The Mets Police

In 1986 Ray Knight - the oldest position player on the Mets - won the World Series MVP on the strength of two good performances in the final 2 games.

In 2009 Hideki Matsui - the oldest position player on the Yankees - won the World Series MVP on the strength of two good performances in the final 2 games.

Knight had a good year in 1986 - playing in 137 games he batted .298 and knocked in 76 runs (4th on the team). More than that though, Knight was a leader on and off the field. He gave them an edge, an arrogance, that unified the team (who can forget the punch he laid on Eric Davis).

Frank Cashen though, in his infinite wisdom, did not see Knight as a leader, but rather as an aging player. Following the 86 Series, Cashen did not resign Knight, who declared free agency and signed with the Orioles.

The Mets have not won a World Series since.

Hideki Matsui had a good year in 2009, finishing 3rd on the team in RBIs (90). He is an acknowledged clubhouse leader - Joe Torre mentions Matsui's rallying "statement" before the team would take the field in important games. (I'm not going to repeat what he actually says).

Now Matsui is a free agent and it's unclear whether the Yankees will bring him back next year.

Is Matsui the new Knight?

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Jim Baubach reports in today's Newsday that the reason 1986 WS MVP Ray Knight did not come out for Shea's Closing Ceremony is that there is still bitterness left from the way the Mets treated him following the 1986 season.

The relationship soured because of their failed negotiations that following
off-season, but after all these years there has no been reconciliation, no
hug-it-out moment.

Twice, the Mets invited Knight back for events at Shea
Stadium.

Twice, Knight declined their invite.

Baubach goes on to report that Knight claimed he had prior commitments both times. However, for the Shea closing Knight was given the time off from his job as a Washington Nationals announcer - he choose to decline the time off.

Look, the Mets - specifically Frank Cashen - did a lot of stupid things following the 86 World Series, including not resigning Knight. But Ray it's been 22 years. The Mets have made overtures to you - GROW UP