Jed Lowrie Joins Unique Roster of Players Who Suited up for Both the Mets and A's
Yoenis Cespides Has Called Both Citi Field And The Coliseum His Home
The Roster Includes A Member Of The Hall Of Fame
Most baseball enthusiasts have spent the winter with their eyes on New York, waiting for the Yankees to sign a highly coveted free agent such as shortstop Manny Machado or outfielder Bryce Harper. In the mean time, however, it has been their neighbors in the Big Apple who have done most of the dealing in the Empire State.
The Mets of course made news in December by acquiring All-Star second baseman Robinson Cano and closer Edwin Diaz from the Seattle Mariners, a deal that greatly strengthens the team. Last week New York made a deal to keep starter Noah Syndergaard, and then turned around to ink an extension for reigning Cy Young Award winner Jacob deGromm.
Once they had secured the two top arms of their rotation, as well as their bullpen with the acquisition of Diaz, New York's National League team then set out to improve its lineup beyond Cano. To fill a need for the versatility provided by now departed Wilmer Flores, the Mets signed free agent Jed Lowrie.
As a key member of the playoff-bound Oakland Athletics last season, Lowrie primarily served as a middle infielder. Throughout his career, though, he has shown the ability to play both corners as well as in the outfield.
His addition no doubt puts the Mets in a much better position to win the N.L. East in 2019, but it also places Lowrie among a limited number of players who have suited up for both the Oakland Athletics and the New York Mets at some point in their careers.
Here is a roster of guys who will be joined by Lowie, having played for both teams.
Catcher, Mike Piazza
After winning a pennant with the Mets, Piazza had become primarily a designated hitter by ten time he reached Oakland late in his career.
First Base, Marv Thronberry
Marvelous Marv was a good hitter who had the misfortune of playing with the historically bad Mets teams in the first years of its existence, after which he spent the late Sixties with Oakland.
Second Base, Miguel Cairo
One tenth of the teams in MLB once had Cairo in their lineup, among them both the Mets and the A's.
Shortstop, Mike Bordick
He spent most of his career with Oakland, but he did guide the middle infield for the New York team that took the pennant in the year 2000.
Third Base, Ed Charles
His time with the Athletics came when they played in Kansas City, where he spent five years before finishing out with three for the Mets.
Left Field, Rickey Henderson
Compared to the numerous years he spent with Oakland, which included three different stints there, Henderson's time with the Mets seems just a blip during a career that ended in his induction to the Hall Of Fame at Cooperstown.
Center Field, Claudell Washington
The speedy Washington helped Oakland win its fourth straight pennant in the mid Seventies, after which he joined the New York Mets.
Right Field, Steve Henderson
Not quite as well-known as the outfielder with the same last name, this Henderson managed to quietly carve out a respectable career in both New York and on the West Coast.
Designated Hitter, Yoenis Cespides
New York was trailing by five games the Washington Nationals when the team traded for Cespides, who almost single-handedly led them to not only the Divisional Championship but also to the World Series in 2015.
Starting Pitcher, Bartolo Colon
The veteran right hander has pitched for a dozen different teams over two decades, so no one is surprised that he took the mound for both the Mets and the A's.
Starting Pitcher, Ron Darling
Now a highly-respected commentator, Darling helped the Mets capture the 1986 World Series Championship before spending the twilight of his career with Oakland.
Relief Pitcher, Jeurys Familia
He served as close for the Mets teams that reached two straight postseasons, and then he joined the Oakland club that made the playoffs last season.
