Amazin' Date: 10/16/1969: New York Mets Are World Series Champions

From the desk of: HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

AMAZIN'

THE MIRACLE METS

50th ANNIVERSARY

1969

WORLD SERIES

GAME FIVE

Orioles    3

Mets        5

FINAL

SHEA STADIUM

WORLD SERIES CHAMPIONS

NEW YORK METS

From National League welcome mat to World Series champion, eight years into their existence the New York Metropolitans are best in all the land.  An amazing baseball journey piloted by Gil Hodges lands softly in the waiting glove of left fielder Cleon Jones on this historic Autumn afternoon at Shea Stadium.

• GAME FIVE: Thursday, October 16, 1969 - BR

If you want something done, sometimes you have to do it yourself.  Just ask Dave McNally.  With Orioles hitters mired in an awful slump, Baltimore's starting pitcher opens the scoring in the third inning with a two-run home run.  Two outs later Frank Robinson follows suit with his second home run of the series and first since game one, giving the Birds a 3-0 lead.  McNally makes it stand through the fifth.

Leading off the bottom half of the sixth, Cleon Jones appears to get hit with a pitch on his back (right) foot.  However, home plate umpire Lou DiMuro sees it differently.  Both Jones and on deck batter Donn Clendenon protest DiMuro's call to no avail until manager Gil Hodges emerges from the dugout with a baseball bearing black shoe polish.  DiMuro inspects the ball and awards Cleon Jones first base to the great dismay of Orioles manager Earl Weaver.  Clendenon then steps into the box and deposits McNally's fifth offering into the loge section in left field.  It's Clendenon's third home run of the series.  In the seventh, Al Weis homers off McNally tying the game at three.

With Eddie Watt pitching the eighth in relief of McNally, Cleon Jones leads off with a double off the left/center field wall.  After Clendenon is retired, Ron Swoboda doubles home Jones.  With two outs, Jerry Grote bounces to first.  However, Boog Powell mishandles the play and Watt does not cleanly handle the toss from Powell.  In the meantime Swoboda scampers home making it a 5-3 Mets lead.  Both Watt and Powell are charged with errors on the play.

Leading off the top half of the ninth Jerry Koosman issues a base on balls to Frank Robinson, then retires the next three batters in order.  Cleon Jones secures the final out in left field and the miracle is complete.

Ecstatic fans pour onto the field in jubilant celebration.

Jerry Koosman goes the distance, allowing three earned runs on five hits and just one walk with five strikeouts en route to his second victory of the series.  Don Clendenon captures World Series MVP honors, starting four of five games and going 5 for 14 (.357) with a double, three home runs, and four runs batted in.

Thank you for following my replay of the 1969 season.

Happy Anniversary, guys!

#LGM

Amazin' Date 10/15/1969: Tom Seaver Goes Ten In Game Four Victory

From the desk of: HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

AMAZIN'

THE MIRACLE METS

50th ANNIVERSARY

1969

WORLD SERIES

GAME FOUR

Orioles   1

Mets       2

10 INNINGS

SHEA STADIUM

TOM SEAVER TEN INNING GEM LIFTS METS TO 3-1 SERIES LEAD OVER BIRDS

The unflappable Gil Hodges and his amazin' Mets are one victory away from clinching baseball's world championship.

• GAME FOUR: Wednesday, October 15, 1969 - BR

In a rematch of game one, Tom Seaver toes the rubber at Shea Stadium opposed by Baltimore's Mike Cuellar.  If you recall it was Seaver making an early exit from the series opener at Baltimore, and Cuellar going the distance for the win.  This time it is Cuellar making an untimely exit while Seaver pitches triumphantly through the tenth.

Also getting his second look at Cuellar is Donn Clendenon who goes 2 for 4 with a double in game one.  On Wednesday leading off the second Donn hits his second home run in his last three games.  Cuellar exits after seven innings having yielded the lone run on seven hits and no walks with five strikeouts in a no-decision effort.  Meanwhile the score remains unchanged through eight.  With one out in the top half of the ninth Tom Seaver yields consecutive singles to Frank Robinson and Boog Powell.  Then with runners on the corners Brooks Robinson strokes a low sinking liner to right field.  Ron Swoboda racing furiously to his right makes a full extension backhanded diving catch for the out.  Frank Robinson tags and scores the tying run from third.  But anything less than Swoboda's amazing catch means that ball bounces all the way to the wall.  Seaver then fans Elrod Henricks ending the threat.

Into extra-innings they go ...

Manager Hodges sends his ace back out for the tenth inning.  Tom Seaver obliges with another scoreless frame.  Leading off the bottom half of the inning against Orioles reliever Dick Hall, Jerry Grote flares an excuse me double up along the left field line.  Al Weis is intentionally walked, and the Orioles then summon reliever Pete Richert.  Pinch-hitting for Seaver, J.C. Martin pushes a bunt up along the first base side.  Richert fields it, but his attempted throw to first hits Martin.  Pinch-runner Rod Gaspar rounds third and when the ball gets away he hustles home scoring the winning run.

Tom Seaver puts forth New York's third straight dominant performance against a seemingly over matched Baltimore lineup.  He faces 38 batters, allowing just one earned run on six hit and two walks with six strikeouts through ten full innings pitched.  The Mets have now limited Baltimore to just a pair of runs and twelves hits over their last three games.  New York's defense also should not go under spoken.  Superlative glove work from Tommie Agee, Bud Harrelson, Cleon Jones, and Ron Swoboda, no doubt have had a deflating effect upon Orioles hitters.

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 9/26/1969: Koosman Whitewashes Phillies at Connie Mack Stadium

From the desk of: HEADBUTTING MR. MET

AMAZIN'

THE MIRACLE METS

50th ANNIVERSARY

Game #158: Friday, September 26, 1969 - BR
New York Mets @ Philadelphia Phillies
Connie Mack Stadium

Jerry Koosman Hurls Seventh Shutout of Season

The National League East champs open their final road trip of the season at Philadelphia.  Making his 31st start of the season, Jerry Koosman wins his fifth straight decision, and tosses his third shutout in his last four starts.  He allows just four hits and two walks with seven strikeouts in a complete game whitewashing of the Phillies at Connie Mack Stadium.  Its his seventh shutout of the season.  Jerry    Koosman improves to 17-9 with a 2.21 RA.

The Mets inflict all their damage against Phillies starter Woodie Fryman who allows five runs, four earned, on six hits and three walks with four strikeouts through five innings pitched.  In the first inning Donn Clendenon hits his third home run in his last two games giving the Mets an instant 2-0 lead.  Duffy Dyer doubles and comes around to score in the second.  In the fifth Amos Otis and Bobby Pfeil each drive in a run apiece en route to a 5-0 Mets victory.

It's the Mets sixth straight win and their 97th of the season.  Four games remain on the schedule.

• Mets Record: 97-61
• N.L. East: 7 Games Up

Amazin' Date 9/24/1969: New York Mets Clinch N.L. East Pennant

From the desk of: HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

AMAZIN'

THE MIRACLE METS

50th ANNIVERSARY

Game #157: Wednesday, September 24, 1969 - BR
St. Louis Cardinals @ New York Mets
Shea Stadium

NEW YORK METS 
CLINCH NATIONAL LEAGUE EAST PENNANT

GARY GENTRY HURLS SHUTOUT AGAINST ST. LOUIS CARDINALS

JUBILANT FANS UPROOT PLAYING FIELD IN SHEA STADIUM CELEBRATION

"Goodbye, Leo, we hate to see you go!"

... the anthem of New York's summer.

Despite Chicago's afternoon victory over Montreal at Wrigley Field, the Cubs no longer are a matter of concern to the Amazin' Mets whom defeat the St. Louis Cardinals Wednesday evening to clinch the first ever National League East pennant before a raucous crowd at Shea Stadium.

Donn Clendenon gets the party started straightaway in the first inning with a long three run home run to right/center off Cardinals starter Steve Carlton.  After Ron Swoboda follows with a base on balls, Ed Charles connects on New York's second home run of the inning knocking Steve Carlton outta the box.  

Pandemonium ...

With one out in the fifth Donn Clendenon goes the other way for his second home run of the night giving the Mets a 6-0 lead and ultimate margin of victory.

Bedlam ...

Rookie Gary Gentry winds up with the great fortune of hurling the Mets division clincher.  Making his 33rd start of the season, Gentry allows the St. Louis Cardinals just four scattered hits and two walks with five strikeouts in a brilliant complete game shutout performance.  With one out and runners on first and second in the top of the ninth, Gil Hodges sticks with his man.  Gentry rewards his manager by inducing Joe Torre into a game ending 6-4-3 double play.

"... ground ball to short, this could be it.  There's one; there's two; the game is over.  At 9:07 on Sept. 24th the Mets have won the Eastern Division of the National League ... Look at that scene!"  -  Lindsey Nelson

Fans instantly pour on to the field in wild elation as New York's triumphant heroes scatter towards the safety of their locker room.

"I knew I got it all.  I didn't think there was any ball park in the world that would hold that one.  I knew it was gone."  -  Donn Clendenon on his first inning home run.   

The game marks New York's fifth straight win, and their 20th of the month against just seven losses.

• METS RECORD: 96-61 (.611)
• Clinch National League East Division Title
• Six Game Lead Over Chicago Cubs

YouTube: Game Highlights; Clubhouse Celebration

Amazin' Date 9/15/1969: Ron Swoboda Two Home Runs Power Mets Over Cardinals

From the desk of: HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

AMAZIN'

THE MIRACLE METS

50th ANNIVERSARY

Game #147: Monday, September 15, 1969 - BR
New York Mets @ St. Louis Cardinals
Busch Stadium

METS EXTEND LEAD OVER CUBS: JUST 15 GAMES REMAIN IN SEASON

In St. Louis for one game only, Gary Gentry and Tug Mcgraw join to outlast Cardinals left-hander Steve Carlton.

Vida Pinson drives in the first run of the game in the third.  But Ron Swoboda answers with a two run home run in the fourth.  However runs batted in from Curt Flood and Joe Torre give the Cardinals a 3-2 edge after five.  Gentry's duel with Carlton ends after six.  He exits on the losing side after surrendering three earned runs on seven hits and one walk with three strikeouts.  Tug McGraw enters the game in relief of Gentry.  With Donn Clendenon on base in the top of the eighth Ron Swoboda connects on his second home run of the game off Steve Carlton giving the Mets a 4-3 final margin of victory.  Tug McGraw allows one hit over three scoreless innings with three strikeouts to pick up his eighth victory of the season against three losses with a 2.36 ERA.

The Expos roll over the Cubs at Jarry Park, and so the Mets gain another game in the standings.  Chicago has now lost 11 of their last 12 games.

• Mets Record: 89-58
• N.L. East: 1st Place; 4.5 Games Up

Amazin' Date 9/9/1969: Black Cat and Mets Sweep Durocher and the Cubs

From the desk of: HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

AMAZIN'

THE MIRACLE METS

50th ANNIVERSARY

Game #138: Tuesday, September 9, 1969 - BR
Chicago Cubs @ New York Mets
Shea Stadium

METS SWEEP CUBS; JUST HALF GAME OUT OF FIRST!

In the seven years since the gates first opened in 1964 there's never been a more surreal game at Shea Stadium.  The most creative minds of Hollywood could not have better scripted the events of Tuesday evening.

On Aug. 13 the Mets lagged ten game behind the first place Cubs.  But Leo Durocher's club has since faltered posting a 10-14 record, while New York goes on to win 19 of their next 25 games, including Monday's game one 3-2 victory over the Cubs, to pull within 1.5 games of first place.

Game two features a match-up between aces.  First time 20-game winner Tom Seaver is opposed by  Fergie Jenkins, whom enters Tuesday's action one victory shy of achieving his third straight 20-win season.  Seemingly with all the momentum of the world and a raucous home crowd at the ready the Mets strike for two runs in the first inning.  Fergie Jenkins does himself no favors by walking Tommie Agee and Cleon Jones.  Ken Boswell makes Jenkins pay with a two run double to right.  Donn Clendonon's two run home run in the third stakes Tom Seaver to a commanding 4-0 lead.

Don Kessinger looks at strike three leading off the top of the fourth.  Second baseman Glenn Beckert then doubles to left/center.  With slugger Billy Williams at the plate a black cat suddenly appears from under the stands behind home plate.  Shea's resident feline takes a direct route toward on deck batter Ron Santo.  At first it circles the Cubs third baseman before nearing the edge of Chicago's dugout for a closer inspection of manager Leo Durocher.  As quickly as it appears, the cat wraps up its business with the Cubs bench and scatters back under the stands.  Somewhat superstitious, Ron Santo still manages to drive home Beckert for the Cubs first run.

That is quickly negated as Tom Seaver helps his own cause with a double off Jenkins leading off the bottom of the fourth.  Tommie Agee advances Seaver to third, and Wayne Garrett plates him with a sac-fly to center for a 5-1 Mets lead.  Art Shamsky leads off the fifth with his 13th home run of the season, and Jerry Grote caps off the scoring with a two run double in the seventh.  By then over 51,000 fans packing Shea Stadium begin serenading the familiar Chicago manager (from his days in New York City) with "Goodbye Leo, we hate to see you go!" on through the conclusion of the Mets 7-1 victory.  They continue singing down the ramps and into the parking lots ... and maybe all the way home.

Fergie Jenkins yields seven runs, five earned, on three walks with nine strikeouts through seven innings.  He is denied his bid at New York's expense for a third straight 20-win season.  Tom Seaver allows the Cubs just one run on five hits and one walk with five strikeouts en route to his 21st victory of the season against seven losses with a 2.43 ERA.  Tommy Agee, Ken Boswell, and Jerry Grote continue their hot hitting, joining on 6 for 12 at the plate, with two doubles, and three runs batted in.

No heel clicking for Ron Santo either; at least not at Shea Stadium.  The Mets sweep two games from the Cubs and close within one-half game of first place.  The Cubs meanwhile lose their sixth in a row.  Black cats seem to be the least of their problems, although Leo the Lip may beg to differ.

For the 1969 Mets, another amazin' night at Shea!

• Mets Record: 82-57
• N.L. East: 2nd; 0.5 GB

Amazin' Date 9/3/1969: Dodgers Rally For Ninth Inning Victory Over Mets

From the desk of: HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

AMAZIN'

THE MIRACLE METS

50th ANNIVERSARY

Game #133: Wednesday, September 3, 1969 - BR
New York Mets @ Los Angeles Dodgers
Dodger Stadium

After being held scoreless through seven innings the Mets erase a four run deficit in the top of the eighth inning at Dodger Stadium, only to surrender the game winning run in the bottom of the ninth.

Jerry Koosman surrenders four runs, three earned, on nine hits and one walk with four strikeouts through six innings pitched, but does not factor in the decision.  Cal Koonce pitches a scoreless seventh in relief of Koosman.  In the top of the eighth Tommie Agee and Donn Clendenon each hit two-run home runs off Dodgers starter Claude Osteen tying the game at four.  Nolan Ryan retires the Dodgers with two strikeouts in the bottom half of the frame.  Los Angeles reliever Pete Mikkelsen then pitches a scoreless top half of the ninth.  With Jack DiLauro pitching in relief of Ryan, Maury Wills leads-off the bottom half of the ninth with a hit.  Manny Mota successfully bunts Wills over to second, who then scores the game winning run on Willie Davis' double to left.  Jack DiLauro is tagged with the loss, while Pete Mikkelsen wins his seventh game of the season.

Los Angeles wins the series but the Mets close out the road trip with a 6-4 record.  Chicago has their five game win streak snapped by the Reds at Crosley Field, and so the Mets lose no ground.

• Mets Record: 77-56
• N.L. East: 2nd; 5 GB

Amazin' Date 9/2/1969: Donn Clendenon Powers Mets to Victory Over Dodgers

From the desk of:  HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

AMAZIN'

THE MIRACLE METS

50th ANNIVERSARY

Game #132: Tuesday, September 2, 1969 - BR
New York Mets @ Los Angeles Dodgers
Dodger Stadium

New York bounces back with a 5-4 victory in game two at Los Angeles to even their series with the Dodgers at one.  Gary Gentry pitches a strong game until tiring in the ninth.  He allows three late runs on eight hits and three walks with four strikeouts through 8.1 innings pitched.  Ron Taylor relieves Gentry with great difficulty until Gil Hodges summons Tug McGraw whom settles things down to earn his tenth save of the season.  Gentry earns his tenth win.  The Mets muster four earned runs on six hits and three walks against Dodgers starter Don Sutton.  Donn Clendenon is 3 for 4 with a home run off Sutton in the first, and another off Sutton in the fourth.  Ron Swoboda is 1 for 3 with a double and two runs batted in.

But the true difference maker is Ken Boswell's RBI single in the top of the eighth off reliever Joe Moeller.  Since returning to the line-up on Aug. 23 Boswell has hit safely in eight of nine games during which time he is batting .542 (13 for 24) to date.

Wednesday's rubber game at Dodger stadium concludes New York's ten game road trip.  Tuesday's win was their sixth of the trip against three loses.  However, Chicago defeats the Reds at Crosley Field and so the Mets gain no ground on the first place Cubs.  Upon their return home, the Mets first will host a four game series against the Phillies, then finally go head to head against the Leo Durocher's Chicago Cubs at Shea Stadium.

• Mets Record: 77-55
• N.L. East: 2nd; 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 8/26/1969: Mets Sweep Double-Header at San Diego

From the desk of:  HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

AMAZIN'

THE MIRACLE METS

50th ANNIVERSARY

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

After closing out a stellar 9-1 home stand, the Mets are back on the west coast where on Tuesday they opened a three game series with a twi-night double-header against the Padres at San Diego Stadium.

• GAME ONE: Tuesday, August 26, 1969 - BR

Bolstered by eight runs Tom Seaver wins his 18th decision of the season against seven losses.  He limits the Padres to three earned runs on four hits and one walk with five strikeouts through nine complete innings.  Padres center fielder Cito Gaston inflicts the most damage going 2 for 3 with a triple, home run, and three runs batted in.  The Mets get home runs from Donn Clendenon and Ron Swoboda.  Tommie Agee is 2 for 3 with two walks, two runs scored, and a run batted in, and Cleon Jones plates his team leading 70th run batted in of the season.

• GAME TWO: Tuesday, August 26, 1969 - BR

New York sweeps the night away with a 3-0 whitewashing of the Padres.  Jim McAndrew and Joe Niekro duel through five scoreless innings until Al Weis finally breaks through with an RBI hit in the sixth.  Art Shamsky makes it a 2-0 game with an RBI single in the seventh.  Cleon Jones scores from third on a passed ball charged to catcher Chris Cannizzaro in the ninth giving the Mets a 3-0 final margin of victory.  McAndrew turns in perhaps his finest outing of the season allowing no runs on just five hits and no walks with six strikeouts.

The Mets are now an amazing 21-games above the .500 mark.  With their double-header sweep of the Padres they gain two full games on the Cubs whom on Tuesday lose their second straight against the Cincinnati Reds.  Chicago has now lost ten of their last 18 games.

• Mets Record: 73-52 (.576)
• N.L. East: 2nd; 3.5 GB

Amazin' Date 8/8/1969: Mets Split Twi-Night Double-Header at Atlanta

From the desk of:  HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

AMAZIN'

THE MIRACLE METS

50th ANNIVERSARY

August 8, 1969 - Double Header

New York Mets @ Atlanta Braves 

Atlanta Stadium

GAME ONE - BR #107
Jerry Koosman Silences Braves; Lowers ERA Below Two.

Jerry Koosman toes the rubber in game one of Friday's twi-night double-header at Atlanta and is opposed by crafty veteran Milt Pappas.  J.C. Martin drives in the first run of the game with a hit to left scoring Wayne Garrett from second base.  The game remains a one run affair through the eighth.  But with Pappas out of the game by the ninth, the Mets rally for three runs against Atlanta's bullpen.  Cleon Jones and Donn Clendenon drive in runs, while J.C. Martin drives home Wayne Garrett for a second with a single to right.  With two outs in the bottom of the ninth Braves catcher Bob Tillman connects on his eleventh home run of the season ruining Jerry Koosman's shutout bid.  Otherwise Koosman goes the distance allowing the one lone run on seven hits and three walks with five strikeouts.  He improves to 9-7 for the season with a stellar 1.98 ERA.  Three Atlanta relievers join in surrendering three earned runs on four hits and a walk with no strikeouts in the ninth.  Yet, Milt Pappas takes the loss.  The Braves starter allows just one earned run on six hits and no walks with five strikeouts through eight innings.

GAME TWO -BR #108
Atlanta's Ron Reed Pitches Ten Inning Whitewash to Salvage Night Cap.

In game two Gary Gentry faces off against Ron Reed.  Neither yields a run through nine innings of play.  Gentry faces 32 batters allowing just four hits and two walks with a pair of strikeouts.  Braves manager Lum Harris sends his starter Ron Reed out for the tenth.  Reed responds with yet another scoreless inning pitched.  In the bottom half of the frame, Atlanta loads the bases against Ron Taylor pitching in relief of Gentry.  With one out Felipe Alou lines a single through the middle plating Clete Boyer with the game winning run.

The Mets are 5-5 in their last ten, but gain back a half-game on the Cubs.

• Mets Record: 60-48
• N.L. East: 2nd; 8.5 GB

Amazin' Date 8/5/1969: Mets Split Twin Bill at Crosley Field

From the desk of:  HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

AMAZIN'

THE MIRACLE METS

50th ANNIVERSARY

Games # 104 & 105
New York Mets @ Cincinnati Reds
Crosley Field

GAME ONE: Tuesday, August 5, 1969 - BR 

The Mets lose their second straight at Cincinnati, this time in the first game of Tuesday's twin bill at Crosley Field.  Cincy has the Mets playing catch-up all game scoring runs by pairs in the first, third, fifth, and seventh.  The Mets make it a 2-4 game in the top of the fourth on Art Shamsky's two run home run against starter Gary Nolan.  New York musters three more runs in the eighth on a run batted in from Cleon Jones and a pair of RBI from Wayne Garrett.  Reds reliever Clay Carroll would yield no more.  Starter Tom Seaver is roughed up for four earned runs on five hits, including home runs from catcher Bobby Tolan and Pete Rose, while walking two and fanning just one en rout to his seventh loss of the season.  It's Seaver's fourth loss in his last five decisions, and the second time in his last four starts that he's failed to pitch into the fourth inning.  Cal Koonce and Jack DiLauro fare no better joining to yield four earned runs on seven hits with one walk and a strikeout.  DiLauro surrenders Tony Perez' 28th home run in the seventh.  All told Perez is 2 for 3 on the day including a walk, double, three runs batted in, and a run scored.  Cleon Jones drives in his team leading 62nd run of the season.

GAME TWO: Tuesday, August 5, 1969 - BR 

Whatever it is Gil Hodges said to his team in between games of Tuesday's twin bill - we can only imagine - seems to have worked.  Lest we forget his calculated removal of Cleon Jones from left field during the recent Houston series at Shea.  For the Mets roll towards a 10-1 victory over host Cincinnati in the nightcap.  Getting the start Nolan Ryan goes the distance allowing just one earned runs on seven hits and just two walks with seven strikeouts en rout to his fourth victory of the season.  The Mets get home runs from Donn Clendenon in the third and Tommie Agee in the fifth.  Jerry Grote, Bobby Pheil, Ron Swoboda, Cleon Jones, and even Nolan Ryan all drive in runs for the Mets.

However, net result of the day is the Mets fall another half-game behind the Cubs.  They've now lost 4.5 games in the standings since July 9 when they closed to within 3.5 games of first.

• Mets Record: 59-46 (.562)
• N.L. East: 2nd; 8 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 7/24/1969: Reds Upend Mets in 12th Inning

From the desk of:  HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

AMAZIN'

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50th ANNIVERSARY

Game #93: Thursday, July 24, 1969 - BR
Cincinnati Reds @ New York Mets
Shea Stadium

The season's second half is officially underway with the Cincinnati Reds in town to play a four game weekend series at Shea Stadium.  Thursday's opener turned into a game of horse of sorts.  Starters Gary Gentry and Jim Merritt traded zeroes for the first five innings.  Then with one out in the sixth, big hitting center fielder Bobby Tolan connects off Gentry for his 18th home run of the season.  With one out in the bottom half of the frame, Donn Clendenon reciprocates with a home run off Merritt.  The Reds strike back two innings later.  Lee May's sac-fly to center scores Pete Rose from third for a 2-1 Reds lead.  However Cleon Jones answers back with a home run leading-off the bottom half of the eighth.  With two outs in the top of the ninth Reds manager Dave Bristol lets his starting pitcher bat.  Merritt rewards his manager's benevolence with a solo home run off Gentry giving himself a 3-2 lead.  But when Al Weis singles leading-off the bottom half of the frame Bristol calls in Wayne Granger from the bullpen.  Tommie Agee greets the Reds reliever with a come-backer but Granger's errant throw allows Weis to advance to third.  Art Shamsky follows with a ground ball to second but Weis is cut down at home; Agee advances to third.  Next in, Wayne Garrett's sac-fly to right scores Agee knotting the game at three.

Both Gentry and Merritt walk off with no decisions.  Gentry yields three runs, two earned, on seven hits and one walk with eight strikeouts.  Merritt allows three earned runs on nine hits and one walk with five strikeouts.

Into the twelfth they go.  With Tug McGraw pitching in relief of Gentry slugger Tony Perez connects on his 23rd home run of the season.  The Mets this time have no answer against Pedro Ramos pitching the tenth in relief of Granger.  The Reds prevail by a 4-3 margin over the Mets.

• Mets Record: 53-40
• N.L. East: 2nd; 6 GB

Amazin' Date: 7/14/1969: Cubs Outlast Tom Seaver at Wrigley

From the desk of:  HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

AMAZIN'

THE MIRACLE METS

50th ANNIVERSARY

Game #86: Monday, July 14, 1969 - BR
New York Mets @ Chicago Cubs
Wrigley Field

Look What the Cubs Did to Tom Seaver, Again

The surging Mets and first place Cubs meet again.  Just five days following the now famous Imperfect Game at Shea Stadium, Tom Seaver toes the rubber at Wrigley Field, and is opposed by Chicago's Bill Hands in Monday's series opener.

The two duel through five scoreless innings.  With two outs and Cubs shortstop Don Kessinger in scoring position at second, right fielder Billy Williams singles home the lone run of the game.  Seaver suffers the hard luck loss but not before yielding just the one run on five hits and one walk with four strikeouts through eight innings pitched.  It's only Seaver's fourth loss of the season versus 14 victories with a 2.39 ERA.

Bill Hands and Phil Regan join for a six-hit whitewashing of the Mets.  Hands yields no runs on six hits with three walks and five strikeouts through 8.2 innings.  When J.C. Martin singles off Hands with two outs in the home ninth, manager Leo Durocher summons Phil Regan from the bullpen.  Donn Clendenon then lines out sharply to second baseman Glen Beckert ending the game.  Ron Santo is seen running off the field, leaping and clicking his heels, and pumping up Wrigley Field fans.

After closing to within 3.5 games of the Cubs on July 9, the Mets have since slipped 2.5 games in the standings to fall six games back of the Cubs.

• Mets Record: 49-37
• N.L. East: 2nd; 6 GB

Amazin' Date 7/8/1969: First Place Cubs Bow to Mets in Series Opener at Shea

From the desk of:  HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

AMAZIN'

THE MIRACLE METS

50th ANNIVERSARY

Game #80: Tuesday, July 8, 1969 - BR
Chicago Cubs @ New York Mets
Shea Stadium

Mets Upend Fergie Jenkins in 9th Inning; N.L. East Leading Cubs Fall in First Visit to Shea Stadium.

Back home from a successful 6-2 road trip, the highly anticipated showdown against the first place Chicago Cubs is finally at hand.  The excitement leading up to this series is palpable.  The Mets and Cubs previously split four games at Wrigley Field back in May.  Just over two months later they meet again for game one of a three game series at sold out Shea Stadium on Tuesday. 

The game features a classic duel pitting Mets starter Jerry Koosman against Chicago's two time 20-game winner Fergie Jenkins.  They duel to a three all tie after eight innings of play.  Koosman yields three earned runs on eight hits and four walks with six strikeouts through eight.  He surrenders home runs to Ernie Banks in the sixth, and Jim Hickman in the eighth.  Second baseman Glenn Beckert's RBI single in the sixth accounts for the Cubs third run.  Jenkins on the other hand surrenders one run on just one hit - an Ed Kranepool home run in the fifth - with no walks and eight strikeouts through the first eight innings of play.

Koosman then pitches a scoreless ninth inning, retiring the side in order.  With Jenkins still in the game, Ken Boswell leads off the the home half of the ninth with a double to straightaway center.  With one out pinch hitter Donn Clendenon doubles but Boswell is held up at third.  Cleon Jones then drives them both home with yet another double to left.  Jenkins issues an intentional walk to Art Shamsky.  With two outs and two runners in scoring position, Ed Kranepool again comes through with a clutch single up the middle scoring Cleon Jones with the game winning run.

Koosman goes the distance winning his sixth game of the season against five losses with a stingy 1.78 ERA.  Fergie Jenkins sees his record fall to 11-6 with a 2.60 ERA.

Describing this game as a huge victory is clearly under stating the situation.  The Mets are now 12 games above .500 and only 4.5 games behind the division leading Cubs.  The Mets also now lead the Cubs 3-2 in head-to-head action.  Game two is scheduled for Wednesday evening at Shea Stadium where another huge summer crowd is expected.

• Mets Record: 46-34
• N.L. East: 2nd; 4.5 GB

Amazin' Date 7/6/1969: Mets Sweep Pirates Series at Forbes Field

From the desk of:  HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

AMAZIN'

THE MIRACLE METS

50th ANNIVERSARY

Game #79: Sunday, July 6, 1969 - BR
New York Mets @ Pittsburgh Pirates
Forbes Field

After a day off, the Mets pick up where they leave off on Friday.  Donn Clendenon opens the scoring with a first inning double scoring Bobby Pheil.  However, the Mets find themselves trailing 6-1 after two innings of play.  Starter Jim McAndrew can not pitch out of the first upon surrendering four runs on Roberto Clemente's RBI, and three run home run from catcher Jerry May.  Clemente drives in another two runs in the second.

The Mets comeback commences in the fourth with runs batted in from Jerry Grote and Ron Swoboda.  Ed Charles then homers off Pirates starter Luke Walker in the fifth.  An inning later Cleon Jones knocks in his 51st run of the season, and Donn Clendenin follows with a big three run home run off Bucs reliever Chuck Hartenstein giving the Mets an 8-6 lead.  Cal Koonce yields a run in the bottom half of the sixth but otherwise yields just three hits and no walks with six strikeouts over the final four innings of play.  Ron Taylor is credited with the victory, and Koonce earns his sixth save.

With Sunday's 8-7 victory the Mets complete a three game sweep of the Pittsburgh Pirates at Forbes Field.  They outscore the heavy hitting Bucs through three games by a 28-15 margin.  The Mets are now winners of five in a row and close out the road trip with a 6-2 record.

The Mets are heading home where they'll face the first place Chicago Cubs at Shea Stadium.

• Mets Record: 45-34
• N.L. East: 2nd; 5.5 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 7/3/1969: Mets Take Three of Five at St. Louis

From the desk of:  HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

AMAZIN'

THE MIRACLE METS

50th ANNIVERSARY

Game #76:  Thursday, July 3, 1969 - BR
New York Mets @ St. Louis Cardinals
Busch Stadium

Gary Gentry's Gem Lifts Mets to Series Victory Over Cardinals

With Thursday's 8-1 victory over the Cardinals at Busch Stadium the Mets win the series three games against two.

Making his 16th start of the season Gary Gentry is opposed by veteran and former 21-game winner Mudcat Grant.  Gentry goes the distance yielding just one run on five hits and two walks with five strikeouts.  He improves to 8-6 on the season and lowers his ERA to a 3.08 mark.  St. Louis scores their lone run in the seventh on Julian Javier's base hit scoring Joe Torre.

Leading off the game Tommie Agee stakes the Mets to an immediate lead with his 11th home run of the season.  Things go awry for Mudcat in the fifth as the Mets score four times.  With one out and two runners in scoring position Donn Clendenon drives home both with a single to left.  Grant then unleashes a wild pitch allowing Wayne Garrett to score.  And Tommie Agee draws a bases loaded walk giving the Mets a 5-0 lead.  Runs batted in from Jerry Grote and Al Weis in the fifth give the Mets a 7-0 lead.  Their final tally comes in the eighth on Ken Boswell's RBI double to right.

Onward to Pittsburgh where the Mets and Pirates will play a Fourth of July double-header at Forbes Field.

• Mets Record:  42-34
• N.L. East:  2nd; 8 GB