Ed Lynch: Brooklyn Born 1980's Mets Pitcher (1980-1986)
His brother Chris was also right-handed pitcher, getting drafted three times by the Cardinals (1972) Mets (1973) & then Dodgers (1974) instead he chose to finish college & go to law school.
The six-foot six inch tall, Lynch was such a good basketball player, he went to the University of South Carolina on a basketball contract. But he ended up playing on the baseball team instead getting to the College World Series. He played on that team with future Mets teammate Mookie Wilson.
The six-foot six inch tall, Lynch was such a good basketball player, he went to the University of South Carolina on a basketball contract. But he ended up playing on the baseball team instead getting to the College World Series. He played on that team with future Mets teammate Mookie Wilson.
In 1977 Lynch was a business management graduate.
That year he was also drafted by the Texas Rangers in the 22nd round. He pitched at A ball in 1977 & starting out 1978 then was promoted to AA. In 1979 he went 10-11 with a 4.65 ERA
That year he was also drafted by the Texas Rangers in the 22nd round. He pitched at A ball in 1977 & starting out 1978 then was promoted to AA. In 1979 he went 10-11 with a 4.65 ERA
In 1979 the Texas Rangers were in the heat of the pennant race & needed another bat in their line up, they acquired Willie Montanez from the Mets on August 12th. In September Lynch & Mike Jorgensen were the players to be named later going to the Mets.
Mets Career: After two seasons of pitching under .500 in the Texas organization he took it to a new level with the Mets. He won 13 games at AAA Tidewater in 1980 (13-6) tied for the most wins on the staff with Mike Scott.
Lynch was never overpowering but was a smart pitcher who knew how to use what he had to outsmart batters. Also known for his wit & intelligence, Lynch was a popular teammate.
Mets Debut: Lynch got called up on August 31st, 1980, after Craig Swan went down with shoulder trouble. Lynch pitched 1.1 innings of relief in San Francisco getting roughed up for four runs including a run scoring triple by Giants pitcher Dave Holland.
On September 13th, he made his first start & earned his first career victory. It was at Shea Stadium against the Chicago Cubs as he allowed one run over six innings striking out two & walking no one. On September 19th he gave up four run & nine hits to the Pirates taking his first loss.
Mets Debut: Lynch got called up on August 31st, 1980, after Craig Swan went down with shoulder trouble. Lynch pitched 1.1 innings of relief in San Francisco getting roughed up for four runs including a run scoring triple by Giants pitcher Dave Holland.
On September 13th, he made his first start & earned his first career victory. It was at Shea Stadium against the Chicago Cubs as he allowed one run over six innings striking out two & walking no one. On September 19th he gave up four run & nine hits to the Pirates taking his first loss.
On September 24th he had another good outing in his third start, pitching seven shutout innings against the eventual World Champion Phillies, but got no decision. 1981: Lynch began the year at AAA Tidewater going 7-6 getting back up to the Mets staff in May. On May 2nd he made his first start but got decision allowing two runs to the Padres in 4.2 innings of work in an eventual Mets 6-2 win.
In his second start he pitched into the 8th inning beating the San Francisco Giants & veteran Doyle Alexander 3-2. Lynch lost his next two decisions and was placed in the bullpen. After three relief appearances & taking a loss to the Phillies the MLB baseball strike happened, stopping play until August 9th.
In his return in August, he pitched well at Wrigley Field giving up two runs in six innings but earned no decision. On August 18th, he earned a win in Atlanta shutting out the Braves for 7.2 innings of work in a 4-0 Mets win.
In his return in August, he pitched well at Wrigley Field giving up two runs in six innings but earned no decision. On August 18th, he earned a win in Atlanta shutting out the Braves for 7.2 innings of work in a 4-0 Mets win.
On September 8th he allowed just one run the Pirates in Pittsburgh over seven innings to beat Luis Tiant 3-1. He then beat the Cardinals at Shea Stadium to get to 4-3 but lost his last two decisions. Lynch finished out the year at 4-5 with a good 2.91 ERA making 13 starts in 17 appearances. He struck out 27 batters, walking 21 & averaged just 2.1 walks per nine innings (6th best in the NL).
1982: At the start of the season, he was used as a reliever, earning a hold on April 11th & a save on April 17th, pitching two scoreless innings in a 2-1 win over the Expos.
Lynch made a May 2nd start in San Francisco but gave up HRs to Chili Davis & Darrell Evans, exiting after three innings taking his first loss. The next day he came into a tied game in the 11th inning in Los Angeles, he earned the win pitching two scoreless innings as the Mets got three runs off Dodger reliever Steve Howe.
Lynch would pitch out of the bullpen before returning to the rotation by mid-August.
On August 15th, he beat the Chicago Cubs at Shea Stadium allowing three runs in seven innings for his second win of the year.
In his next start he shut out the Atlanta Braves for nine innings, but earned no decision in a game the Mets would lose when Dale Murphy hit a walk off HR off Pat Zachary in relief. On August 25th he gave up a season high five runs to the Astros, taking a 5-4 loss. In September he went 2-2 as a starter beating the Reds & then the Cubs in Chicago.
In his next start he shut out the Atlanta Braves for nine innings, but earned no decision in a game the Mets would lose when Dale Murphy hit a walk off HR off Pat Zachary in relief. On August 25th he gave up a season high five runs to the Astros, taking a 5-4 loss. In September he went 2-2 as a starter beating the Reds & then the Cubs in Chicago.
Lynch finished up the season at 4-8 with two saves and a 3.55 ERA. He struck out 51 & walked 40 batters in 139 innings pitched in 43 appearances, 12 starts.
1983: This season Lynch became one of the Mets top pitchers on the staff, that included the return of veteran Tom Seaver who went 9-14. Other starters were Mike Torrez (10-17) Walt Terrell (8-8) & Craig Swan (2-8). The Mets finished last again under managers George Bamberger who left after 46 games & Frank Howard.
1983: This season Lynch became one of the Mets top pitchers on the staff, that included the return of veteran Tom Seaver who went 9-14. Other starters were Mike Torrez (10-17) Walt Terrell (8-8) & Craig Swan (2-8). The Mets finished last again under managers George Bamberger who left after 46 games & Frank Howard.
After starting out in the bullpen he quickly was placed back in the rotation as Rick Ownbey & Scott Holman didn't work out. Lynch lost his first start then On April 29th earned a relief win over the Braves pitching three innings allowing two runs. He also drove in a run with an 8th inning base hit off Gene Garber, contributing to his first win of the year.In May he went 2-1, with a fine performance on May 29th allowing just one earned run in eight innings at San Diego in a 3-2 win. On May 16th in an 11-4 win at Pittsburgh, Lynch drove in two runs with a 2nd inning base hit off Jim Bibby.
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He quickly went 3-1 into early June. On June 28th he allowed just one run over seven innings, defeating the reigning champion St. Louis Cardinals. On July 2nd Ed beat the Phillies 4-3 in Philadelphia pitching six innings allowing two runs. At that point he was leading the team with a 6-3 record, posting a 3.35 ERA. From there on though he struggled the rest of the way going 4-7.
His season was highlighted with a complete game victory at San Francisco on August 20th, where he walked no one & struck out two in the 7-2 win. He also collected two hits & drove in a run.
He finished the year tying Mike Torrez for the team lead in victories with ten going 10-10 with a 4.28 ERA making 27 starts in 30 appearances. He walked 41 batters allowing 208 hits. He was never a strikeout pitcher, as he struck out just 44 batters in 174 innings pitched that season.
1984: This season was the most exciting season in years for the Mets. Davey Johnson took over as manager & he brought with him some of the Mets top players from their minor leagues. Players like Mookie Wilson & Hubie Brooks had been with the team the past few years were coming into their own. Young players Darryl Strawberry & Wally Backman added power, speed & excitement to the lineup. The veteran leadership & clutch play of Keith Hernandez had him lead the league in game winning RBIs.
The Met's starting rotation was now led by youngsters Dwight Gooden, Ron Darling & Sid Fernandez.
Quotes -Ed Lynch: "They have no idea the Mets have been brutal for eight years. While we've been stinking up the league the Mets have built the best farm system in the majors. These kids are winners. They don't care if we're playing the Montreal Expos or the Bad News Bears."
Ed Lynch began the year in the bullpen. Walt Terrell & Bruce Berenyi were to be the other two main Mets starters.In April he made seven appearances, winning two games in relief with Mets come backs, after he had entered in the 8th inning. On April 18th the Mets beat the Expos with Wally Backman collecting the walk off double. On April 28th short time Met Ross Jones hit a walk off double.
On May 2nd, he had four inning relief efforts against the Astros & although he gave up two runs, still earned his third win.
On May 2nd, he had four inning relief efforts against the Astros & although he gave up two runs, still earned his third win.
Lynch was back in the rotation by mid-May, beating the Dodgers in Los Angeles in his first start on May 12th. He allowed three runs on eight hits over five innings & drove in a run in the 4th inning.
Quotes- Davey Johnson: "He's the most consistent pitcher on the staff. I know no matter what way I use him; he'll get the job done".
But then Lynch struggled losing four straight games where he allowed four runs or more in each game. He was put back in the bullpen &quickly earned two saves in July & a win on July 23rd, when Wally Backman ended the 12th inning with a walk off RBI single against Neil Allen & the St. Louis Cardinals.
But then Lynch struggled losing four straight games where he allowed four runs or more in each game. He was put back in the bullpen &quickly earned two saves in July & a win on July 23rd, when Wally Backman ended the 12th inning with a walk off RBI single against Neil Allen & the St. Louis Cardinals.
In the second game, after the Cubs scored five runs, Lynch nailed Chicago's Keith Moreland with a pitch. Moreland had hit a three run HR in the first game off Ron Darling. After the pitch Moreland, a former college linebacker charged the mound & tackled Lynch to the ground. This led to a full-scale bench clearing brawl.
On the year the Mets finished second to the Cubs, 6.5 games back, winning 90 games (90-72).
Lynch went 9-8 with two saves and a 4.50 ERA. He struck out 62 batters while walking 24 in 124 innings of work. He closed out 14 games making 40 appearances making 13 starts. At the plate Ed batted a career best .222 going 6-27 with an RBI.
1985: The season opened up with lots of excitement, especially after the off-season acquisition of Gary Carter, who started the season with a walk off HR on Opening Day.
Lynch started the fourth game of the season, going seven innings against Tom Browning & the Reds, allowing just one run on four hits earning no decision. The Mets won it on Daryl Strawberry's walk off HR off John Franco in the 2-1 win.
On May 3rd, Lynch got his first win pitching a complete game in Cincinnati, where he gave up four runs on ten hits including two HRs, but the Mets offense scored him nine runs in the 9-4 win.Tough Luck Outings: On May 8th, Lynch tossed a five-hit shutout against the Atlanta Braves striking out & walking one. On May 13th he gave up just one run but took a 1-0 loss to Len Barker & Bruce Sutter. On June 8th he threw eight innings of shutout ball against the rival St. Louis Cardinals but earned no decision as the Mets lost a tough 1-0 game to John Tudor.
On June 18th, he returned to throw another complete game, a 5-1 win over the Cubs at Shea, where he gave up eight hits & struck out three to get to 4-3. After a pair of losses, Lynch began July with a six-game personal winning streak taking him thru August 11th.
On July 3rd, he pitched a complete game two run 6-2 win over the Pirates. He followed up with another win at Cincinnati, although he gave up four runs he was assisted by HRs from Darryl Strawberry, Keith Hernandez, Howard Johnson & George Foster. On July 13th he pitched a complete game in Houston giving up just one run in a 10-1 Mets win.
Lynch followed with wins over the Expos then two wins over the Cubs, one at Wrigley & a one at Shea. But it was his last winning decision of the year. He would go 0-2 with five no decisions the rest of the way.
Lynch followed with wins over the Expos then two wins over the Cubs, one at Wrigley & a one at Shea. But it was his last winning decision of the year. He would go 0-2 with five no decisions the rest of the way. On September 17th he took a loss to the Phillies giving up five runs, the loss put the Mets two games in back of the first place Cardinals after having been in first place four days earlier. They would get as close as one game back by October 2nd, then lost three of four to end the season three games back in second place after winning 98 games.
Overall Lynch put in a solid 1985 season, behind Dwight Gooden & Ron Darling, matching his career best ten wins, going 10-8 with six complete games.
Once again, he had one of the lowest walk ratios in the league (3rd best) at 1.2 per nine innings, walking just 27 batters. He posted a 3.44 ERA with 65 strike outs, in 31 appearances, with career highs in starts (29) & innings (191).
1986 Mets Championship Season: Lynch pitched two innings of relief at Philadelphia in the third game of the season in an 9-8 loss to the Phillies.
A knee injury set him back & he required surgery. He rehabbed for four games pitching four games at AAA Tidewater. There wasn't much room left on the talented 1986 Mets staff & he was traded to the Chicago Cubs for Dave Liddell & Dave Lenderman.
Once again, he had one of the lowest walk ratios in the league (3rd best) at 1.2 per nine innings, walking just 27 batters. He posted a 3.44 ERA with 65 strike outs, in 31 appearances, with career highs in starts (29) & innings (191).
1986 Mets Championship Season: Lynch pitched two innings of relief at Philadelphia in the third game of the season in an 9-8 loss to the Phillies.
Quotes- Ed Lynch: "It was like living with a family all year then getting kicked out on Christmas Eve."
Mets Career Stats: The popular Lynch finished his Mets career at 38-40 with a 3.82 ERA striking out 259 batters with 158 walks in 730 innings pitched in 167 appearances, making 98 starts. He threw seven complete games pitched one shut out & gave up 62 HRs.
Lynch pitched two seasons in Chicago, finishing up the rest of the 1986 season going 7-5 with a 3.79 ERA in 23 games.
Mets Career Stats: The popular Lynch finished his Mets career at 38-40 with a 3.82 ERA striking out 259 batters with 158 walks in 730 innings pitched in 167 appearances, making 98 starts. He threw seven complete games pitched one shut out & gave up 62 HRs.
Lynch pitched two seasons in Chicago, finishing up the rest of the 1986 season going 7-5 with a 3.79 ERA in 23 games.
Losses to Mets: On August 6th he went up against Dwight Gooden & the Mets taking a 7-6 loss. His pal Heith Hernandez had two hits with a HR off him. On September 25th at Wrigley Field. he was the losing pitcher in a 4-3 loss to the Mets. He gave up hits to Keith Hernandez & Gary Carter before getting replaced by Lee Smith. Smith then allowed a fielder's choice to Ray Knight scoring Hernandez.
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In 1987 Lynch went 2-9 in 58 appearances for the fifth place Cubs deciding to retire at the end of the season.At the plate he hit .113 (27-237) with two doubles & six RBIs.
Retirement- Law Degree: After baseball he went to the University of Miami and earned himself a law degree. The ex- big leaguer was popular with the other students, always letting them try on his 1986 World Series ring the Mets had awarded him for starting out the season with them.
Joe McIlvaine hired him as director of Player development with the San Diego Padres.
In 1993 McIlvaine was back with the Mets & hired Lynch as his special assistant. He then went to the Chicago Cubs where he was hired as a General Manager from 1994-2000. At age 38 Lynch was the youngest GM in the game.
In 1998 the Cubs led by Kerry Wood & Sammy Sosa won 90 games, won a won game playoff with the Giants then lost the NLDS to Atlanta.
Lynch resigned in 2000, becoming a scout with the Cubs & then with the Toronto Blue Jays. L.I. Ducks: In 2019 he was pitching coach for the Long Island Ducks but resigned after two months.
Most recently Ed has become a real estate agent in Scottsdale, Arizona.
Family: In 1986 Ed married Kristin Ann Kacer, they have two children together. The family resides in Scottsdale, Arizona.
Return to Mets: Lynch was on hand with other former Mets teammates when his friend Keith Hernandez had his number 17 retired by the Mets in 2022. Lynch has also maintained a close friendship with Ron Darling.
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