Amazin' Date 7/3/1969: Mets Take Three of Five at St. Louis

From the desk of:  HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

AMAZIN'

THE MIRACLE METS

50th ANNIVERSARY

Game #76:  Thursday, July 3, 1969 - BR
New York Mets @ St. Louis Cardinals
Busch Stadium

Gary Gentry's Gem Lifts Mets to Series Victory Over Cardinals

With Thursday's 8-1 victory over the Cardinals at Busch Stadium the Mets win the series three games against two.

Making his 16th start of the season Gary Gentry is opposed by veteran and former 21-game winner Mudcat Grant.  Gentry goes the distance yielding just one run on five hits and two walks with five strikeouts.  He improves to 8-6 on the season and lowers his ERA to a 3.08 mark.  St. Louis scores their lone run in the seventh on Julian Javier's base hit scoring Joe Torre.

Leading off the game Tommie Agee stakes the Mets to an immediate lead with his 11th home run of the season.  Things go awry for Mudcat in the fifth as the Mets score four times.  With one out and two runners in scoring position Donn Clendenon drives home both with a single to left.  Grant then unleashes a wild pitch allowing Wayne Garrett to score.  And Tommie Agee draws a bases loaded walk giving the Mets a 5-0 lead.  Runs batted in from Jerry Grote and Al Weis in the fifth give the Mets a 7-0 lead.  Their final tally comes in the eighth on Ken Boswell's RBI double to right.

Onward to Pittsburgh where the Mets and Pirates will play a Fourth of July double-header at Forbes Field.

• Mets Record:  42-34
• N.L. East:  2nd; 8 GB

Mets vs. Yankees: 2019 Subway Series II

From the desks of: 

HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET  and  BLAME CARLOS MAY

Mets/Yankees Split Series 2-2

I - Rain Out

II - NYY 12; NYM 5

III - NYM 10; NYY 4

IV - NYM 4; NYY 2

V- NYY 5; NYM 1

SUBWAY SERIES

New York Yankees

vs.

New York Mets

FROM

41 SEAVER WAY

QUEENS

Welcome back to the second installment of Subway Series featuring the American League's best team taking on the National League's third worst team.  The Bombers are coming off a weekend wherein they score 29 runs on 32 hits through two games against the Red Sox at London Series.  On Sunday, the Mets won their first game in a week and are 3-7 over their last ten games.  With any luck the moribund Metropolitans face a flight fatigued jet lagged sleep deprived strung out Yankees squad when both teams meet Tuesday evening at Citi Field.  Better yet, maybe the entire Bombers line-up all pull their hamstrings considering they're just one day removed from another seven hour return flight back home.  The Mets need all the help they can get considering they're blowing more than half of their save opportunities.

Mets All-Stars:

• Jacob deGrom; selected.
• Jeff McNeil; selected.
• Pete Alonso; selected.

Yankees All-Stars:

• DJ LeMahieu; voted
• Gary Sanchez; voted
• Aroldis Chapman; selected.

AMAZIN'

• During an otherwise stellar ceremony celebrating the 50th anniversary of the 1969 New York Mets Saturday at Citi Field, the organization incorrectly included two members of the '69 roster into their video tribute to those no longer with us whom are still very much alive.  The Mets front office apologized.  How does this happen?

HOLY COW!

• ICYMI: LONDON SERIES Recap and Pics.

GAME ONE

Yankees  2

Mets       4

FINAL

I do not buy into the notion Zack Wheeler was auditioning for the Yankees Tuesday evening at Citi Field.  The teams still strike me as very unlikely trade partners.  That said, Wheeler toes the rubber in game one of Subway Series II.  He throws 116 pitches with 75 (65%) going for strikes, yielding two earned runs on five hits and just one walk with eight strikeouts.  He leaves the game after 6.1 innings with the Mets trailing 2-1 through seven.  The Mets finally break through for three runs in the eighth on a two RBI double from Michael Conforto, and JD Davis's double scoring Pete Alonso to give the Mets a 4-2 lead.  Just as the rains begin falling down upon Citi Field, Edwin Diaz pitches a scoreless ninth and strikes out Brett Gardner to end the game.  Seth Lugo - the latest hard luck pitcher of note - earns his fourth victory.  Edwin Diaz records his 18th save of the season.  Mets pitching issues two walks all game.

Playing left field, JD Davis is 2 for 4 with a double and his ninth home run in the sixth.  Robinson Cano, finally moved out of the three spot and hitting fifth, goes 2 for 3 with a walk and run scored.  Jeff McNeil and Amed Rosario also register multi-hit games.

Aaron Hicks strokes the Yankees lone extra base hit of the game.  Starter James Paxton yields just one run on eight hits and two walks with three strikeouts through six innings pitched.  Adam Ottavino earns his third loss for his work in the eighth.

The Yankees record setting streak of hitting at least one home run in 31 consecutive games ends at Queens.

GAME TWO

Yankees  5

Mets       1

FINAL

Domingo German out-pitches Jason Vargas.  There's your game.

The Yankees starter yields one run on five hits and no walks with six strikeouts through six innings.  He improves his record to 10-2 with a 3.67 ERA.  Jason Vargas surrenders three runs on seven hits and two walks wit six strikeouts through 5.1 innings.  Steven Matz makes a relief appearance in the seventh.  The Yankees get home runs from Didi Gregorious and Gio Urshela.  Jeff McNeil's home run accounts for the Mets only run.

Nets: A Big Three Grows in Brooklyn

From the desk of:  THE HOOPS OF FLATBUSH

ICYMI: 

Were it not for the efforts of D'Angelo Russell 

perhaps the Nets off-season unfolds very differently.

Before a single game of the 2019-2020 season is played, I'd like to offer Sean Marks my heart felt thanks and sincerest appreciation for saving a moribund organization left in ruin by its former general manager, Billy King, whom negotiated a king's ransom for a pair of over the hill court jesters.  This off-season's acquisitions begin a new narrative in Brooklyn which is yet to be written.  When it is Sean Marks will certainly be judged.  For now it can be said his transformation of the Nets in just three year's time is nothing short of remarkable.  How ironic is it that Kyrie Irving leaves the Boston Celtics in order to sign with Brooklyn?  It's downright wicked, I say.  Mark this day.  For the curse of Billy King is broken.

One of Brooklyn's glaring shortcomings last season was a frequent inability for finishing at the rim.  Too often even the best dekes, dribbles, and drives ended erratically.  D'Angelo Russell, Spencer Dinwiddie, Caris Levert, were all guilty: high pick and roll, drive the lane, erratic shot, change of possession.  Kyrie Irving changes that.  I anticipate him fitting into Kenny Atkinson's present system very well.  More to the point, he's more adept as creating his own shot and is a proven accomplished finisher at the rim.

Is he a weird dude?  I don't know.  Weird is as weird does.  And if the Nets are winning, he can be as weird as he wants to be.  In the meantime, will he open himself to Kenny Atkinson's coaching?  I'll let the man speak for himself:

On Monday Kyrie advises us about a man with a goal to fulfill.  On his Instagram Kyrie says he is joining the Brooklyn Nets because "home is where my family is ... Home is where my legacy will continue."  He ends his video saying, "I'm happy to be in Brooklyn."

Sounds like a player motivated to be here.  And why not?  Word of the culture fostered by Sean Marks and Kenny Atkinson has seemingly spread throughout the league.

Although born in Australia, Kyrie attends high school in New Jersey.  Therefore he's no stranger to tri-state area chaos.  After attending Duke, the Cleveland Cavaliers select Irving with the first overall pick of the 2011 draft.  In 2012 he is named NBA Rookie of the Year, and in 2016 with Cleveland captures his first NBA title.  The Nets may potentially shave some minutes from his accustomed allotment so as to not thrust the weight of the world on his shoulders in Kevin Durant's absence.  That may not go over well considering he's accustomed to 33.8 minutes per game.  Then again, averaging just 63.5 games over eight seasons may suggest a need for managing his time regardless.

DeAndre Jordan arrives in Brooklyn with a little help from his friends.  Reports indicate Kyrie and Kevin Durant signed for slightly less money so as to allow their friend being squeezed into the fold.
The soon to be 31-year old eleven year center is averaging a double-double for the last six seasons.  Listed at 6'11", 265 lbs Jordan addresses a second glaring need: interior size and physical presence.

There is plenty time ahead for discussing Kevin Durant's unexpected arrival Brooklyn.  His is a curious situation to say the least.  To that I say nothing ventured, nothing gained.

RESPECT!! Thank you. Be well, and good luck. https://t.co/AckJLvD4yj

— B'klynTrolleyBlogger (@BTB_MikeII) July 1, 2019

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

From the desk of:  HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

AMAZIN'

THE MIRACLE METS
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

Brooklyn Nets: Pair of Premium Free Agents Bum Rush Barclays

From the desk of:  THE HOOPS OF FLATBUSH

WELCOME TO BROOKLYN

Kyrie Irving  and  Kevin Durant

Were it not for the efforts of D'Angelo Russell perhaps this Nets off-season unfolds very differently.

I would be remiss if I didn't first thank D'Angelo Russell and express to him my utmost appreciation.  Were it not for his efforts perhaps this Nets off-season unfolds very differently.  As the story goes Russell is stigmatized as a clubhouse subversive by Magic Johnson and is banished from Tinsletown.  Unconcerned with Los Angeles scuttlebutt, Nets general manager Sean Marks sees in D'Angelo a talented 21-year old whom merely needs a second chance in a new environment.  Russell in his first season under Coach Atkinson receives far less playing time than he's previously accustomed to as a Laker.  I assume that's a hard pill to swallow for a 2nd overall 2015 draft pick, but he demonstrates exemplary maturity in gulping it down.  Russell in turn respectfully buys into Kenny's system, essentially relearning his position as Atkinson's pupil.

In his fourth season and second with the Nets D'Angelo Russell starts a career high 81 games.  Early in the season during fourth quarters D'Angelo is often regulated to the bench.  But that changes with a Caris LeVert injury in November.  Brooklyn ends calendar year 2018 with a sub-par 17-21 record.  But through continued coaching, confidence building, and growing proficiency, the Nets begin playing increasingly compelling basketball.  Brooklyn posts a 25-19 record the rest of the way for a 42-40 regular season finish which is not only a 14 win improvement over the previous season but qualifies them for the 2018-2019 NBA playoffs as the Eastern Conference sixth seed.  D'Angelo Russell plays a major role throughout.  Along the way he sets career highs with 30.2 minutes, 21.1 points, and seven assists per game.  He also establishes new career highs shooting 43.4% from the field and 36.9% from beyond the arc.  In fact, under Atkinson he becomes an NBA all-star.

Displaying on-court leadership qualities, he helps establish Brooklyn's emerging team culture and identity.  Moreover, he relocates to and embraces private life in Brooklyn.  How do we know?  Because he repeatedly tells us so.  In fact, Nets players have done a exemplary job integrating themselves into the Borough.  And for that I applaud them including of course the departing D'Angelo Russell.  He proves himself a great ambassador of Flatbush.

The 2012-2013 Nets previously strain to establish an emotional attachment with newly targeted locals.  Despite a few relatively competitive seasons with a playoff round victory to boot, the initial relationship nevertheless remains cool and somewhat distant.  Attendance figures prove that out.  The emotional attachment and unconditional love a fan base develops with its team and vise versa ignites in earnest this past season at Barclays with D'Angelo Russell, Jarrett Allen, and company spearheading the way.  D'Angelo Russell make a big impact in a short period of time, and I wish him well.

However, D'Angelo Russell was brought in as part of a much greater vision.  With very little to no resources at his disposal, the Nets quick rise to their present condition and emerging state of competitiveness can't go under-spoken.  With just a shade over three years spent rebuilding the franchise from the foundation, up, Marks enters this year's free agency period set on kicking Brooklyn's basketball operation up another notch.

D'Angelo Russell is only 23-years old, and it remains to be seen just how high he can elevate his level of play.  It's actually somewhat unsettling to ponder.  He no doubt caught the league's attention this past season.  Is Kyrie Irving better?  The short answer is yes.  He doesn't turn 28-years old until next March.  Entering his ninth year in the league, he's averaged at least 30-minutes in all eight seasons.  He's also averaged at least 20-points in six seasons of eight seasons.  However, I'm rather unimpressed with his 5.7 career assists.  The Nets were quite erratic and somewhat out of control when assaulting the rim.  Kyrie Irving brings that skill to both create and finish with polish.

We have a whole year to ponder the Kevin Durant signing.

In the meantime, the whole of the NBA's global influence is today focused on Brooklyn.

Moving forward, I'm hoping Sean Marks formulates a plan for locking up Caris Levert and Jarrett Allan.

Amazin' Date 6/29/1969: Tom Seaver Becomes Mets All-Time Leader in Wins

From the desk of:  HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

AMAZIN'

THE MIRACLE METS

50th ANNIVERSARY

Game #61: Sunday, June 29, 1969 - BR
Pittsburgh Pirates @ New York Mets
Shea Stadium

Mets Salvage Series Finale Against Pirates

With Sunday's complete game victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates Tom Seaver becomes the New York Mets all-time leader in wins.  En route to career victory #44 Seaver yields three earned runs on six hits and four walks with ten strikeouts.  He improves his record to 12-3 on the season with a 2.57 ERA.  Tom Terrific also reaches double-digit strikeouts for the second time this season and the seventh time in his career.

The Mets provide Seaver with seven runs getting a pair of RBI each from Ed Charles and Cleon Jones.  Recently acquired Donn Clendenon is 2 for 3 with three RBI.  All seven runs are charged to Pirates starter Bob Veale on seven hits and four walks with one strikeout in only 3.2 innings pitched.  First baseman Carl Taylor who both tripled and homered off Seaver drives in all three Pirates runs.

Mets salvage the series finale against the Pirates as well as snap a four game skid.  They now lead the third place Pirates by three games.  However despite Sunday's victory the Mets fall another half game behind the first place Cubs.

• Mets Record: 39-32
• N.L. East: 2nd; 8.5 GB

Liberty Division Showdown: Long Island Ducks Invade Somerset

From the desk of:  THE WEBBED SPIKES NINE

Ducks lead series 1-0

I - LID 3; SOM 1

II - LID 6; SOM 4*

*10 innings

Long Island Ducks

vs.

Somerset Patriots

Long Island and Somerset enter Friday's game one showdown tied for first place.  Jake Fisher toes the rubber for the Ducks and is opposed by Patriots starter Liam O'Sullivan.  The two engage in a scoreless duel through five.  O'Sullivan yields no runs on just four hits and four walks with seven strikeouts through six innings.  He leaves the game on the winning side of a 1-0 game thanks to catcher Mike Ohiman's home run in the sixth off Fisher.  However, relievers Cody Mincey and Vin Mazzaro join to stop the Patriots cold.

Kirk Nieuwenhuis leads off the top of the eighth off reliever Mike Broadway with a single up the middle.  Deibinson Romero likewise reaches safely with a hit.  With one out, Hector Sanchez connects on a three run home run for a 3-1 Ducks lead.  Mazzaro pitches a scoreless bottom half of the eighth, and Enrique Burgos pitches a scoreless ninth with two strikeouts en route to earning his seventh save of the season.

With the much needed victory Long Island retakes sole control of first place, but only by a game.  The rivalry resumes Saturday evening in game two at Somerset and for game #61 of their respective seasons.  The first-half Liberty Division title hangs in the balance.

GAME TWO

Ducks    6

Patriots  4

10 innings

Three outs away from victory, the Patriots come undone.  Trailing 2-4 after eight innings, the Ducks rally for two unearned runs in the top of the ninth forcing extra innings.  In the tenth, they score two more unearned runs for their second straight victory over the Patriots at Somerset.

Darin Downs pitches well despite a no-decision.  He yields two runs on seven hits and just one walk with eight strikeouts through six innings pitched.  Patriots starter David Kubiak likewise settles for a no decision pitching eight strong innings while surrendering two runs on just four hits and one walk with five strikeouts.

With one out and the bases loaded in the ninth, Deibinson Romero grounds to short.  Patriots second baseman Rey Navarro throws away the relay while attempting a double-play.  Both Ezequiel Carrera and L.J. Mazzilli score on the play.  In the tenth, Vladimir Frias singles in the go-ahead run.  The Patriots then lend Long Island an insurance run on Rey Navarro's second error allowing Ramon Cabrera to score from third.

Reliever Michael Tonkin pitches a scoreless bottom half of the frame en route to earning his first victory of the season.

Long Island enters Sunday afternoon's match with a two game lead over the Patriots.

Yankees and Red Sox Rivalry Invades London

THE RIVALRY

LONDON SERIES

Yankees win series 2-0

BOSTON RED SOX

vs.

NEW YORK YANKEES

FROM

Across the Pond

LONDON

A year ago today the Yankees and Red Sox open a three game series at Bronx County.  First place Boston arrives in town with a 55-27 (.671) record.  Their second place hosts own a 52-26 (.667) record.  The Bombers wind up winning two of three and take over first place by percentage points over the Red Sox.  But whereas Boston stays the course with a 53-27 (.662) record over their final 80 games the Yankees fail to keep pace posting a 48-36 (.571) record over their final 84 games.  The Red Sox clinch the A.L. East at Yankee Stadium and go on to register an MLB best 108-54 (.667) regular season record.  Despite hitting the century mark in wins (100-62) the Yankees must settle for one of two Wild Card berths.  Their one game playoff victory over the Oakland A's at Yankee Stadium sets the stage for an ALDS showdown against the Red Sox.  Boston goes on to befuddle the Yankees in four games, and for a second time within three weeks pop off champagne celebrations in the visitor's clubhouse at Yankee Stadium.  The Red Sox roll on, defeating the defending world champion Houston Astros for the American League pennant then taking out the Los Angeles Dodgers in five to clinch Boston's ninth championship in franchise history.

The Yankees enter this year's London Series in first place of the A.L. East with a 52-28 (.650) record, the same number of wins as last season but with two more losses.  Remarkably they've not only withstood a season long spate of injuries but have thrived to the extent of achieving a tie with the Minnesota Twins for most wins in the American League.  Miguel Andujar has not been apart of the season; they most recently lost Giancarlo Stanton again this time to a knee injury; and still remain without Luis Severino.  Aaron Judge only recently rejoined the line-up.  In the meantime, acquisitions DJ LeMahieu and Luke Voit are becoming stars before out very eyes.  Gleyber Torres is another.  The 22-year old has 19 home runs with 47 RBI in only his second season in the bigs.  This past Tuesday DJ LeMahieu and the Yankees break and set the MLB record for hitting a home run in the their 28th straight game.  With center field at London's facility reportedly only 385' away from home late (Olympic standards), there's a good chance this series devolves into a gas house gorillas skit.

The defending world champion Boston Red Sox enter London Series with a 44-38 (.537) record and in third place of the A.L. East, a distant nine games behind the Yankees.  This season, it appears the Red Sox will be the one sweating out a Wild Card berth while the Yankees run away with the division.  In that regard they must contend with the Tampa Rays, Cleveland Indians, and damn near the entire A.L. West save for Seattle.  Unlike the Yankees, the Red Sox Achilles heel has been their bullpen.  Out of 33 save opportunities, they've converted only 17 for a 51% rate of blown saves.  The Yankees on the other hand are saving 71% of their games.  And therein lies your difference from one season to the next.

True Story: I visited London back in 1989.  A waitress says to me, "Oh, you're from the colonies, are you?  I wanted to respond with something innocuous, but what came out of my mouth was far from that, "If by that you mean New Amsterdam, then, yes, I am."  To my fellow Americans crossing the pond, please behave won't ya!

NO ROUNDERS!

PLAY BALL!!

SATURDAY

Red Sox  13

Yankees  17

FINAL

In a game more resembling Batting Practice With the Stars, the Yankees outlast the Red Sox by an unsightly 17-13 final score requiring nearly five hours to decide.  Each team takes turns scoring six runs in the game's first inning alone.  With a total of 37 hits and 30 runs scored, Saturday's respective pitching performances leave much to be desired.  Parties of both sides are guilty as charged.  The feature match-up pitting Masahiro Tanaka against Rick Porcello never makes it out of the first as each are given the hook prior to recording a third out.  Perhaps we owe #UK fans an apology for treating them to such a poor exhibition of pitching.

The Yankees get home runs from Brett Gardner, Aaron Hicks, and Aaron Judge.  Boston matches them with one home run from Jackie Bradley Jr., and two off the bat of Michael Chavis.  DJ LeMahieu goes 4 for 6 with five runs batted in.  Didi Gregorius is 2 for 5 with a double and three RBI.  Yanks bat 9 for 18 with runners in scoring position.  Yankees are now 9-2 in their last ten trips.

With a 44-39 record Boston now trails the Yankees by ten games.

SCENES FROM LONDON STADIUM

Courtesy my cousin who made the trip.

SUNDAY

Yankees   12

Red Sox    8

FINAL

So what did we learn?  That pitchers need more time recovering from overseas flights?  It's my understanding when flying the body suffers dehydration.  Did pitchers need to better hydrate?  Is that it?  So much for Boston's $500,000 charter flight with all the fixings.  Let's face it, just about every pitcher from both the Yankees and Red Sox whom toed the rubber sucked.  The Yankees outscore the Red Sox by a 29-21 margin.  However Boston out-hits the Yankees 33-32 and hits six home runs to the Yankees four.  The common denominator is the roughly seven hour flight to London.  

Otherwise I have no idea ...

Congratulations London, England, and greater UK on your first ever major league baseball games.  Although the series lacked somewhat the more artistic aspects of pitching, sometimes a good old slug fest works just as well.  Thing about baseball is you never know what you're going to get.

Entering Monday night's action, the first place Yankees own a seven game lead over the Tampa Bay Rays, and an 11 game lead over the defending champion Red Sox.  The Yankees 54-28 record presently tops the American League.  The Los Angeles Dodgers lead baseball with a 57-29 record.

Amazin' Date 6/28/1969: Bucs Extend Mets Skid to Four

From the desk of:  HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

AMAZIN'

THE MIRACLE METS

50th ANNIVERSARY

Game #70: Saturday, June 28, 1969 - BR
Pittsburgh Pirates @ New York Mets
Shea Stadium

Mets rookie Gary Gentry duels veteran and perhaps one day Hall of Famer Jim Bunning through seven innings during which each pitcher yields two runs.  Ed Kranepool opens the scoring with a home run in the second plating Cleon Jones for a 2-0 lead.  The visiting Pittsburgh Pirates strike back in the fourth.  With two outs, left fielder Jose Pagan doubles home Manny Sanguillen.  Then with Bill Mazeroski at the plate, Gentry unleashes a wild pitch permitting first baseman Al Oliver to score the tying run from third.

When Gentry walks Willie Stargell leading off the eighth manager Gil Hodges summons Tug McGraw from the bullpen.  After which Bunning becomes the beneficiary of a five run eighth, two of the unearned variety.  Ed Kranepool's error and another wild pitch unleashed by McGraw are contributing factors.

The Mets would rally for two runs in the ninth on a Cleon Jones home run and a run batted in from Al Weis, but ultimately fall short in a 7-4 final.  Gentry's sees his record fall to 7-6 with a 3.26 ERA.

The Pirates take their second straight at Shea and extend the Mets losing streak to four.  While still in second place the Mets have lost three games in the standings in their last four games.

• Mets Record:  38-32
• N.L. East:  2nd; 8 GB

Metsian Podcast Catharsis: The Aftermath Episode

From the desk of:  HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

THE ROAD TRIP FROM HELL; Ep. #30

A MESIAN PODCAST

with SAM, RICH, and MIKE

With Special Guest

John 

aka

MetsDaddy.com

116 Minutes

STUFF

Fred Wilpon ~ Jeff Wilpon ~ Brodie Van Wagenen ~ Mickey Callaway

Not That Sorry ~ Sunday Crummy Sunday: The Aftermath ~ Jason Vargas

The Road Trip ~ The Phillies ~ The Bullpen ~ The Wreckage ~ The Pain

What in the world are the Mets gonna do with Robinson Cano?

All-Stars ~ No Stars ~ Exploding Stars

Players to wear #30 in Mets History

50th Anniversary of the Miracle Mets

and so much more!

* ART BY CYCLE

Amazin' Date 6/27/1969: Bucs Take Series Opener at Shea

From the desk of:  HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

AMAZIN'

THE MIRACLE METS

50th ANNIVERSARY

Game #69: Friday, June 27, 1969 - BR
Pittsburgh Pirates @ New York Mets
Shea Stadium

For a second straight game Mets bats lay dormant.  Limited to three hits all game by Pittsburgh starter Steve Blass, the Mets score their lone run of the game in the ninth.  But it turns out being too little too late.  Blass strikes out five through 8.1 innings as the Pirates take game one of a weekend series at Shea.

Mets starter Jerry Koosman endures another disappointing loss and sees his record flatten out to 5-5 through 12 starts.  He allows just two earned runs on six hits and one walk with nine strikeouts through seven innings pitched.  Cal Koonce yields one run on two hits with a walk and three strikeouts in two innings of relief.

After climbing ten games over .500 the ever streaky Mets lose their third straight.  Friday marked their 13th game in the last ten days.  Jerry Grote and Buddy Harrelson were given the day off.  Tommie Agee, Art Shamsky, and J.C. Martin who drives in the Mets only run, account for the only Mets hits.

• Mets Record:  38-31
• N.L. East:  2nd; 7 GB

Brooklyn Cyclones: Noah Syndergaard Fans Nine in Victory Over Aberdeen

From the desk of:  THE CONEY ISLAND NINE

Tuesday

Brooklyn Cyclones  7

Aberdeen Ironbirds  4

FINAL

Noah Syndergaard on rehab assignment (hamstring) from the New York Mets joins the Brooklyn Cyclones on their road trip to Aberdeen were he climbs the bump against the Ironbirds on Tuesday.  He yields three runs on five hits (including a two run home run in the sixth inning) with no walks and nine strikeouts through five full innings pitched.  He throws 67 pitches with 56 (83%) going for strikes, and exits with Brooklyn leading 4-3 after five.

• Aberdeen Ironbirds center fielder and lead-off batter Johnny Rizer homers off Noah Syndergaard in his first game, and only his third at-bat as a professional.

Brooklyn jumps out to a 4-0 lead in the top of the fifth on runs batted in from recent returnee Gavin Cecchini, shortstop Yoel Romero, DH Nic Gaddis, and center fielder Ranfy Adon.  By the fifth however, Aberdeen cuts their deficit to one.  In the top of the sixth Adon connects on a two run home run for a 6-3 Brooklyn lead.  Both teams trade a run each the seventh.

Cyclones reliever Matt Mullenbach is summoned to pitch the ninth inning and promptly walks the bases loaded  He then walks a fifth straight batter making it a 7-6 Cyclones lead.  Manager Edgardo Alfonzo can't yank him fast enough.  Reliever Luis Silva inherits the crisis.  In steps Johnny Rizer who's fly to center is too shallow for runners to tag.  However, shortstop Clay Fisher's fly to center this time is deep enough for the runner to score from third making it a 7-6 affair.  With two outs designated hitter Maverick Handley follows with a sharply struck liner to left snatched out of the air by left fielder Jaylen Ferguson.

Game over.

The Cyclones victory gets them back to .500, and a half-game back of the first place Hudson Valley Renegades.

Amazin' Date 6/26/1969: Phillies Deal Don Cardwell Another Hard Luck Loss

From the desk of:  HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

AMAZIN'

THE MIRACLE METS

50th ANNIVERSARY

Game #68: Thursday, June 26, 1969 - BR
Philadelphia Phillies @ New York Mets
Shea Stadium

How can you not feel for Don Cardwell after another fine appearance is rewarded with yet another hard luck loss?  Such is his three year odyssey with the Mets.  Facing off against Philadelphia's Grant Jackson for the second time in nine days, Cardwell allows just two runs on seven hits and one walk with two strikeouts over 7.1 innings pitched.  The Mets bats however lay dormant.  Grant Jackson goes the distance in whitewashing the Mets, allowing four hits and four walks with ten strikeouts for his eighth victory of the season.  Cardwell despite lowering is ERA to a 3.23 mark sees his record drop to a ponderous 2-8 mark.

Cleon Jones, 2 for 4, with a double, accounts for half of the Mets total hits.  Larry Hisle continues his onslaught against the Mets with two more hits (double) and two runs scored.

After sweeping Tuesday's double-header, the Mets settle for a four game split with Philadelphia.

Next up: the Pittsburgh Pirates visit Shea Stadium.

• Mets Record: 38-30
• N.L. East: 2nd; 7 GB

L.I. Ducks: Time and Division Lead Running Short

From the desk of:  THE WEBBED SPIKES NINE

Ducks Defeat Barnstormers 3-1

I - LAN 4; LID 3

II - LID 12; LAN 8

III - LID 4; LAN 3

IV - LID 7; LAN 4

Pressure On Flock To Avoid Getting Stung by Bees

Wins and time are increasingly of the essence.  First place Long Island enters Tuesday's action with a league best 35-21 (.625) record.  They're presently staked to a precarious 1.5 game lead over Somerset, and a three game lead over the expansion High Point Rockers.  A mere 13 games remain before the all-star break and conclusion of the season's first half.  They Ducks have been perched atop the standings for much of the season making the Liberty Division theirs to lose.  That said, they host the New Britain Bees this week before heading back to Somerset for what should amount to another fierce battle for first place against the Patriots.

The Bees may be in last place of the Liberty Division, but they're only five games out of first.  The entire division is playing above .500 baseball.  New Britain enters Bethpage Ballpark with a 30-26 record, and like the Ducks enter the series winners of three in a row.

New Britain Bees

vs.

Long Island Ducks

FROM 

THE POND

David Washington is tied for the league lead with 16 home runs, and is third with 40 RBI.  Kirk Nieuwenhuis is second on the team with ten home runs and 35 runs batted in.  L.J.Mazzilli leads the team with 14 doubles.  Despite hitting the league's second most home runs the Ducks are only sixth in runs scored.

As we know, nine pitchers have had their contracts purchased this season from the Ducks.  Yet, the Flock continues getting clutch performances from those still donning a Long Island uniform.  On Friday the Ducks split a double-header against Lancaster, while getting a respectable five inning start from Joe Iorio.  On Saturday, Jake Fisher turns in an effective veteran effort to earn his fourth victory of the season.  In Sunday's series finale, the Ducks get an abbreviated albeit arguably effective start from Darin Downs.

The ongoing question remains: do they have enough starting pitching to see this first half through to a pennant?

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

From the desk of:  HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

AMAZIN'

THE MIRACLE METS

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