N.Y. Yankees: The Red Sox Are Coming

From the desk of:  BLAME CARLOS MAY

THE RIVALRY RESUMES

BOSTON RED SOX

vs.

NEW YORK YANKEES

FROM

Bronx County Grounds

What a difference a year makes.  This time last season both the Red Sox and Yankees were getting off to sizzling hot starts en route to century mark campaigns.  Fast forward twelve months later, and each team is beset with more problems than a math book.  Both are playing below par; both have demonstrated an unwillingness to best the Orioles; meanwhile Yankees injuries and Red Sox money issues abound.

However, nothing will prove more troublesome for either team than the emerging Tampa Bay Rays.  They were a 90 win team last season which only earned them a third place finish behind the two aforementioned rivals.  For the moment, however, Tampa has turned the tables with an early division lead.

A.L. East

1) Rays         12-4

2) Orioles     7-10

3) Yankees     6-9

4) Red Sox    6-11

5) Blue Jays  5-11

It would have been unreasonable to expect the Red Sox pulling a repeat performance of last year's record setting 17-2 start.  At the same time, no one could have foreseen the crippling number of injuries presently befalling the Yankees.  As such, for very different reasons both teams enter this series on relatively equal footing; albeit unsure footing.  And quite frankly, a two game sweep of this series isn't going to help either team much ... at least not at the moment.

This much is true: the Red Sox are the defending World Champions.  The last time these teams met was last October at Yankee Stadium when for a second time within a matter of two weeks the Red Sox trashed the visiting clubhouse in a triumphant champagne super nova.

They still appear hungover.  

But ready or not, the rivalry resumes Tuesday evening at Yankee Stadium.

Amazin' Date 4/16/1969: Mets Flounder About at Forbes Field

From the desk of:  HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

AMAZIN'

THE MIRACLE METS

50th ANNIVERSARY

Game Nine: Wednesday, April 16, 1969 - BR
New York Mets @ Pittsburgh Pirates
Forbes Field

Pirates Lay Siege With 11-3 Rout of Mets Pitching

Suffice it to say Jerry Koosman's season is off to a rather unpleasant beginning.  Making his second appearance, the Pittsburgh Pirates knocked him out of the box after just 2.1 innings pitched, but not before allowing five earned runs on eight hits and a walk with four strikeouts.  Over his first two starts Koosman has now surrendered nine earned runs on 17 hits and three walks with six strikeouts in only 9.1 innings pitched.

The Pirates went on to treat the Mets bullpen similarly.  Nolan Ryan faced nine batters whom tagged him for four earned runs on four hits and two walks.  Although Al Jackson was able to settle things down with 2.2 innings of perfect ball, the Pirates would strike again with two earned runs on three hits off Ron Taylor.

FINAL

Mets       3

Pirates  11

In all, the Pirates romped to an 11-3 victory over the visiting Mets.  Lead-off hitter Matty Alou set the table for his mates, going 2 for 3, with two walks and three runs scored.  Roberto Clemente was 3 for 5 with a double, two RBI, and three runs scored.  And third baseman Jose Pagan went 4 for 5 with three RBI and two runs scored.  Starting pitcher Bob Moose went the distance, allowing the Mets three earned runs on eight hits and two walks, with eleven strikeouts en route to his second victory of the season.

Ed Kranepool was 2 for 4 with a triple and two RBI for the Mets.

• Mets Record:  3-6
• N.L. East:  5th; 5 GB

Brooklyn Nets: All the Pressure Now on Philly

From the desk of:  THE HOOPS OF FLATBUSH

Where it All Began

2018-2019

NBA PLAYOFFS

Round One

BROOKLYN NETS

vs.

PHILADELPHIA 76ers

Brooklyn Nets: Sixers seem to have more problems than a math book.

Cell phone jokes not necessary ...

• ICYMI: Flatbush Takes Game One 

If Saturday was any indication, the Wells Fargo Center will continue to be a difficult place to play - not for the Nets, but for its own occupants.  The home crowd made that very clear throughout game one.  And for good reason.  The Sixers couldn't throw a beach ball into the Delaware River if they stood mid-span on the Ben Franklin Bridge.

In addition to the Nets, The Sixers are also contending with all the fans pent up frustrations caused by years of planned tanking.  Now the club is being forced to meet expectations.  And the fact that Ben Simmons even mentioned the crowd after game one means (IMO) either the fans, or the pressure of the playoffs, or both, are messing with their heads.

But the true source of Philadelphia's anxiety lies in the status of their star center, whom is still being  hobbled with a bum knee for the better part of a month.  Although Joel Embiid played in game one, he only logged 24-minutes and once again is listed as questionable for Monday's game two.

There's also talk of how Kenny Atkinson utterly out coached Brett Brown of the Sixers, which he did.

#WeGoHard

Jackie Robinson Day the Brooklyn Way

From the desk of:  FINGERPRINTS OF DEM BUMS

Montague Street

Brooklyn Historical Society

MURALS

P.S. 375

Jackie Robinson School

McKeever Place

Flatbush Avenue

Sullivan Place

Duane Reade @ Bedford Avenue

McKeever Place at Montgomery Street

Streets of Park Slope

#LinkNYC

Tilden Avenue

Malcom X Boulevard

Modell's of Bensonhurst

Scrapbook 1947

Brooklyn Historical Society

The Brooklyn Eagle reprints

MCU PARK

Coney Island

Statue of Pee Wee Reese and Jackie Robinson

Jackie Robinson Rotunda

Citi Field

Lou Gehrig; Jackie Robinson; Roberto Clemente

Cooperstown Museum and Baseball Hall of Fame

Brooklyn Historical Society

Cypress Hill Cemetery

BROOKLYN

N.Y. Islanders: Reeling Pens on the Brink of Elimination

From the desk of:  THE BARRY TROTZ PAJAMA PARTY

HAPPY DAYS!

Islanders lead series; 3-0

I - NYI 4; PITT 3*

II - NYI 3; PITT 1

III - NYI 4; PITT 1

IV - TUE. @ PITT

New York Islanders: Sidney Silenced Again; Penguins All But Done; Isles Fans Reaching for their Brooms.

Any remaining questions as to whether Barry Trotz' system would translate into the playoffs are being answered and put to rest once and for all.  Consider the issue a moot point.  The Islanders  commanding 3-0 series lead over the Pittsburgh Penguins says so.

Through three games, Sidney Crosby has been limited to just six SOG and no points in well over sixty minutes of ice time.  Phil Kessell, who leads the Pens in shots on goal, was limited to just one shot in game three.  Even Evgeni Malkin is being marginalized as the series progresses.  He went from tallying two points in game one; to registering one point in game two; to no points on just one shot on goal in game three at home.  Said another way, the Islanders are outright punishing the Penguins and it doesn't seem to matter whether the setting is Long Island or Pittsburgh.

Any lingering questions regarding Robin Lehner are also being put to rest.  Playing on a one year deal, he wound up having one of the best regular seasons of his nine year career, while playing the most significant hockey of his career.  He is now participating in his first playoff since twice coming out of the bullpen for Ottawa during the 2012-2013 playoffs.  Through three games Lehner has now faced 103 SOG, and stopped 98 (.951) of them.

Meanwhile, the skaters in front of him have played fast, furiously, and physically, and are scoring with plenty.  Through roughly 185 minutes of play, the Islanders have so far outscored the Pens eleven goals to five.

Pittsburgh's Garrett Wilson opened the scoring at 12:54 of the first period.  And with regard to the Penguins, that's all she wrote.  Within the next minute and a half, the Islanders would tie the game on Jordan Eberle's third goal of the playoffs, then take the lead at 14:24 on Brock Nelson's second goal of the playoffs.  After a scoreless second session, the Islanders put the Penguins on ice.  Leo Komarov scored midway through the session. Anders Lee finished em off with 1:28 left in regulation.

Amazin' Date 4/15/1969: Ed Kranepool Comes Through in the Pinch

From the desk of:  HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

AMAZIN'

THE MIRACLE METS

50th ANNIVERSARY

Game Eight: Tuesday, April 15, 1969 - BR
New York Mets @ Philadelphia Phillies
Connie Mack Stadium

Mets Salvage Split at Philadelphia: Snap Skid at Four.

Batting against New York's Gary Gentry, Philadelphia third baseman Deron Johnson staked his pitcher to an early 1-0 lead with an RBI hit in the first.  In turn, starter Chris Short limited the Mets to just one hit through his first four innings of work.  But New York would finally catch up to him in the fifth.  Buddy Harrelsson drove in a pair and Tommie Agee drove in another putting the Mets ahead by two.

Leading off the sixth, Don Money's home run brought the Phils to within one.  Gentry yielded three more hits in the seventh; right fielder Johnny Callison's base hit to left scored Dick Allen from third base tying the game at three.

Pitching in relief of Chris Sort, Gary Wagner surrendered consecutive hits opening the eighth inning to Ken Boswell and Cleon Jones.  The Mets then loaded the bases when Wagner mishandled a sacrifice attempt by Amos Otis.  Wagner twice escaped harm by inducing Ron Swoboda and Jerry Grote into ground ball force-outs at home.  But Buddy Harrelson finally made Wagner pay for his fielding error with a hit through the infield scoring Otis.  Pinch hitting for Gentry, Ed Kranepool doubled to left scoring Swoboda and Grote.  All three runs were unearned.

FINAL

Mets      6

Phillies  3

Cal Koonce earned a save for two innings of perfect relief.  Gary Gentry allowed three earned runs on eight hits and three walks, with four strikeouts in winning his second decision of the season.

The Mets gain a split of their abbreviated two game series against the Phillies, but moreover snap their losing streak at four.

Onward to Pittsburgh for another short two game set against the Pirates.

• Mets Record: 3-5
• N.L. East: 4th; 4 GB

Brooklyn Nets: Flatbush Takes Opening Game at Philadelphia

From the desk of:  THE HOOPS OF FLATBUSH

The Dismayed City of Brotherly Love

FINAL

Nets    111

76ers  102

Home Crowd Turns on Sixers as Brooklyn Nets Negate Home Court With Game One Victory at Philadelphia.

Philly is a tough sports town, and Saturday afternoon, they let their Sixers know exactly how they felt.  They appeared less distressed about getting outplayed by the Brooklyn Nets, and far more incensed with their team's own piss poor performance.  While Brooklyn was making it rain threes, the crowd spent the better part of their afternoon likewise raining boos down upon their team.

Oh, the glory of it all.

Joel Embiid, clearly hobbled by a bad knee, nonetheless contributed 22 points, 15 rebounds (11 on the defensive boards,) and five blocks, in 24-minutes.  However, more than half (12) of his points came from the free throw line, not to mention he shot a dismal 0 for 5 while loitering behind the arc.

Jimmy Butler showed up to play.  But the same can not be fully said of a Philly team well stocked with talent.

• Just three scorers in double digits.
• Tobias Harris led the Sixers with 41 minutes but only accounted for four points.
• Ben Simmons: nine points and just three assists.
• JJ Redick: just five points on 2/7 from the field.
• They hurt themselves at the line, converting just 29 of 42 (69%) free throws, but were even more pathetic shooting 3 of 25 (12%) from three range.

The Nets on the other hand, were 24 of 26 (92%) from the free throw line, and an efficient 11 of 26 (42%) from beyond the arc.

Jarrett Allen got into early foul trouble and only logged 10 minutes.  Enter Ed Davis, whom matched Joel Embiid with a double-double of his own, scoring 12 points off the bench and securing a game high 16 rebounds (13 on the defensive end).  Spencer Dinwiddie added another 18 points in 32 minutes off the bench.  Joe Harris played up to his average with 13 points and 3 of 4 form three point range.  D'Angelo Russell led the Nets with 26 points, but Caris LeVert's 23 points off the bench proved most lethal.  In fact, the Nets bench outscored the Philly bench by a 59-26 margin.

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

N.Y. Islanders: Off to Pittsburgh With 2-0 Series Lead

From the desk of:  BARRY TROTZ PAJAMA PARTY

NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE

2018-2019

PLAYOFFS

Isles lead series; 2-0

I - NYI 4; PITT 3

II - NYI 3; PITT 1

III - Sunday @ PITT

Look What the Long Islanders Did to the Penguins ... Again!

After skating through a scoreless first period, Pittsburgh struck midway through the second when Erik Gudbranson converted an Evgeni Malkin feed at the 10:26 mark.  Less than three minutes later Anthony Beauvillier tied the score with assists from Mathew Barzal and Jordan Eberle.

The third period was all Islanders.  Eberle put his team ahead at 7:54 off another assist from Barzal and help from blue-liner Johnny Boychuk.  If that wasn't good enough, there's this:  The Islanders scored a power play goal.  That's right!  Josh Bailey effectively sealed the deal at 11:38 with assists from Anders Lee and Devon Toews.

Sealed the deal with over nine minutes left?

Yep.

There's a reason why the Islanders were the lone NHL team to keep their opponents under 200 goals this season.  With nary a change in roster, thank Barry Trotz and the defensive system he put in place.  Through two games now, Sidney Crosby (on the heels of a 100-point season) has been limited to just three shots on goal and zero points in over 40-minutes of ice time.  That said, they better keep their eye on Phil Kessel who through two games now has 12 shots on goal.

Then there's Robin Lehner.  Whether or not he's the answer to the Islanders goal tending prayers of the last few years remains to be seen.  But where would they be without him?  He has so far faced 77 shots and stopped 74 of them for a .948 save percentage and a 1.93 GAA through the first two games.  In 46 regular season appearances, he posted a .930 save percentage and a 2.13 GAA.

No John Tavares; no problem.  Under Trotz, the Islanders have gone from an 80-point non contender last season, to a 103-point team poised to exact revenge upon the Penguins, whom eliminated them in the first round of the 2012-2013 playoffs.

Amazin' Date 4/13/1969: Bob Gibson and Cardinals Complete Sweep of Mets

From the desk of:  HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

AMAZIN'

THE MIRACLE METS

50th ANNIVERSARY

Game Six: Sunday, April 13, 1969 - BR
St. Louis Cardinals @ New York Mets
Shea Stadium

Bob Gibson Outlasts Tom Seaver; Cardinals Complete Sweep

As if lowering the mound could reel in the likes of Bob Gibson and the growing ranks of pitching elite.

Laughable ...

The reigning National League Cy Young award winner appears to have picked up where he left off last season.  Just ask the muted crowd in attendance at Shea Stadium whom witnessed Gibson and the Cardinals close out a three game sweep over Tom Seaver and the Mets.  

FINAL

Cardinals  3

Mets          1

Despite issuing an uncharacteristic five walks, the St. Louis veteran ace limited the Mets to just one run on three hits, with eight strikeouts en route to a complete game victory.

Tom Seaver was likewise uncharacteristically wild, perhaps more so.  Left Fielder Lou Brock doubled leading off the game, and promptly advanced to third on Curt Flood's base hit.  But with Vida Pinson at the bat, Seaver unleashed a wild pitch allowing Brock to score from third.  Seaver then unleashed a second wild pitch before ultimately issuing Pinson a base on balls.  With one out, Tim McCarver lofted a sacrifice fly to left, scoring Flood.  St. Louis struck against Seaver one last time in the eighth.  Joe Torre's two-out hit plated Vida Pinson for a 3-1 Cardinals advantage.

Tom Seaver endures is first loss having allowed three earned runs on six hits and three walks, with six strikeouts through eight innings pitched.  Cal Koonce pitched the ninth.

Ed Kranepool's double to left and Buddy Harrelson's clutch two-out hit in the fifth generated the Mets only run.  Gibson surrendered just one more hit the rest of the way.

The Mets conclude their opening home stand with a 2-4 record.

Off they go on their first road trip of the season for a pair of games each at Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and St. Louis.

• Mets Record: 2-4
• N.L. East: 4th place; 3 GB

Brooklyn Nets: Flatbush at the Gates

From the desk of:  THE HOOPS OF FLATBUSH

Sean Marks Hired February 18, 2016

2016-2017;  20-62 (.243)

2017-2018;  28-54 (.341)

2018-2019;  42-40 (.512)

2018-2019

National Basketball Association Playoffs

ROUND ONE

(#6) BROOKLYN NETS

vs.

(#3) PHILADELPHIA 76'ERS

Are Hoops of Flatbush Poised For First Round Upset Over Philly?

You can't be disappointed with what you do no expect.  That's exactly what is making Brooklyn's odyssey so enthralling.

Therefore, in the spirit of Ralph Kramden let's get right to the $64,000 question: Can the Nets defeat the Philadelphia Sixers?

My answer: Damn right they can!

Philadelphia head coach Brett Brown admitted as much (paraphrasing) saying the Sixers do not defend pick-and-roll very well (if at all), and will be hard-pressed to thwart Brooklyn's predilection and adroitness for creating space, working from the outside in, and raining three's.

It's no great secret the Nets oft times have difficulty matching up inside against bigger specimens.  Although, since the Clippers game they seem to have stepped up their physicality - smartly I might add.  In this instance, Joel Embiid is of course the X-factor of the series.  Naturally, the longer he remains hobbled by a bum knee, the better off the Nets will be.  For the moment, he's listed as questionable for Saturday's series opener.

Embiid led the Sixers this season with an impressive 27.5 points and 13.6 rebounds per game.  That said, no one is certain how he'll perform until we actually see him in action.  Otherwise Jarrett Allen I believe is quite capable of handling a nonathletic Boban Marjanovic, and helping with any Ben Simmons attempts down the lane.  The onus for Philly will fall on the trio of Jimmy Butler, JJ Redick, and Tobias Harris(?).  That's a scenario I believe Brooklyn is equipped to handle.

Brooklyn and Philadelphia split their season series down the middle; two victories apiece.

Nov.4)  BKN 122; PHI  97 @ Brooklyn

• Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons each post double-doubles.  Embiid scores 16 points with a game high 15 rebounds.  Ben Simmons leads the Sixers with 20 points and 12 rebounds.  Six Nets score in double digits.  Both D'Angelo Russell and Rondae Hollis-Jefferson tied for team high with 21 points.  Caris LeVert added 20 points, and Jarrett Allen scored 15 points with a team high ten rebounds.

Nov. 25) PHI 127; BKN 125 @ Brooklyn

• Nets lose by two.  Jimmy Butler leads Philly with 34 points and tied for team high with 12 rebounds with Joel Embiid whom added 32 points.  However, it was D'Angelo Russell who led all scorers with 38 points; Spencer Dinwiddie dropped another 31 points.  The two joined to distribute 13 assists.

Dec. 12) BKN 127; PHI 124 @ Philadelphia

• Joel Embiid posts a typical 33 points and 17 rebounds.  Ben Simmons follows with 22 points and eight rebounds.  This time, Spencer Dinwiddie leads the floor with 39 points.  Allan Crabbe is next in with 20 points, while D'Angelo Russell is limited to 12 points but ties for game high with seven assists.

Mar. 28) PHI 123; BKN 110 @ Philadelphia

• Philly earns a season split with a 13-point margin of victory.  This time Embiid leads the floor with both 39 points and 13 rebounds.  This is perhaps the first time Joe Harris exerts himself against Philly, posting a team high 22 points and shooting 4/6 from beyond the arc.  Otherwise, Rondae Hollis-Jefferson adds a double-double with 19 points and ten rebounds.

Through the first three regular season games versus Philly, Joe Harris averaged just 11.3 ppg., but was a hawk-eye 6 for 12 (50%) from three point land.  The problem is the Nets will require more than just four attempts (3-pointers) per game from him.  In fact "his here today gone tomorrow" act must end post haste if the Nets are to hang around through an extended series against the Sixers.  What I ask for is a little more consistency; playing up to his averages on a nightly basis.  Granted, he only averaged 13.7 ppg for the season.  Make no mistake; I'm not picking on him.  But we all know the impact a sharpshooting Joe Harris can have in any given game.

No need getting into the triumvirate of Russell/LeVert/Dinwiddie.  And I have nothing but love for Jarrett Allen.  The veterans on this team have been and will continue playing indispensable roles in any potential playoff success.  It's just that when Joe Harris shines hot, the Nets radiate brilliance.

Amazin' Date 4/12/1969: Mets Lose Second Straight to Cardinals

From the desk of:  HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

AMAZIN'

THE MIRACLE METS

50th ANNIVERSARY

Game Five: Saturday, April 12, 1969 - BR
St. Louis Cardinals @ New York Mets
Shea Stadium

Cardinals Starter Dave Giusti Whitewashes Mets; Cardinals Take Second Straight.

Another one-run game, and another loss for the Mets.  In truth, it's a shame either one of Saturday's starters had to lose.  A classic pitching duel; Don Cardwell starting for the Mets; Dave Giusti on the bump for the Cardinals; both turned in complete game gems.

As fate would have it, Giusti factored in, and thus benefited from the lone run of the game.  Leading off the top of the third, the Cardinals starter doubled to left, then came around to score on another double off the bat of Curt Flood.  Vida Pinson followed with the third double of the inning off Cardwell, with Flood holding up at third.  The Mets then issued Joe Torre an intentional pass to load the bases.  The strategy pays off as Caldwell induces Tim McCarver into an inning ending 6-4-3 double play.

Neither team would score again.  The Mets left seven runners on base, and were 0 for 4 with runners in scoring position.  Cleon Jones went 3 for 3, with a walk.  Otherwise the team managed just three other scattered hits off first year St. Louis acquisition Dave Giusti.

FINAL

Cardinals  1

Mets          0

Don Cardwell earned the hard luck loss despite a very quality performance in which he faced just five batters over the minimum.  Through nine full innings he allowed just the one run on six hits and three walks, with three strikeouts.

It's the Mets second straight loss to the Cardinals, and their third loss of the young season.

Sunday's series finale will feature the greatly anticipated match-up between Tom Seaver and Bob Gibson.  After which the Mets embark on their first road trip of the season - a six game swing scheduled for just two games each at Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and a rematch at St. Louis.

• Mets Record:  2-3
• N.L. East: 3rd Place; 2 GB

N.Y. Islanders: Penguins Wilt in Overtime Barn Burner

From the desk of:  Barry Trotz Pajama Party

2018~2019

STANLEY CUP PLAYOFFS

ROUND ONE

Pittsburgh Penguins (0-1)

vs.

New York Islanders (1-0)

New York Islanders Open Fast and Furious; Finish With a Flourish.

What a ridiculously entertaining game.  From start to finish, the old barn shook, rattled, and rolled to the beat of Long Island noise!

The Islanders crowd has been jacked throughout the night. Kudos to them. #NYI

— B'klynTrolleyBlogger (@BTB_MikeII) April 11, 2019

I tweeted the above comment just moments before Josh Bailey scored the game winning goal in overtime.

Fan took the party from the parking lot inside to their seats and raised the roof straight away.  An off-sides mitigated what could have been a goal within the opening ten seconds of the game.  Far from deflated, the Long Island crowd roared on and were rewarded post haste for their boisterous efforts by Jordan Eberle at the 1:40 mark, assisted by Anders Lee, and Adam Pelech.  But Pittsburgh withstood Long Island's bum rush, and had things normalized by 5:42 on Phil Kessel's neutralizing goal.  But that did little to quell the crowd.  At 15:49 of the first period the place popped when Brock Nelson's power play goal put the Islanders up by a goal.

If the second period proved anything, it is the Islanders should be fine if they play the Penguins at even strength.  But if they're going to be prone to mistakes, Pittsburgh will surely capitalize.  Just ask Ryan Pulock who was whistled for interference at the 12:30 mark.  Evgeni Malkin's PP goal at 13:41 tied the game at two.  The Penguins were 1 for 3 on the power play.

A raucous third period ensued.  Watching at home, the crowd oft times drowned out the broadcast.  The house went completely bonkers when Nick Leddy's shot from the point clanked off the left post and behind a dismayed Matt Murray giving the Isles a 3-2 lead with seven minutes left.  However, the Islanders would break one of hockey's cardinal rules by allowing a goal inside the last two minutes of a period.  The Penguins afforded themselves a man advantage when they pulled goalie Matt Murray, and sure enough at 18:31 Schultz shot from the left circle found net.

Overtime! 

But not for long, though.  At 4:39 of the fourth period, Josh Bailey brought down the house.

Amazin' Date 4/11/1969: Carlton Out Duels Koosman; Cardinals Outlast Mets in Series Opener

From the desk of:  HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

AMAZIN'

THE MIRACLE METS

50th ANNIVERSARY

Game Four: Friday, April 11, 1969 - BR
St. Louis Cardinals @ New York Mets
Shea Stadium

Mets Ninth Inning Rally Falls Sort; Steve Carlton and St. Louis Cardinals Best Jerry Koosman in Series Opener.

Time are a'changing, folks.  Baseball is no different.  The latest round of expansion effectually forced each league into adopting a two division format.  You might say the St. Louis Cardinals - in town for a weekend series - are the last of the traditional National League champions.  So too are last year's Detroit Tigers the last of the old American League champions.  Gone are the days whereby clinching the best record qualifies one for the World Series.  Each circuit must henceforth undertake a playoff for determining it's respective league champion.

In his second season managing the Mets, Gil Hodges believes if they can improve upon last year's 26-37 record in one-run games, that the Mets can and should contend for the N.L. East division flag.  The Mets have now played in two such games, and come up sort each time.

Jerry Koosman climbed the bump for his first start of the season, and was opposed by Steve Carlton.  While the Cardinals starter kept the Mets off the scoreboard through the first five innings of play, Vida Pinson, Joe Torre, and Dal Maxvill had each driven in a run apiece staking Carlton to a 3-0 lead.

Cleon Jones finally got the Mets on the board in the sixth when he singled home Rod Gasper.  A subsequent error by shortstop Dal Maxvill allowed a second run to score.  But the Cardinals snatched one right back on Joe Torre's home run in the seventh off Koosman.  In all, Koosman surrendered four earned runs on nine hits and two walks, with only a pair of strikeout en route to his first loss of the season.

FINAL

Cardinals  6

Mets          5

The Mets would touch Carlton for one more run in the eighth, closing the deficit to within one.  And back again came the Cardinals with some much needed insurance.  Third baseman Mike Shannon plated a pair with a double to center off Jim McAndrew pitching in relief of Koosman for a 6-3 Cardinals lead.  The Mets would rally in the bottom of the ninth.  With two outs and Ken Boswell on base, Cleon Jones connected on his first home run of the season to cut the Cardinals lead to just one.  But reliever Joe Hoerner would strike out Ed Charles looking to end the game.

• Rod Gaspar: 3 for 5; run scored.
• Cleon Jones: 3 for 5; home run; 3 RBI.
• Ken Boswell: 7 for 15 (.466) through first four games.

Mets Record:  2-2

Amazin' Date 4/10/1969: Agee and Gentry Lead Mets to Series Victory Over Expos

From the desk of:  HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

AMAZIN'

THE MIRACLE METS

50th ANNIVERSARY

Game Three: Thursday, April 10, 1969 - BR
Montreal Expos @ New York Mets
Shea Stadium

Tommy Agee homers twice as Mets take rubber game from Expos and notch first series win of the new season.

Young starter Gary Gentry cruised through the first eight innings of his major league debut, surrendering just one earned run on four hits and two walks with four strikeouts.  But he ultimately ran out of gas in the final frame.  With two outs in the ninth, Gil Hodges felt compelled to relieve his weary rookie upon watching Montreal produce three late hits and a run.  Cal Koonce faced two batters in relief of Gentry to earn his first save.

FINAL

Expos  2

Mets     4

Had there been nothing in the way impeding its flight, Tommie Agee's prodigious second inning home run off Expos starter Larry Jaster might have landed in Flushing Bay for all we know.  Montreal left fielder Mack Jones claims the ball was still rising when it careened high off the concrete wall behind the upper deck boxes at Shea Stadium.  With only 8,608 fans in attendance, the mad scramble ensued up the ramps in pursuit of the well traveled souvenir.  Agee's second home run in the seventh inning effectively ended Larry Jester's day.  The Montreal starter was charged with all four New York runs on eight hits, but issued no walks and fanned five before yielding to reliever Carroll Sembera.

Ed Charles and Ron Swoboda each drove in a run apiece.  Swoboda would also turn in a defensive gem in the fifth, unleashing a fine throw from left to nail Expos third baseman Coco Laboy at the plate which at the time preserved a 3-1 Mets lead.

Next: the Mets host the defending National League champion St. Louis Cardinals.