New York Mets: Five best managers in franchise history
2. Gil Hodges
I think everyone knew that this guy would be on the list. How could he not be? Gil Hodges is the guy that turned perennial losers into World Champions. It would have been a travesty to keep him off this list.
Prior to Hodges taking over, the Mets had never won more than 66 games in a season. However, the 1967 squad sported a pitcher that won Rookie of the Year and won 16 ballgames. His name was Tom Seaver. The Mets had a generational talent on their hands but they needed someone to lead them. In came a legend in New York, former Brooklyn Dodger Gil Hodges. He played for the Mets late in his career, but it was now time to manage, and manage he did.
In 1968 they showed signs of improvement, posting a record of 73-89. 1969 was the year of the magic. Somehow, some way, the Mets won 100 games and won the NL East. Ironically, had it been the year before they would have gone straight to the World Series. 1969 was the first year of the divisions. How Mets is that, to make it harder to get to the series the first chance they have?
But this was the year of the Mets. They swept the Braves in the NLCS and took down the Orioles in five games for their first title. It was bedlam in Queens. Finally, the lovable losers made their way to the top. Granted, they didn’t stay there for very long, but for one year they were the best. The “Miracle Mets” were champions and Gil Hodges was their leader.