Amazin' Date 10/11/1969: Mets Bow to Mike Cuellar and the Birds in Game One at Baltimore

From the desk of: HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

AMAZIN'

THE MIRACLE METS

50th ANNIVERSARY

1969

WORLD SERIES

GAME ONE

NEW YORK METS           1

BALTIMORE ORIOLES    4

FINAL

MEMORIAL STADIUM

Just as pundits anticipated, the Mets bow to the mighty Baltimore Orioles in game one of the 1969 Fall Classic at Memorial Stadium.

• GAME ONE: Saturday, October 11, 1969 - BR

Baltimore southpaw and 23-game winner Mike Cuellar stays true to form, limiting the visiting Mets to just one earned run on six hits and four walks with eight strikeouts through nine complete innings pitched.  Cuellar also helps his own cause at the plate with a hit and a run batted in.  Otherwise left fielder Don Buford leads the Birds with a double, home run, and two runs batted in.  Shortstop Mark Belanger accounts for the Orioles fourth run batted in.  Baltimore makes the most of their opportunities going 3 for 4 with runners in scoring position.  The Mets on the other hand leave eight runners on base and bat just 1 for 5 with runners in scoring position.  They score their lone run in the seventh on a sac fly from Al Weis plating Donn Clendenon.  Suffice it to say the afternoon does not go well for Tom Seaver.  He yields four earned runs on six hits and one walk with three strikeouts through five innings pitched.  Don Cardwell and Ron Taylor quiet down the Orioles over the final three frames.

Amazin' Date 10/2/1969: Mets End Regular Season With Split at Wrigley Field

From the desk of: HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

AMAZIN'

THE MIRACLE METS

50th ANNIVERSARY

End Regular Season
New York Mets @ Chicago Cubs
Wrigley Field

METS WIN 100th GAME OF SEASON

• GAME #161: Wednesday, October 1, 1969 -BR

The Mets rub salt into the wounds of 10,000 some odd Cubs fans in attendance Wednesday afternoon at Wrigley Field.  After Tommie Agee gives the Mets a 5-3 lead in the top of the ninth, Chicago scores two runs off Nolan Ryan in the bottom portion of the inning sending the game into extra innings.  Bud Harrelson doubles leading off the 12th inning, and comes around to score on Art Shamsky's one out hit to right.  In relief of Ron Taylor, Bob Johnson retires the Cubs in the bottom of the frame to secure the New York Mets National League leading 100th victory of the season.  Starter Jerry Koosman takes a no decision.  He yields three runs on six hits and one walk with a pair of strikeouts through five innings.  He ends the season with a 17-9 record and 2.28 ERA.  Ron Taylor earns his ninth victory against four losses with a 2.72 ERA.  Cleon Jones is 1 for 5 and falls to .339 in the batting race with a game left to play.  Bud Harrelson is 2 for 6 with two runs batted in.


NEXT STOP: ATLANTA

• GAME #162: Thursday, October 2, 1969 - BR

Chicago defeats the Mets on the final day of the regular season to gain a consolation series split with the post-season bound New York Mets.  Making his 35th and final start, Gary Gentry yields just one run on two hits and no walks with four strikeouts through five innings pitched.  He exits on the winning side of a 3-1 game but not before surrendering a home run to third baseman Ron Santo.  Chicago goes on to score four more times against Don Cardwell whom allows five hits including Ernie Banks 23rd home run of the season.  Cardwell finishes the season with an 8-10 record and a 3.01 ERA.  Cleon Jones goes 2 for 5 and drives in his 75th run of the season but his club record .340 average falls short of clinching the National League batting title.  The Mets will open the first ever National League Championship Series on Saturday at Atlanta.  The series shifts to Shea Stadium after game two.

• FINAL RECORD: 100-62 (.617)
• N.L. EAST: First Place; 8 Games Up
• NEXT GAME: Saturday, October 4, 1969 @ Atlanta Braves

Amazin' Date 9/21/1969: Mets Closer to Clinching with Twin Bill Sweep Against Bucs

From the desk of: HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

AMAZIN'

THE MIRACLE METS

50th ANNIVERSARY

Pittsburgh Pirates @ New York Mets
Double-Header
Shea Stadium

New York Mets Snap Three Game Skid;
Sweep Double-Header From Pirates at Shea Stadium

MAGIC NUMBER

4

• GAME ONE: Sunday, September 21, 1969 - BR

Jerry Koosman improves to 16-9 with a 2.30 ERA after limiting the Pirates to three earned runs on six hits and four walks with seven strikeouts in a complete game performance.  Pirates third baseman Jose Pagan homers off Koosman in the fourth, whom also yields runs batted in by Roberto Clemente and Willie Stargell.  Ron Swoboda is 2 for 4 with two runs batted in.  Duffy Dyer also drives in a pair.  Art Shamsky caps off the scoring in the seventh with his 14th home run of the season.

• GAME TWO: Sunday, September 21, 1969 - BR

Don Cardwell pitches a gem in game two.  He allows seven hits and three walks with three strikeouts through nine complete innings.  Willie Stargell's home run in the fourth accounts for Pittsburgh's only run.  The Mets score three in the first en route to a 6-1 victory and a Sunday sweep.  The Pirates commit four errors in the field and wind up surrendering four unearned runs.  Cleon Jones marks his return to action with a run batted in as a pinch-hitter in the sixth inning.  Wayne Garrett and Art Shamsky drive in a run apiece.

New York extends their first place lead to 4.5 games over the Cubs who were victorious over the Cardinals at Wrigley for only their fifth win in their last 19 games.

• Mets Record: 93-61
• N.L. East: 1st Place; 4.5 Games Up
• Magic Number: 4

Amazin' Date 9/12/1969: Mets Open Road Trip With Twin Bill Sweep at Forbes Field

From the desk of: HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

AMAZIN'

THE MIRACLE METS

50th ANNIVERSARY

New York Mets @ Pittsburgh Pirates
Double-Header
Forbes Field

The first place Mets are on the road.  They open at Pittsburgh where on Friday they play a twi-night double-header against the third place Pirates as part of a make-up of a July postponement.

KOOSMAN HURLS THREE-HIT SHUTOUT

• GAME ONE: Friday, September 12, 1969 - BR

The great Roberto Clemente is 2 for 4 against Mets starter Jerry Koosman, while Matty Alou manages one hit in four at-bats.  And therein lay the extent of Pittsburgh's offense.  Koosman yields no runs on said three hits and three walks with four strikeouts over nine complete innings pitched for his 14 victory of the season.  He further lowers his ERA to a stellar 2.36 mark.  Pittsburgh's Bob Moose pitches no less effectively, allowing one earned run on five hits and three walks with ten strikeouts though eight innings.  In the top of the fifth with one out and two runners in scoring position, Jerry Koosman singles home the lone run of the game, then goes on to complete his game one shutout of the slugging Pirates.


DON CARDWELL AND TUG McGRAW JOIN TO PITCH SECOND STRAIGHT SHUTOUT OVER PIRATES.

• GAME TWO: Friday, September 12, 1969 - BR

Just as Jerry Koosman does in game one, Don Cardwell drives home the lone run of the game with a third inning single against Pirates starter Doc Ellis.  Bud Harrelson scores on the play.  Otherwise Ellis limits the Mets to the one run on six hits and three walks with eleven strikeouts through eight innings pitched.  Don Cardwell does better yielding no runs on just four hits and one walk with three strikeouts through eight innings pitched.  Tug McGraw pitches a scoreless ninth completing the shutout.

In fact it's the Mets third straight shutout victory.  Moreover they've won nine in a row.  New York is now an astonishing 30 games above the .500 mark with only 18 games remaining in the regular season.

• Mets Record: 87-57
• N.L. East: 1st Place; Up 2.5

Amazin' Date 9/6/1969: Mets Shut Out Phillies at Shea Stadium

From the desk of: HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

AMAZIN'

THE MIRACLE METS

50th ANNIVERSARY

Game #136: Saturday, September 6, 1969 - BR
Philadelphia Phillies @ New York Mets
Shea Stadium

Pittsburgh puts another hurting on the Cubs at Wrigley Field, and with Saturday's 3-0 whitewashing of the Phillies, the New York Mets close to within 3.5 games of first place.  After Sunday's series finale against Philadelphia, the Mets host the National League East leading Chicago Cubs for the much anticipated showdown at Shea Stadium.

Making his 19th start of the season Don Cardwell limits the Phillies to just four hits and three walks with three strikeouts over six innings to earn his sixth victory of the season.  In relief of Cardwell, southpaw Tug McGraw yields two hits and fans three over the final three innings to complete the shutout and earn his eleventh save of the season.  Jerry Grote's home run and Wayne Garrett's run scoring sac-fly gives the Mets a 2-0 lead after two.  McGraw singles home in an insurance run in the seventh for a 3-0 Mets lead and final margin of victory.

• Mets Record:79-57
• N.L. East: 2nd; 3.5 GB

Amazin' Date 8/30/1969: Mets Defeat Gaylord Perry in Ten Innings

From the desk of:  HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

AMAZIN'

THE MIRACLE METS

50th ANNIVERSARY

Game #128: Saturday, August 30, 1969 - BR
New York Mets @ San Francisco Giants
Candlestick Park

The triumvirate of Don Cardwell, Ron Taylor, and Tug McGraw best Giants starter Gaylord Perry at Candlestick. 

The Mets put up the first run of the day on Bud Harrelson's RBI hit in the second.  In the third, however, Cardwell yields a lead off base hit to his counterpart then walks three straight forcing in a run.  New York retakes the lead on Jerry Grote's hit to right scoring Ken Boswell from second in the sixth.  But the Giants answer with haste in the seventh on Willie McCovey's double scoring former Mets all-star Ron Hunt.  The game remains tied at two through nine, and into extra-innings they go.  The Mets waste little time as Donn Clendenon with two outs in the tenth homers off Perry.  Tug McGraw then retires the Giants in order.

Don Cardwell surrenders just two earned runs on five hits, but walks seven batters and fans two.  He does not figure in the decision.  Ron Taylor finishes up the eighth inning in relief of Cardwell.  Tug McGraw earns his seventh victory of the season with two scoreless innings in relief of Taylor.  Gaylord Perry pitches all ten innings, yielding three runs, two earned, on nine hits and no walks with nine strikeouts en route to his 11th loss of the season against 16 wins and a 2.63 ERA.

Clendenon hits his fifth home run since joining the Mets.  Ken Boswell is 3 for 4 with a double and run scored.  He is 9 for 20 (.450) since his return to action on Aug. 23 and in the midst of a six game hitting streak.

With their 75th victory of the season, the Mets even the series at one with a double-header on tap for Sunday.  However they fail to gain ground on Chicago whom defeat the Braves at Atlanta.  Willie Mays who has only played 12 games this month has yet to make an appearance this series.

• Mets Record: 75-53 (.586)
• N.L. East: 2nd; 4 GB

Amazin' Date 8/17/1969: Mets Sweep Consecutive Twin Bills From Padres

From the desk of: HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

AMAZIN'

THE MIRACLE METS

50th ANNIVERSARY

San Diego Padres @ New York Mets
Double-Header
Shea Stadium

• GAME ONE; Sunday, Aug. 17, 1969 - BR

San Diego takes a 2-0 lead after four and a half on runs batted in from center fielder Ivan Murrell and second baseman Jose Arcia.  In the bottom half of the fifth Duffy Dyer connects off Padres starter Joe Niekro with two men on, and just like that the Mets give Jerry Koosman a 3-2 lead.  Koosman goes the distance allowing two earned runs on five hits and two walks with five strikeouts en route to his tenth victory of the season against eight losses with a stellar 2.23 ERA.

• GAME TWO; Sunday Aug. 17, 1969 - BR

How do you put a 4-7 road trip in the rear view mirror?  Answer: win four games in the span of two days at home.  The Mets do just that with back-to-back double-header sweeps this weekend against the expansion Padres.

Mets starter Don Cardwell and San Diego's Clay Kirby duel through six scoreless innings.  Ed Kranepool opens the bottom of the seventh with a single to right, and is replaced with pinch-runner Al Weis.  After Jerry Grote draws a base on balls, Bud Harrelson clears the bases with a triple to right/center.  Still with no outs J.C. Martin lofts a sac-fly to center scoring Harrelson.  Cardwell exits on the winning side of a three run game, having allowed no runs on eight hits and three walks with three strikeouts through seven full.  However San Diego strikes for a pair in the eighth off Cal Koonce whom faces three batters and fails to record an out.  Manager Hodges summons Ron Taylor to put out the fire.  Taylor obliges with two scoreless innings of one-hit ball for his 12th save.  Cardwell earns his fifth victory.  The Mets gain one game on the first place Cubs.

• Mets Record:
• N.L. East: 2nd; 8 GB

Amazin' Date 8/10/1969: Three Mets Pitchers Join to Whitewash Braves

From the desk of: HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

AMAZIN'

THE MIRACLE METS

50th ANNIVERSARY

Game #110: Sunday, August 10, 1969
New York Mets @ Atlanta Braves
Atlanta Stadium

New York takes game four by a 3-0 margin over the Braves and clinch the series victory at Atlanta Stadium.  Three Mets pitchers join forces in whitewashing the Braves.  Nolan Ryan makes an abbreviated start allowing no runs and no hits with just one walk through 2.1 innings pitched.  Don Cardwell then pitches the bulk of the game yielding just four hits through four innings.  He earns his fourth win of the season with a 3.75 ERA.  Tug McGraw follows throwing one hit ball through the final 2.2 innings to earn his seventh save of the season.  Tommie Agee gives the Mets a 1-0 lead in the fourth when he connects off Braves starter Jim Britton on his 19th home run of the season.  The Mets score twice more in the top of the ninth on RBI singles from Cleon Jones and Wayne Garrett.  In related action, the Cubs lose to the Dodgers at Los Angeles and thus the Mets gain a full game on the N.L. East leaders.

• Mets Record: 62-48 (.563)
• N.L. East: 2nd; 7.5 GB

Amazin' Date 8/1/1969: Koonce and Grote Turn Back Braves

From the desk of:  HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

AMAZIN'

THE MIRACLE METS

50th ANNIVERSARY

Game #100: Friday, August 1, 1969 - BR
Atlanta Braves @ New York Mets
Shea Stadium

One Hundred Games Down; Sixty-Two More To Go

The Mets outlast Atlanta in game one at Shea Stadium, but the same can not be said of starter Don Cardwell who pitches himself into immediate trouble.  Felipe Alou leads off the game with a single.  Next in Tony Gonzalez is struck with a pitch by Cardwell whom then issues a walk to Hank Aaron loading the bases.  Cardwell issues a second straight walk scoring Alou from third.  With one out Felix Millan singles to left driving in two and knocking Cardwell out of the box.  Cal Koonce is summoned from the bullpen.

Braves starter Phil Niekro promptly comes under siege as well.  The Mets open the bottom half of the frame with three straight hits.  With two outs and the bases jammed, Niekro walks Ron Swoboda scoring Bud Harrelson from third.  Rod Gaspar follows with a single to right scoring both Bobby Phiel and Tommie Agee.  With Jerry Grote at the plate, Swoboda scores on a passed ball charged to catcher Bob Didier.  Three innings later, Jerry Grote connects on a lead-off home run off Niekro giving the Mets a 5-3 lead after four.

Orlando Cepeda cuts the Mets lead to one with an RBI double in the seventh.  Otherwise Cal Koonce allows just one run on four hits and three walks with five strikeouts though 6.1 innings in relief of Cardwell to earn his fifth victory of the season.  Ron Taylor closes the game with 2.1 scoreless innings of one-hit baseball for his tenth save of the season.

The Mets snap a four game losing streak but fail to gain ground on the Cubs.

• Mets Record: 56-44 (.560)
• N.L. East: 2nd; 6.5 GB

Amazin' Date 7/27/1969: Misplays Abound in Mets Loss to Reds

From the desk of:  HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

AMAZIN'

THE MIRACLE METS

50th ANNIVERSARY

Game #96: Sunday, July 27, 1969- BR
Cincinnati Reds @ New York Mets
Shea Stadium

The Cincinnati Reds build a five run lead from which the Mets do not recover.  Cincy jumps all over Mets starter Don Cardwell with haste.  Pete Rose leads off the game with a double to left and eventually scores when Bobby Tolan grounds into a fielder's choice.  With one out and Tolin the runner at first, Tony Perez connects on his 25th home run of the season for a 3-0 Reds lead.  But the Mets true undoing occurs in the fourth.  Two errors by shortstop Al Weis and another by first baseman Donn Clendenon pave the way towards a pair of unearned runs and a five run deficit.  Don Cardwell is done after 3.1 innings having yielded five runs, three earned, on seven hits.  The Mets finally get on the board with two runs in the sixth on a single from Cleon Jones and a sac-fly from Clendenon.  The teams trade runs in the eighth.  Cincy reliever Wayne Granger finalizes the Reds 6-3 victory with his 13th save of the season.

The game marks the sixth time this season attendance exceeds 50,000 at Shea Stadium.  Sunday's announced crowd of 55,391 is their second largest crowd of the season.

• Mets Record: 55-41 (.573)
• N.L. East: 2nd; 5 GB

Amazin' Date 7/20/1969: Bobby Pheil Bunt Saves the Day

From the desk of: HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

AMAZIN'

THE MIRACLE METS

50th ANNIVERSARY

Sunday, July 20, 1969
New York Mets @ Montreal Expos
Parc Jarry

GAME ONE #91

The Mets strike first with a pair of runs in the second, but in the fourth the Expos strike back with three.  And therein lies your final score in game one of Sunday's twin bill at Parc Jarry.  Both starting pitchers go the distance.  J.C. Martin draws a one-out walk against Montreal's Gary Waslewski, whom then yields a double to Al Weis.  With two outs Tommie Agee's hit to left delivers home both runners for a 2-0 lead that would last through the third.  Meanwhile Waslewski would surrender no more.  Montreal puts him on the winning side of the ledger in the fourth as left fielder Mack Jones, first baseman Bob Bailey, and shortstop Bobby Wine all connect for solo home runs off Mets starter Gary Gentry.  Otherwise Gentry yields just two other hits and four walks with four strikeouts in a losing eight inning effort.  His record now stands at 9-8 with a 3.36 ERA.  Gary Waslewski allows two runs on five hits and eight walks with six strikeouts over nine full innings for only his second victory of the season.  The Mets go 1 for 10 with runners in scoring position.

GAME TWO #92

With one out in the top of the ninth and the game knotted at two, Jerry Grote is pinch hit for by Cleon Jones whom draws a bases loaded walk to put the Mets ahead.  But Coco Laboy's home run off Ron Taylor in the bottom half of the frame sends the game into extra innings.  With two outs in the top of the tenth inning, Ron Swoboda doubles to left field off Expos relief ace Roy Face and advances all the way to third on an error by center fielder Adolfo Phillips.  Pinch hitting for pitcher Ron Taylor, Bobby Pheil then lays a bunt down the third base line scoring Swoboda with the go-ahead run.  Jack DiLauro earns the victory with a scoreless frame in relief of Taylor.  Starter Don Cardwell pitches very well, again, but walks off to another no-decision after yielding two runs, one earned, on six hits and three walks with five strikeouts through 7.1 innings.  Swoboda is 3 for 4 with a walk, double, RBI, and two runs scored.  Cleon Jones and Wayne Garrett also drive in a run apiece en route to New York's 4-3 victory.  With a split of Sunday's double-header the Mets likewise salvage a four-game split at Montreal.

• Mets Record: 53-39
• N.L. East: 2nd; 5 GB

Amazin' Date July 4, 1969: Met Sweep Twin Bill at Forbes Field

From the desk of:  HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

AMAZIN'

THE MIRACLE METS

50th ANNIVERSARY

Games 77 & 78 / Double-Header
New York Mets @ Pittsburgh Pirates
Forbes Field

A Happy Independence Day to all.  A happy day indeed for New Yorkers back home as the Mets open a holiday weekend series at Pittsburgh by sweeping a double-header from the Pirates on Friday.  The Amazins bring their own fireworks, outscoring the Bucs by a combined 20-8 margin, and out-hitting them by a 30-18 mark.

• GAME ONE: Friday, July 4, 1969 - BR

Mets     11

Pirates   6

Starting game one, Tom Seaver yields four runs, but only three earned on seven hits and four walks with seven strikeouts through 7.2 innings pitched.  He surrenders a home run to Willie Stargell in the fourth.  Seaver improves to 13-3 on the season with a 2.62 ERA.  Cal Koonce pitches 1.1 innings for his fifth save.  The Mets tally five extra base hits including Tommie Agee's 12th home run of the season.  Donn Clendenon drives in a pair while Cleon Jones reaches 50 RBI in the Mets 77th game of the season.  Roberto Clemente drives in two runs, Bill Mazeroski knocks in one.

• GAME TWO: Friday, July 4, 1969 - BR

Mets      9
Pirates  2

The Mets keep the heat on Pittsburgh, scoring early and often against Pirates starter Doc Ellis.  With two outs in the first the Mets get RBI from Ed Kranepool and J.C. Martin.  With the bases loaded, Al Weis triples giving the Mets a 5-1 lead after one.  Freddie Patek homers off Mets starter Don Cardwell in the second, but the Pirates would score no more.  The Mets go on to score four more times on a J.C. Martin home run, two RBI from Art Shamsky, and another from Wayne Garrett.
Don Cardwell happily wins his third game of the season versus eight losses and a 3.44 ERA  He limits Pittsburgh to two runs on six hits and two walks with a strikeout through seven innings of work.  Jack DiLauro tosses two scoreless in relief for his first save of the season.

• Mets Record: 44-34
• N.L. East: 2nd; 7.5 GB

Amazin' Date 6/26/1969: Phillies Deal Don Cardwell Another Hard Luck Loss

From the desk of:  HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

AMAZIN'

THE MIRACLE METS

50th ANNIVERSARY

Game #68: Thursday, June 26, 1969 - BR
Philadelphia Phillies @ New York Mets
Shea Stadium

How can you not feel for Don Cardwell after another fine appearance is rewarded with yet another hard luck loss?  Such is his three year odyssey with the Mets.  Facing off against Philadelphia's Grant Jackson for the second time in nine days, Cardwell allows just two runs on seven hits and one walk with two strikeouts over 7.1 innings pitched.  The Mets bats however lay dormant.  Grant Jackson goes the distance in whitewashing the Mets, allowing four hits and four walks with ten strikeouts for his eighth victory of the season.  Cardwell despite lowering is ERA to a 3.23 mark sees his record drop to a ponderous 2-8 mark.

Cleon Jones, 2 for 4, with a double, accounts for half of the Mets total hits.  Larry Hisle continues his onslaught against the Mets with two more hits (double) and two runs scored.

After sweeping Tuesday's double-header, the Mets settle for a four game split with Philadelphia.

Next up: the Pittsburgh Pirates visit Shea Stadium.

• Mets Record: 38-30
• N.L. East: 2nd; 7 GB

Amazin' Date 6/17/1969: Mets Split Twin Bill at Philadelphia

From the desk of:  HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

AMAZIN'

THE MIRACLE METS

50th ANNIVERSARY

Game #57: Tuesday, June 17, 1969 - BR

New York Mets @ Philadelphia Phillies

Connie Mack Stadium/GAME ONE

Coming around the home stretch of a grueling 12-game road trip, the Mets arrive back on the east coast at Philadelphia for a series opening double-header against the Phillies at Connie Mack Stadium.

Making his 13th start of the season, Gary Gentry bests Philadelphia's Bill Champion.  In what goes down as one of the finest performances by a Mets pitcher this season, Gentry tosses a complete game shutout, facing just three over the minimum while allowing but two hits and one walk with nine strikeouts.  He retired his final eight batters faced while improving to 6-5 for the season with a 3.41 ERA.

For his part Phillies starter Bill Champion lasts eight innings, allowing the game's only run in the seventh on a two out base hit from catcher J.C. Martin scoring Ken Boswell.  He otherwise yields four hits and four walks with five strikeouts in a losing effort.

The Mets had five hits all game with Boswell accounting for two of them in three at-bats.

Game #58: Tuesday, June 17, 1969 - BR
New York Mets @ Philadelphia Phillies

Connie Mack Stadium/GAME TWO

The Phillies come out swinging in game two, scoring early and often against Mets starter Don Cardwell.  Dick Allen opens with a two out home run in the first.  Four hits and an untimely error by second baseman Al Weis later and Philadelphia is staked to a 4-0 lead.  Cardwell surrenders his second home run of the game in the third, this time off the bat of center fielder Larry Hisle giving the Phillies a 6-0 lead.  Later in the eighth Hisle hit his second home run of the game.

The Mets scrap together three runs against Phillies starter Grant Jackson, but it wasn't enough.  Jackson yields six hits and three walks with nine strikeouts en route to a complete game victory.

In his first start as a member of the Mets, Donn Clendenon goes 1 for 4 with a run scored.

• Mets Record:  31-27 (.534)
• N.L. East:  2nd; 7.5 GB

Amazin' Date 6/10/1969: Red Hot Mets Win Eleventh in a Row

From the desk of:  HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

AMAZIN'

THE MIRACLE METS

50th ANNIVERSARY

Game #52: Tuesday, June 10, 1969 - BR.
New York Mets @ San Francisco Giants
Candlestick Park

Tommie Agee and Cleon Jones Power Don Cardwell to Victory Over Giants

The Amazins did it again ... winning Tuesday's series opener at Candlestick Park against the San Francisco Giants, and thus extending their franchise record setting winning streak to eleven straight games.

Hard luck starter Don Cardwell this time was the beneficiary of 13 Mets hits and nine runs en route to only his second victory of the season.  However most know his 3.05 ERA is far more indicative of his performance than six losses on his record for he has pitched quite well through eleven starts to date.  On this day he allowed four earned runs on five hits and four walks with three strikeouts through 8.1 innings pitched.  After limiting the Giants to just one run through the first eight, Cardwell was chased from the box in the ninth by home runs from Willie McCovey and Jack Hiatt.

For the Giants however, it was too little too late.  The Mets bats had their way against starter Mike McCormick, and relievers Ron Herbel and Ray Sadecki.  In the bottom of the fourth, Tommie Agee's home run tied the game at one.  Agee batted 4 for 5 and would hit his second home run of the game leading off the ninth.  Cleon Jones hit his eighth home run in the seventh.  Jerry Grote was 3 for 4 with a double and a run batted in.

Ron Taylor earned his fifth save.

FINAL

Mets     9

Giants  4

The Mets are now six games above the .500 mark.  But despite an eleven game win streak, the first place Cubs since May 28 have yielded but two games in the standings to the second place Mets, whom remain seven games out of first.  The Cubs presently own a National League best 37-17 record.  On the same day the Mets embarked on their eleven game march, the Cubs likewise went on to win seven straight games.

• Mets Record: 29-23 (.557)
• N.L. East:  2nd; 7 GB

Amazin' Date 6/1/1969: Mets Walk Away With Sweep Over Giants

From the desk of:  HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

AMAZIN'

THE MIRACLE METS

50th ANNIVERSARY

Game #45: Sunday, June 1, 1969- BR
San Francisco Giants @ New York Mets
Shea Stadium

The Mets complete a weekend sweep of the San Francisco Giants; Extend winning streak to a season best four games.

Each of Sunday afternoon's starting pitchers found themselves taking unexpectedly early showers.  Jim McAndrew for the Mets was lifted after just 1.2 innings pitched, while Giants starter Bobby Bolin tossed 4.2 innings before likewise yielding to the pen.

The Giants scored single runs in each of the first two innings.  A rare error by Bud Harrelson led to an unearned run in the first, while a wild pitch unleashed by Don Cardwell pitching in relief of McAndrew in the second helped the Giants gain a 2-0 advantage.  The Mets struck right back.  With one out in the bottom half of the second both Ron Swoboda and Ed Charles singled putting runners on the corners.  Next up, Jerry Grote drove them both home with a triple into the right/center gap.  However, Willie McCovey put the Giants ahead again in the fifth with his 16th home run of the season.  Undaunted, the Mets chased Bolin from the mound in the bottom half of the frame with two runs on four hits and two walks.  But in their very next at-bat, San Francisco knotted the game again at four apiece courtesy of a two-out RBI hit from third baseman Jim Davenport.

Facing Giants reliever Joe Gibbon, Bud Harrelson led-off the bottom of the ninth drawing a four pitch walk.  After Tommy Agee successfully bunted Harrelson over to second, Wayne Garrett grounded third to first advancing Harrelson to third.  Gibbon then issued Cleon Jones an intentional walk, then perhaps pitch around Amos Otis and walked him as well.  With the bases loaded, Ron Swoboda stepped in against Joe Gibbon whom issued yet another walk thus forcing home Buddy Harrelson with the game winning run.

Jim McAndrew allowed two runs (one earned) on three hits and four walks in 1.2 innings of work.  Forced into long relief duty Don Cardwell yielded two earned runs on five hits and two walks with a pair of strikeouts.  Ron Taylor earned the win after pitching a scoreless ninth inning.

The Mets exceeded 125,000 in attendance over the three game series against the Giants.  They'll next host that other California team from Los Angeles.

• Mets Record:  22-23 (.400)
• N.L. East:  3rd; 9 GB

Amazin' Date 5/15/1969: Hank Aaron's Two Home Runs Too Much For Mets

From the desk of:  HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

AMAZIN'

THE MIRACLE METS

50th ANNIVERSARY

Game #33: Thursday, May 15, 1969 - BR
Atlanta Braves @ New York Mets
Shea Stadium

Don Cardwell's struggles continue as the N.L. West leading Atlanta Braves take Thursday's rubber game at Shea Stadium. 

The Mets starter got roughed up for four runs (three earned) on six hits including a home run from Hank Aaron in just three innings pitched.  In fact, Hammerin' Hank hit two home runs in the game, his second coming in the seventh off Cal Koonce pitching in relief Jack DeLauro whom was called up from Tidewater.

Atlanta maintained a 6-2 lead through seven.  The Mets then rallied in the eighth with three runs on four hits and a wild pitch by reliever Cecil Upshaw.  With two on in the ninth, Jerry Grote successfully sacrifice-bunted both runners into scoring position.  Upshaw then issued Wayne Garrett an intentional walk to load the bases.  The strategy paid off as Ken Boswell bounced into a force play at home.  Cleon Jones then popped up to the infield ending the game.

Atlanta starter Pat Jarvis allowed four earned runs on six hits and four walks with three strikeouts through seven innings pitched for the victory.  Cecil Upshaw earned his ninth save of the season.  Don Cardwell had his record fall to 1-6 on the season.

• Mets Record:  15-18
• N.L. East:  3rd; 7.5 GB

Amazin' Date 10/11/1969: Sunday Split Give Mets Series Victory Over Houston

From the desk of:  HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

AMAZIN'

THE MIRACLE METS

50th ANNIVERSARY

GAME #29: Sunday, May 11, 1969 - BR

Houston Astros @ New York Mets

Shea Stadium: Double-Header

Houston's Larry Dierker Hushes Shea Stadium Crowd

GAME ONE: Don Cardwell climbed the hill for his sixth start of the season, and was opposed by Houston's Larry Dierker.  Both pitchers appeared sharp during their first respective runs through the lineup.

Houston then achieved liftoff in the fourth and never looked back.  Leading off, Joe Morgan reached safely on Wayne Garrett's error, then promptly stole second base and scored on Norm Miller's single up the middle.  Still with no outs, big Jim Wynn connected off Cardwell for his seventh home run of the season.  With one out, shortstop Denis Menke doubled into the left/center gap, then scored on a fielder's choice for a 4-0 Astros lead.

FINAL

Astros  4

Mets     1

Tommie Agee ruined Larry Dierker's shutout bid when he connected on his fourth home run of the season in the sixth.  But the Mets would score no more.  They failed to capitalize with the bases loaded in the eighth and went down in order in the ninth.  

Dierker improved his record to 5-3 with a 2.59 ERA.  He yielded just the one run on five hits and five walks with a pair of strikeouts.  Don Cardwell, now 1-5 on the season, allowed four runs but only two earned on four hits and two walks with three strikeouts.  He was also struck by a Larry Dierker pitch in the third.

GAME #30: Sunday, May 11, 1969 - BR

Houston Astros @ New York Mets

Shea Stadium: Double-Header

Tommie Agee Hits Pair; Mets Win Rubber Game

GAME TWO: Mets bats erupted for twelve hits, with seven going for extra bases in Sunday's game two rubber match at Shea.

After Houston struck for an unearned run in the top of the first, the Mets answered right back against Astros starter Don Wilson and reliever Jim Rey.  Hits from Ken Boswell, J.C. Martin, Amos Otis, and a double from starter Tug McGraw, aided by an array of errors and a wild pitch paved the way to a 6-1 first inning lead.

Jesus Alou's RBI double in the second and Denis Menke's home run in the third cut Houston's deficit to three.  That is ... until Tommie Agee's two run home run in the fourth.  But with long ball in the air, Joe Morgan connected off Mcgraw with a solo shot leading off the 5th making it 8-5 in the Mets favor.  J.C Martin drove in a run in the bottom of the frame.  Then in the sixth, Tommie Agee's second home run of the game and an RBI from Ed Kranepool gave the Mets an 11-5 lead.  The Astros would go on to score a pair off Cal Koonce pitching in relief of Nolan Ryan and Tug McGraw.

FINAL

Astros  7

Mets   11

The Mets nevertheless gain a twin-bill split and series victory over Houston.

Tommie Agee's two home runs give him six for the season.  Two of his three RBI came with two outs.  Over his last four games, Tommie is 5 for 15 (.333) with three home runs.  Cleon Jones was 2 for 2 with four walks to maintain a .411 average.

• Mets Record:  14-16
• N.L. East:  3rd: 5.5 GB

Amazin' Date 5/6/1969: Cardwell Gem Lifts Mets to Third in a Row

From the desk of:  HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

AMAZIN'

THE MIRACLE METS

50th ANNIVERSARY

Game #27: Tuesday, May 6, 1969 - BR
Cincinnati Reds @ New York Mets
Shea Stadium

Don Cardwell Offers Reds No Quarter at Shea Stadium

Such is the game of baseball and its law of averages.  After several hard luck performances and an 0-4 record to start the season, it was only a matter of time before the Mets 33-year old veteran would earn his just reward for a job well done.  Making his fifth start of the season, Don Cardwell pitches a glittering gem to finally gain his first victory of the season.

After sweeping a double-header from the Cubs at Wrigley Field on Sunday, the Mets returned home where after a day off they rolled the visiting Cincinnati Reds at Shea Stadium on Tuesday.

Leading off the bottom of the fourth Ken Boswell connected off Reds starter Jim Maloney for his second home run of the season.  However, the Mets lead did not last long.  With one out in the top of the fifth, Lee May tied the game with his fourth home run of the season.

After which Cardwell bottled up the Reds for good, allowing just the one earned run on six hits and a walk, with eight strikeouts en route to complete game triumph.  After striking out Tony Perez to open the ninth, Cardwell yielded a single to Lee May.  Second baseman Tommy Helms then grounded into a game ending double play - Boswell to Harrelson to Kranepool.  Pete Rose, Johnny Bench, and Perez were a combined 0 for 11 with four strikeouts against Cardwell.

The Mets on the other hand scored late, and often.  Even Cardwell himself joined the slug fest hitting a three run home run off Reds reliever Wayne Granger in the eighth.  The Mets struck for eight runs overall on eleven hits with additional home runs off the bats of Ken Boswell, Wayne Garrett, and Cleon Jones.

Although officially listed as active, Tommie Agee remains out of the starting lineup.  He again served as a late inning replacement, and scored on Cardwell's home run.  Cleon Jones kept his average above .400 going 2 for 3, including his fourth home run of the season.

• Mets Record:  12-14 (.461)
• N.L. East:  4th; 6 GB

Amazin' Date 5/1/1969: Expos Foil Mets Bid For Sweep

From the desk of:  HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

AMAZIN'

THE MIRACLE METS

50th ANNIVERSARY

Game #21 Thursday, May 1, 1969 - BR 
New York Mets @ Montreal Expos 
Parc Jarry

Manager Gil Hodges Called to Carpet for His Handling of Ninth Inning.

Montreal starter Bill Stoneman wasted little time creating trouble for himself in the second.  After yielding consecutive singles to Cleon Jones and Ed Kranepool, Stoneman caught Ron Swoboda looking at strike three, but walked Kevin Collins to load the bases.  He then issued a second straight walk to Jerry Grote forcing in Jones from third.

Leading off the bottom of the second, Expos first baseman Donn Clendenon immediately came to the aid of his starter with a home run off Mets starter Don Cardwell.  Cleon Jones answered right back with a solo home run in the top of the third.  But left fielder Mack Jones would likewise connect off Cardwell in the fourth tying the game again at two.

Bill Stoneman pitched himself into another jam by walking the bases loaded in the seventh.  With two outs, Montreal manager Gene Mauch pulled Stoneman in favor of long time relief specialist Roy Face, whom induced Ed Kranepool in to an inning ending ground ball to second.

Into the ninth inning they would go with the game knotted at two.

With Don Cardwell set to lead-off the top half of the frame, manger Gil Hodges elected to not pinch hit for his pitcher, whom wound up grounding out to third.  Roy Face would then retire the next two batters extending his streak to seven straight Mets batters in a row.

Maury Wills leading off the home ninth singled off Don Cardwell.  After inducing Rusty Staub into a fielder's choice, Cardwell surrendered another single to Mack Jones.  Manager Hodges then ordered his battery intentionally walk Donn Clendenon thus setting up a force at any base.  However, the plan backfired when third baseman Coco Laboy lofted a fly to center field.  Ron Brand, pinch running for Staub, tagged up from third to score the winning run.

FINAL

Mets    2

Expos  3

Roy Face earned the victory with 2.1 innings of scoreless no-hit ball.  The game also marks the 101st win of Face's long 16 year career spent near exclusively as a reliever.

Don Cardwell again labors through another a hard luck loss, and is now 0-4 for the season despite his 2.89 ERA.  He allowed the Expos three runs in seven hits and two walks with one strikeout through 8.2 innings of work.

Cleon Jones was 3 for 3, with his third home run of the season.  His 15 RBI tie him for team lead with Ed Kranepool.  Cleon is batting .348 through the Mets first 21 games of the season.  Kranepool went 2 for 4, elevating his average to .323 through his 19 games played.

The Expos avoid a sweep, but the Mets win the series - their second series win over Montreal this season.  The loss, however, drops the Mets back down to fourth place, six game behind the first place Cubs, with whom they'll begin a weekend series tomorrow at Wrigley Field.

• Mets Record:  9-12 (.428)
• N.L. East:  4th; 6 GB