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 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 9/10/1969: 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 9/6/1969: 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 8/10/1969: Three Mets Pitchers Join to Whitewash Braves

From the desk of: HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

AMAZIN'

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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 8/9/1969: 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 8/5/1969: 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 8/4/1969: Mets Whitewashed at Crosley Field

From the desk of:  HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

AMAZIN'

THE MIRACLE METS

50th ANNIVERSARY

Game #103: Monday, August 4, 1969 - BR
New York Mets @ Cincinnati Reds
Crosley Field

On July 25, Jerry Koosman and Cincinnati's Jim Maloney duel for seven scoreless innings in a game Ron Taylor and the Mets ultimately win at Shea Stadium.  In Monday's rematch at Crosley Field, the Reds manufacture a one run lead in the third courtesy of an Alex Johnson sac-fly to right scoring Pete Rose from third. Jim Maloney takes care of the rest, almost.  He comes one out short of a complete game whitewashing of the Mets.  With two outs in the top of the ninth he walks Cleon Jones.  Manager Dave Bristol wastes no time in bringing in reliever Wayne Granger whom retires Wayne Garrett on a grounder to second base.  Maloney improves to 5-2 with a 2.41 ERA.  Granger earns his 15th save of the season.  Hard luck loser Jerry Koosman yields just one run on five hits and three walks with three strikeouts through seven innings pitched.  He falls to 8-7 on the season but still boasts a 2.04 ERA.  Tommie Agee and Wayne Garrett account for the Mets only two hits.  They fall to 5-7 over their last twelve games.  While Monday's road trip opening loss drops them 7.5 games behind the first place Cubs, their largest deficit since Independence Day.

• Mets Record: 58-45
• N.L. East: 2nd; 7.5 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 7/25/1969: Mets Take Koosman Off the Hook Against Reds

From the desk of:  HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

AMAZIN'

THE MIRACLE METS

50th ANNIVERSARY

Game #94: Friday, July 25, 1969 - BR

Cincinnati Reds @ New York Mets

Shea Stadium

For seven innings Reds starter Jim Maloney and Jerry Koosman duel in game two at Shea Stadium.  Maloney allows just one earned run on five hits and four walks with one strikeout before exiting on the winning side of Friday night's affair.  Koosman on the other hand yields three earned runs on six hits and one walk with five strikeouts through seven, but with a little help from his friends escapes with a no decision.  A two run home run by J.C. Martin and an RBI from Wayne Garrett in the eighth put the Met ahead en route to a 4-3 final.  Ron Taylor gives up just one hit in two innings for the win, improving his record to 5-2 with a 2.19 ERA.  Art Shamsky goes 1 for 2 with a walk, double, and a run batted in.  Pete Rose goes 1 for 4 with an RBI, and Tony Perez clubs his 28th home run and drives in his 72nd run of the season.  The Mets even the series with Cincy and gain a full game on the Cubs whom lost to the Dodgers earlier this afternoon at Wrigley.

• Mets Record: 54-40
• N.L. East: 2nd; 5 GB

Amazin' Date 7/20/1969: Bobby Pheil Bunt Saves the Day

From the desk of: HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

AMAZIN'

THE MIRACLE METS

50th ANNIVERSARY

Sunday, July 20, 1969
New York Mets @ Montreal Expos
Parc Jarry

GAME ONE #91

The Mets strike first with a pair of runs in the second, but in the fourth the Expos strike back with three.  And therein lies your final score in game one of Sunday's twin bill at Parc Jarry.  Both starting pitchers go the distance.  J.C. Martin draws a one-out walk against Montreal's Gary Waslewski, whom then yields a double to Al Weis.  With two outs Tommie Agee's hit to left delivers home both runners for a 2-0 lead that would last through the third.  Meanwhile Waslewski would surrender no more.  Montreal puts him on the winning side of the ledger in the fourth as left fielder Mack Jones, first baseman Bob Bailey, and shortstop Bobby Wine all connect for solo home runs off Mets starter Gary Gentry.  Otherwise Gentry yields just two other hits and four walks with four strikeouts in a losing eight inning effort.  His record now stands at 9-8 with a 3.36 ERA.  Gary Waslewski allows two runs on five hits and eight walks with six strikeouts over nine full innings for only his second victory of the season.  The Mets go 1 for 10 with runners in scoring position.

GAME TWO #92

With one out in the top of the ninth and the game knotted at two, Jerry Grote is pinch hit for by Cleon Jones whom draws a bases loaded walk to put the Mets ahead.  But Coco Laboy's home run off Ron Taylor in the bottom half of the frame sends the game into extra innings.  With two outs in the top of the tenth inning, Ron Swoboda doubles to left field off Expos relief ace Roy Face and advances all the way to third on an error by center fielder Adolfo Phillips.  Pinch hitting for pitcher Ron Taylor, Bobby Pheil then lays a bunt down the third base line scoring Swoboda with the go-ahead run.  Jack DiLauro earns the victory with a scoreless frame in relief of Taylor.  Starter Don Cardwell pitches very well, again, but walks off to another no-decision after yielding two runs, one earned, on six hits and three walks with five strikeouts through 7.1 innings.  Swoboda is 3 for 4 with a walk, double, RBI, and two runs scored.  Cleon Jones and Wayne Garrett also drive in a run apiece en route to New York's 4-3 victory.  With a split of Sunday's double-header the Mets likewise salvage a four-game split at Montreal.

• Mets Record: 53-39
• N.L. East: 2nd; 5 GB

Amazin' Date 7/19/1969: Expos Upend Seaver in Game Two

From the desk of:  HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

AMAZIN'

THE MIRACLE METS

50th ANNIVERSARY

Game #90: Saturday, July 19, 1969 - BR
New York Mets @ Montreal Expos
Parc Jarry

Tom Seaver losses back to back decisions for the first time this season.  Expos third baseman Coco Laboy opens the scoring with a lead-off home run in the second.  Then with two outs and runners on the corners Remy Hermoso singles home Montreal's second run.  Center fielder Mack Jones doubles leading-off the third and first baseman Bob Bailey singles to right giving the Expos a 3-0 lead.  It is then manager Gil Hodges decides Seaver just doesn't have it.  Jim McAndrew enters in relief and with one out yields a run scoring single to catcher Ron Brand.  Easily his worst outing of the season, Seaver is charged with four runs on seven hits and one walk with three strikeouts through two official innings pitched.  Coco Laboy drives in his second run of the game in the fifth off McAndrew for a 5-0 Montreal lead.  The Expos seemingly try giving the game away in the seventh.  The Mets capitalize best they can on Montreal fielding errors in left field and at shortstop along with run scoring hits off the bats of Wayne Garrett, Ed Kranepool, and Ron Swoboda.  Starter Bill Stoneham regroups to earn a complete game victory.  He yields four runs, none earned, on six hits and one walk with ten strikeouts through nine full innings pitched.

• Mets Record: 52-38
• N.L. East: 2nd; 4 GB

Amazin' Date 7/18/1969: Koosman Goes Distance in Victory Over Expos

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AMAZIN'

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50th ANNIVERSARY

Game #89: Friday, July 18, 1969 - BR
New York Mets @ Montreal Expos
Parc Jarry

With the Mets making their second visit to Parc Jarry, game one pits Jerry Koosman against Montreal's Jerry Roberston.  Art Shamsky opens the scoring in the fourth with his eighth home run of the season.  Expos center fielder Adolfo Phillips returns the favor in the bottom half of the frame when he connects off Koosman with a runner on.  Undeterred, the Mets score twice more in the fifth; Art Shamsky draws a bases loaded walk, and Wayne Garrett's base hit scores Ken Boswell.  However Cleon Jones is thrown out at home in his attempt to score.  Jerry Grote caps off the scoring in the eighth with his second home run of the season.  Jerry Koosman goes the distance, yielding two runs on seven hits and two walks with seven strikeouts.  He improves to 8-5 on the season with a stellar 1.88 ERA.

With Friday's series opening victory over the Montreal Expos, the Mets win their fourth in a row, and their twelfth game in their last 15 games.  Unfortunately they failed to gain ground on the Cubs whom defeated the Phillies at Connie Mack Stadium.

• Mets Record: 52-37 (.584)
• N.L. East: 2nd; 4 GB

Amazin' Date 7/16/19: Slugging Mets Take Series at Wrigley

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AMAZIN'

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50th ANNIVERSARY

Game #88: Wednesday, July 16, 1969 - BR
New York Mets @ Chicago Cubs
Wrigley Field

The Mets win rubber game at Wrigley; close within four games of the first place Cubs.

Said simply, both starting pitchers Don Cardwell and Fergie Jenkins are terrible.  The Cubs rough up Cardwell for four runs on six hits in only 1.2 innings pitched.  The Mets meanwhile tag Jenkins for five runs on six hits.  Tommie Agee finally knocks Jenkins out if the box with a home run leading off the second.  The Mets ultimately prevail by a 9-5 final.  Al Weis hits his second home run in as many days, and Art Shamsky hits his seventh home run of the season.  J.C Martin, Ed Kranepool, Ken Boswell, and Wayne Garrett, also drive in runs for the Mets.  Cal Koonce earns his fourth victory with a marvelous five inning effort, yielding no runs on four hits with a strikeout.  Ron Taylor closes out the game with two scoreless innings in relief of Koonce to earn his ninth save of the season.

Chicago still leads the season series by a slim 7-6 margin.  The Mets and Cubs do not meet again until September.  In the meantime, the dog days of summer are upon us.

• Mets Record: 51-37 (.579)
• N.L. East: 2nd; 4 GB

Amazin' Date 7/2/1969: Mets Defeat Cards in 14-Innings at Busch Stadium

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50th ANNIVERSARY

Game #75: Wednesday, July 2, 1969 - BR
New York Mets @ St. Louis Cardinals
Busch Stadium

Tug McGraw Cages Cards; Tosses Six Scoreless Innings in Relief

On the road again, the Mets rebound from Tuesday's twin bill sweep at Busch Stadium with a well earned game four victory knotting this five game series at two.  However, it takes the Mets 14 innings to get it done.

The Mets add to a 3-0 lead with an insurance run in the top of the eighth.  But the Cardinals finally catch up with starter Jerry Koosman and knock him out of the box in the bottom half of the eighth but not before yielding three earned runs on seven hits and four walks with four strikeouts.  Ron Taylor surrenders the game tying run in relief of Koosman.  Tug Mcgraw then engages the St. Louis bullpen in a scoreless duel over the next five innings.  The Mets finally break through in the top of the 14th with a two-out Ken Boswell hit scoring Tommie Agee from second, and a bases loaded walk issued to Wayne Garrett.  Tug McGraw pitches a scoreless bottom half of the frame to earn his fifth victory of the season against just one loss.

Wayne Garrett goes 4 for 6 with a double, walk, and four RBI.  Donn Clendenon, and Ken Boswell drive in one run apiece.

• Mets Record:  41-34 (.547)
• N.L. East:  2nd; 8 GB

Amazin' Date 6/25/1969: Mets Bow to Phillies in Extra Innings

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AMAZIN'

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50th ANNIVERSARY

Game #67: Wednesday, June 25, 1969 - BR
Philadelphia Phillies @ New York Mets
Shea Stadium

Let us not mince words; the Mets blew a five run lead.

Cleon Jones opens the scoring straightaway with an RBI single in the first.  The Mets add three runs in the fourth on a single from J.C.Martin and a two RBI double off the bat of second baseman Al Weis.  Cleon Jones strokes another single to right in the fifth plating Ken Boswell for a 5-0 Mets lead.

Starter Nolan Ryan keeps the Phillies scoreless through his first five innings of work while striking out eight.  The first hint of trouble comes in the six when Mets killer Larry Hisle drives in the Phillies first run with a triple off Ryan.  In the seventh, a Wayne Garret error contributed to a three run seventh inning for Philadelphia.  Then with Cal Koonce pitching in the eighth, third base replacement Dave Watkins connects on his first home run of the season tying the game at five.

After a scoreless ninth, into extra innings they go.

Opening the tenth reliever Ron Taylor quickly induces two ground ball outs.  However, Dave Watkins follows with a triple to straightaway center.  Left fielder John Briggs then singles back through the box; Watkins scores the go-ahead run.

The Mets load the bases in the bottom half of the frame courtesy of three bases on balls.  But with two out Ed Kranepool bounces out second to first ending the game.

Ron Taylor takes the loss.

The series finale is slated for Thursday afternoon.

• Mets Record: 38-29 (.567)
• N.L. East: 2nd; 6 GB

Amazin' Date 6/24/1969: Mets Sweep Second Straight Double-Header at Shea

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AMAZIN'

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50th ANNIVERSARY

Mets win their third and fourth games in a row upon sweeping Tuesday's double-header against the Philadelphia Phillies at Shea Stadium.

Game #66: Tuesday, June 24, 1969 - BR
Philadelphia Phillies @ New York Mets
Shea Stadium/ GAME ONE

With two runs in the third off Phillies starter Woodie Fryman, the Mets hold on to win game one by a slim 2-1 margin.  In the third, Bud Harrelson triples home Al Weis, and Cleon Jones singles home Harrelson.  Tom Seaver goes the distance, yielding seven hits including a fifth inning home run to Larry Hisle, while walking one and fanning nine for his 11th victory of the season against three losses.

Game #67: Tuesday, June 24, 1969 - BR 
Philadelphia Phillies @ New York Mets
Shea Stadium/GAME TWO

Jim McAndrew and Ron Taylor join to whitewash the Phillies in the night-cap.  McAndrew tosses a gem yielding just two hits and no walks with two strikeouts through eight innings en route to his first victory of the season.  Ron Taylor pitched a scoreless ninth with two strikeouts for his sixth save of the season.  The Mets score four times in the fourth on runs batted in from Art Shamsky, Wayne Garrett, Ed Kranepool, and even Jim McAndrew.  Tommie Agee hit his tenth home run of the season in the eighth.  The Mets knocked Phillies starter Jerry Johnson out of the box after 3.1 innings pitched.

That's back-to-back double-header sweeps for the Mets (Cardinals/Phillies).  Don't look now ... but the Mets are ten games above the .500 mark.

• Mets Record: 38-28
• N.L. East: 2nd; 5 GB

Amazin' Date 6/18/1969: Jerry Koosman Blanks Phillies

From the desk of:  HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

AMAZIN'

THE MIRACLE METS

50th ANNIVERSARY

Game #59: Wednesday, June 18, 1969 - BR
New York Mets @ Philadelphia Phillies

Connie Mack Stadium

Making his tenth start of the season, Jerry Koosman goes the distance in leading the Mets through to a 2-0 victory over the Phillies at Connie Mack Stadium.  Koosman and Phillies starter Rick Wise duel through five scoreless innings until Ed Kranepool finally breaks through with an RBI single scoring Cleon Jones in the sixth, and Wayne Garrett singles home Tommie Agee in the seventh staking the Mets to a 2-0 lead.  The Mets southpaw handles the rest, completing his whitewashing of the Phillies, yielding just four hits and one walk with six strikeouts en route to his fourth victory of the season.

Koosman evens his record at 4-4 to go along with a stellar 1.59 ERA.

The Mets gain a full game on the first place Cubs who lost in extra innings against the Pirates at Pittsburgh.

• Mets Record: 32-27 (.542)
• N.L. East: 2nd; 6.5 GB

Amazin' Date 6/15/1969: Mets Acquire Donn Clendenon From Expos

From the desk of:  HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

AMAZIN'

THE MIRACLE METS

50th ANNIVERSARY

Game #56: Sunday, June 15, 1969 - BR
New York Mets @ Los Angeles Dodgers
Dodger Stadium

• NEWS: METS ACQUIRE FIRST BASEMAN DONN CLENDENON FROM MONTREAL EXPOS.  Clendenon has averaged 16 home runs over the last six seasons with a career high 28 home runs and 98 RBI in 1966 for the Pittsburgh Pirates.  The 33-year old appeared in 38 games in his first with the Expos, hitting .240 with four home runs and 14 RBI through 129 at-bats.  Gil Hodges is likely to utilize him in a first base platoon with lefty Ed Kranepool.  Outfielder Amos Otis was sent down to (AAA) Tidewater after Sunday's game against the Dodgers to make room for on the roster for Clendenon.

Mets Lose Rubber Game at Dodger Stadium: Fall Nine Games Back of Cubs

Los Angeles starter Don Drysdale pitched just well enough to turn back the Mets and help lead the Dodgers to victory in the rubber game of their series at Chavez Ravine.  He limited the New Yorkers to a pair of runs on seven hits and no walks with three strikeouts through 5.2 innings pitched.  Jim Brewer arguably pitched better yielding but one hit through 3.1 scoreless innings with four strikeouts in relief of Drysdale.  Brewers effort earned his seventh save of the season.

Mets starter Jack DiLauro sustained his first loss of the season after allowing three earned runs on seven hits and one walk with one strikeout over six innings pitched.  Cal Koonce and Ron Taylor contributed two innings of scoreless relief.

The Mets scored their only two runs in the third on a sac-fly by Wayne Garrett and a RBI hit from Cleon Jones.  Tommie Agee was 3 for 4 with a run scored.  Right fielder Andy Kasko homered for the Dodgers in the second.  Two more runs in the fourth gave Los Angeles their ultimate 3-2 margin of victory.

• Mets Record:  30-26 (.535)
• N.L. East:  2nd; 9 GB