centerfield maz

Monday August 18th, 2003: In an afternoon matinee at Shea the fifth place Mets (54-69) hosted Clint Hurdle's fourth place Colorado Rockies (61-66). The Mets were on a five-game win streak & after today's victory, would have their biggest win streak of the year at six. They had two different eight game losing streaks in the dismal year where they finished fifth under manager Art Howe (66-95). A crowd of 23,865 came to Shea Stadium &as Steve Trachsel (11-7) the Mets winningest pitcher that season go up against Chin-hui Tsao (2-0) In the top of the 1st, Steve Trachsel retired the side in order.  In the bottom of the 1st, with one out Jose Reyes singled to center. Mike Piazza followed with a two-run HR his ninth HR of the year.  Piazza Trivia: Mike  Piazza had missed three months of action with injuries. He had returned just five days earlier, hitting a two run HR & driving in five runs going 6-15 upon his return.      In the bottom of the 3rd, Jos...

Sunday August 25th, 1985:   In 1984 Dwight Gooden had burst on the scene taking the league by storm leading the NL in strike outs (276) going 17-9 leading the Mets staff as baseball's newest phenom. In 1985 he had one of the best seasons any pitcher could have in MLB history, heading into this game the 20-year-old Dwight Gooden was leading the league with a 19-3 record a 1.74 ERA & 2.08 strike outs.  Personally, Gooden was on a 14-game win streak, not having taken a loss since back on May 25th, three months earlier. In that time, he had tossed five shut outs & ten complete games.   From May 25th thru August 20th, Gooden had posted a 1.77 ERA, allowing 28 earned runs while collecting 142 strike outs in 142.1 innings of work. He also had eight double digits strike out games including a season high 16 K game in his previous outing also a shut out. The incredible Cy Young Award season for Gooden reached was about to reach another mile stone as Doctor K was going for...

Sunday August 21st, 2005: Willie Randolph's Mets (63-60) were in fifth place but just six games out of first place &in a wild card hunt. On this day they hosted Frank Robinson's Washington Nationals (69-59).  Kris Benson & the Mets took a 7-4 loss but brought up a young rookie named Mike Jacobs. In the bottom of the 5th inning, Jacobs came to bat as a pinch hitter for pitcher Juan Padilla. In his first career at bat, he hit a three run HR off Estaban Loaiza. Mets Trivia: Jacobs became the fourth Mets Player in franchise history to hit a HR in their first career at bat. Benny Ayala (1974) Mike Fitzgerald (1983) & Kaz Matsui (2004). Mike Jacobs would get the start the next day but go 0-4 in a 4-1 Mets win at Arizona. T uesday August 22, 2005: The Mets had a huge offensive night on this date, scoring 14 runs bashing out 17 hits. David Wright had a multi-three-hit game, driving in a pair of runs. Ramon Castro had a bigger night driving in five...

Monday August 24th, 2015: Terry Collins first place New York Mets (68-56) were up 5.5 games on the Washington Nationals. The Mets were on a roll in the midst of a seven-game win streak. They went 8-1 on a successful road trip through Baltimore, Colorado & Philadelphia. Tonight, the Mets were in Philadelphia taking on Pete Mackanin's last place Phillies (50-75) who were 18.5 games behind the Mets. Tonight's pitchers were Jacob deGrom (12-6) who was on a personal four game win streak, while winning nine of his last eleven decisions dating back to mid-May.  His opponent was the Phillies' rookie Adam Morgan (4-4) in front of 23,744 fans. It looked like a bad start for the Mets as Jacob deGrom gave up three early HRs. In the bottom of the 1st, Ryan Howard hit a three run HR. In the bottom of the 2nd, Cameron Rupp hit a solo shot & in the 3rd, Dominic Brown hit another three-run shot. It was deGrom's shortest outing of the year as he was go...

Saturday August 24th, 2024:  The Mets (67-62) had spilt the first two games of a big series in San Diego with Mike Shildt's Padres (73-57). In August the Padres were 13-6 moving them up to the second wild card spot. After a tremendous July, the Mets were 9-10 in August falling three games behind the third wild card spot.  This was a big series & big road trip for New York as it took them to both San Diego & Arizona who were atop the wild card standings. Today the Mets David Peterson (7-1) went up against the friars Michael King (11-6) in front of 42,284 at Petco Park. In the top of the 1st, Michael King issued walks to Mark Vientos & Brandon Nommo. Pete Alonso followed with his 29th double of the season bringing in Vientos with the Mets first run. In the top of the 4th, with two outs Starling Marte singled to right field. Francisco Alvarez reached on a Manny Machado error & Jeff McNeil was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Francisco Lindor then hit a grand slam...

Edward John Hearn was born August 23, 1960, in Stuart, Florida. The Hearn family, Ed his two brothers & sister grew up in nearby Fort Pierce Florida. Ed's parents worked in the printing field owing a print shop in the area. From the ages of eight to ten years old, Ed competed in the NFL's Punt Pass & Kick competitions. At ten years old he won the regional contest at Miami's Orange Bowl & then represented Florida at the AFC Championship Game. Overall he finished in fourth place. In high school Hearn was a  football, quarterback,  baseball & basketball player. That year he began to wear glasses which helped him hit the ball better. In his senior year, he suffered a shoulder injury that haunted him later in his life. Baseball Career:  In 1978 the six-foot three catcher was drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies. Over the next two years he needed two surgeries  which set back the start of his career. When he returned he saw less playnig time ...