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A Riveting Rookie
Date: 1998 to 2002
Jay Payton impressed during his first season in 2000, finishing third in NL Rookie of the Year voting. He batted .291 with 142 hits, 62 RBIs and 17 home runs. “I want to improve on everything. I want to hit better, field better,” Payton said in September 2000. “In baseball, you always want to get better. You can never be satisfied.” The rookie outfielder played in 14 games that postseason and hit a home run in Game 2 of the World Series. Payton remained with the Mets until midway through the 2002 season.
( C ) New York Mets Photography