NFT: Hernandez, Mets turn a 3-5-4 double play

He was a clutch hitter, RBI machine and a second manager on the field.

There aren't many who had his inate talents at first base.

I still miss him out there all these years later. LOL

The most amazing thing is where he fielded that ball. Even playing in for the bunt, he was amazingly quick, flying into the frame to grab that ball on the 3rd base side in front of the pitcher. Unreal.

Growing up in NY at that time, as a kid I didn't realize it, but we may have seen literally the 2 bedt defensive 1B of all time in Mattingly and Hernandez. What a treat!

Possibly the greatest fielding first baseman ever, won a batting title and an MVP....
Also why was Gary Carter playing third?????

Don Mattingly is the best defensive 1B I've ever seen not named Keith Hernandez and it was no contest between the two of them as great as Mattingly was.

Keith Hernandez controlled the game at 1B as much as any catcher that ever played IMO. He played offense on defense. He made the opposing manager change his strategy in an era when small ball was king.

He wasn't a HOF hitter, he was a very good hitter, but he was a HOF player without a doubt in my mind. Even more importantly IMO he was worth the price of admission to watch.

I think it's great that the Mets are retiring his number. I think it's great that the Mets are honoring their past more now. Too bad so many of the 1969 Mets are gone. Celebrating past greats is how you pass on the legacy from generation to generation.

In comment 15551424 Kevin999 said:

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Possibly the greatest fielding first baseman ever, won a batting title and an MVP.... Also why was Gary Carter playing third?????

is that the game Ray Knight clocked Eric Davis? did he get tossed?

In comment 15551442 arniefez said:

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Don Mattingly is the best defensive 1B I've ever seen not named Keith Hernandez and it was no contest between the two of them as great as Mattingly was. Keith Hernandez controlled the game at 1B as much as any catcher that ever played IMO. He played offense on defense. He made the opposing manager change his strategy in an era when small ball was king. He wasn't a HOF hitter, he was a very good hitter, but he was a HOF player without a doubt in my mind. Even more importantly IMO he was worth the price of admission to watch. I think it's great that the Mets are retiring his number. I think it's great that the Mets are honoring their past more now. Too bad so many of the 1969 Mets are gone. Celebrating past greats is how you pass on the legacy from generation to generation.

I think Mattingly was every bit the defensive player Hernandez was, and yes I realize that is saying a lot.

In comment 15551424 Kevin999 said:

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Possibly the greatest fielding first baseman ever, won a batting title and an MVP.... Also why was Gary Carter playing third?????

Not in the HOF because he doesn't have the requisite numbers, especially for a 1B. For all the people that say Mattingly has no business in, Hernandez has less HR, less RBI, lower BA, lower OPS and only slightly more runs and hits in more seasons and over 300 more games played. They both have 1 MVP and 1 batting title. The ring isn't enough to set him apart.

In comment 15551744 nyfootballfan said:

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In comment 15551424 Kevin999 said: Quote: Possibly the greatest fielding first baseman ever, won a batting title and an MVP.... Also why was Gary Carter playing third????? is that the game Ray Knight clocked Eric Davis? did he get tossed?

No clue if that's the game; I'm not familiar with it. But, my first thought was Orosco was on the mound, so it's late innings and maybe a double switch or two took place.