New York Mets: Top Ten most impactful trades in past twenty years
” width=”850″ height=”616″ /> Aug 10, 2015; New York City, NY, USA; The New York Mets celebrate after defeating the Colorado Rockies 4-2 at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Andy Marlin-USA TODAY SportsThe Mets are enjoying the same kind of success now as they did when John Olerud played for the NY Mets
6. December 20, 1996 The Toronto Blue Jays trade 1B John Olerud, along with cash, to the New York Mets for P Robert Person
A relatively quiet player, Olerud was never able to replicate the success he had in the strike shortened 1994 season when he won the AL batting title, and nearly batted .400 in the following seasons in Toronto. It was not until he was traded to the Mets where he set team records for batting average .354 and walks in his two seasons in New York. He was featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated with fellow infielders Robin Ventura (3B) Rey Ordonez (SS) and Edgardo Alfonzo (2B) where the question was asked if this was the greatest infield ever.
His impact was felt both on offense and defense during the Mets successful seasons of the late 90’s.
Robert Person, a pitcher with a big smile and a funny name, was a mediocre at best starting pitcher. He ended his nine-year career with a record of 51 wins and 42 losses, and an E.R.A of 4.64.
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