Amazin' Date 4/23/1969: Jerry Koosman Whitewashes Pittsburgh Pirates

From the desk of:  HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

AMAZIN'

THE MIRACLE METS

50th ANNIVERSARY

Game #14: Wednesday, April 23, 1969 - BR
Pittsburgh Pirates @ New York Mets
Shea Stadium

Cleon Jones Raises Average to .444 With Three More Hits in Victory Over Pirates.

The Mets benefited from a day off after suffering through Monday's heart-break extra-inning loss against the Phillies.  On Wednesday, the Mets hosted another single game match, this time against the second place Pittsburgh Pirates.

Cleon Jones continued his torrid hitting, smacking three hits off Pittsburgh's Jim Bunning, including a double and an RBI in the first inning staking Jerry Koosman to an instant 1-0 lead.  Ed Kranepool then delivered home the Mets second run of the game in the fourth with a base hit to plate Cleon Jones from second base.

Jerry Koosman took care of the rest.  In his third start of the season, Jerry finally looked like his old self, allowing just five scattered hits and three walks, with six strikeouts over nine scoreless innings en route to his first victory of the season.

FINAL

Pirates  0

Mets     2

Pirates center fielder Matty Alou was 2 for 4 against Koosman with a lead-off double in the eighth, but was left stranded when Koosman caught third baseman Jose Pagan looking at strike three for out number three.  Roberto Clemente was 0 for 3, with a walk.  Willie Stargell did not start, but as a pinch hitter with two outs in the ninth, his fly to right ended the game.

Loser Jim Bunning allowed the two Mets runs on six hits and a walk, while fanning four through six innings.

In addition to Cleon Jones, the Mets got extra base hits from Bud Harrelson and Ken Boswell.  Ed Kranepool leads the team with ten RBI.

After another off day on Thursday, the Mets host an early season showdown against the N.L. East division leading Chicago Cubs.

• Mets Record:  6-8
• N.L. East:  3rd; 4 GB

Amazin' Dates 4/14/1969: Slugger Dick Allen Powers Phillies to Victory Over Mets

From the desk of:  HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

AMAZIN'

THE MIRACLE METS

50th ANNIVERSARY

Game Seven: Monday, April 14, 1969 - BR
New York Mets @ Philadelphia Phillies
Connie Mack Stadium

Mets Open Road Trip With Loss to Phillies; Extend Skid to Four.

It wasn't long after the Mets arrival in Philadelphia when they slammed into their first pothole, Phillies starter Woodie Fryman, whom would stymie the Mets through nine complete innings at Connie Mack Stadium - or Shibe Park to another generation.  But whatever the venue, a loss by any other name is still a loss.  And as a result of Monday's series opening defeat, the New York Metropolitans have now bowed to their opponents in four straight games.

For a fleeting moment the first inning left many with the impression Fryman was surely destined for an early shower.  With one gone in the top of the first, Rod Gaspar singled to left, and with two outs Ed Carles drew a walk.  Ron Swoboda then lined a base hit up the middle, scoring Gaspar.  But Fryman escaped further damage, and for all intent and purpose his troubles ended there.  He limited the Mets the rest of the way to just a pair of scattered hits; a double by his counterpart Jim McAndrew in the fifth; and an inconsequential base hit by Amos Otis in the seventh.  In all, Woodie Fryman surrendered the one earned run on just four hits and three walks, with six strikeouts en route to the complete game victory.

Perennial slugger Dick Allen went 2 for 2, with a home run and two RBI; shortstop Don Money was 1 for 3, with another pair of runs batted in.

Mets loser Jim McAndrew lasted just 5.1 innings, allowing five earned runs on four hits (two home runs) and four walks, with six strikeouts.  Ron Taylor and Nolan Ryan joined on 2.2 innings of scoreless, no hit relief.

Monday marked both the Mets first road, and night game of the new season.

• Mets Record: 2-5
• N.L. East: 5th; 4 GB

Wishing Tom Seaver Well on Another Metsian Podcast

From the desk of:  HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

A METSIAN PODCAST

with SAM, RICH, and MIKE

Host: Me

Sixty Minutes

FIRST HALF: GRAPEFRUIT LEAGUE

Pete Alonso ~ Dom Smith

Travis d'Arnaud ~ Robinson Cano ~ Amed Rosario

Jeff McNeil > Wilmer Flores

TJ Rivera ~ Kyle Dowdy ~ Edwin Diaz

BVW ~ Al Leiter ~ Jessica Mendoza ~ John Franco

SECOND HALF: TOM SEAVER

Health Status of Tom Seaver

On Dedicating a Statue at Citi Field

Upcoming 50th Anniversary Celebration of 1969 Championship

Excerpt from Skip Lockwood's book: his reflections on Tom Seaver