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Cal Koonce: 1969 World Champion Mets Pitcher (1967-1970)

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Calvin Lee Koonce was born on November 18, 1940, at Fayetteville, North Carolina. The six-foot right-handed pitcher attended Campbell Town University and signed with the Chicago Cubs in 1961. Koonce was in the major leagues the next season, making relief appearances in his first two outings. On April 27th, 1962he made his first start, pitching a complete game one run victory in St. Louis against the Cards.  One Hitter: On July 13th he pitched the best game of his career, it came at Wrigley Field against the Cincinnati Reds. In the 4th innings he allowed a base hit to the Reds; Don Blasingame, but he then retired the next 17 batters in a row, finishing off a one hit shutout. He pitched well in the first half of the season, finding himself at 9-3 with a 3.63 ERA at the end of August & looking like a future super star. But then he struggled, losing seven of his last eight decisions, finishing up at the year at 10-10 with a 3.97 ERA. He would spend so...
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Remembering Mets History (1973 World Series) Game #6 - A's Even Up the Series

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Saturday October 20th, 1973, World Series Game #6 Oakland Alameda Coliseum, Oakland California Tom & Nancy Seaver arrive in  Oakland . Bud & Yvonne Harrelson Arrive in Oakland Managers Yogi Berra & Dick Williams As the Mets arrived in California, they were one game away from winning their second World Series in four years. The Mets were confident & were feeling good, they had their ace Tom Seaver scheduled to start in a rematch with Catfish Hunter. Yogi's Pitching Decision: Yogi Berra made the pitching decision days before, but it may have affected the outcome of the series.  The Mets went with a three-man rotation which was pretty much the norm in a short series in those days. But the Mets had George Stone ready to go. Stone had become their fourth starter he went  12-3 with a 2.80 ERA & a .800 winning % in the regular season. Since July 14th he had won his last eight decisions.  Stone  had last pitched six d...
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Turkey Mike Donlin: From the Polo Grounds to Hollywood Actor

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Michael Joseph Donlin was Born on May 30, 1878 in Peoria, Illinois. His father was a railroad conductor, he & Mike's mother had six children. In 1886 at age eight, he tragically lost both his parents in bridge collapse. He would have to work as a machinist at the young age & at 15 took  a job selling candy on a train headed to California. He stayed in California & began to play baseball. He knew how to sell himself, once convincing a newspaper to print his picture so he would be recognized, saying it would make him famous.  Turkey Mike: He earned the nickname "Turkey Mike" due to the way he walked. In 1900 he was acquired by the National League’s St. Louis Perfectos, who became the Cardinals. There he was a teammate of third baseman John McGraw who would be important in his life in the coming years. Mike was an excellent hitter but known as a poor defensive player. In 1901 he jumped over to Baltimore in the new American League playing for his former tea...
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