Amazin' Date 10/6/1969: Mets Sweep Braves To Capture National League Pennant

From the desk of: HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

AMAZIN'

THE MIRACLE METS
50th ANNIVERSARY

NATIONAL LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES

GAME THREE

Braves   4

Mets       7

FINAL

METS WIN NATIONAL LEAGUE PENNANT

Sweep Three Games From Atlanta Braves;

Punch Ticket to World Series

With fans reveling on the playing field, underneath the stands at Shea Stadium Mr. Charles Shipman Payson during an euphoric post-game locker room celebration expresses his greatest tragedy is that his wife Joan was unable to attend and witness what her team had just accomplished.  While the Mets matriarch is indeed feeling under the weather, her National League club is toast of the town and will represent New York in this season's Fall Classic.

FIRST EVER PLAYOFF GAME AT SHEA STADIUM

In speaking with Ralph Kiner manager Gil Hodges acknowledges the irony of his team being predicated on strong pitching yet handily out-slugging the heavy hitting Atlanta Braves.  And for good reason as the Mets strike for 37 hits, and out score Atlanta by a 27-15 margin through three games.

THREE HOME RUNS POWER METS TO CLINCHING VICTORY

• GAME THREE: Monday, October 6, 1969 - BR

The Mets merely pick up where they leave off on Sunday.  But not before Hank Aaron short circuits an electrified crowd at Shea Stadium in the first inning when he connects on his third home run of the series giving the Atlanta Braves a prompt 2-0 lead.  Soon after center fielder Tony Gonzalez leads off the third with a single to right, and Hank Aaron doubles to left.  With two runners in scoring position manager Gil Hodges risks nothing.  He pulls rookie starter Gary Gentry in favor of flame thrower Nolan Ryan.  The strategy works.  When action resumes Rico Carty strikes out swinging.  After first baseman Orlando Cepeda is issued an intentional pass Ryan catches Clete Boyer looking at strike three for out number two.  Bob Didier then flies harmlessly to left ending the threat.  Tommie Agee punctuates his manager's maneuvering in the bottom half of the frame with a home run off Braves starter Pat Jarvis.  Ken Boswell likewise belts a two run home run in the fifth, again off Jarvis.  However Orlando Cepeda's go ahead two run home run off Ryan in the top of the fifth quickly changes the complexion of the game.  But Atlanta's lead is short lived as Wayne Garrett's two run blast and Ken Boswell's RBI hit in the bottom half of the frame gives the Mets a 6-4 lead.  An inning later Tommie Agee's run batted in makes it a 7-4 game and final margin of victory.  Gary Gentry pitches into the third allowing two earned runs on five hits and one walk with a strikeout.  Nolan Ryan comes up huge for the Mets yielding two runs on just three hits and two walks with seven strikeouts through seven innings pitched for the victory.

New York will face the Baltimore Orioles whom defeat the Minnesota Twins in the America League championship series.  Game one is scheduled for Saturday, October 11, at Baltimore's Memorial Stadium.

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 10/4/1969: Mets Surge Past Braves in Opening Game of National League Championship Series

From the desk of: HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

AMAZIN'

THE MIRACLE METS

50th ANNIVERSARY

NATIONAL LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES

GAME ONE

New York Mets   9

Atlanta Braves   5

FINAL

New York Mets Defeat Atlanta Braves in Game One of First Ever National League Championship Series.

• GAME ONE: Saturday, October 4, 1969 - BR

The New York Mets overcome a 4-5 deficit with five runs in the eighth inning en route to an opening game victory over the Atlanta Braves.  With Phil Niekro on the mound, a passed ball by catcher Bob Didier in the second, and errors by first baseman Orlando Cepeda and center fielder Tony Gonzalez in the eighth inning pave the way for five unearned runs.  Otherwise neither starter is particularly sharp Saturday afternoon at Atlanta.  Tom Seaver yields five earned runs on eight hits and three walks with two strikeouts through seven innings.  He surrenders home runs to Tony Gonzalez in the fifth and to Hank Aaron in the seventh.  Wayne Garrett doubles leading off the eighth inning, and Cleon Jones promptly drives him home with a hit to center.  Art Shamsky then follows with a hit to left.  After which the Braves defense betrays Phil Niekro.  Tom Seaver is the beneficiary.  Ron Taylor throws two scoreless innings in relief of Seaver with two strikeouts to earn the save.  Bud Harrelson goes 1 for 3 with a triple and two runs batted in.  J.C. Martin also drives home two runs.  Ed Kranepool and Cleon Jones drive in one run apiece.

Amazin' Date 8/9/1969: Seaver Edges Out Braves for Victory Number Sixteen

From the desk of: HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

AMAZIN'

THE MIRACLE METS
50th ANNIVERSARY SEASON

Game #109:  Saturday, August 9, 1969 - BR
New York Mets @ Atlanta Braves
Atlanta Stadium

On the strength of Tom Seaver's right arm and a 13 hit attack the Mets take game three of their weekend series at Atlanta.  New York jumps out to a 3-0 lead in the third on a home run from Tommy Agee and Wayne Garrett's two RBI single plating Bobby Pheil and Cleon Jones.  In the bottom half of the frame the Mets are reminded whom exactly they're up against when both Hank Aaron and Orlando Cepeda connect on back-to-back home runs off Seaver.  Atlanta then ties the game in the fourth when Seaver's throwing error permits Hank Aaron to score all the way from first.  But Seaver makes up for his misplay with a lead-off base hit in the top of the seventh, then scoring via Cleon Jones' base hit to left.  The Mets pick up an insurance run in the eighth when Braves reliever Paul Doyle issues Ron Swoboda a bases loaded walks en rout to a 5-3 final score. Tom Seaver improves to 16-7 on the season with a 2.66 ERA.  He yields three runs, two earned, on six hits and five walks with three strikeouts through 7.1 innings pitched.  Cal Koonce picks up his seventh save with 1.2 scoreless innings of one-hit ball with a strikeout for his seventh save of the season.  Tommie Agee is 3 for 4 with with a RBI and run scored.  Jones is 2 for 3 with two walks and a double, and a run scored.  Cleon Jones drives home his team leading 65th RBI of the season.

• Mets Record: 61-48
• N.L. East: 2nd; 8.5 games back

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