SABR Research Collection celebrates 35th anniversary of 1986 Mets season
OCTOBER 15, 2021 — ESPN’s recent documentary series on the 1986 New York Mets, Once Upon a Time in Queens, featured contributions from SABR members Greg Prince and Mark Simon. Members and fans seeking more information and stories on the ’86 Mets and their championship season can find in-depth coverage in SABR’s Research Collection with newly published articles from the BioProject and Games Project.
The BioProject includes comprehensive biographies on all Mets players, coaches, and notable personnel from that season, including Hall of Famer Gary Carter; stars Dwight Gooden, Keith Hernandez, and Darryl Strawberry; key contributors Ron Darling, Jesse Orosco, and Mookie Wilson; along with general manager Frank Cashen and manager Davey Johnson.
SABR Games Project coverage spans the entire regular season, from Gooden’s complete-game win on Opening Day to the final-Sunday shutout for New York’s 108th victory. We follow the Mets’ 11-game April winning streak from beginning to end, including a comeback that foreshadowed October’s late-inning thrills.
May brought a clash with a rising National League West power, and June offers more late-game heroics. Read about the Mets’ brawling side in midseason action with the Dodgers, Braves, and Reds. A wild extra-inning game in Houston and a charity exhibition with the Red Sox preview an exciting postseason. In September, the Mets wrap up their first flag since 1973.
In October, the Mets came through with a pair of last at-bat wins in the National League Championship Series and a game for the ages at the Astrodome that punched their ticket for the World Series. Articles on all seven World Series games are included, including the improbable 10-inning finish of Game Six and Game Seven’s clincher.
SABR’s Digital Library also offers a downloadable book, The 1986 New York Mets: There Was More Than Game Six — all SABR members can download the e-book for free or save 50% off the paperback edition.
— John Fredland
Originally published: October 15, 2021. Last Updated: October 15, 2021.