This week’s Mets Top 10 features the most memorable postseason home runs in franchise history. This list was compiled by yours truly after watching a bunch of footage and researching what these home runs meant to the team at the time. You can definitely argue that other home runs should be on this list, specifically from the likes of Darryl Strawberry and Mike Piazza, but I felt these just had that little extra “umph” or “pizazz” if you will.
A couple of these also hold a special place for me growing up, so there was a bit of bias as well. Either way, these are some of the best ever hit by the Mets in the postseason and are amazing none the less. Which home runs would your Top 10 be?
#10 Daniel Murphy NLCS Game 4 · 10/21/2015
Daniel Murphy’s home run assault in the 2015 postseason will not be soon forgotten. He hit a home run in 6 straight postseason games, breaking the previous record of 5 held by Carlos Beltran. What’s even more astonishing is he did against elite pitching: Clayton Kershaw (twice), Zack Greinke, Jake Arrieta, and Jon Lester. He also now holds the Mets postseason home run record with 7.
#9 Edgardo Alfonzo NLDS Game 1 · 10/5/1999
It was game 1 of the 1999 NLDS and the score was tied at 4 in the ninth inning. Edgardo Alfonzo came up to bat with the bases loaded and hit a grand slam to give the Mets an 8-4 lead. The Mets would eventually win the game, but what is often forgotten is it was Alfonzo’s second home run of the game. He hit a solo shot in the first to give the Mets an early 1-0 lead.
#8 Lenny Dykstra World Series Game 3 · 10/21/1986
The Mets were down 2-0 in the 1986 World Series and game 3 was in Boston. Being a must win for the Mets, Lenny Dykstra got the scoring starting with a leadoff home run and invigorated the team. The Mets would score three more runs in the inning ultimately winning the game 7-1. It’s been said that Boyd had a few choice words for the Mets before game three. Well, Dykstra took care of that with one swing.
#7 Benny Agbayani NLDS Game 3 · 10/7/2000
Game 3 of the 2000 NLDS was in extra innings. With the score tied at 2 entering the bottom of the 13th inning Benny Agbayani came to the plate and hit a walk-off home run to give the Mets a 3-2 win. The Mets took a 2-1 series lead and eventually won the series the next day to advance to the NLCS. Agbayani played in 14 games for the Mets that postseason and hit safely in 13 of them, collecting 16 total hits.
#6 Todd Pratt NLDS Game 4 · 10/9/1999
It was the bottom of the tenth inning and the game was tied. Todd Pratt came to the plate and hit a walk-off home run to win the game 4-3. What makes it even more special is not only was the game won, but the series itself advancing the Mets to the 1999 NLCS against the Atlanta Braves. Pratt’s reaction rounding the bases really is what we all dream about doing one day if we ever made it to the big leagues.
#5 Robin Ventura NLCS Game 5 · 10/17/1999
In game 5 of the 1999 NLCS, Robin Ventura hit a grand slam in the bottom of the 15th inning to give the Mets the win. However, Ventura never made it around the bases due to his teammates mobbing him at second base. Being he technically never touched the plate, he was never awarded the home run but rather a “Grand Slam” single as it has been nicknamed ever since.
#4 Donn Clendenon World Series Game 5 · 10/16/1969
The Mets were down 3-0 to the Orioles when Cleon Jones came up to bat. Jones was hit in the foot but was not awarded first base by the umpire. Manager Gil Hodges produced a ball with shoe polish on it and the call was overturned with Jones going to first. Donn Clendenon came up to bat and put the ball into the left field stands – his third of the series. The score was now 3-2.
#3 Al Weis World Series Game 5 · 10/16/1969
Al Weis was one of the least likely to hit a home run in the World Series, having hit only two during the regular season. With that being said, Weis would tie the game at 3 by hitting a solo shot to left field and the Mets would never trail again. They went on to win by a score of 5-3 and win their fist World Series in franchise history. The team was nicknamed the Miracle Mets.
#2 Lenny Dykstra NLCS Game 3 · 10/11/1986
It was the bottom of the 9th, and leadoff hitter Wally Backman was able to get on first. The Astros argued he left the base path in order to avoid the tag, but being he was still able to reach the bag, he was called safe. After a Danny Heep fly out, Lenny Dykstra came to bat and hit a walk-off home run to give the Mets a 3-2 win and a 2-1 series lead. One of the most exciting walk-offs in Shea’s history.
#1 Ray Knight World Series Game 7 · 10/27/1986
This is the championship that was a strike away from going in the Red Sox favor in Game 6. With the score tied at 3, Ray Knight led off the seventh inning with a home run to give the Mets a 4-3 lead and they never looked back. The 1986 Mets would go on to win their second championship in franchise history, and would become one of the most beloved teams to ever play in Queens.