Do you remember Bill Almon and Aaron Altherr, and what do they have in common?

Both Almon and Altherr spent time with both the Phillies and Mets. Almon, who was the first overall draft pick by San Diego in 1974, spent the 1987 season with the Mets before he moved to the Phillies for a single stint in 1988. Altherr was a minor-league phenom who moved up to the Phillies from 2014-19 before he spent a solo season with the Mets in 2020.

Over the years, there have been 141 players who both have worn Phlllies and Mets uniforms.

In this weeks’ Behind the Plate column, I will look back at some of those players who donned both uniforms, as well as the Phillies-Mets rivalry that was rekindled this weekend. I’ll also look at the Reds’ rise.

Playing Both Sides ... Over the years, there have been a few players who played for one team and then the other the following year, such as Roger McDowell, Nino Espinosa, Roger Mason, and Richie Hebner.

There also have been the well-documented players who have worn both uniforms and been involved in popular trades such as Tug McGraw, Lenny Dykstra, and Juan Samuel (more on them later). Bobby Abreu (2014), Ricky Bottalico (2004), Larry Bowa (1985), Jerry Martin (1984), Desi Relaford (2001), Mac Scarce (1975) and Wayne Twitchell (1979) all had one year stays in Queens.

John Stearns was a top Phillies draft pick and spent just one-year in pinstripes (1974) before he had a notable career behind the plate for the Mets (1975-84). Fellow catcher and Northampton product Brian Schneider had a brief time in New York (2008-09) and Philly (2010-12). Popular Todd Pratt was with the Mets from 1997-2001, and then with the Phillies from 1992-92 and 2001-05.

Some of the more colorful characters on both sides of the aisle with their Phillies years listed first were McDowell (1989-91, 1985-89), Espinosa (1979-81, 1974-78) Willie Montanez (1970-75 and 1982, 1978-79), Jerry Koosman (1984-85, 1967-78), Gregg Jeffries (1995-98,1987-91), Tommy Herr (1989-90, 1990-91), Bud Harrelson (1978-79, 1976-77), Rico Brogna (1997-2000, 1994-96), and Marlon Anderson (1998-2002, 2005, 2007, and 2009).

Brogna had some productive years on some bad Phillies’ teams and was a fan favorite, and Anderson had a pair of steady years at second base before he signed a free agent deal with the Cardinals.

A few of the possible forgotten players with their Phillies’ years listed first were relievers Dan Boitano (1978, 1981) and Toby Borland (1995-96 and 1998, 1997), outfielder Jay Bruce (2019-20), 2016-18), outfielder/pinch-hitter extraordinaire Jose Cardenal (1978-79, 1979-80), and starting pitcher Bruce Chen (2000-01, 2001-02).

Borland has the distinction of being the last Phillie to wear number 42 before it was retired in memoriam for Jackie Robinson. Borland was a bullpen workhorse and threw 90.2 innings of relief in 1996.

The Rivalry ... Since 1970, the season series between the two teams has fallen in line with the team’s stream of success.

The Phillies took control of the series from 1974-83, drawing a parallel with the rise in the NL East and two World Series appearances (remember the 1983 Wheeze Kids). Consequently, the Mets took over the reins from 1984-89, rising with Doc Gooden and Darryl Strawberry.

Neither team really dominated the series until 2012 when the Mets had a streak until 2018.

The Moments ... There have been plenty of memorable moments between the two clubs that raised some eyebrows and some fisticuffs. The Phillies were less respected by the Mets, especially after the New Yorkers won it in 1969 and made it to the World Series in 1973.

The Dykstra-McDowell trade for Juan Samuel turned out to be one-sided in favor of the Phillies, as Samuel was a bust for the Mets.

New York reportedly wanted to dump McGraw after he had an arm issue. The Phillies were in search of a dominant closer and sent Stearns, Scarce and Del Unser to the Mets for McGraw and Don Hahn. Even though McGraw proved to be a major piece to the Phillies’ 1980 championship, the Mets did benefit from Stearns and Unser. Scarce was gone after a season. Unser, meanwhile, eventually returned to the Phils and was also a key piece to their 1980 title team.

After the Phillies won the championship, McGraw fired a salvo back at his former team, stating, “New York City can take this championship and stick it because we’re No. 1.”

There also was one of the series’ worst brawls in 1990 that involved Gooden and Pat Combs each plunking two hitters that led to a bench-clearing melee. There was some bad blood between Gooden and Darren Daulton, but the situation escalated after Daulton landed a few blows on Gooden.

Then there was reliever Billy Wagner, who saved 59 games for the Phillies in 2004-05, but he signed a free-agent deal with the Mets. In turn, Wagner took some shots at the Phillies, and became an instant villain.

Rising Reds ... The NL Central Division has been up for grabs all season, and the Reds have made their play. During a recent 12-game winning streak, the Reds hit 18 homers, had a team ERA of 3.83, and averaged 6.2 runs per game. After Sunday, Cincinnati had won 12 of their last 14 games and were a half game ahead of Milwaukee with a 41-37 record. They began the season with a 7-15 mark.

One of the recent reasons for their success have been rookie and top five prospect shortstop Elly De La Cruz, who was hitting .333 through Sunday with three homers, 10 RBIs and eight stolen bases in just 17 games since his call-up in early June.

The 6-5, 210-pound De La Cruz easily can be compared to longtime Reds’ shortstop Dave Concepcion, who spent all of his 19-year career in Cincinnati. Concepcion was a five-time Gold Glove winner and a nine-time All-Star. Being a child of the 70s, I remember Concepcion as a trend-setter with his slick glove and strong bat.

Concepcion hit .267 for his career with 101 homers, 950 RBIs, 2,326 hits, and 993 runs. Many pundits believe he should be in the Hall of Fame.

There also was Concepcion’s successor in Barry Larkin, who ironically also spent all of his 19 years with the Reds. Larkin was a 12-time All-Star and three-time Gold Glove winner. He hit .295 for his career with 198 homers, 960 RBIs, 2,340 hits, and 1,329 runs. He was elected into the Hall of Fame in 2012.

It is probably too early to make a call on De La Cruz, but he certainly will be one to watch in the coming years.

As for the Reds, they have been getting it done with a grind-it-out team effort. They were hitting 11th in the majors with a .256 average - a notch above the 10th-place Phillies - and a 4.96 team ERA, placing them 27th overall. The Reds certainly aren’t getting it done on sheer hitting and power.

Instead, it has been a youth assault with De LaCruz and fellow rookie infielder Matt McLain, who also has made a big splash with his average well above .300. Second-year first baseman Spencer Steer and fifth-year outfielder Jake Fraley have provided some power with 11 homers apiece.

Former Phillies prospect Ben Lively tops the team with four wins, and he is part of a rotation with Hunter Greene, Luke Weaver, and Graham Ashcraft. Lively is 31 and the 29-year-old Weaver had three seasons with St. Louis and four with Arizona, all of whom were insignificant.

Former Phillie manager David Bell is in his fifth year and coming off a 62-100 campaign. He did guide the Reds to an 83-79 mark in 2021.

This isn’t a Reds team that can generate the numbers and hype of the Big Red machine in the mid-70s, but it has brought a breath of fresh air back to a city with a rich baseball tradition.

Behind the Mike ... Current Phillies’ broadcaster Tom McCarthy is only one of three broadcasters to work both Phillies and Mets games on a regular basis. The others were Tim McCarver and Todd Kalas. Richie Ashburn didn’t broadcast, but played his final year with the 1962 Mets.

Final Thoughts ... One true Mets’ killer was Pat Burrell. He only hit .245 against the Mets, but he had 42 of his 292 career homers against them ... The Phillies and the Mets will play a two-game series in London June 8-9, 2024. Make your plans.

Feedback ...Your comments, thoughts, and ideas are always welcomed at tnsports@tnonline.com