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 10/6/1969: 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 9/22/1969: Victory Over Cards Reduces Mets Magic Number to Three

From the desk of: HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

AMAZIN'

THE MIRACLE METS

50th ANNIVERSARY

Game #155: Monday, September 22, 1969 - BR
St. Louis Cardinals @ New York Mets
Shea Stadium

TOM SEAVER WINS 24th GAME OF SEASON

The Mets welcome St. Louis to Shea Stadium where they defeat the Cardinals 3-1 and reduce their magic number to clinch the N.L. East flag to three games.  Tom Seaver limits the Redbirds to just one late run in the eighth on four total hits and no walks with four strikeouts through nine complete innings for his 24th victory of the season against seven losses with a 2.28 ERA.  Seaver also helps himself out at the plate with his sixth run batted in of the season.  Tommie Agee and Art Shamsky drive in a run apiece for a 3-1 Mets victory.  Art Shamsky has 18 hits and ten runs batted in over his last 18 games.  The Cubs were idle, and so the Mets increase their lead to five games over Chicago with seven left to play.

• Mets Record: 94-61
• N.L. East: 1st Place; 5 Games Up
• Magic Number: 3

Amazin' Date 9/18/1969: Tom Seaver Whitewashes Expos for 23rd Victory of Season

From the desk of: HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

AMAZIN'

THE MIRACLE METS

50th ANNIVERSARY

Game #149: Thursday, September 18, 1969 - BR
New York Metss @ Monteal Expos
Parc Jarry

Following Jerry Koosman's performance on Wednesday, Tom Seaver hurls the second of back to back Mets shutouts against the Expos at Montreal.

With two outs in the first inning, Ed Kranepool singles home Tommie Agee with the game's first run.  Kranepool then hits his eleventh home run of the season in the sixth off Expos starter Bill Stoneman giving the Mets a 2-0 lead.  Tom Seaver takes care of the rest.  He allows no runs on five hits and three walks with nine strikeouts for his 23rd victory of the season.

The Cubs lose to the Phillies at Wrigley Field.  Chicago has now lost 12 of their last 16 games.  Meanwhile the Mets are now 15-4 in September and own a five game lead over the Cubs with 13 games left in the season.

The Mets return home for their final home stand of the regular season.  They will host the Pittsburgh Pirates and St. Louis Cardinals before ending the season on the road against the Philadelphia Phillies and Leo Durocher's fading Chicago Cubs.

• Mets Record: 91-58
• N.L. East: 1st Place; 5 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 9/11/1969: First Place Mets Win Seventh in a Row

From the desk of: HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

AMAZIN'

THE MIRACLE METS

50th ANNIVERSARY

Game #142: Thursday, September 11, 1969 - BR
Montreal Expos @ New York Mets
Shea Stadium

New York completes a three game sweep of Montreal.  Thursday afternoon's 4-0 whitewashing of the Expos at Shea Stadium is the Mets seventh straight win and ninth of September against just three losses.  Meanwhile the Chicago Cubs lose to the Phillies at Connie Mack Stadium and fall two games back of the first place Mets.

Gary Gentry puts his last few appearances behind him by tossing a gem, surrendering no runs on six hits and just two walks with nine strikeouts in a complete game shut out performance.  He evens his record at 11-11 with a 3.62 ERA.  The Mets score three times against Montreal starter Jerry Robertson, and once more off reliever Claude Raymond.  Tommie Agee scores on a passed ball in the third.  Ken Boswell's double in the fifth plates Cleon Jones.  And in the sixth Cleon scores all the way from first base on Art Shamsky's line single to right.  Rod Gaspar caps the scoring in the eighth with a single and run batted in.

• Mets Record: 85-57
• N.L. East: 1st; Up 2 Games

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 9/8/1969: 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

Amazin' Date 9/5/1969: Mets Trounce Phillies; First Place Cubs Arrive Monday

From the desk of: HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

AMAZIN'

THE MIRACLE METS

50th ANNIVERSARY

Game #137: Sunday, September 7, 1969 - BR
Philadelphia Phillies @ New York Mets
Shea Stadium

The Pittsburgh Pirates complete a sweep of the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley.  Coupled with Sunday's commanding victory over the Phillies, the Mets clinch a 3-1 series win over Philadelphia and close to within 2.5 games of first place Chicago who arrive at Shea Stadium on Monday.

Trailing the Phillies 2-3 after five, Ken Boswell scores the tying run on Bud Harrelson's sixth inning grounder to short.  Art Shamsky then drives in the go ahead run and Ken Boswell triples home Shamsky giving the Mets a 5-3 lead after seven.  In the eighth Tommie Agee and Rod Gaspar each drive in two runs apiece en route to a 9-3 final score.  The Mets inflict near all their damage against starter Bill Champion, who yields eight earned runs on nine hits and six walks with eight strikeouts.  Tommie Agee and Art Shamsky each hit first inning home runs.  Making his 29th start of the season, Gary Gentry allows three earned runs on eight hits and one walk with six strikeouts through six innings pitched, but does not figure in the decision.  Nolan Ryan tosses three scoreless innings of two-hit ball in relief of Gentry to earn is fifth victory of the season.

It's the Mets 80th victory of the season, and their 12th victory in their last 17 games.  The Chicago Cubs are 7-9 over the same stretch and presently in the midst of a four game losing streak.  Since Aug. 22, the Mets have gained 3.5 games in the standings.  Jerry Koosman is scheduled to pitch game one against the Cubs on Monday.

• Mets Record: 80-57
• N.L. East: 2nd; 2.5 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

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 8/24/1969: 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 8/19/1969: Tommie Agee Spoils Juan Marichal Gem in 14th Inning

From the desk of: HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

AMAZIN'

THE MIRACLE METS

50th ANNIVERSARY

Game #118: Tuesday, August 19, 1969 - BR
San Francisco Giants @ New York Mets
Shea Stadium

New York City fans old and new pack Shea Stadium once again for game one of a mid-week series against the San Francisco Giants.  They do not leave disappointed, although they may have arrived home a little late.  That's because the Mets and Giants battle into the 14th inning Tuesday evening before a victor is decided.  Both Gary Gentry and Giants starter Juan Marichal work over time.  Gary Gentry allows no runs on just four hits with four walks and five strikeouts through ten innings pitched.  He does not factor in the decision.  However, his mound opponent does.  Juan Marichal whitewashes the Mets through the game's first 13 innings of play.  With one out in the bottom half of the 14th Marichal yields only his sixth hit, but it's a game ending home run off the bat of Tommie Agee.  Tug McGraw completes the shutout in relief of Gentry with four innings of one-hit ball to earn his sixth victory of the season.  Cleon Jones lifts his average back upwards of .350 with three hits in five at-bats, accounting for half of the Mets six hits.  Since getting swept at Houston the Mets are winners of five in a row.  This game ties for their second longest of the season.

The first place Chicago Cubs blank the Atlanta Braves and improve to 12-4 in August.

• Mets Record: 68-51
• 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 8/13/1969: Houston Completes Third Straight Sweep of Mets

From the desk of: HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

AMAZIN'

THE MIRACLE METS

50th ANNIVERSARY

Game #113: Wednesday, August 13, 1969 - BR
New York Mets @ Houston Astros
Astrodome

Thank goodness that's over with!  The Mets had no chance, or so it appeared.

Houston jumps out to a 3-0 lead in the first inning and never looks back.  In fact, starter Gary Gentry never makes it to the second inning.  The Astros not only sweep these last three games from the Mets, it's their third straight series sweep of the Mets this season.  Said another way, the Mets have now lost nine in a row against Houston and close out the season series against their expansion brothers with a 2-10 record.  For what it's worth the Astros now trail the first place Cincinnati Reds by 2.5 games in the N.L. West division standings.  Not so for the Mets whose lopsided 8-2 loss drops them out of second place for the first time since June 2 when they were straddling .500 with a 23-23 record.  The loss also widens New York's N.L. East deficit to a season high ten games behind the first place Cubs.  St. Louis slips into second place nine games out.

The Mets get a run on Bobby Pheil's two out hit in the second.  Their second and final run comes off the bat of Tommie Agee who connects against Astros starter Larry Dierker on his 20th home run of the season in the fifth.  Otherwise Dierker goes the distance yielding just two runs on five hits and two walks with seven strikeouts en route to his 14th victory of the season with a 2.57 ERA.  Gary Gentry takes the loss for his one inning of work.  Cal Koonce and Jack DiLauro join in allowing another five runs on five hits and two walks with two strikeouts through five innings.  At least Don Cardwell closes out the game with two scoreless innings.

Now for the long trip back home after a disheartening 4-7 road trip.

Less than fifty games remain in the Mets season.

• Mets Record: 62-51
• N.L. East: 3rd; 10 GB

Amazin' Date 8/12/1969: Astros Continue Domination Over Mets

From the desk of: HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

AMAZIN'

THE MIRACLE METS

50th ANNIVERSARY

Game #112: Tuesday, August 12, 1969 - BR
New York Mets @ Houston Astros
Astrodome

Different day, same result; make that eight straight losses against the Astros.  The Mets amass eleven hits; Tommy Agee is 2 for 4 with four RBI; Ed Kranepool is 2 for 4 with a home run and three RBI.  But it's not enough as Jerry Koosman gets roughed up for seven runs, six earned, on eight hits and two walks with four strikeouts through 6.1 innings pitched.  Houston first baseman Curt Blefary connects on a three run home run off Koosman in the sixth whom suffers his eighth loss of the season.  Adding insult to injury, second baseman Joe Morgan triples off Koosman in the seventh then steals home.  Dan Gladding earns his second consecutive save and his 25th of the season.  Starter Don Wilson earns his 15th win of the season against seven losses.

The Mets fall nine games back of first as the Cubs whitewash the Padres at San Diego.  It ties their largest deficit of the season.

• Mets Record: 62-50
• N.L. East: 2nd; 9 GB

Amazin' Date 8/10/1969: Three Mets Pitchers Join to Whitewash Braves

From the desk of: HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

AMAZIN'

THE MIRACLE METS

50th ANNIVERSARY

Game #110: Sunday, August 10, 1969
New York Mets @ Atlanta Braves
Atlanta Stadium

New York takes game four by a 3-0 margin over the Braves and clinch the series victory at Atlanta Stadium.  Three Mets pitchers join forces in whitewashing the Braves.  Nolan Ryan makes an abbreviated start allowing no runs and no hits with just one walk through 2.1 innings pitched.  Don Cardwell then pitches the bulk of the game yielding just four hits through four innings.  He earns his fourth win of the season with a 3.75 ERA.  Tug McGraw follows throwing one hit ball through the final 2.2 innings to earn his seventh save of the season.  Tommie Agee gives the Mets a 1-0 lead in the fourth when he connects off Braves starter Jim Britton on his 19th home run of the season.  The Mets score twice more in the top of the ninth on RBI singles from Cleon Jones and Wayne Garrett.  In related action, the Cubs lose to the Dodgers at Los Angeles and thus the Mets gain a full game on the N.L. East leaders.

• Mets Record: 62-48 (.563)
• N.L. East: 2nd; 7.5 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