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Remembering Mets History (1970) Gary Gentry Throws A One Hitter At Wrigley Field

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Wednesday May 13th, 1970: The Mets had just left Philadelphia with Tom Seaver tossing a one hit shutout. The Mets went a bit west to open a series in Chicago with the rival Cubs. A small crowd of just over 9,000 came out to Wrigley Field for a the usual afternoon game. Leo Durocher's first place Cubs (16-13), hosted Gil Hodges reigning World Champion New York Mets (16-16). At the time the two teams were rivals as the Mets overtook the Cubs in last years NL East pennant race. The starting pitchers were, New Jersey born, Bill Hands (5-1) facing off against the Mets youngster, Gary Gentry. Gentry was 3-1 with a 1.71 ERA entering the game. In the 1969 Championship season, the rookie Gentry was impressive, but took a back seat on a staff that featured Tom Seaver, Jerry Koosman & Nolan Ryan. Gentry had a fine year & a fine post season as well. In a four-year Mets career, Gentry had some fine outings, today being one of them, as he pitched one of his two career Mets one hitters....
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Remembering Mets History (1970) Tom Seaver Throws His Second Career One Hitter

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Friday May 15th, 1970: A small crowd of just over 6,000 gathered at the old ballpark in Philadelphia, for a meeting between Gil Hodges second place New York Mets (17-16) and Frank Lucchesi's fifth place Phillies (13-20). Veterans Stadium Trivia: The Phillies were playing their last season in Shibe Park which was also known as Connie Mack Stadium. The old ballpark had been their home since leaving the Baker Bowl in 1938. From 1909-1954 Shibe Park was also the home to the Philadelphia Athletics before they moved to Kansas City. The Phillies were scheduled to start the 1970 season at the new Veterans Stadium but the stadium's opening would be delayed a full year.  The Vet was to be one of that era's "cookie cutter" stadiums much like Three Rivers Stadium in Pittsburgh & Riverfront Stadium in Cincinnati. Tonight, the Phillies sent Woodie Fryman (2-0) to the mound against the NL reigning Cy Young Award winner; Tom Seaver (6-1) .  In the bottom of the 1st, Seaver ...
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Remembering Mets History (1972) Willie Mays Returns to New York & the First Place Mets Go On a Franchise Record Eleven Game Win Streak

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background: The 1972 New York Mets started the season without their beloved manager Gil Hodges, as Hodges passed away from an untimely fatal heart attack at the end of Spring Training. The organization was in shock.  Mets coach, Yogi Berra was the popular choice getting named the teams fourth manager. The better baseball choice would have been Whitey Herzog, the Mets head of minor league player development.  That year the Mets traded away the hard throwing Nolan Ryan, to the California Angels for Jim Fregosi. In new York, Ryan was not happy, his pitching was brilliant at times but wild at other times. He still hadn't developed into the Hall of Fame legend he became.  Jim Fregosi a former All All Star was brought in for power but was past his best years. This was one of the worst trades of its era. The Mets also brought in All Star Rusty Staub from Montreal, but gave up three good young players in Ken Singleton, Tim Foli & Mike Jorgensen. Staub would break h...
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Bobby Valentine's Playing Career (1969 -1979)

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Robert John Valentine was Born May 13, 1950, in Stamford, Connecticut. The five-foot ten right hand hitting Valentine was a star baseball & football player at Rippowam, High School in Stamford. Trivia: Valentine is considered to be one of the best high school athletes in the sports history in the state of Connecticut. He is the only player to have his number retired in both sports at his high school. In football he was a half back & in baseball a versatile fielder that could play anywhere while hitting the ball all over the field. He was recruited by the University of Nebraska, Duke, Notre Dame & the University of Southern California. But in 1969, he signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers baseball team. In 1968 with the A ball Ogden Dodgers his manager was Tommy Lasorda who became his mentor & life long friend. On that team Bobby played alongside  Steve Garvey & Bill Buckner . PCL's MVP: In 1970 at AA Spokane, Valentine hit 19 HRs with 80 RBIs ...
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