I'd been wanting to write something on Mets-killers and streakholders for quite some time and the news of Ryan Howard's accomplishment Monday struck me as a good chance to do so.
For those unaware, Howard became the first player since Hank Aaron to homer in 5 consecutive games against the Mets. That's pretty impressive company, perhaps even more so considering that Aaron did it back in 1962-63.
So, with the help of those new handy-dandy Retrosheet search engine tools on Baseball-Reference.com, I thought I'd take a look at other noteworthy streakholders against the Mets. To make it an easier read (and perhaps inspire a trivia question or two), we'll offer it up in a Q and A format.
Who holds the record for the longest hitting streak against the Mets?
Matty Alou, 22 games, spanning from 1971 to 1973. Steve Finley (1995-97) and Gary Templeton (1978-79) rank 2nd with 21-game streaks.
Who holds the record for longest hitting streak against the Mets, at Shea Stadium?
Luis Castillo, 32 games (2001-2005), whose string is 9 better than Willie Davis' 23, which went from 1966 to 1969.
Who holds the record for most consecutive games with an extra-base hit, against the Mets?
A very difficult question to which the answer is Glenn Wilson, who had either a double, triple or home run in 9 straight games against the Mets during the 1985 season. Albert Pujols (2001-2002) and Chipper Jones (1999) came up one game shy).
Who holds the record for most consecutive games with a stolen base, against the Mets?
Another that we'd put on the very difficult list. It's not Vince Coleman, Joe Morgan, Tony Womack, Brett Butler, Von Hayes or Jimmy Wynn, who stole bases in 5 straight vs the Mets. The answer is well known for a famous strikeout: Kevin Bass, who stole a base in 6 straight games against the Mets during the 1988 season.
Who holds the record for most consecutive games with an RBI, against the Mets?
For this one, the top two blew me away. Former Met Ellis Valentine ranks second with a run of 11 straight games in 1976-77. Current Met Moises Alou ranks first with 14 straight from 1993 to 1995. Amazingly, the third-place opponent was hardly an RBI machine, ex-Giants second baseman Jim Davenport (9 straight, 1962).
Who holds the record for most consecutive games with a triple, against the Mets?
Another one you'd never guess with a million guesses, even if I told you it's a former Met. The answer is Donn Clendenon, who tripled in three straight games against the Mets in 1965.
Who holds the record for most consecutive appearances with a win, against the Mets?
Please note, this question is different from the question: Who has the longest win streak against the Mets? We're looking for wins in consecutive appearances. Actually, either way, the pitcher is the same: Larry Jackson, whom we've previously written about. He picked up the win in 13 straight appearances against the Mets, from 1962 to 1966.
Who holds the record for most consecutive appearances with a shutout, against the Mets?
This is a fun one for me. The runners-up are Juan Marichal (1965) and near-1986 World Series hero Bruce Hurst (1992) with three apiece. But the victory for this answer is Vern Law, who tossed four straight shutouts against the Mets in 1965-66.
Which team holds the record for most consecutive wins against the Mets?
As recently as 2004, a team threatened this mark, when the Marlins won 10 straight against the Mets. But the 12 straight by those Milwaukee Braves for which Hank Aaron was homering in 1962-63, still remains the record to this day.
What team holds the record for most consecutive games with a home run against the Mets?
The answer to that query is pertinent today, because the answer is these Phillies, who have homered in 19 straight games against the Mets, dating back to last season. And yet, the Phillies are 7-12 in those 19 games. Go figure.
For those unaware, Howard became the first player since Hank Aaron to homer in 5 consecutive games against the Mets. That's pretty impressive company, perhaps even more so considering that Aaron did it back in 1962-63.
So, with the help of those new handy-dandy Retrosheet search engine tools on Baseball-Reference.com, I thought I'd take a look at other noteworthy streakholders against the Mets. To make it an easier read (and perhaps inspire a trivia question or two), we'll offer it up in a Q and A format.
Who holds the record for the longest hitting streak against the Mets?
Matty Alou, 22 games, spanning from 1971 to 1973. Steve Finley (1995-97) and Gary Templeton (1978-79) rank 2nd with 21-game streaks.
Who holds the record for longest hitting streak against the Mets, at Shea Stadium?
Luis Castillo, 32 games (2001-2005), whose string is 9 better than Willie Davis' 23, which went from 1966 to 1969.
Who holds the record for most consecutive games with an extra-base hit, against the Mets?
A very difficult question to which the answer is Glenn Wilson, who had either a double, triple or home run in 9 straight games against the Mets during the 1985 season. Albert Pujols (2001-2002) and Chipper Jones (1999) came up one game shy).
Who holds the record for most consecutive games with a stolen base, against the Mets?
Another that we'd put on the very difficult list. It's not Vince Coleman, Joe Morgan, Tony Womack, Brett Butler, Von Hayes or Jimmy Wynn, who stole bases in 5 straight vs the Mets. The answer is well known for a famous strikeout: Kevin Bass, who stole a base in 6 straight games against the Mets during the 1988 season.
Who holds the record for most consecutive games with an RBI, against the Mets?
For this one, the top two blew me away. Former Met Ellis Valentine ranks second with a run of 11 straight games in 1976-77. Current Met Moises Alou ranks first with 14 straight from 1993 to 1995. Amazingly, the third-place opponent was hardly an RBI machine, ex-Giants second baseman Jim Davenport (9 straight, 1962).
Who holds the record for most consecutive games with a triple, against the Mets?
Another one you'd never guess with a million guesses, even if I told you it's a former Met. The answer is Donn Clendenon, who tripled in three straight games against the Mets in 1965.
Who holds the record for most consecutive appearances with a win, against the Mets?
Please note, this question is different from the question: Who has the longest win streak against the Mets? We're looking for wins in consecutive appearances. Actually, either way, the pitcher is the same: Larry Jackson, whom we've previously written about. He picked up the win in 13 straight appearances against the Mets, from 1962 to 1966.
Who holds the record for most consecutive appearances with a shutout, against the Mets?
This is a fun one for me. The runners-up are Juan Marichal (1965) and near-1986 World Series hero Bruce Hurst (1992) with three apiece. But the victory for this answer is Vern Law, who tossed four straight shutouts against the Mets in 1965-66.
Which team holds the record for most consecutive wins against the Mets?
As recently as 2004, a team threatened this mark, when the Marlins won 10 straight against the Mets. But the 12 straight by those Milwaukee Braves for which Hank Aaron was homering in 1962-63, still remains the record to this day.
What team holds the record for most consecutive games with a home run against the Mets?
The answer to that query is pertinent today, because the answer is these Phillies, who have homered in 19 straight games against the Mets, dating back to last season. And yet, the Phillies are 7-12 in those 19 games. Go figure.
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