THE METSIAN PODCAST: Flipping Fans the Thumb with Baseball Reporter/Analyst Ernest Dove

From the desk: HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

PART ONE:

TWO FANS IN A CAR TALKIN' METS

@THE_SamMaxwell talks one-on-one w/ @BigRedRuckus

⚾

PART TWO:

Baseball Reporter, Analyst, 

Covering the St. Lucie Mets,

Can Be Heard at

SPORTANARIUM.com

ERNEST DOVE

STUFF

Howie Rose ~ Jerry Koosman ~ Retired Numbers ~ Noah Syndergaard

Jeff Cohen ~ Luis Rojas ~ Sandy Alderson

Francisco Lindor ~ THUMBS DOWN ~ Javier Baez

Yogi Berra ~ Gary Carter ~ Keith Hernandez ~ Tug McGraw

and so much more!

👎

#LGM

The Metsian Podcast: That First Place Feeling In June With Faith & Fear In Flushing's Greg Prince

From the desk: HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

With Guest

FAITH AND FEAR IN FLUSHING

GREG PRINCE

ninety-three minutes

 Lindor, Alonso, McCann, deGrom, Taijuan Walker, David Peterson,

 Matt Harvey, the 1978 Mets season, and so much more!

THE METSIAN PODFEST: featuring Subway To Shea Podcast & MetsMusings Podcast

From the desk: HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

This week The Metsian Podcast welcomes Anthony Rivera, proprietor of the Subway To Shea Podcast, to the show.  On the docket: a seven-game win streak, injuries, stock up/stock down, RatCoon, The Dark Knight returns, and a Mets 1977 regular season rewind assist from Gary Mac of MetsMusings Podcast.

 

eighty-two minutes

Calling all fans!  Be on the lookout for players involved with elevating the Mets into first place.  Several of the conspirators are known members of the notorious Bench Mob.  The rest of the team is armed with effective pitching and an increasingly dangerous lineup.  They are reported to have come away with series victories against the Diamondbacks and Orioles at Citi Field and are now thought to be in transit towards the Tampa/St. Pete area disguised in surfer shorts, sandals, sunglasses, and sunscreen.

#LGM 

The Metsian Podcast: Feeling That Rocky Mountain High w/ FAFIF's Greg Prince

From the desk: HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

GUEST

Author and Co-Proprietor 

FAITH AND FEAR IN FLUSHING

Greg Prince

seventy-eight minutes

Jacob deGrom's Gem ~ Marcus Stroman's Craftsmanship

James McCann's Arm ~ Luis Rojas Decisions ~ Francisco Lindor's Presence

The Rest of the Week That Was & The 1976 New York Mets!  

#LGM

Howard Kellman, Broadcaster of the (AAA) Indianapolis Indians Joins A Metsian Podcast

From the desk: HEAD-BUTTING, MR. MET

With SAM, RICH & MIKE

GUEST

Play by Play Broadcaster 

(AAA) INDIANAPOLIS INDIANS

est. 1902

HOWARD KELLMAN

seventy-six minutes

Howard Kellman was born and raised in Brooklyn.  He helped pioneer radio broadcasting of St. John's University basketball games and for the last forty-six years has been the play-by-play broadcaster of the famous (AAA)-Indianapolis Indians.  Established in 1902, the Indianapolis club is the second oldest minor league baseball team in America after the Rochester Red Wings.  Howard is friends with Brooklyn Dodgers great Carl Erskine with whom he worked alongside in the booth, and with Howie Rose, for whom he filled in many times as recently as 2014 on Mets broadcasts.  He takes us through his own near fifty-year experience in the game.  The Indians have variously served as an affiliate of the Reds, Expos, Brewers, and Pirates, thus Mr. Kellman has witnessed the rise of many burgeoning stars.  He recalls the wildly successful Montreal Expos affiliation with particular fondness.  A clear baseball insider, he adds clarity to the ongoing reorganization of minor and independent league baseball.  After which, Mr. Kellman transports us back to 1968 and his recollections of the New York Mets.  To hear more about Tom Seaver, Jerry Koosman, Gil Hodges, Hank Aaron, Larry Walker, Jeff McNeil, Pee Wee Reese, the Indianapolis Clowns and the ABC's, the Brooklyn Dodgers, and the city of Indianapolis itself as told to by a native Brooklynite, then please give a listen.  Great conversation with Howard and partners Sam and Rich; you won't be sorry.

#LGM 

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 10/12/1969: 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.

In Search of a Skipper w/ Greg Prince on Another Metsian Podcast

From the desk of: HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

Out of the Bullpen Hosting for Sam

A METSIAN PODCAST

with SAM, RICH, and MIKE

SPECIAL GUEST

Greg Prince of 

Faith and Fear in Flushing

122-minutes

STUFF

Mickey Callaway and the Replacements

Potential Candidates for Manager #22 of the New York Mets

Brodie Van Wagenen ~ Jeff Wilpon

Frank Howard? ~ Pete Alonso ~ Jacob deGrom ~ Jerry Koosman ~ Frank Thomas!

The Dog Days of Spring

The Who's Who of Mets Blown Saves ~ Edwin Diaz Apology?

New York Giants ~ Ray Perkins ~ Michael Ray Richardson ~ New York Knicks

and so much more..!

#LFGM

Amazin' Date 10/5/1969: Slugging Mets Take 2-0 Series Lead Over Atlanta Braves

From the desk of: HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

AMAZIN'

THE MIRACLE METS

50th ANNIVERSARY

NATIONAL LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES

GAME TWO

Mets    11

Braves  6

FINAL

New York scores early, often, and late, en route to an 11-6 victory, and two game lead against the Atlanta Braves in this best of five National League championship series.

• GAME TWO: Sunday, October 5, 1969 - BR

The Mets knock Braves starter Ron Reed out of the box with haste.  Ed Kranepool's clutch two-out hit with the bases loaded in the first plates Tommie Agee for the game's first run.  In the second Reed issues a base on balls to counter-part Jerry Koosman.  It brings up Tommie Agee whom makes Reed pay dearly with a home run hit deep into the seats in left.  Cleon Jones keeps the line going with a double to left, and Art Shamsky strokes a single to right scoring Jones.  Manager Lum Harris can stand no more and yields to his bullpen before the second inning is through.

The Mets continue pressing for three more runs against relievers Paul Doyle and Milt Pappas.  First baseman Orlando Cepeda finally gets Atlanta on the board in the fourth.  But Cleon Jones' second hit of the game in the top of the fifth stakes the Mets to a 9-1 lead.  Hank Aaron's three run home run and Clete Boyer's two run single in the bottom half of the frame cut the Braves deficit to three.  That is, until Cleon Jones puts the game out of reach in the seventh with a two run home run off reliever Cecil Upshaw.  Jerry Koosman takes his lumps, allowing six earned runs on seven hits and four walks with five strikeouts before yielding to Ron Taylor with two outs in the fifth.  Taylor pitches through the sixth.  After which Tug McGraw closes out the game with three scoreless innings for the save.

Cleon Jones goes 3 for 5 with a double, home run, and three runs batted in.  Ken Boswell homers and drives in a pair.  Bud Harrelson drives in his third run of the series.  Art Shamsky goes 3 for 5 with a run batted in, and Tommie Agee goes 2 for 4 with a home run and two runs batted in.  The Mets generate 21 hits and 22 runs through two games at Atlanta.

The series now shifts to Shea Stadium for game three on Monday.

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 9/27/1969: Tom Seaver Wins 25th Game of Season

From the desk of: HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

AMAZIN'

THE MIRACLE METS

50th ANNIVERSARY

Game #159: Saturday, September 27, 1969 - BR
New York Mets @ Philadelphia Phillies
Connie Mack Stadium

The Mets Amazin' Duo Strike Again

Making his final start of the regular season, Tom Seaver punctuates his candidacy for this year's Cy Young award with a masterful 1-0 performance against the Phillies at Connie Mack Stadium.  This comes on the heels of Jerry Koosman's complete game shutout effort on Friday.  It is Seaver's second shutout in his last three starts and his fifth of the season.  He yields three hits and two walks with four strikeouts en route to his major league leading 25th win of the season against seven losses with a 2.21 ERA, and 208 strikeouts.

Seaver's counterpart also pitches effectively.  Philadelphia's Grant Jackson allows the game's lone run on Bobby Pfeil's two out base hit in the eighth.  Otherwise he allows just five other hits with six strikeouts through eight innings pitched.

Cleon Jones (.343) continues his pursuit of the batting title with two more hits in four at-bats.

It's the Mets seventh straight win and their 22nd of September against just seven losses.  They improve to 98-61 (.616) and increase their division lead over the Cubs to eight games with three left to play.

• NATIONAL LEAGUE EAST: NEW YORK METS
• NATIONAL LEAGUE WEST: The Atlanta Braves win their eighth in a row.  They hold a 2.5 game lead ahead of the San Francisco Giants with three games left to play.

N.Y. Mets: The Great Jerry Koosman To Receive Long Overdue Tribute

From the desk of: HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

JERRY KOOSMAN

#36

With Tuesday's announcement begins the long overdue recognition and commemoration of one of the greatest and most beloved pitchers to ever don Flushing's orange and blue.  The New York Mets will be retiring Jerry Koosman's #36 in a ceremony planned for next season.

Where it concerns my preteen years and baseball heroes, Jerry Koosman, Rusty Staub, and Tug McGraw are my Mets Rushmore of Three.  It's rather impossible for me to differentiate one from the other, and I refuse to include a fourth.

But, Mike, what about Tom Seaver?

What about him ... he was a god to me ... I worshiped him.  He and Koosman formed one of the game's most formidable one-two punches of their era.  But The Franchise inspired in me a somewhat different emotion than did the aforementioned three.  With Seaver it was more a matter of respect, watching with great amazement and admiration as he went about his craft, and understanding that I was witnessing greatness.  He was elite, and therefore I made an unconscious differentiation.  Like most, if not all fans, I was greatly angered when the Mets traded him.  But I didn't love him the way a kid loves his dog.  When the Mets traded Staub and McGraw I felt nothing but sadness and pain.  They traded away two of my three best friends.  By the time it came for setting Koosman free the Mets were a badly deteriorated club.  Therefore I was relieved and happy for Koosman, but at the same time saddened again to see him go.

That being said I just can't bring myself to place a fourth Met on my Rushmore for fear of leaving someone out.  And so Seaver leads my best of the rest list.  He along with John Milner, John Stearns, and Keith Hernandez, David Wright, and, you get the picture ...

With great certainty I say the methodical deconstruction of the 1969/1973 Mets initiated in the mid-1970's effectively cost Jerry Koosman a golden opportunity for bettering his Hall of Fame credentials as he was one of the last of the Amazin's to be let go.  In 1976  Koosman posts a 21-10 record with 2.69 ERA.  Seaver gets traded the following summer and Koosman is left behind to lose 35 games over the next two seasons pitching for a last place club.  In 1979, his first season with the Minnesota  Twins, 36-year old Jerry Koosman posts a 20-13 record with an American League grade 3.38 ERA.

He wins 147 games in a Mets uniform, but none bigger than game five of the 1969 World Series against the Orioles at Shea Stadium.  However, his 1976 campaign is one of my grandest memories as a young Mets fan.  He never won the Rookie of the Year or a Cy Young award, but forever earned a place in my heart.

Today, I'm very, very happy for Jerry Koosman, a great, great New York Met.

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 9/21/1969: 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 9/17/1969: 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 9/12/1969: 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 9/8/1969: Mets Defeat Cubs; Close In On First Place

From the desk of: HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

 AMAZIN'

THE MIRACLE METS

50th ANNIVERSARY

Game #138: Monday, September 8, 1969 - BR
Chicago Cubs @ New York Mets
Shea Stadium

METS NOW JUST 1.5 GAMES OUT OF FIRST PLACE!

With Joan Payson in attendance among an announced crowd exceeding 43,000 plus, the surging Metropolitans hold on for a tightly contested victory in Monday evening's game one showdown against the Cubs at Shea Stadium.  Jerry Koosman makes his 27th start of the season and is opposed by Chicago's Bill Hand.  Tommie Agee breaks the ice with a two run home run scoring Bud Harrelson in the fourth.  Undeterred, Chicago's Don Kessinger and Glenn Beckert open the sixth with consecutive singles.  Next up Billy Williams drives in Chicago's first run with a third straight hit to right.  Beckert scores on Ron Santo's sac fly to left tying the game at two.  But the Mets answer back on Tommie Agee's lead-off double and Wayne Garrett's run scoring single to right/center in the bottom half of the frame.  Jerry Koosman takes care of the rest.  The Mets southpaw allows two runs on seven hits and just two walks with 13 strikeouts en rout to his 13th victory of the season against nine losses with a 2.48 ERA.  Koosman achieves double-digit strikeouts for the third time this season.  Bill Hand surrenders three earned runs on just five Mets hits and two walks with five strikeouts through eight innings pitched.  Tommie Agee continues pounding opposing pitchers with another 2 for 3 day with a double, home run, and two runs batted in.

• Mets Record: 81-57
• N.L. East: 2nd; 1.5 GB

Last Chance For Gas On Another Metsian Podcast

From the desk of: HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

Ya Gotta Believe,

But For How Long?

A METSIAN PODCAST

with SAM, RICH, and MIKE

FEATURING

Sam and I minus Rich

@THE_SamMaxwell     @BTB_MikeII     @MetFanRich

sixty-eight minutes

STUFF

LAST TWELVE GAMES: ATL; CHI; PHI; WAS

NEXT TEN GAMES: PHI; ARZ; LAD

Pete Alonso ~ Wilson Ramos ~ Michael Conforto ~ Robinson Cano

Edwin Diaz ~ Jeurys Familia ~ Paul Seward

Noah Syndergaard ~ Steven Matz ~ Zack Wheeler

Brooklyn Cyclones ~ Edgardo Alfonzo ~ Jed Lowrie ~ Syracuse Mets

Jerry Koosman ~ Ed Lynch ~ Mickey Callaway

Ya Gotta Believe ~ and so much more!

#LGM

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 9/1/1969: Mets Lose Opening Game at Los Angeles

From the desk of: HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

AMAZIN'

THE MIRACLE METS

50th ANNIVERSARY

Game #131: Monday, September 1, 1969 - BR
New York Mets @ Los Angeles Dodgers
Dodger Stadium

New York kicks off September play with a loss in Monday's series opener at Dodger Stadium.  Despite propping up Jerry Koosman with two first inning runs, the sunny California sky comes crashing down upon the Mets as the Dodgers mount a 9-2 lead through four.  The Mets chip away with two runs in the sixth, and two more in the seventh.  In fact they knock Bunning out of the box after yielding six runs, five earned, on nine hits, and one walk.  However the Dodgers score one more time in the home seventh giving them an even ten runs for the game.  Koosman surrenders four earned runs on three hits and a walk before ever recording a second out.  Manager Hodges summons Cal Koonce from the bullpen, whom proceeds to yield another five earned runs on ten hits and one walk through the next 5.2 innings.  Not to feel left out, Jack DiLauro surrenders Dodgers run number ten.  Tommie Agee is 4 for 4 with his 23rd home run of the season.  Duffy Dyer is 1 for 4 with his third home run and two runs batted in.

• Mets Record: 76-55
• N.L. East: 2nd; 5 GB