1986 New York Mets (108-54)

Manager: Davey Johnson

After two straight second-place finishes in 1984 and 1985, the Mets were determined to win the NL East. After all, the Mets were led by two young stars, outfielder Darryl Strawberry and pitcher Dwight Gooden. Gooden won the pitchers' Triple Crown the year before. The Mets also had defensive genius Keith Hernandez, future MVP Kevin Mitchell, former MVP George Foster, and scrappy infielder Wally Backman. Their pitching staff, led by Gooden, also featured Ron Darling and Sid Fernandez. In addition, the Mets acquired Bobby Ojeda from Boston. During this stretch, everyone knew these Mets had arrogance and cockiness. The NL East race ended in April when the Mets swept St. Louis in a 4-game series.

There were a few sour notes during the magical Mets season. First, there was George Foster. He complained that he lost his starting job to speedster Mookie Wilson and the scrappy Len Dykstra. However, he was traded to the Chicago White Sox. Lee Mazzilli, along with Hernandez, was the veteran presence Foster couldn't be for the young Mets. He was a valuable bat off the bench. Next, the fans from other cities complained that the Mets' curtain calls were showing signs of arrogance. Also, playing in Houston was a pain in the ass as the Astros swept them after the All-Star Game which happened to be in the Astrodome. During that series, four Mets were arrested after a brawl in a popular Houston nightclub. Their fortunes turned in a bizarre July 22 contest in Cincinnati. It began with outfielder Dave Parker not catching the ball giving the Mets the tying runs. Then Ray Knight fought with Eric Davis at 3rd base. After a few changes, Keith Hernandez, Gary Carter (who played 3rd base), and Roger McDowell made an "easy double play." After that, Howard Johnson hit the game-winner in the 14th. Another bizarre ending occurred on August 27 in San Diego when shortstop Garry Templeton hit a single into the outfield. But Mookie Wilson threw it to home plate to get the runner out. But Carter threw it to third to get Tim Flannery out. The Mets were going to win the NL East in Philadelphia. But they lost all of their road games meaning the clinching would be done in New York. The clinched the NL East with a defeating of the Cubs. The Mets finished the season with a 108-54 record, winning the NL Eastern Division Championship 21.5 games over 2nd place Philadelphia.

In the NLCS, they met the Houston Astros, a team led by former Met Mike Scott. Scott dominated the Mets in the opening contest, but the Mets won the next two. In game 3, Lenny Dykstra hit a game-winning dinger off ace closer Dave Smith. However, Scott would win again to tie up the series at two. In the 5th contest, Nolan Ryan would face Dwight Gooden. However, Gary Carter made sure that Gooden got the last laugh by hitting a game-winning RBI off Charlie Kerfeld. Back in Houston, if the Mets lose game 6, they would have to face Mike Scott in the deciding contest. After Houston exploded for 3 runs in the 1st inning, the Mets scored 3 runs of their own in the 9th off of Dave Smith. In the 14th, the Mets would score a run. But Billy Hatcher would hit a homer off Mets' closer Jesse Orosco to give them another chance. In the 16th, the Mets would score three runs. The Astros were on the brink of continuing the game, but Kevin Bass struck out with the tying and winning runs on base. As for the Mets, they would win their 3rd pennant.

In the World Series against the Boston Red Sox, the Mets would suffer as the Sox would win the first two contests in Queens. In Boston, Lenny Dykstra would lead off with a homer in the 1st inning. After that win, Gary Carter hit two homers toward Boston's Green Monster to tie the series at two. However, Bruce Hurst would shut down the Mighty Mets as the Sox needed one more win in Queens. In the 6th contest, the Mets had to beat reigning MVP Roger Clemens. After the Sox led the first half of the game, the Mets would catch up in the 6th inning. However, the Sox would retake the lead in the 7th. The Mets would come back to force the game into extras. In the top of the 10th, Dave Henderson hits a homer off Rick Aguilera. In the bottom of the inning, Gary Carter would lead off the inning with a single. Then, Kevin Mitchell singled his own. Ray Knight would bring in Carter and send Mitchell to third. With Mookie Wilson at the plate, Boston pitcher Bob Stanley threw a pitch to the dirt. However, catcher Rich Gedman reacted too slowly. It allowed Mitchell to score. Later in the AB, Wilson hit a roller to 1st base and Bill Buckner would miss the ball, allowing Ray Knight to score in order to force a 7th game. In that final contest, Boston dominated early. But the Mets rallied to take the lead thanks to crucial home runs from Ray Knight and Darryl Strawberry. Jesse Orosco struck Marty Barrett out as the Mets would win their 2nd World Championship. As for Knight, he would earn series MVP honors.