stadium || 94–50|| Boxscore || 1 || +18 || 8:35 pm EDT || WOR-TV || || || |- style="text-align:center; color:white; background:#039;" | 145 || September 17 || Cubs || 4–2 || Gooden (15–6) || Eckersley (6–10) || || 47,823 || Shea Stadium || 95–50 || Boxscore || 1 || +19 || 7:35 pm EDT || WOR-TV || || || |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 146 || September 18 || Cubs || 5–0 || Anderson (2–1) || Maddux (1–3)|| || 13,726 || Shea Stadium || 96–50|| Boxscore || 1 || +19 || 1:35 pm EDT || || SportsChannel New York || || |- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;" | 147 || September 19 || Phillies || 3–4 || Gross (11–11) || Fernandez (15–6)|| Bedrosian (27) || 35,023 || Shea Stadium || 96–51|| Boxscore || 1 || +18 || 7:35 pm EDT || WOR-TV || || || |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 148 || September 20 || Phillies || 9–5 || Darling (14–5) || Hume (4–1)|| || 39,104 || Shea Stadium || 97–51|| Boxscore || 1 || +19 || 7:05 pm EDT || || SportsChannel New York || || |- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;" | 149 || September 21 || Phillies || 1–7 || Freeman (1–0) || Mitchell (0–1)|| || 42,631 || Shea Stadium || 97–52|| Boxscore || 1 || +18 || 1:35 pm EDT || WOR-TV || || || |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 150 || September 22 || Cardinals || 5–2 || Gooden (16–6) || Forsch (14–9)|| || 25,714 || Shea Stadium || 98–52|| Boxscore || 1 || +19 || 7:35 pm EDT || || SportsChannel New York || || |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 151 || September 23 || Cardinals || 9–1 || Ojeda (17–5) || Mathews (10–8)|| Orosco (19) || 11,203 || Shea Stadium || 99–52|| Boxscore || 1 || +19 || 7:35 pm EDT || WOR-TV || || || |- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;" | 152 || September 24 || @ Cubs || 2–8 || Hall (1–1) || Aguilera (8–7)|| || 6,468 || Wrigley Field || 99–53|| Boxscore || 1 || +19 || 2:20 pm EDT || || SportsChannel New York || || |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 153 || September 25 || @ Cubs || 6–5 || McDowell (14–9) || Lynch (5–5)|| Orosco (20) || 8,840 || Wrigley Field || 100–53|| Boxscore || 1 || +20 || 2:20 pm EDT || || SportsChannel New York || || |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 154 || September 26 || @ Pirates || 3–1 || Fernandez (16–6) || Fansler (0–2)|| McDowell (20) || 14,080 || Three Rivers Stadium || 101–53|| Boxscore || 1 || +20 || 7:35 pm EDT || WOR-TV || || || |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 155 || September 27 || @ Pirates || 4–2 (11) || Orosco (7–6) || McWilliams (2–11)|| Sisk (1) || 13,210 || Three Rivers Stadium || 102–53|| Boxscore || 1 || +20 || 7:05 pm EDT || || SportsChannel New York || || |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 156 || September 28 || @ Pirates || 4–1 (11) || Aguilera (9–7) || Walk (7–8) || || 30,606 || Three Rivers Stadium || 103–53|| Boxscore || 1 || +20 || 1:35 pm EDT || WOR-TV || || || |- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;" | 157 || September 30 || @ Expos || 0–1 || Sebra (5–5) || Darling (14–6) || || 6,068 || Olympic Stadium || 103–54 || Boxscore || 1 || +19 1 2 || 7:35 pm EDT || WOR-TV || || || |- y New York Mets 1962thru1992; October (5–0) (Home: 3–0; Road: 2–0) # Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Stadium Record Report Rank GB Game Time Local TV Local Cable TV National TV National Radio |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 158 || October 1 || @ Expos || 6–4 (11) || Orosco (8–6) || McClure (4–6) || McDowell (21) || 10,740 || Olympic Stadium || 104–54 || Boxscore || 1 || +20 || 7:05 pm EDT || || SportsChannel New York || || |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 159 || October 2 || @ Expos || 8–2 || Gooden (17–6) || Youmans (13–12) || || 10,726 || Olympic Stadium || 105–54 || Boxscore || 1 || +20 1 2 || 7:35 pm EDT || WOR-TV || || || |- style="text-align:center; background:#bbb;" | || October 3 || Pirates || colspan=5|Postponed (rain); rescheduled for October 4 || Shea Stadium || || || || bgcolor="bbffbb" | +21 || || || || || |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 160 || October 4 || Pirates || 8–2 || Ojeda (18–5) || Fansler (0–3) || Orosco (21) || N/A || Shea Stadium ||106–54 || Boxscore || 1 || +21 1 2 || 1:05 pm EDT || || SportsChannel New York || || |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 161 || October 4 || Pirates || 5–2 || Aguilera (10–7) || Patterson (2–3) || McDowell (22) || 30,810 || Shea Stadium || 107–54 || Boxscore || 1 || +21 1 2 || 3:52 pm EDT || || SportsChannel New York || || |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 162 || October 5 || Pirates || 9–0 || Darling (15–6) || Pena (0–3) || Fernandez (1) || 32,170 || Shea Stadium || 108–54 || Boxscore || 1 || +21 1 2 || 1:35 pm EDT || WOR-TV || || || |- Legend Mets win Mets loss All-Star Game Game postponed Clinched playoff spot "GB" legend 1st (NL East) Not in playoff berth Tied for 1st (NL East) All times are Eastern time Sources for game logs: Some statistics reproduced from boxscore for each game. Record vs. opponents and by month Record Opponent Home Road Total NL East Chicago Cubs 6–3 6–3 12–6 Montreal Expos 5–4 5–4 10–8 Philadelphia Phillies 6–3 2–7 8–10 Pittsburgh Pirates 9–0 8–1 17–1 St. Louis Cardinals 4–5 8–1 12–6 NL West Atlanta Braves 5–1 3–3 8–4 Cincinnati Reds 2–4 6–0 8–4 Houston Astros 5–1 2–4 7–5 Los Angeles Dodgers 5–1 4–2 9–3 San Diego Padres 5–1 5–1 10–2 San Francisco Giants 3–3 4–2 7–5 Grand Totals 55–26 53–28 108–54 Month Games Won Lost Pct. April 16 13 3 13 3 May 27 18 9 18 9 June 28 19 9 19 9 July 27 16 11 16 11 August 32 21 11 21 11 September 27 16 11 16 11 October 5 5 0 5 0Totals 162 108 54 108 54 Source for tables: Notable transactions April 1, 1986: Tom Gorman was released by the Mets.https://www.baseball-reference.com/g/gormato03.shtml Tom Gorman page at Baseball Reference Baseball-Reference.com September 12, 2010 April 5, 1986: Doug Frobel was traded by the Montreal Expos to the New York Mets for Joe Graves (minors) and Rodger Cole (minors).Doug Frobel https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/f/frobedo01.shtml#all_transactions_other Baseball-reference.com June 12, 2026 June 2, 1986: 1986 Major League Baseball draft Curtis Pride was drafted by the Mets in the 10th round. Player signed June 12, 1986.https://www.baseball-reference.com/p/pridecu01.shtml Curtis Pride page at Baseball Reference Baseball-Reference.com September 12, 2010 John Olerud was drafted by the Mets in the 27th round of the 1986 amateur draft, but did not sign.https://www.baseball-reference.com/o/olerujo01.shtml John Olerud page at Baseball Reference Baseball-Reference.com September 12, 2010 June 9, 1986: Tim Corcoran was released by the Mets. June 30, 1986: Ed Lynch was traded by the Mets to the Chicago Cubs in exchange for Dave Lenderman and Dave Liddell.https://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/trades.php?p=lynched01 Ed Lynch Trades and Transactions by Baseball Almanac www.baseball-almanac.com April 15, 2023 August 3, 1986: Lee Mazzilli was signed as a free agent by the Mets.https://www.baseball-reference.com/m/mazzile01.shtml Lee Mazzilli page at Baseball Reference Baseball-Reference.com September 12, 2010 August 7, 1986: George Foster was released by the Mets.https://www.baseball-reference.com/f/fostege01.shtml George Foster page at Baseball Reference Baseball-Reference.com September 12, 2010 August 24, 1986: Alex Diaz was signed as an amateur free agent by the Mets.https://www.baseball-reference.com/d/diazal01.shtml Alex Diaz page at Baseball Reference Baseball-Reference.com September 12, 2010 Postseason game log New York Mets 1962thru1992; 1986 Postseason Game Log y New York Mets 1962thru1992; National League Championship Series vs. Houston – New York (NL) wins series 4–2 # Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Stadium Report Game Time National TV National Radio |- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;" | 1 || October 8 || @ Astros || 0–1 || Scott (1–0) || Gooden (0–1) || || 44,131 || Astrodome || Boxscore || 8:25 pm EDT || ABC || CBS |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 2 || October 9 || @ Astros || 5–1 || Ojeda (1–0) || Ryan (0–1) || || 44,391 || Astrodome || Boxscore || 8:20 pm EDT || ABC || CBS |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 3 || October 11 || Astros || 6–5 || Orosco (1–0) || Smith (0–1) || || 55,052 || Shea Stadium || Boxscore || 12:10 pm EDT || ABC || CBS |- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;" | 4 || October 12 || Astros || 1–3 || Scott (2–0) || Fernandez (0–1) || || 55,038 || Shea Stadium || Boxscore || 8:20 pm EDT || ABC || CBS |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 5 || October 14 || Astros || 2–1 (12) || Orosco (2–0) || Kerfeld (0–1) || || 54,986 || Shea Stadium || Boxscore || 1:10 pm EDT || ABC || CBS |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 6 || October 15 || @ Astros || 7–6 (16) || Orosco (3–0) || López (0–1) || || 45,718 || Astrodome || Boxscore || 3:05 pm EDT || ABC || CBS |- y New York Mets 1962thru1992; World Series vs. Boston – New York (NL) wins series 4–3 # Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Stadium Report Game Time National TV National Radio |- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;" | 1 || October 18 || Red Sox || 0–1 || Hurst (1–0) || Darling (0–1) || Schiraldi (1) || 57,908 || Shea Stadium || Boxscore || 8:30 pm EDT || NBC || CBS |- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;" | 2 || October 19 || Red Sox || 3–9 || Crawford (1–0) || Gooden (0–1) || Stanley (1) || 57,911 || Shea Stadium || Boxscore || 8:25 pm EDT || NBC || CBS |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 3 || October 21 || @ Red Sox || 7–1 || Ojeda (1–0) || Boyd (0–1) || || 33,595 || Fenway Park || Boxscore || 8:30 pm EDT || NBC || CBS |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 4 || October 22 || @ Red Sox || 6–2 || Darling (1–1) || Nipper (0–1) || Orosco (1) || 33,920 || Fenway Park || Boxscore || 8:25 pm EDT || NBC || CBS |- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;" | 5 || October 23 || @ Red Sox || 2–4 || Hurst (2–0) || Gooden (0–2) || || 34,010 || Fenway Park || Boxscore || 8:35 pm EDT || NBC || CBS |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 6 || October 25 || Red Sox || 6–5 (10) || Aguilera (1–0) || Schiraldi (0–1) || || 57,908 || Shea Stadium || Boxscore || 8:25 pm EDT || NBC || CBS |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 7 || October 27 || Red Sox || 8–5 || McDowell (1–0) || Schiraldi (0–2) || Orosco (2) || 55,032 || Shea Stadium || Boxscore || 8:10 pm EST || NBC || CBS |- Legend Mets Win Mets Loss Source for game logs: Some statistics reproduced from boxscore for each game. Attendance Attendance Rank in Major Leagues 2,767,601 2 (to L.A. Dodgers) 1985 attendance: 2,762,417, 2nd in attendance behind Dodgers.June 1, 2026 1986 National League Attendance & Team Age https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1986-misc.shtml baseball-reference.com Opening day lineup +Opening Day Starters # Name Position4 Lenny Dykstra CF6 Wally Backman 2B17 Keith Hernandez 1B8 Gary Carter C18 Darryl Strawberry RF15 George Foster LF20 Howard Johnson 3B3 Rafael Santana SS16 Dwight Gooden P Sourced to:https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/PIT/PIT198604080.shtml New York Mets vs Pittsburgh Pirates Box Score: April 8, 1986 Baseball-reference.com June 4, 2026 Roster Sourced to: 1986 New York Mets The Baseball Cube June 2, 2026 https://www.thebaseballcube.com/content/stats_mlb/1986~19/ 1986 New York Mets Roster Pitchers 38 Rick Aguilera 32 Rick Anderson 31 Bruce Berenyi 12 Ron Darling 50 Sid Fernandez 16 Dwight Gooden 19 Bob Ojeda 26 Terry Leach 36 Ed Lynch 42 Roger McDowell 43 John Mitchell 48 Randy Myers 40 Randy Niemann 47 Jesse Orosco 39 Doug Sisk Catchers  8 Gary Carter 7,35 John Gibbons 49 Ed Hearn 33 Barry Lyons Infielders  6 Wally Backman 27,29 Tim Corcoran  2 Kevin Elster 17 Keith Hernandez 20 Howard Johnson 22 Ray Knight 29 Dave Magadan  3 Rafael Santana 11 Tim Teufel Outfielders  4 Lenny Dykstra 15 George Foster 25 Danny Heep 27,32 Stan Jefferson 13 Lee Mazzilli 7,35 Kevin Mitchell 18 Darryl Strawberry  1 Mookie Wilson Manager  5 Davey Johnson Coaches 23 Bud Harrelson (Third Base) 51 Vern Hoscheit (Bullpen) 52 Greg Pavlick (Assistant Pitching) 28 Bill Robinson (Hitting/First Base) 30 Mel Stottlemyre (Pitching) Player stats = Indicates team leader Batting Starters by position Note: Pos = Position; G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in Sourced to:Baseball-reference.com https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/NYM/1986-batting.shtml 1986 New York Mets Batting Statistics June 3, 2026 Pos Player G AB H Avg. HR RBI SB C Gary Carter 132 490 125 .255 24 105 1 1B Keith Hernandez 149 551 171 .310 13 83 2 2B Wally Backman 124 387 124 .320 1 27 13 3B Ray Knight 137 486 145 .298 11 76 2 SS Rafael Santana 139 394 86 .218 1 28 0 LF George Foster 72 233 53 .227 13 38 1 CF Lenny Dykstra 147 431 127 .295 8 45 31 RF Darryl Strawberry 136 475 123 .259 27 93 28 https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/NYM/1986.shtml 1986 New York Mets Statistics June 12, 2026 Other batters Note: G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in; SB = Stolen bases Sourced to: Player G AB H Avg. HR RBI SB Mookie Wilson 123 381 110 .289 9 45 25 Kevin Mitchell 108 328 91 .277 12 43 3 Tim Teufel 93 279 69 .247 4 31 1 Howard Johnson 88 220 54 .245 10 39 8 Danny Heep 86 195 55 .282 5 33 1 Ed Hearn 49 136 36 .265 4 10 0 Lee Mazzilli 39 58 16 .276 2 7 1 Kevin Elster 19 30 5 .167 0 0 0 Stan Jefferson 14 24 5 .208 1 3 0 John Gibbons 8 19 9 .474 1 1 0 Dave Magadan 10 18 8 .444 0 3 0 Barry Lyons 6 9 0 .000 0 2 0 Tim Corcoran 6 7 0 .000 0 0 0 Pitching Starting pitchers Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts Sourced to:Baseball-reference.com https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/NYM/1986-pitching.shtml 1986 New York Mets Pitching Statistics June 3, 2026 Player G IP W L ERA SO Dwight Gooden 33 250.1 17 6 2.84 200 Ron Darling 34 237.0 15 6 2.81 184 Sid Fernandez 33 204.1 16 6 3.52 200 Bob Ojeda 32 217.1 18 5 2.57 148 Rick Aguilera 28 141.2 10 7 3.88 105 Other pitchers Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts Sourced to: Player G IP W L ERA SO Rick Anderson 15 49.2 2 1 2.72 21 Bruce Berenyi 14 39.2 2 2 6.35 30 John Mitchell 4 10.0 0 1 3.60 2 Relief pitchers Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts; SV = Saves Sourced to: Player G IP W L ERA SO SV Roger McDowell 76 128.0 14 9 3.02 65 23 Jesse Orosco 59 81.0 8 6 2.33 62 21 Doug Sisk 41 70.2 4 2 3.06 31 1 Randy Niemann 31 35.2 2 3 3.79 18 0 Randy Myers 10 10.2 0 0 4.22 13 0 Terry Leach 6 6.2 0 0 2.70 4 0 Ed Lynch 1 1.2 0 0 0.00 1 0 Awards and honors thumb|President Ronald Reagan welcomes the World Champion Mets to the White House, November 1986 Ray Knight, Babe Ruth Awardbaseball-reference.com MLB Babe Ruth Award Winners June 2, 2026 https://www.baseball-reference.com/awards/ruth.shtml Ray Knight, World Series Most Valuable Player Awardbaseball-reference.com MLB Postseason MVP Award Winners June 2, 2026 https://www.baseball-reference.com/awards/postmvp.shtml Keith Hernandez, National League First Baseman Gold Glovebaseball-reference.com MLB National League Gold Glove Award Winners June 2, 2026 https://www.baseball-reference.com/awards/gold_glove_nl.shtml Gary Carter, National League Catcher Silver Slugger Awardbaseball-reference.com MLB Silver Slugger Award Winners - National League June 2, 2026 https://www.baseball-reference.com/awards/silver_slugger_nl.shtml 57th Major League Baseball All-Star Game 1986 Major League Baseball All-Star Game The 57th Major League Baseball All-Star game was held at the Astrodome on July 15, 1986, with the American League winning, 3–2. Roger Clemens of the Red Sox was the winning pitcher and Dwight Gooden of the Mets took the loss. Participants from the Mets were as follows:Baseball-reference.com 1986 All-Star Game Box Score, July 15 https://www.baseball-reference.com/allstar/1986-allstar-game.shtml June 12, 2026 Infielder Pos # Player League AB H RBI 1B 17 Keith Hernandez National League Starter 4 0 0 Outfielder Pos # Player League AB H RBI RF 18 Darryl Strawberry National League Starter 2 1 0 Catcher # Player League AB H RBI 8 Gary Carter National League Starter 3 0 0 Pitchers # Player League IP SO 50 Sid Fernandez National League 1 3 16 Dwight Gooden National League Starter 3 2 Coach # Coach League Position 5 Davey Johnson National League Third Base Coach Farm system Minor League Baseball Steve Schryver was farm director for the Mets in 1986. AAA Tidewater Tides International League Sam PerlozzoJune 2, 2026 Tidewater Tides Yearly Record https://www.thebaseballcube.com/content/minor_team/10410/ The Baseball Cube AA Jackson Mets Texas League Mike CubbageJune 2, 2026 Jackson Generals Yearly Record https://www.thebaseballcube.com/content/minor_team/10255/ The Baseball Cube A Lynchburg Mets Carolina League Bobby FloydJune 2, 2026 Lynchburg Hillcats Yearly Record https://www.thebaseballcube.com/content/minor_team/10283/ The Baseball Cube A Columbia Mets South Atlantic League Tucker AshfordJune 2, 2026 Columbia Mets Yearly Record https://www.thebaseballcube.com/content/minor_team/10145/ The Baseball Cube A-Short Season Little Falls Mets New York–Penn League Rich MillerJune 2, 2026 Little Falls Mets Yearly Record https://www.thebaseballcube.com/content/minor_team/10278/ The Baseball Cube Rookie Kingsport Mets Appalachian League Chuck HillerJune 2, 2026 Kingport Mets Yearly Record https://www.thebaseballcube.com/content/minor_team/10266/ The Baseball Cube Columbia won the league championship. Bibliography Peter Golenbock Golenbock Peter Amazin’: the Miraculous History of New York’s Most Beloved Baseball Team 2002 St. Martin's Press 978-0-312-27452-8 Golenbock Goodman Michael E. The History of the New York Mets 1999 Creative Education 978-0-88682-917-9 Goodman Gordon Devin So Many Ways to Lose: The Amazin' True Story of the New York Mets, the Best Worst Team in Sports 2021 HarperCollins Publishers 978-0-06-294002-5 Gordon Izenberg Jerry Jerry Izenberg The Greatest Game Ever Played 1987 Henry Holt & Co. 978-0-8050-0513-4 Izenberg Neyer Rob Epstein Eddie Rob Neyer Eddie Epstein Baseball Dynasties: The Greatest Teams of All Times 2000 W. W. Norton & Co. 978-0-393-04894-0 Neyer & Epstein Pearlman Jeff Jeff Pearlman The Bad Guys Won 2004 HarperCollins 978-0-06-050732-9 Pearlman Silverman Matthew One-Year Dynasty: Inside the Rise and Fall of the 1986 Mets, Baseball's Impossible One-and-Done Champions 2016 Rowman & Littlefield 978-1-4930-0909-1 Silverman References 2 External links 1986 New York Mets at Baseball Almanac 1986 New York Mets schedule and stats at MLB.com The 1986 New York Mets at Retrosheet 1986 Mets: The ballad of Doc and Darryl at ESPN.com http://bleacherreport.com/articles/360324-remembering-the-1986-new-york-mets-the-five-greatest-moments https://web.archive.org/web/20100816102759/http://bleacherreport.com/articles/360324-remembering-the-1986-new-york-mets-the-five-greatest-moments dead August 16, 2010 Remembering the 1986 New York Mets: The Five Greatest Moments March 10, 2010 Ash Marshall Bleacher Report February 10, 2011 New York Mets season Category:National League champion seasons Category:National League East champion seasons Category:New York Mets seasons Category:World Series champion seasons New York Category:1980s in Queens