Following three straight playoff-less seasons during which Mets fans have endured the arrival and departure of numerous high-priced – low return free agents and trade acquisitions, self-important veterans more pre-occupied running the team than actually performing, constant promises of success from management despite cutting payroll, and the slow and inevitable decline of the core that had brought the team to glory in ’99 and ’00; fans weren’t expecting that much from the current roster of Mets. But fans clung to the hope that lay on the horizon in the form of their promising farm system.

Six long months later we’ve learned while the names have changed the story stays the same, as the team shifts from a rebuilding phase once again to a win now mentality. In truth it has been a tale of two seasons: the inspiring first half that showed us a gutty and surprisingly inspired Mets squad that fought tooth and nail for every win they could. Things went sour quickly after a dismal start to the 2nd half was compounded by the cashing in of the team’s future for a couple of mediocre starters. The last month of the season left us wondering if we were watching a baseball team or a Soap Opera as drama and controversy flared when Art Howe was unceremoniously shoved out the door by management and presumably the same veteran core that had done the same Bobby Valentine two years prior. But’s that’s enough of that, let’s get down to The Good, The Bad, and The Oh-So Ugly of the 2004 Mets.

The Good
Braden Looper:
When the Mets signed the former Marlin in offseason to fill the whole left by Armando Benitez the previous July, many were skeptical of Looper’s ability to handle the intense pressures of closing in New York. Looper surprised us all though, dominating pretty much all year long by posting a scintillating 2.70 ERA with 29 saves – both career bests.

Looper truly hit his stride as the Mets hit the dog days of summer, blowing just three saves over a three month span. Braden’s hard, heavy sinker left hitters unable to hit anything in the air and helped him in setting a career low in walks. The Mets will be looking for Looper to have a repeat performance, and Looper will have plenty of incentive to do so heading into the final year of a two year deal.

Mike Piazza Breaks the Record
We had been hearing about it for the past two seasons, quietly anticipating the day when the best offensive catcher in the history of the game would break Carlton Fisk’s record of 351 career home runs as a catcher. Piazza finally did so on May 5th when he smoked a Jerome Williams fastball 405 feet to right-center field. Piazza would be honored by the team a month later when a veritable Who’s Who of Hall of Fame catchers visited Shea.

Despite all of the rumors in the offseason of trade demands and his unwillingness to switch positions, Piazza’s place in Mets history will always be remembered as one of the most talented and amicable players to ever don the blue and orange. Piazza’s ceremony that June evening was less about a record and more about the appreciation the team and it’s fans has for the sacrifices of one of it’s favorite sons. He would end up walking away with a new truck, a ridiculously large bottle of wine, and plenty of cheers; but perhaps the most important and most memorable prize he received that night was his “initiation” into the pantheon of great catchers.

Rick Peterson: Messiah
More news and fanfare was made over the acquisition of Rick Peterson than any other free agent outside of Kaz Matsui … and for good reason. Rick was quick to make his mark on the team, bringing along the dwindling prospects in Grant Roberts and Aaron Heilman during Spring Training while garnering rave reviews from his students and contemporaries. Peterson would guide an over-the-hill rotation and lackluster bullpen to Major League Baseball’s best pitching staff over the enjoyable first half of the season.

Rick would take a few hits with the soon to be chronicled Zambrano and Benson acquisitions, but his impact of the team was undeniable. Tom Glavine returned to his Cy Young form for most of the season, pitching much better than his Win-Loss record indicates. Al Leiter, despite control problems, was among the league leaders in ERA. Braden Looper dominated at closer and Aaron Heilman performed very admirably during his September call-up. It will be interesting to what Peterson can do next year to trump this year, but for his sake it better start with pricey trade acquisition Victor Zambrano.

The Wright Stuff
Players like David Wright come along once in a very long while, that’s why Mets fans everywhere were ecstatic when Wright burst onto the season in a Mets uniform – giving opposing pitchers fits. After an unconscious first half in the minor leagues, the young third baseman burst onto the scene on July 21st. David demonstrated incredible all-around batting talent, hitting .293 with 14 homeruns and 40 RBI. Wright amazed fans with a terrific August and as the Mets came down the stretch in September and October Wright pretty much was the entire offense.

But what’s even more impressive is the maturity showed by the young star during turbulent time in the Mets clubhouse. Wright showed a passion for the game and a hunger to win that was obviously missing from the locker-room. Wright and Reyes figure to make up a dominant left-side of the infield for the next 5 years. And that is something the Mets fans have to look forward to.

Almost Perfect
When Tom Glavine took the mound on a beautiful Sunday afternoon in Flushing against the visiting Rockies, the fans in the stands had no idea how close they were to witnessing the first Perect Game in Mets history and perhaps the greatest pitching performance ever made by a Met pitcher. Tom would simply dominate the Rockies from the first pitch to the final out, allowing only Kit Pellow boom one off the right field wall. It would end up being the 27th one hitter in Mets history and the undeniable proof that Glavine was back.

Kaz Matsui: The Hitter
Mets fans were skeptical of the acquisition of the Japanese star in the off-season; his arrival meant the moving of Jose Reyes to second base and the failure to once again land the best player at the position in question, Miguel Tejada. Matsui would get banged up during Spring Training leaving even more question marks over the Mets prized free agent as they headed to Atlanta to open the season.

But Kaz would blast his way into Mets lore when he sent the first offering he saw as a major league player deep into the Atlanta night – the first of a Mets record five leadoff homeruns that season for the short stop. Kaz would go on to become one of the most consistent hitters the Mets had until he went down with a back injury for almost a month. Matui’s offensive contributions were more than expected, and fans are hoping a healthy Matsui in 2005 means a more productive one.

Doggie’s on Fire!
When the Mets sent David Weathers and Jeremy Griffiths to the struggling Astros for much maligned right fielder Richard Hidalgo, most people weren’t expecting a whole lot. What they got was one of the most explosive offense performances in Mets history as Hidalgo would hit ten homeruns in July, and power the Mets to a brief run as the second banana in the NL East. Hidalgo’s blasts were majestic, sailing deeper than most players could dream of. Hidalgo would become a bit of a folk hero at Shea and before anyone knew what was happening, whispers out of the New York were that the Mets might just bring the enigmatic Venezuelan back in 2005. Only time will tell, but Dog certainly has been a great addition to a team needing a boost.

Kings of New York
Just a week prior the Mets were thoroughly embarrassed by the Yankees in a three game set. That would send a wake-up call to the Mets though, as the Amazins sent shock waves through the city when they swept the Yankees over a three game set at Shea. The Mets took game one behind a magnificent performance from Steve Trachsel and an explosive outburst from the offense as every starter had a hit lead by Kaz Matsui’s two blasts just a few days after harsh words were directed towards him from Donald Trump.

Game two was a nail biter that saw Shane Spencer send a walk off infield hit back to the pitcher following a tug-of-war battle between the two teams. The day was filled with memorable images: Tony Clark smacking two homeruns against his former team, the heart of the Mets line-up each tagging Contreras for a homer, and John Franco running off the field following a perfectly placed strike three to Jorge Posada to end the top of the 9th with a full count and the bases loaded.

Game three would be the summation of an incredible series for the Mets, as they edged out the Yankees 6-5 after a questionable runner interference call on Jorge Posada. Ty Wigginton would blast two homers and Hidalgo would hit his fourth in as many games, powering the Mets to an impressive win. If only for a weekend the Mets were Kings of New York as the won their first season series against the Yanks four out of six games.

Mini Manny and Brazell surprise the Cubs
Vic Diaz grew up a Cub fan, his hero was Sammy Sosa. It was only fitting that trailing by three runs in the ninth with two out and with a 2-2 count, Diaz would send a homerun over his childhood hero’s head to tie the game. Two innings later Craig Brazell would put the game away with a towering shot into the Mets pen to send the Cubs into a tailspin they couldn’t recover from. Diaz garnered rave reviews while filling in for Hidalgo and Floyd; flashing the power, poise, and desire to succeed in the Big Apple. One of the few bright spots in an otherwise bleak September, fans hope Mini Manny will be around for a long time.

Well that’s it for this the Good of the 2004 Mets, make sure to tune in next week as we go over the moments of 2004 that made us cringe.

Photo courtesy of the Binghamton Mets.