Iconic Mets Photos

Casey Stengel strikes a grumpy pose for this SI cover. Despite the Mets' lack of success during Stengel's four years at the helm (1962-65), he remains one of the franchise's most popular managers.

Willie Mays gets ready to take a swing. The 41-year-old legend played his final two seasons with the Mets before retiring.

Yogi Berra watches the action during a game against Philadelphia. Following Gil Hodges's death in 1971, Berra was named the Mets manager and remained with the team until 1975.

Tug McGraw throws a pitch during the 1973 World Series against Oakland. The Mets would eventually lose the series in seven games.

Joe Torre stands with teammates during spring training in 1975. Torre was the team's third basemen when he was asked to take over as manager. He spent 18 days as a player-manager before hanging up his cleats to concentrate on managing.

Darryl Strawberry signs autographs for fans at Shea Stadium. He was named the National League's 1984 Rookie of The Year after hitting 26 home runs with 97 RBIs.

Wally Backman slides into third during a game against the Phillies. Backman spent nine seasons with the Mets and was a key member of the team's 1986 World Series victory.

Lenny Dykstra, John Christensen (35) and Dave Cochrane (62) pretend to look astonished at the fictional character Sidd Finch. The photo is part of George Plimpton's legendary SI feature on a mythical pitcher who could throw a 168 mph fastball.

Lenny Dykstra leaps in the air after hitting a walk off home run against Houston in Game 3 of the NLCS.

Gary Carter celebrates with Darryl Strawberry and Keith Hernandez after the Mets catcher's game-winning hit against Philadelphia.

David Cone unleashes a pitch during a game against Montreal. Cone spent six years with the Mets where he enjoyed some of his most successful seasons.

In this SI cover photo, Darryl Strawberry and Dwight Gooden pose for a cover story about the duo and their various off-the-field problems.

Infielders Rey Ordonez, Robin Ventura, Edgardo Alfonzo and John Olerud pose for an SI photo shoot.

Mike Piazza tips his hat to the crowd after hitting a two run homerun to win the game against Atlanta. The game was the first played in New York City after the terrorist attacks of September 11 and is considered one of the greatest moments in Major League Baseball history.

Mike Piazza sits on a rooftop near the World Trade Center disaster five days after the terrorist attacks of 9/11. The plume of smoke in the upper-right hand corner comes from the site and the Twin towers would have been able to have been seen above the middle buildings.

john franco unleashes a pitch during a game against Florida. Franco's 1,119 career games is an NL record and third most in major league history.

Jose Reyes and David Wright strike a serious pose for a 2005 SI photo shoot.

Mets legends Tom Seaver and Mike Piazza wave goodbye to the crowd after final game at Shea Stadium.

Hall of Famers and 1969 Mets stars Nolan Ryan (L) and Tom Seaver (R) at the GTS Vineyards on Diamond Mountain. Seaver owns the vineyard and Ryan is the president of the Texas Rangers.