The inaugural 1962 season for the New York Mets was a study in contrasts: a team that set an unenviable Major League Baseball record for losses, yet captivated the hearts of New York baseball fans. Finishing last in the National League with a dismal record of 40 wins and 120 losses, the Mets were 60½ games behind the NL Champion San Francisco Giants. This performance established a then-MLB record for the most losses in a 160-game season, a testament
to their struggles on the field. Despite their profound ineptitude, the Mets managed to draw over 900,000 fans to the Polo Grounds, their temporary home, demonstrating a unique connection with their new fanbase.
A Challenging Start and Persistent Struggles
The Mets' journey in 1962 began with immediate difficulties. They lost their first game 11–4 to the St. Louis Cardinals on April 11 and continued this losing streak for their first nine games. Their first franchise win finally came on April 23, a 9–1 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates in Pittsburgh, which also marked the Pirates' first loss after a strong 10–0 start. The team's first win in New York occurred on April 28, a 9–4 triumph against the Philadelphia Phillies.
Despite a brief period where they improved their record to 12–19 by May 20 after sweeping a doubleheader against the Milwaukee Braves, the Mets' struggles quickly resumed. They then endured a 17-game losing streak, followed by an 11-game skid from July 15 to July 26, and another 13-game losing streak from August 9 to August 21. Their longest winning streak of the entire season was a mere three games, underscoring the consistent challenges they faced throughout their inaugural campaign.
Statistical Ineptitude and Managerial Frustration
The 1962 Mets were statistically one of the worst teams in Major League Baseball history. They featured two pitchers who each lost at least 20 games, a rare and unfortunate distinction. The team also recorded the lowest batting average in the National League. Beyond individual statistics, their team batting average, team earned run average (ERA), and team fielding percentage were all the worst in the major leagues that season. This comprehensive underperformance contributed to their record-setting 120 losses, which at the time, was the third most by any MLB team, only surpassed by the infamous 1899 Cleveland Spiders who lost 134 games.
The team was managed by the legendary Casey Stengel, a seven-time World Series championship-winning manager who had previously led the New York Yankees. Stengel's frustration with his team's poor play became legendary, famously encapsulated in his remark, "Can't anybody here play this game?" This quote later became the title of Jimmy Breslin's humorous best-selling 1963 book chronicling the Mets' season. One of the few bright spots on the team was left fielder Frank Thomas, who hit .266 with 152 hits, 34 home runs, and 94 RBIs.
Enduring Popularity Amidst Defeat
Despite their abysmal performance, the Mets proved incredibly popular with fans, particularly those who had supported the previous National League franchises in New York. Their 1962 season attendance of 922,530 was remarkable, placing them sixth in the National League for attendance. This strong fan support continued, with the Mets drawing 1.8 million spectators in 1964 when Shea Stadium opened. The team's ability to attract such a large following, even in the face of constant defeat, highlighted the deep-seated desire for National League baseball in New York City and the unique charm of this expansion team. This early popularity laid the groundwork for future success, as the Mets would go on to win their first World Series by 1969, along with two World Series titles, five NL pennants, and six division titles in their history.
