Once viewed as ‘The Next Big Thing’ in The Big Apple, Gregg Jefferies Eventually Put Up His Best Numbers In St. Louis

In late 1988, an MLB rookie became a sweeping sensation in New York City, a phenom who represented the future for one of the game’s most dominant franchises. The Mets’ budding superstar Gregg Jefferies, who had already had plenty of fan fare as a minor league prospect, would join the team late during their postseason push. And what happened next was like something out of baseball lore.

With his team looking to capture their second division title of the decade and just two years removed from their 1986 World Series win, the kid was thrown directly into the fire. And despite playing in front of rabid fans and a relentless New York media, he shined almost immediately.

In the final 29 games for the Mets, Jefferies started at both second and third base and hit .321. The team would close out the season with a 24-7 record with Jefferies on the roster, capturing the NL East title. They would eventually be eliminated in the NLCS by Orel Hershiser and the Dodgers.

BIG Expectations in New York

Heading into the 1989 season, Jefferies was already being hailed as the next generation of Mets superstars. However, he was still a babe in the woods, and he was surrounded in the clubhouse with a few nefarious figures. Most would depart as the 80s turned into the 90s.

That first full year, Jefferies struggled, hitting just .258 and drawing criticism from fans and observers. The Mets would finish second in 1989 and again in 1990, despite Jefferies bouncing back. In the ’89 campaign, he hit .283, with 96 runs scored an NL-leading 40 doubles.

But the bloom was off the rose by this point, and the Mets would ship Jefferies off to Kansas City to acquire ace pitcher Bret Saberhagen. He spent one forgettable season with the Royals, before heading to one of the Mets biggest NL rivals – the St. Louis Cardinals. Once considered a potential savior in New York… he would now be resurrected with the Redbirds.

Gregg Jefferies Finds New Life in St. Louis

Jefferies would go on to play for the Cards for just two seasons, but he was an All-Star selection in both years. And while the glory days of ‘Whiteyball‘ had come to an end and the Cardinals were re-building, he still shined.

Moving to first base, the switch-hitter would bat .342. He followed that up in 1994 with a .325 average. They were the two highest (full-season) totals of his entire, 14-year Major League career. He would depart the Redbirds, sign with the Phillies, and ended up hitting for the cycle in a game in 1995. However, injuries and time were taking their toll.

Jefferies would leave Philly and finish off with stints in Anaheim and Detroit, before finally retiring from the game in 2000. When his career was finally over, Jefferies had a lifetime .289 batting average with 126 home runs, 663 RBI, and 196 stolen bases.

He has commented many times since he stepped away that he was never all that satisfied with how his career turned out.

Once considered one of the greatest young players to come along in a generation, he ended up being essentially an above average big leaguer. But for two solid seasons in St. Louis, a former Met looked Amazin’.