Some 1986 New York Mets “Not Surprised” With 2023 Downfall

Winners know something about winning. Many of them also know why teams go from winners to losers. There is little doubt that a few members of the 1986 New York Mets know a little something about both subjects.

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Many of the '86 Mets were in town for the Darryl Strawberry Celebrity Golf Classic held at Glen Head Country Club on Long Island. Despite the tremendous expectations for the 2023 Amazin's, some of the blue and orange alumni didn't seemed shocked by this year's result.

Fan favorite outfielder Mookie Wilson told Brian Heyman of newsday.com, “No, I’m not surprised. I’m a little, I don’t know what to call it. They won a hundred-something ballgames last year. I mean, come on, that was a surprise to me. You have talent, but usually after you have a really good season like that, there’s usually a little hangover from that.” The 1987 Mets went 92-70, finishing in second place, a 16-game drop from their World Championship season the year prior.

Howard Johnson, who was enshrined in the Mets Hall of Fame back in June told newsday.com, “It’s a little bit of a square peg into a round hole at this point...I remember going through periods like this as a player and a coach even, and we would say because you have a good team, basically a good team, that it will figure itself out at some point. But sometimes the more you wait, the further backward you go.” That is exactly what is happening to the 2023 Mets. However, some of the '86 champs are staying optimistic.

The Mets star closer in the mid-80's, Jesse Orosco took the high road, “Let’s hope that it's not over. It’s been a struggling period of time, and they’re going to have to regroup and find a way to make a surge from here on.” It's been done before.