centerfield maz

September 1978: The 1978 Mets (66-96) finished last place under Manager Joe Torre. One of the few highlights that year was catcher John Stearns. Stearns a three time All Star with the Mets during those dark years, set a record for N.L. catchers by stealing 25 bases. On Opening Day 1978 in a 3-1 Mets win at Shea over the Montreal Expos Shea. Four days later he would swipe his second base of the year, as Craig Swan shut out the Chicago Cubs 6-0 at Shea Stadium, giving the Mets a 4-1 start to the season in front of just 3,751 fans. On April 26th, John stole his second base of the year, coming in a 1-0 ten inning loss to Bert Blyleven & the Pirates. Multi- Steal Game: On May 10th, Stearns had a big day going 2-3 hitting his first HR of the season, collecting a single & drawing two walks. In that game he also stole two bases off the Expos Gary Carter, in the 7-2 win in Montreal. On May 20th in a loss at Philadelphia, he swiped his seventh base, then two days later Stear...

Friday September 5th, 1969:   After a late August six game win streak, the Mets had gone 6-4 on their last west coast road trip of the season. They were in second place five games behind the Chicago Cubs. Meanwhile the Cubs had come off a five game win streak & the previous night's loss was the start of an eight game losing streak that would come thru New York.  Tonight Gil Hodges, New York Mets (77-56) hosted George Myatt's fifth place Philadelphia Phillies (54-80) in a double header at Shea Stadium. The first game was a make up of an April rain out. In the opener, Tom Seaver was taking the mound not only trying for a big team win but a personal goal trying to become the first Mets pitcher to win twenty games. In the top of the 1st inning, John Briggs led off the game with a bunt base hit but he was caught stealing then Seaver retired the next two batters. In the top of the 2nd, Johnny Callison drew a walk, then Deron Johnson followed with a triple scoring Callison w...

Friday, September 6th, 2024: The red-hot Mets hosted the Cincinnati Reds for a three-game set a Citi Field. The Mets entered the game on a seven-game win streak, tied for the third wild card spot. With 21 games left to play every game is an important must win. Tonight, Mets manager Carlos Mendoza sent the Mets team leader in wins, Sean Manea (11-5) to the mound to face the Reds Fernando Cruz (3-8). Manea had won five of his last six decisions dating back to July. In the bottom of the 1st, Francisco Lindor led off with a base hit. It was the 34th straight game in which he reached base as he also reached a career high 16 game hit streak.  After Brandon Nimmo struck out, Mark Vientos hit his 23rd HR of the year, the two-run shot put the Mets up 2-0. In the top of the 4th, Sean Manaea started the inning walking Jonathan India then gave up a two run HR to Elly De La Cruz tying up the game. It was his 23rd HR of the season as well. In the top of the 6th. the Mets put together a two-out r...

After the Pennant:  Following the Mets NL pennant season, the Mets regrouped but did not make any big off-season additions, except pitcher Kevin Appier. As a result, the team did not improve & fell short of making the post season. Piazza started 2001 off with an Opening Day two run HR off Tom Glavine, in his first at bat of the season in  a 6-4 Mets win in Atlanta.  Multi- HR Game: A few days later in the April 9th, home opener at Shea Stadium, where the Mets raised the NL Pennant flag, Piazza hit two HRs & drove in five runs in the Mets 7-5 win over the Braves. The HRs came off Joe Slusarski & Kevin Millwood. It was the fourth  multi-HR game of his Mets career. 200th Career Double: On April 12th, Piazza doubled off the Braves John Burkett, collecting his 200th career double. It was one of six hits in a 1-0 Mets win where Ry Ordonez provided the 10th inning walk off hit. In the first week of the season, thru the first four games Piazza ...