David Cone

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Cone's tenure with the Mets was defined by elite strikeout numbers and dramatic moments. In 1990, he covered first base on a throw from Gregg Jefferies that should have retired Mark Lemke; when umpire Charlie Williams mistakenly ruled Lemke safe, Cone argued while holding the ball, allowing two runs to score against the Atlanta Braves. Later that year, he led the National League in strikeouts. In 1991, he switched his uniform number from 44 to 17 to honor Keith Hernandez and recorded an immaculate inning on August 30 against the Cincinnati Reds, striking out all three batters on just nine pitches. The following month, Cone tied a National League record by striking out 19 Philadelphia Phillies on October 6, 1991—though it was not the season finale, as the Mets played one more game after that. He led the league in strikeouts again in 1992 before being traded to Toronto.

In Their Own Story

The atmosphere turned tense during Game 1 of the 1988 National League Championship Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers after Cone wrote a column for the New York Daily News, calling closer Jay Howell's curveball "high school" pitching and stating Orel Hershiser was "lucky for eight innings." The Dodgers used this bulletin board material to jump on Cone for five runs in two innings during Game 2. However, Cone silenced critics with a scoreless ninth in Game 3 and a complete-game victory in Game 6. Despite his efforts, Series MVP Orel Hershiser returned in Game 7 with a complete-game shutout to send the Dodgers to the World Series. In 1990, another contentious moment occurred against the Braves when Cone held onto the ball during an argument over a call at first base, inadvertently allowing Dale Murphy and Ernie Whitt to score.

Reader's Guide

Cone's statistical dominance with the Mets is clear: he led the major leagues in strikeouts for three consecutive seasons from 1990 to 1992. His ability to generate strikeouts was a hallmark of his game, culminating in his career-high 261 strikeouts (combined with Toronto) in 1992 and his 19-strikeout masterpiece on October 6, 1991. Fans should note that Cone was the lone Mets representative at the 1992 All-Star Game, where he held a 9–4 record and a 2.56 ERA. His departure came after a difficult 56–67 season for the Mets, leading to his trade on August 27, 1992, to the Toronto Blue Jays for Jeff Kent and Ryan Thompson, ending his first stint as a Met.

Did You Know?

• Cone struck out all three batters in an inning on just nine pitches against the Cincinnati Reds on August 30, 1991.
• He tied a National League record by striking out 19 batters against the Philadelphia Phillies on October 6, 1991—though that game was not the season finale; the Mets played one more game after it.
• Cone switched his uniform number from 44 to 17 in 1991 to honor former teammate Keith Hernandez.
• He wrote controversial columns for the New York Daily News during the 1988 playoffs, criticizing Dodgers pitchers Orel Hershiser and Jay Howell.