The 1983 New York Mets season was the 22nd regular season for the Mets. They went 68–94 and finished in sixth place in the National League East, twenty-two games behind the first place Philadelphia Phillies. The Mets were managed by George Bamberger and Frank Howard. They played home games at Shea Stadium.

Even though they finished with 94 losses, this Mets team showed the beginnings of what would be a contender for the next decade. Darryl Strawberry made his debut and on June 15 the Mets would get Keith Hernandez from St. Louis to start putting the veteran pieces together for what would be the 1986 Championship team.

This would be the last time the Mets would finish in last place until 1993.

Offseason December 10, 1982: Mike Scott was traded by the Mets to the Houston Astros for Danny Heep.Danny Heep page at Baseball Reference December 16, 1982: Charlie Puleo, Lloyd McClendon, and Jason Felice (minors) were traded by the Mets to the Cincinnati Reds for Tom Seaver.Tom Seaver page at Baseball Reference January 13, 1983: The Mets traded a player to be named later to the Boston Red Sox for Mike Torrez. The Mets completed the deal by sending Mike Davis (minors) to the Red Sox on February 15.Mike Torrez page at Baseball Reference

Regular season May 6, 1983: Darryl Strawberry made his major league debut. June 15, 1983: The Mets traded Neil Allen and Rick Ownbey to the Cardinals for Keith Hernandez.

Season standings

Record vs. opponents

Opening Day starters Bob Bailor Hubie Brooks George Foster Brian Giles Ron Hodges Mike Howard Dave Kingman Tom Seaver Mookie Wilson

Notable transactions April 7, 1983: Clint Hurdle was signed as a free agent by the Mets.Clint Hurdle page at Baseball Reference June 6, 1983: 1983 Major League Baseball draft Stan Jefferson was drafted by the Mets in the 1st round (20th pick).Stan Jefferson page at Baseball Reference Matt Williams was drafted by the Mets in the 27th round, but did not sign.Matt Williams page at Baseball Reference June 15, 1983: Neil Allen and Rick Ownbey were traded by the Mets to the St. Louis Cardinals for Keith Hernandez.Keith Hernandez sent to Mets for Allen, Ownbey July 22, 1983: Scott Dye (minors) was traded by the Mets to the Oakland Athletics for Kelvin Moore.Kelvin Moore page at Baseball Reference

Roster 1983 New York Mets Roster Pitchers Catchers

Infielders Outfielders

Other batters Manager

Coaches

Player stats = Indicates team leader

= Indicates league leader Batting

Starters by position Note: Pos = Position; G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in Pos Player G AB H Avg. HR RBI C Ron Hodges 110 250 65 .260 0 21 1B Keith Hernandez 95 320 98 .306 9 37 2B Brian Giles 145 400 98 .245 2 27 SS José Oquendo 120 328 70 .213 1 17 3B Hubie Brooks 150 586 147 .251 5 58 LF George Foster 157 601 145 .241 28 90 CF Mookie Wilson 152 638 176 .276 7 51 RF 122 420 108 .257 26 74

Other batters Note: G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in Player G AB H Avg. HR RBI Bob Bailor 118 340 85 .250 1 30 115 253 64 .253 8 21 Dave Kingman 100 248 49 .198 13 29 Junior Ortiz 68 185 47 .254 0 12 Rusty Staub 104 115 34 .296 3 28 Mark Bradley 73 104 21 .202 3 5 Ronn Reynolds 24 66 13 .197 0 2 Tucker Ashford 35 56 10 .179 0 2 Wally Backman 26 42 7 .167 0 3 11 36 12 .333 1 3 Clint Hurdle 13 33 6 .182 0 2 Ron Gardenhire 17 32 2 .063 0 1 Mike Jorgensen 38 24 6 .250 1 3 Mike Fitzgerald 8 20 2 .100 1 2 Mike Bishop 3 8 1 .125 0 0 Mike Howard 1 3 1 .333 0 1 John Stearns 4 0 0 ---- 0 0

Pitching

Starting pitchers Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts Player G IP W L ERA SO 34 231.0 9 14 3.55 135 39 222.1 10 17 4.37 94 Ed Lynch 30 174.2 10 10 4.28 44 Walt Terrell 21 133.2 8 8 3.57 59 5 35.1 1 3 2.80 23 Tim Leary 2 10.2 1 1 3.38 9

Other pitchers Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts Player G IP W L ERA SO 35 101.0 1 7 3.74 44 Craig Swan 27 96.1 2 8 5.51 43 21 54.0 2 7 4.50 32 25 49.1 1 4 4.93 30 10 34.2 1 3 4.67 19

Relief pitchers Note: G = Games pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; SV = Saves; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts Player G W L SV ERA SO Jesse Orosco 62 13 7 17 1.47 84 Doug Sisk 67 5 4 11 2.24 33 Carlos Diaz 54 3 1 2 2.05 64 4 1 0 0 6.10 4

Awards and honors Darryl Strawberry, Rookie of the Year Keith Hernandez, Gold Glove All-Star Game Jesse Orosco, Pitcher

Farm system

LEAGUE CHAMPIONS: Tidewater, Lynchburg

Notes

References 1983 New York Mets at Baseball Reference 1983 New York Mets team page at www.baseball-almanac.com