1988 New York Mets season

The 1988 New York Mets season was the 27th regular season for the Mets. They went 100–60 and finished first in the National League East. They were managed by Davey Johnson. They played home games at Shea Stadium.

The Mets would go on to lose to the eventual World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers in the NLCS in seven games.

Offseason

 * December 11, 1987: Jesse Orosco was traded as part of a 3-team trade by the Mets to the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Dodgers sent Jack Savage to the Mets, and the Oakland Athletics sent Kevin Tapani and Wally Whitehurst to the Mets. The Dodgers sent Bob Welch and Matt Young to the Athletics, and the Athletics sent Alfredo Griffin and Jay Howell to the Dodgers.
 * December 11, 1987: Rafael Santana and Victor Garcia (minors) were traded by the Mets to the New York Yankees for Darren Reed, Phil Lombardi, and Steve Frey.
 * March 26, 1988: Randy Milligan and Scott Henion (minors) were traded by the Mets to the Pittsburgh Pirates for Mackey Sasser and Tim Drummond.

Regular season

 * August 9: The Mets participated in the first official night game at Wrigley Field, which the Cubs won, 6–4.

Notable transactions

 * August 4, 1988: Tom McCarthy and Steve Springer were traded by the Mets to the Chicago White Sox for Mike Maksudian and Vince Harris (minors).
 * August 22, 1988: Héctor Ramírez was signed as an amateur free agent by the Mets.

Regular season

 * - style="text-align:center;"
 * Legend:      = Win       = Loss       = Postponement Bold = Mets team member

Postseason Game log

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 * Legend:      = Win       = Loss       = Postponement Bold = Mets team member

Starters by position
''Note: Pos = Position; G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in''

Other batters
''Note: G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in''

Starting pitchers
Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts

Other pitchers
Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts

Relief pitchers
Note: G = Games pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; SV = Saves; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts

Game 1
October 4: Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles

Game 2
October 5: Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles

Game 3
October 8: Shea Stadium, Flushing, New York

Game 4
October 9: Shea Stadium, Flushing, New York

Game 5
October 10: Shea Stadium, Flushing, New York

Game 6
October 11: Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles

Game 7
October 12: Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles

Awards and honors
1988 MLB All-Star Game
 * Keith Hernandez, Gold Glove Award
 * Keith Hernandez, Major League record, most Gold Gloves by a first baseman (it was also his 11th consecutive Gold Glove)
 * Kevin McReynolds – Player of the Month, September 1988
 * Gary Carter – 300 career home runs, and set record for career putouts for a catcher
 * Gary Carter
 * David Cone
 * Dwight Gooden
 * Darryl Strawberry

Team leaders

 * Games – Darryl Strawberry (153)
 * At-bats – Kevin McReynolds (552)
 * Home runs – Darryl Strawberry (39)
 * Runs batted in – Darryl Strawberry (101)
 * Batting average – Wally Backman (.303)
 * Hits – Kevin McReynolds (159)
 * Doubles – Kevin McReynolds (30)
 * Triples – Mookie Wilson (5)
 * Walks – Howard Johnson (86)
 * Stolen bases – Len Dykstra (30)
 * Wins – David Cone (20)

Farm system
LEAGUE CHAMPIONS: St. Lucie, Kingsport