Frank Gray
Mets Gazette Editor
The New York Mets have had a rocky season. No one can deny that. They are way out of contention in all categories and have been for a few months now. However, earlier in the season, when they were fighting for first place in the NL East, there was one major reason for it.
After last season, the New York Mets had terrible news about star center fielder Carlos Beltran. He would be recovering from surgery until mid-season this year. Fans and management alike wondered how they would survive until his return. The answer came in the form of an Angel.
Angel Pagan, that is. His hustle, solid defense, lineup flexibility and grit quickly made him a fan favorite. He was a leadoff hitter when Jose Reyes went down. He was a number two hitter when Luis Castillo was injured. Also, he was placed at the bottom of the order in an attempt to turn the lineup over consistently. He excelled at each task.
The numbers don’t lie. He has the highest batting average (.289) on the team and the most stolen bases (35). He also has two fewer hits (159) than team leader David Wright in five fewer games (145). His runs scored (77) is third on the team and only five behind the team leader, Wright.
He is also in the top two or three on the team in doubles (31), triples (7), home runs (11), total bases (237), RBI’s (69) and walks (44). In other words, he gets on base and makes things happen. He has played all three outfield positions and still has a .986 fielding percentage. He is versatile and consistent.
Many will argue that if the team even has an MVP, it would be David Wright as the obvious choice. With his power numbers, he is difficult to argue against. However, which player has meant more to the team? I believe it is Pagan. He was the spark plug they needed to boost the offense in the absence of Beltran.
He became the heart of the team, leading by example. Often, other players would look to him for the display of grit and determination that was needed in a given moment. When the Mets needed a big play, a big at bat or a clutch catch, it was Pagan coming up with it. More than anyone else, he has been the most valuable player on this team from the beginning of the season all the way to the end.
If the term MVP requires the player to lead the team in every category, than there is no one player that meets this criteria. Since that is the case, Pagan leads or is at the top of mostly every stat the team has. He is an example on the field and off the field. That is an MVP.
