145 Mets on Third

Before David Wright assumed the position, the revolving door of third basemen had become a running joke - as all of us Mets fans know.  As I was listening to the game on WFAN tonight, it was said that Daniel Murphy became the 145th Third Baseman in the club's history.

But during the Mets 50 seasons - how many men have been the primary occupant of the hot corner?  Let's see, shall we?

1962 - Felix Mantilla - 95 games
1963 - Charlie Neal - 66 games
1964 - Charley Smith - 85 games
1965 - Charley Smith - 131 games
1966 - Ken Boyer - 130 games
1967 - Ed Charles - 89 games
1968 - Ed Charles - 106 games
1969 - Wayne Garrett - 72 games
1970 - Joe Foy - 97 games
1971 - Bob Aspromonte - 97 games
1972 - Jim Fregosi - 86 games
1973 - Wayne Garrett - 129 games
1974 - Wayne Garrett - 144 games
1975 - Wayne Garrett - 94 games
1976 - Roy Staiger - 93 games
1977 - Len Randle - 110 games
1978 - Len Randle - 124 games
1979 - Richie Hebner - 134 games
1980 - Elliott Maddox - 115 games
1981 - Hubie Brooks - 93 games
1982 - Hubie Brooks - 126 games
1983 - Hubie Brooks - 145 games
1984 - Hubie Brooks - 129 games
1985 - Howard Johnson - 113 games
1986 - Ray Knight - 132 games
1987 - Howard Johnson - 140 games
1988 - Howard Johnson - 131 games
1989 - Howard Johnson - 143 games
1990 - Howard Johnson - 92 games
1991 - Howard Johnson - 104 games
1992 - Dave Magadan - 93 games
1993 - Howard Johnson - 67 games
1994 - Bobby Bonilla - 107 games
1995 - Edgardo Alfonzo - 58 games
1996 - Jeff Kent - 89 games
1997 - Edgardo Alfonzo - 143 games
1998 - Edgardo Alfonzo - 144 games
1999 - Robin Ventura - 160 games
2000 - Robin Ventura - 137 games
2001 - Robin Ventura - 139 games
2002 - Edgardo Alfonzo - 134 games
2003 - Ty Wigginton - 155 games
2004 - David Wright - 69 games
2005 - David Wright - 160 games
2006 - David Wright - 153 games
2007 - David Wright - 159 games
2008 - David Wright - 159 games
2009 - David Wright - 142 games
2010 - David Wright - 155 games
2011 - David Wright - games TBD

So we can see by this exercise that the Mets have had 23 different primary third basemen (based solely on games played at that particular position during the season) during their 50 seasons.

David Wright has held onto the position longest - provided he comes off the disabled list and stays healthy, this will his 8th season as the man.

Only five other players laid claim to three seasons on the corner.

Howard Johnson - 7 years - 1985, 1987-1991, 1993
Wayne Garrett - 4 years - 1969, 1973-1975
Hubie Brooks - 4 years - 1981-1984
Edgardo Alfonzo - 4 years - 1995, 1997-1998, 2002
Robin Ventura - 3 years - 1999-2001

This exercise demonstrates why I drive my wife nuts.