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 10/14/1969: Tommie Agee and Gary Gentry Star in Game Three Victory Over Birds

From the desk of: HEAD-BUTTING MR.MET

AMAZIN'

THE MIRACLE METS

50th ANNIVERSARY

1969

WORLD SERIES

GAME THREE

Baltimore Orioles    0

New York Mets        5

FINAL

SHEA STADIUM

METS WIN FIRST EVER WORLD SERIES GAME AT SHEA STADIUM; TAKE 2-1 LEAD OVER BIRDS.

TOMMY AGEE TAKES FOOD FROM THE BIRDS

• GAME THREE: Tuesday. October 14, 1969 - BR

Six months after crushing perhaps the most majestic home run of his career, Tommie Agee puts forth arguably the greatest performance of his career in game three of the World Series at Shea Stadium.  The Mets lead-off batter puts New York on the board straightaway when he deposits Jim Palmer's fourth offering of the game far beyond the center field wall for a prompt 1-0 New York lead.  His domination of game three continues not at the plate, but in the field.  With two outs and runners on the corners in the fourth, Agee races far to his right making a running backhand stab of Elrod Hendrick's deep fly to left/center field.  Then with two outs and the bases loaded in the seventh, Tommie Agee this time runs far to his left punching the palm of his glove twice before making a remarkable diving catch of Paul Blair's liner hit towards the right/center field gap.

Mets starter Gary Gentry helps his own cause in the second inning with a two-out double scoring Jerry Grote and Bud Harrelson giving the Mets a 3-0 lead.  Jerry Grote's run scoring double in the sixth, and Ed Kranepool's home run in the eighth give the Mets a 5-0 final margin of victory.

Gary Gentry limits the Birds to just three hits through 6.2 scoreless innings pitched, with five walks and four strikeouts.  Nolan Ryan fans three while yielding just one hit through 2.1 scoreless innings in relief of Gentry.  In taking a 2-1 series lead, Mets pitchers have limited the Orioles to just one run on six hits over their last two games.

Game Four Starters: Mike Cuellar (23-11; 2.38) vs. Tom Seaver (25-7; 2.21)

Amazin' Date 10/12/1969: Al Weis and Jerry Koosman Lift Mets to Game Two Victory at Baltimore

From the desk of: HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

AMAZIN'

THE MIRACLE METS

50th ANNIVERSARY

1969

WORLD SERIES

GAME TWO

New York Mets     2

Baltimore Orioles  1

FINAL
MEMORIAL STADIUM

Mets Draw Even With The Birds on Jerry Koosman's Gem

• GAME TWO: Sunday, October 12, 1969 - BR

Baltimore's Dave McNally and Jerry Koosman duel to a one all tie through eight innings in game two Sunday afternoon at Memorial Stadium.  Donn Clendenon connects on a long home run to right off McNally in the fourth.  Jerry Koosman's bid for a no-hitter is broken up by Paul Blair's base hit leading off the seventh.  Brooks Robinson similarly ruins Koosman's bid for a shutout with a game tying single scoring Blair.  With two outs in the top of the ninth, Orioles manager Earl Weaver allows McNally to yield three straight hits from the bottom of the Mets line-up.  Ed Charles and Jerry Grote slash consecutive singles to left.  Al Weis then plates Charles with the go-ahead run on yet another base hit to left.  With two outs in the last half of the ninth, Koosman issues consecutive base on balls to Frank Robinson and Boog Powell.  Gil Hodges then emerges from the dugout summoning Ron Taylor from the bullpen, who induces Brooks Robinson into a game ending ground ball to third.  Jerry Koosman earns the first ever World Series victory in Mets history, allowing just one run on two hits and three walks with four strikeouts. 

The series now shifts to Shea Stadium, Queens, for game three.  Baltimore's Jim Palmer and Gary Gentry are Tuesday's scheduled starters.

• GAME ONE

Mrs. Babe Ruth throws out the ceremonial first pitch.

Amazin' Date 9/17/1969: Jerry Koosman Whitewashes Expos at Parc Jarry

From the desk of: HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

AMAZIN'

THE MIRACLE METS

50th ANNIVERSARY

Game #148: Wednesday, September 17, 1969 - BR
New York Mets @ Montreal Expos
Parc Jarry

After a day of travel and well deserved rest, the Mets enter the last stage of their road trip with two games against the Expos at Montreal's Jarry Parc.

Kerry Koosman Hurls Second Straight Complete Game Shutout

Making his 27th start of the season Jerry Koosman hurls his second straight shutout and his third straight complete game victory.  He allows Montreal no runs on six hits and four walks with three strikeouts to earn his 15th win of the season against nine losses with a glistening 2.27 ERA.  New York posts three runs in the fourth off Expos starter Gary Waslewski, whom allows five hits and four walks with four strikeouts through five innings pitched.  The Mets score single runs in the seventh and ninth innings against Montreal's bullpen en route to a 5-0 final score.  Wayne Garrett is 2 for 3 with two runs batted in.  Ron Swoboda, Jerry Grote, and Al Weis, each drive in a run apiece.  Due in part to yesterday's off day and Chicago's victory, the first place Mets end business this Wednesday evening four games ahead of the Cubs.

However, every Mets victory at this point merely adds to this season's growing franchise record.  Today they win their 90th game of the season with 14 games left to play.

• Mets Record: 90-58
• N.L. East: 1st Place; 4 Games Up

Amazin' Date 9/14/1969: Pirates Salvage Series Finale at Forbes Field

From the desk of: HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

AMAZIN'

THE MIRACLE METS

50th ANNIVERSARY

Game #148: Sunday, September 14, 1969 - BR
New York Mets @ Pittsburgh Pirates
Forbes Field

METS WIN STREAK ENDS AT TEN

Pittsburgh wins the series finale to avoid being swept at Forbes Field, and thereby halt New York's winning streak at ten.  But with the Cubs losing in extra innings at St. Louis, the Mets maintain their 3.5 game lead over second place Chicago.

The Pirates open a 3-0 lead in the third on Al Oliver's two run triple, and Manny Sanguillen's base hit.  New York ties the game with runs batted in from Tommie Agee and Art Shamsky in the fifth, and Nolan Ryan's run scoring hit in the sixth.  However, Ryan can not keep the Pirates at bay.  With two outs and two runners on base in the bottom of the seventh, Pirates starter Steve Blass and Al Oliver each drive in a run apiece for a 5-3 lead and final margin of victory.  Steve Blass limits the Mets to three earned runs on eleven hits and four walks with four strikeouts in a complete game winning effort.  Nolan Ryan is charged with five earned runs on six hits and two walks with seven strikeouts through seven innings pitched.  Bud Harrelson is 3 for 5; Jerry Grote is 2 for 4; together they account for nearly half of the Mets eleven hits.

The game marks only the Mets fourth loss in September.  Meanwhile the Cubs today lose their tenth game in their last eleven contests.  New York now moves on to St. Louis for one game against the Cardinals before closing out the road trip with two games at Montreal.  Just 16 more games remain in the regular season.

• Mets Record: 88-58
• N.L. East: 1st Place; 3.5 Games Up

Amazin' Date 9/10/1969: Mets Overtake First Place

From the desk of: HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

AMAZIN'

THE MIRACLE METS

50th ANNIVERSARY

Montreal Expos @ New York Mets
Double-Header
Shea Stadium

The New York Mets overtake Chicago in the National League East standings.  The Mets!  They're in first place for the first time in their history.

With an extra-inning victory over Montreal in Wednesday's first game of a twi-night double-header, coupled with Chicago's seventh straight loss, the Mets amazingly take a one game lead over the Cubs in the N.L. East standings with just 21 games remaining in the regular season.

LOOK WHO'S NUMBER ONE!

• GAME ONE: Wednesday, September 10, 1969 - BR

After trading runs in the first, the Expos take a 2-1 lead in frame two.  However Montreal loses their bearing in the bottom of the fifth.  With two outs Tommie Agree reaches safely on Coco Laboy's error at third and Wayne Garrett's single puts runners on the corners.  Cleon Jones then draws a walk to load the bases.  With Art Shamsky at the plate, Expos starter Mike Wegener commits a balk plating Agee from third and knotting the game at two.  They remain tied through the ninth, and into extra-innings they go.  After dueling for eleven innings Jim McAndrew and Expos starter Mike Wegener finally exit to no decisions.  McAndrew allows two earned runs on just four hits and five walks with seven strikeouts.  Ron Taylor in relief of McAndrews retires Montreal in the top of the twelfth in order.  Then with two outs in the bottom of the frame Ken Boswell comes through with a two out base hit plating Cleon Jones with the game winning run.  Ron Taylor is credited with his eighth victory of the season.  With still another game to play, bedlam breaks loose in the stands led by club matriarch and chief booster Joan Payson.

• GAME TWO: Wednesday, September 10, 1969 - BR

New York takes the nightcap and sweeps Wednesday's double-header at Shea.  The victory is the Mets sixth in a row.  Making only his seventh start Nolan Ryan hurls his first complete game victory of the season.  He yields one run on just three hits and four walks with a season high 11 strikeouts, improving his record to 6-1 with a 2.95 ERA.  Bud Harrelson's error in the second leads to Montreal's lone run of the game.  Jerry Grote's double leading off the third kick starts a six run outburst.  Ken Boswell is 3 for 4 with a triple and a run scored in the seventh, and a run batted in.

• Mets Record: 84-57
• N.L. EAST: FIRST PLACE; ONE GAME 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 9/6/1969: 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 9/5/1969: Tom Seaver Earns 20th Win of Season

From the desk of: HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

AMAZIN'

THE MIRACLE METS

50th ANNIVERSARY

Philadelphia Phillies @ New York Mets
Double-Header
Shea Stadium

The Amazin's open what is easily the most important home stand of their eight history featuring the much anticipated two game showdown against the first place Chicago Cubs.  Before then New York hosts Philadelphia in a four game weekend series at Shea Stadium, while the Cubs have their hands full hosting the third place Pittsburgh Pirates at Wrigley Field.

TOM SEAVER WINS 20th GAME OF SEASON

• GAME ONE: Friday, September 5, 1969 - BR

Tom Seaver wins twenty games for the first time in his marvelous three year career.  Making his 31st start of the season the 1967 rookie of the year limits the Phillies to just one run on five hits with one walk and seven strikeouts through nine innings pitched.  His ERA is now 2.48 and falling fast.  Seaver also helps himself out the plate with a hit and run batted in.  Phillies center fielder John Briggs goes 3 for 4 off Seaver with a double, and triple.  The Mets score three unearned runs against starter Grant Jackson who otherwise surrenders four hits and three walks in seven innings pitched.  Al Weis is 1 for 3 with a run batted in.  Jerry Grote's two run home run off reliever John Boozer in the eighth gives the Mets a 5-1 final margin of victory.

• GAME TWO: Friday, September 5, 1969 - BR

The Mets surrender two late runs and drop the nightcap by a 4-2 final score.  Philadelphia opens the game with consecutive hits off starter Jim McAndrew.  Johnny Callison plates the game's first run with a sac-fly to right.  The Phillies then connect for consecutive extra-base hits in the fourth but New York limits the damage to one run when Art Shamsky throws out Johnny Callison at third.  The Mets tie the game with runs batted in from Duffy Dyer and Bub Harrelson in the fifth.  Philadelphia scores a third time off McAndrew in the seventh, then pick up an insurance run against Ron Taylor on John Brigg's base hit in the eighth.  The Mets strand two base runners in the ninth.

Chicago gets battered at Wrigley Field, 9-2, by the Pirates.  As a result of the extra contest, the Mets gain one-half game on the Cubs to end the day just 4.5 games back of first.

• Mets Record: 78-57
• N.L. East: 2nd; 4.5 GB

Amazin' Date 8/24/1969: Mets Complete Sweep Over Dodgers at Shea

From the desk of:  HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

AMAZIN'

THE MIRACLE METS
50th ANNIVERSARY

Game #123: Sunday, August 24, 1969 - BR
Los Angeles Dodgers @ New York Mets
Shea Stadium

What, you ask, could possibly top Jerry Grote's two out game-winning double in the ninth inning yesterday afternoon at Shea?  The amazin' Mets answer that question by completing a three game sweep of the reviled Los Angeles Dodgers on Sunday.

Making his 26th start of the season Gary Gentry opposes Dodgers hurler Don Sutton.  First baseman Wes Parker homers in the third, and center fielder Willie Davis puts the finishing touches on Gentry's afternoon with a two out run scoring hit in the fifth.  The Mets rookie exits on the losing side of a 4-2 game.  Jack DiLauro enters in relief of Gentry and douses the fire.  Tommie Agee's RBI double off Sutton in the fifth makes it 4-3 in favor of the Dodgers.  When Sutton yields consecutive singles to Cleon Jones and Art Shamsky leading off the seventh Walter Alston summons Jim Brewer from the pen.  Ken Boswell's bunt single loads the bases.  Ron Swoboda then clears the bases with a double to left/center, and Jerry Grote's follow-up hit scores Swoboda giving the Mets a 7-4 lead and ultimate margin of victory.  Cal Koonce closes out the game with three scoreless innings of two-hit ball with two strikeouts in notching his sixth win of the season.

The Mets close out their ten game home stand with an outstanding 9-1 record, which includes sweeps of the Padres and the aforementioned Dodgers.  Their lone loss comes against the Giants in extra-innings on Thursday.  Otherwise the Mets are now winners of 16 of their last 24 games and since falling ten games back just two short weeks ago have clawed their way back to within 5.5 games of the Cubs.  Chicago (79-48) is 5-5 in over their last ten games.

• Mets Record: 71-52 (.577)
• N.L. East: 2nd; 5.5 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 8/16/1969: Mets Sweep Twin Bill Against San Diego at Shea Stadium

From the desk of: HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

AMAZIN'

THE MIRACLE METS

50th ANNIVERSARY

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

The Mets return home from a disappointing 4-7 road trip.  They now open a ten game home stand beginning with this weekend's duel twin-bills against the San Diego Padres.

• GAME ONE 8/16/69 - BR  #114

Back atop the mound at Shea Stadium Tom Seaver hurls eight scoreless innings allowing San Diego just four hits and two walks with four strikeouts through eight innings pitched.  Ron Taylor pitches a scoreless ninth to seal Saturday's opening game shutout victory along with earning his eleventh save of the season.  Tom Seaver helps his own cause in the fifth with a successful sacrifice bunt which advances Bud Harrelon into scoring position.  Tommie Agee then delivers home Harrelson with the only run Seaver would need.  Bobby Pheil drives in an insurance run in the seventh.  Making the start at third base Bobby Pheil goes 3 for 4, and Bud Harrelson goes 2 for 3 with a run scored.  Together the two account for five of the Mets nine hits.  Tom Seaver wins his 17th decision of the season against seven losses with a 2.55 ERA.

• GAME TWO 8/16/69 - BR  #115

San Diego takes an early one run lead on Larry Stahl's home run in the second inning.  However the Padres would muster nothing more against starter Jim McAndrew and Tug McGraw.  The Mets tie the game at one when Cleon Jones connects off Padres starter Dick Kelley in the fourth.  Jerry Grote provides insurance in the seventh with an RBI hit scoring Ron Swoboda.  Jim McAndrew allows one run on just three hits and two walks with seven strikeouts through seven innings for his fourth victory.  Tug McGraw picks up his eighth save with two scoreless innings in relief of McAndrew.

The Mets are back in second place.  However despite sweeping Saturday's double-header they gain but one game on the Cubs whom with Saturday's victory over San Francisco have now won 11 of their last 14 games.

• Mets Record: 64-51
• N.L. East: 2nd; 9 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 8/3/1969: Mets Sweep Braves at Shea

From the desk of:  HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

AMAZIN'

THE MIRACLE METS

50th ANNIVERSARY

Game #102: Sunday, August 3, 1969 - BR
Atlanta Braves @ New York Mets
Shea Stadium

The Mets defeat Atlanta in amazing fashion Sunday afternoon, completing a three game sweep of the N.L. West leading Braves.

Despite yielding a home run to catcher Bill Tillman leading-off the third, starter Gary Gentry pitches quite effectively through the game's first five innings.  In the sixth however, Atlanta catches up with Gentry.  Three straight singles to open the inning and a throwing error committed by Ron Swoboda playing left field leads to a second run.  Clean-up hitter Tony Gonzalez then strokes a single to right scoring Felipe Alou and Felix Millan.  Manager Gil Hodges gives Gentry the quick hook in favor of Don Cardwell.  Third baseman Bob Aspromonte greets him with a sac-fly to center scoring Hank Aaron from third for a 5-0 Braves lead.

The Mets finally break through against Braves starter Milt Papas in the bottom of the sixth.  Tommie Agee strokes a lead-off double to left, and with one out scores on Wayne Garrett's hit to center.  That's when Braves manager Lum Harris yanks his pitcher in favor of reliever Cecil Upshaw.  Art Shamsky and Rod Gaspar greet Harris with consecutive singles.  Felix Millan errs on Jerry Grote's grounder to second allowing Garrett to score from third.  With the bases jammed Manager Hodges dispatches Cleon Jones to pinch-hit for Cardwell, who does not disappoint.  Jones singles to right scoring both Shamsky and Gaspar.  Manager Harris then summons Paul Doyle from the bullpen whom yields a sac-fly to Buddy Harrelson allowing Grote to score from third, knotting the game at five.

They remain tied at five through the ninth and into extra innings they go at Shea Stadium.  Ron Taylor had assumed pitching duties in the ninth and posts three scoreless innings allowing two hits and striking out three.  With Claude Raymond in to pitch the bottom of the eleventh for Atlanta, Jerry Grote greets him with a lead-off home run to win the game.

Ron Taylor earns his sixth win versus two losses with a 2.88 ERA.

The Mets close out their ten game home stand with a 5-5 record.  They now travel to Cincinnati, Atlanta, and Houston.

• Mets Record: 58-44 (.568)
• N.L. East: 2nd; 6.5 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 7/3/1969: 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

Amazin' Date 6/2/1969: Mets Defeat Dodgers; Extend Win Streak to Five

From the desk of:  HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

AMAZIN'

THE MIRACLE METS

50th ANNIVERSARY

Game #46: Monday, June 2, 1969 - BR
Los Angeles Dodgers @ New York Mets
Shea Stadium

Gil Hodges Has Mets Playing .500 Baseball in June for First Time in Team History.

In case you haven't been paying attention, times are changing in Queens.

Just when the Mets achieve par with an 18-18 record through mid May, they turn right around and lose five in a row.  But as they enter the month of June, the Mets are suddenly in the midst of a season high five game winning streak, and more importantly have climbed back up to par with a 23-23 record to date.  Monday's victory over the visiting Los Angeles Dodgers also marks the latest point in any season during the Mets now eight years of existence in which they've been at the .500 mark.  While some on the team found this reason for minor celebration, Tom Seaver was having none of it to the point of discouraging any sense of accomplishment.

On that note, Seaver's stable mate Jerry Koosman has pitched superbly since returning from the disabled list.  Monday night's series opener against the Dodgers was no different.  Making only his seventh start of the season, Koosman limited the former Brooklyn Bums to just one earned run on five hits and two walks with eight strikeouts through nine complete innings for only his second victory of the season.  The Mets in turn would provided Koosman with all the run support he would need in the fourth inning.  With Cleon Jones and Ed Charles on base, Jerry Grote singled home Jones, and Al Weis doubled home Charles for a 2-0 Mets lead.  Dodgers starter Claude Osteen lasted seven innings, allowing the two runs on seven hits and three walks in earning his fourth loss of the season against seven wins.  Right fielder Bill Russell connected on a solo home run off Koosman in the eight, but the Dodgers would score no more as the Mets closed out a 2-1 final margin of victory.

• Mets Record:  23-23 (.500)
• N.L.. East:  3rd; 8.5 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 4/20/1969: Mets Complete Sweep Over Cardinals

From the desk of:  HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

AMAZIN'

THE MIRACLE METS

50th ANNIVERSARY

Game #12: Sunday, April 20, 1969 - BR
New York Mets @ St. Louis Cardinals
Busch Stadium

Mets Bats Strike Back; Lift Nolan Ryan to Victory

The Mets complete their first sweep of the season, albeit a two game set, and gain a measure of revenge against the defending N.L. champion St. Louis Cardinals.

But it was the Cardinals whom jumped out to an early lead off Mets starter Jim McAndrew.  Joe Torre connected on a two-run home run, and third baseman Mike Shannon delivered a run scoring double to left giving host St. Louis a 3-0 first inning lead.

McAndrew was relieved after three innings in favor of hard throwing Nolan Ryan.  After which the Mets bats were enlivened.  With an RBI double by Jerry Grote in the second, and a five run outburst in the fifth a home run by third baseman fill-in Kevin Collins, and RBI's from Ed Kranepool and Ron Swoboda, the Mets placed Ryan on the winning side of the equation.  Kranepool and Swoboda would again drive in another run apiece in the seventh inning.  And with the bases loaded in the ninth, Jerry Grote capped off the Mets scoring with a bases clearing double.

FINAL

Mets        11

Cardinals  3

Nolan Ryan picked up his first victory of the season, allowing no runs on just one hit and three walks, with four strikeouts.  Cal Koonce pitched 1.1 scoreless innings in relief of Ryan for his third save of the season.

Mets Record:  5-7
N.L. East:  3rd; 5.5 BG

Amazin' Date 4/9/1969: Ken Boswell Powers Mets to First Victory

From the desk of:  HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

AMAZIN'

THE MIRACLE METS

50th ANNIVERSARY

Game Two:  Wednesday, April 9, 1969 - BR
Montreal Expos @ New York Mets
Shea Stadium

Ken Boswell's Home Run in 4th Propelss Mets to First Victory of the Season.

After Tuesday's last ditch rally fell one run short, the Mets waste no time knocking Expos starter Bill Stoneman out of the box, whom straight away appeared out of sorts.  After retiring his first batter of the game, Stoneman would surrender four runs on two hits, two walks, and a hit batsman before being dispatched to the showers.  The Mets continue tacking on single runs in the third and fourth, and sixth through eighth innings, en route to a 9-4 series tying victory over the Montreal Expos.

The team achieved double-digit hits for a second straight game.  Cleon Jones, Ed Kranepool, and Jerry Grote all drove in two runs apiece.  Rod Gaspar and Ken Boswell again combined to go 4 for 5 at the plate, with three walks, a Boswell home run, and three runs scored.

Rusty Staub doubled, and hit his second homer in as many days for the Expos.

After an uneventful first inning, Mets starter Jim McAndrew received a quick hook in the second  by manager Gill Hodges upon surrendering three runs on two hits and three walks before ever recording an out.  Tug McGraw was called in for long relief and was credited with his first victory of the season.  He limited Montreal to one earned run on five hits and two walks, with seven strikeouts through 6.1 innings of work.  Nolan Ryan picked up his first save the hard way, walking a pair and serving up Staub's home run over the final 1.2 innings of the game.