The Mets signed Lenny Dykstra as a 13th round draft pick in 1981. In 1985 Dykstra, deemed ready for the major leagues, was promoted to the Mets when the team's starting center fielder, Mookie Wilson, was placed on the disabled list. The rookie's play and energy were a big boost to a Mets team that surged to a 98-win season and narrowly missed out on the NL East crown. The following season, Dykstra was first intended to be platooned in center field with Wilson, but when Mookie suffered a severe eye injury during spring training Dykstra took over the position as outright starter and leadoff hitter. Mets fans soon nicknamed Dykstra "Nails" for his hard-nosed personality and fearless play. In 1986, he even posed shirtless for a "beefcake" poster under the "Nails" nickname. Dykstra and #2 hitter Wally Backman were termed "the Wild Boys" for their scrappy play as spark plugs for the star-studded Met lineup.Lenny Dykstra New York Mets has hand signed this Throwback Blue unlicensed custom-prostyle jersey with twill stitched nameplate and numbers with Nails inscription. Size XL. JSA Hologram and Certificate of Authenticity.

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