Few players embodied the mid-’90s New York Mets quite like Todd Hundley — fiery, powerful, and, at times, polarizing. A second-generation catcher and the son of longtime backstop Randy Hundley, Todd carved his own legacy in Queens with a bat that could change games and a story that’s as Mets as it gets.

Career Overview

The Mets selected Todd Hundley in the second round of the 1987 MLB Draft, and he made his debut just three years later at age 20. Early on, Hundley was known more for his defense and his pedigree than his bat, but by the mid-1990s, he had transformed into one of the most dangerous offensive catchers in baseball.

His peak came in 1996 and 1997, when he became one of the first power-hitting catchers in Mets history. In 1996, Hundley hit 41 home runs, setting both a franchise record and an MLB record for catchers at the time (since broken). That season, he slashed .259/.356/.550 with 112 RBI and earned his first All-Star selection.

Hundley followed it up with another All-Star nod in 1997, hitting 30 homers despite playing through injuries and the growing spotlight of a Mets team on the rise.

Highlights

Record-Breaking 1996 Season: Hundley’s 41 home runs not only shattered the Mets single-season record but also established him as one of baseball’s elite power hitters.

Two-Time All-Star (1996, 1997): His back-to-back All-Star appearances put him among the game’s best behind the plate.

Fan Favorite: His gritty style, passion, and knack for the big hit made him a Shea Stadium favorite during some lean years.

Clubhouse Fire: Hundley was known for his competitiveness, which helped bring energy to a Mets roster still finding its identity in the post-Strawberry, pre-Piazza era.

Lowlights

1998 Position Shift: After the Mets acquired Mike Piazza, Hundley’s position became uncertain. Recovering from elbow surgery, he attempted an awkward and short-lived move to left field — a decision that never quite worked out.

Injuries: Multiple surgeries derailed his career just as he seemed poised for long-term stardom.

PED Allegations: Years later, his name surfaced in the Mitchell Report, casting a shadow over some of his accomplishments, though he has always denied direct wrongdoing.

Interesting Facts

Hundley’s 41 home runs stood as the Mets single-season record until Carlos Beltrán and Todd Hundley (in his own 1996 tie) shared the mark — and it wasn’t broken until Pete Alonso’s 2019 rookie explosion.

He caught for Dwight Gooden, Bobby Jones, and Al Leiter, bridging multiple Mets eras.

Todd and his father Randy became the first father-son duo to both catch in a World Series (Randy with the Cubs in ’69, Todd later with the Dodgers in 2000).

In 1996, he was the first Met ever to hit 30+ home runs in consecutive seasons.

Legacy

Todd Hundley will always be remembered as the bridge between eras — a homegrown star who carried the Mets through the mid-’90s doldrums and set the stage for the Piazza era that followed. His 1996 campaign remains one of the greatest offensive seasons by a catcher in MLB history, and despite the controversy and injuries, Hundley’s name still evokes that special brand of Shea Stadium electricity.

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Final Thoughts

While Todd Hundley’s Mets career ended with more questions than answers, his peak remains unforgettable. For a time, he wasn’t just a fan favorite — he was the heart of the team, and for one magical summer, the most feared hitter behind the plate in baseball.