1990-1999

As This Great Game notes:

The Mets flamed out for much of the decade, as Darryl Strawberry and Dwight Gooden collapsed under the weight of drugs, alcohol and other run-ins with the law, while a new wave of high-priced free agents failed to reprise the magic of their predecessors from the 1980’s. Only late in the decade did a turnaround finally develop with the arrival of veteran stars Mike Piazza and John Olerud, as well as the emergence of catcher Todd Hundley and third baseman Edgardo Alfonzo, leading to the Mets’ first playoff appearance in 11 years in 1999.