Edgardo Alfonzo once adorned the cover of Sports Illustrated with double-play partner Rey Ordonez and the other components of a Mets infield dubbed as possibly the best ever.
The former All-Star second baseman, known affectionately as Fonzie, was inducted into the Mets’ Hall of Fame before Saturday’s game against the Reds, along with All-Star pitchers Jon Matlack and Ron Darling.
Before the on-field induction ceremony — the Mets’ first new Hall class since 2013 — Alfonzo praised the organization’s additions of two Gold Glove infielders: Francisco Lindor in the offseason and Javier Baez at Friday’s trade deadline. Alfonzo admitted he believes he and Ordonez aren’t likely to retain the title of the best double play combo in team annals.
“We were just talking about that, me and Carlos,” Alfonzo said, referring to fellow former Mets second baseman Carlos Baerga, who attended the ceremony. “I think it’s going to be interesting watching those two guys together. I think Lindor is a great shortstop, and Baez is unbelievable.
“We’re not talking about Rey Ordonez and Edgardo Alfonzo. We’re talking about two guys who are going to be the future of the Mets. Hopefully they bring a lot of joy to the Mets and a lot of championships.”
Baez, a two-time All-Star with the Cubs, started at shortstop Saturday in his Mets debut. But he will move to second base once Lindor recovers from an oblique injury and returns from the injured list, in the coming weeks.
“I think It’s gonna be great for the Mets’ pitchers to feel comfortable with that double-play combination,” Alfonzo said before the Mets’ 5-4 come-from-behind win over the Reds. “That makes a huge difference, makes you a different team.
“They played on the national team in Puerto Rico [together], so hopefully they bring that energy and that chemistry to the Mets’ organization. … They need it right now, especially this year. I think it’s going to be exciting.”
Alfonzo still has a copy of the 1999 Sports Illustrated cover — with Ordonez, first baseman John Olerud and third baseman Robin Ventura, with the headline “Best Infield Ever?” — framed in the trophy room of his house. That foursome committed just 27 errors combined during the 1999 season.
With Pete Alonso at first and Jeff McNeil likely shifting to third once Lindor returns, the Mets again will have a former All-Star manning each of the four infield spots.
“You never think about that but just know that the record is for breaking,” Alfonzo said. “The only thing I can have for myself is I was part of that great infield. I hope they can make an even better infield than we did back in those days. I hope so, because that’s what the Mets’ organization needs right now. I think those two guys are going to make a huge difference on the infield.”
Mets manager Luis Rojas wasn’t about to argue with Alfonzo about his potential new middle-infield combo.
“It could be special. Those two guys are unbelievable,” Rojas said. “Francisco is one of the best shortstops, if not the best defensive shortstop in the game. Javy is one of the best defenders in the game. … At this point he’s going to play short for us, and I talked to him about other positions. But just to think about it, it’s mind-blowing.”