Mets Santa Clauses through the years

It’s been a few years since we’ve updated this list, but there’s no time quite like the present. As Eric put it back in 2014:

A Mets winter tradition—apart from disappointing fans by spending too little money, too much money, or money in the wrong places—is their annual holiday party, ostensibly an inclusive solstice celebration that nevertheless features a Mets player in Santa Claus regalia.

Here's a look back at the past decade-plus of Mets Santa Clauses.

2004

John Franco had the gig for several years in the early aughts before it was turned over to Mike Cameron in 2004.

2005

Kris Benson donned the fat suit and beard in 2005. Anna Benson was also there. Not pictured: elf Paul Lo Duca. (Mets.com coverage).

2006

David Wright brought along the oldest elf in the North Pole, Julio Franco, in 2006. (Mets.com coverage).

2007

John Maine sat in as jolly Saint Nick with clumsy do-nothing elf Oliver Perez in 2007. (Mets.com coverage).

2008

In 2008, Mike Pelfrey played the tallest, skinniest Santa to date, with Francisco Rodriguez and John Maine as elves. (Mets.com coverage).

2009

In 2009, Jeff Francoeur had to bring along four elves — Angel Pagan, Jose Reyes, Jon Niese, and Bobby Parnell — in order to accommodate the Christmas wishes of all of the beat writers. (Mets.com coverage)

2010

Wright was back in the fat suit in 2010, flanked by $30+ million worth of elves: Jason Bay, Ike Davis, and Carlos Beltran. (Daily News coverage)

2011

Daniel Murphy had his turn as Kringle in 2011, with help from Jon Niese and Justin Turner. (Mets.com coverage)

2012

John Franco reprised his role as Mets Santa Claus in 2012, with Ike Davis returning as his elf. (Newsday coverage)

2013

In 2013, Daniel Murphy was back in the fat suit with newcomer Zack Wheeler as the trusty elf. (Mets.com coverage)

2014

In 2014, Jenrry Mejia played Santa with setup man Jeurys Familia as the elf.

2015

Steven Matz had the honor of playing Santa at the party in 2015, and if you thought the role was a cursed one, you could probably make a case one way or the other depending on which part of his 2016 season you focused on.

2016

Noah Syndergaard played Santa in 2016 with Brandon Nimmo and Jose Reyes serving as his elves.

2017

And most recently, Brandon Nimmo donned the Santa suit. Syndergaard, Jerry Blevins, and Kevin Plawecki were his elves.