Schwei: Mets' Davis Climbing The Charts
By John Schweibacher
Ike Davis continues to climb the Mets all-time leader boards for rookies. Davis' 18 home runs trail only Darryl Strawberry (26 in 1983) and Ron Swoboda (19 in 1965) as the most by a rookie in Mets' history.
Here is how the Mets first-year, first baseman ranks in runs batted in and hits among rookies in club history:
Most RBI's by a Mets Rookie:
•74 Darryl Strawberry 1983
•71 Ty Wigginton 2003
•67 Ike Davis 2010
•65 Steve Henderson 1977
•62 Jay Payton 2000
•58 Jason Phillips 2003
•57 Cleon Jones 1966
•56 Gregg Jefferies 1989
•56 Tsuyoshi Shinjo 2001
•50 Ron Swoboda 1965
Most Hits by a Mets Rookie:
•146 Ty Wigginton 2003
•145 Ron Hunt 1963
•142 Jay Payton 2000
•136 Cleon Jones 1966
•134 Lee Mazzilli 1977
•131 Gregg Jefferies 1989
•129 Rey Ordonez 1996
•125 Kaz Matsui 2004
•120 Jason Phillips 2003
•120 Ike Davis 2010
Dillon Gee made a memorable Mets debut last week by becoming just the third pitcher in club history to carry a no-hitter into the 6th inning in his major league debut. Gee's gem was ruined by Met-killer Willie Harris, who homered to begin the top of the 7th inning for the Washington Nationals.
On September 16th, 1974 Randy Sterling did not allow a hit in his first five innings against the Expos in Montreal. Willie Davis led-off the 6th with a single to end Sterling's no-hit bid and he settled for a 3-2 win in what proved to be his only major league victory.
On April 5th, 2006, Brian Bannister no-hit the Nationals for five and 1/3 innings before allowing a Jose Vidro double. Bannister wound up with a no-decision in an eventual 9-5, 11-inning Washington win.
Gee also became just the 6th Mets starting pitcher to get a base hit in major league debut:
•4/13/67 Tom Seaver vs. Pit-4th inning single vs. Woody Fryman
•9/13/74 Nino Espinosa vs. Chi-3rd inning single vs. Steve Stone
•9/18/82 Walt Terrell vs. Stl-3rd inning single vs. Jim Kaat.
•9/6/83 Ron Darling vs. Phi-5th inning single vs. Tony Ghelfi
•9/24/88 David West (2)at Stl-2nd inning single vs. Larry McWilliams and 4th inning double vs. Dan Quisenberry
•9/7/10 Dillon Gee at Was-2nd inning single vs. Yunesky Maya
Note: in 2003, Jason Roach collected two hits in his second (and final) major league start. Roach's 1st start came in an interleague game against the Angels in Anaheim so he did not come to bat because of the designated hitter rule in what was his debut game.
Gee joined Jason Isringhausen as the only pitchers in Mets history to pitch at least seven innings and allow two hits or fewer in their major league debut. Isringhausen allowed two hits in seven innings in a no-decision back on July 17th, 1995 against the Cubs at Wrigley Field.
The only Mets pitcher to throw a complete game in his major league debut was Dick Rusteck, who went the distance on June 10, 1966 for his only career victory, shutting out the Reds, 5-0, on a four-hitter at Shea Stadium.
The Pittsburgh Pirates and Atlanta Braves visit Citi Field this week as the Mets conclude their next-to-last homestand of 2010. The Mets took two of three from the Pirates last month in Pittsburgh for their first road series win against a National League opponent this season. Last season, the Mets swept the Pirates in their lone visit to Citi Field.
The Pirates are currently the only N.L. team that has not won a game against the Mets in their new home ballpark.
Bobby Cox will be making his final appearance against the Mets as a major league Manager this weekend. Cox' Braves have gone 8 and 7 vs. the Mets so far in 2010. Those eight victories give Cox 196 lifetime wins against the Mets in his managerial career, his most vs. any opponent. Cox has won 194 games (with six games remaining this season) against the Expos/Nationals.
Schwei's Runs, Hits and Errors:
Runs: Hisanori Takahashi. 6-for-6 in save opportunities in closer role.
Hits: Chris Carter. Rookie's 13 pinch hits are tied for third most in majors in 2010.
Errors: Lucas Duda. Rookie outfielder struggling at 1-for-29 in September call-up.
