centerfield maz

September 20, 1967:   With just eleven games to go in the 1967 season, York  Mets manager Wes Westrum resigned from his position.    It was apparent that the Mets were going in a different managerial direction the following season & Westrum was not the guy. The organization felt it was time to move up in the standings & new leader on the field was needed to do that. The club president Bing Devin had a list of new candidates that included Mets coach Yogi Berra, as well as Bill Virdon, Sam Mele, Harry Walker & Westrum's former NY Giants teammate Alvin Dark. There were also rumors that the Mets were trying to bring in former Brooklyn Dodger Legend Gil Hodges who was managing the Washington Senators. Wes Westrum had been a former catcher for the NY Giants (1947-1957) known for his defense more than his hitting. He ranks second all time (to Buster Posey) in Giants history in games caught behind the plate (902). In 1964, Westrum joined the Mets coaching staff, ...

Thursday, September 20th, 1973:  Yogi Berra's Mets (75-77) had been in last place, 12 games under .500 & 6.5 games out of first place at the end of August.  But in that year's NL East, no team ever dominated play long enough to take control. The division was very competitive with five of the six teams still in contention, no more than three games back at this point late in September.  The Mets had suffered with injuries to most of their regular players but at this point had everyone back & healthy. Since that low point in late August, they got hot & were playing good baseball.  They became one of the league's best teams, going 17-6 in that time, finding themselves just 1.5 games out of first place, behind the Pirates. Tonight, they hosted Danny Murtaugh's Pittsburgh Pirates (75-74) in what was certainly one of the most important games of the 1973 season.  It would also become one of the most remembered games ...

 September 19th, 2027: In 2005, David Wright's first full season, which was his second season in the big leagues he drove in 102 runs. He followed up in the Mets NL Eastern Title winning season on 2006, he drove in 116 runs. Entering tonight's game Wight had 99 RBIs. The Mets were on a five game losing streak, having lost five games in the standings over those days. The ship was sinking & they needed a win badly in the series finale in Washington D.C. to avoid getting swept by the Nat's. The Mets sent Rookie Mike Pelfrey (3-7) to the mound to face Matt Chico (5-9). Pelfrey had started the year off at 0-7 then was sent back down to AAA Norfolk. Since returning from AAA Pelfrey was 2-0 with a 2.70 ERA in three games. In the top of the 2nd, Moises Alou singled then Jeff Conine doubles to left field. Paul LoDuca's sac fly scored Alou with the Mets first run. In the bottom of the 2nd, the Nat's Ronnie Belliard doubled then Robert Fick singled putting two men on. Jes...

Thursday September 18th , 1975 : The fourth place Mets (78-75) were now being managed by interim skipper Roy McMillan. Yogi Berra was fired back in late August with the Mets at 63-59.  They entered September four games out of first place but a six game losing streak & going 6-11 in the month up to this game had then fall off to nine games back of the Pittsburgh Pirates. Under McMillan they would go 26-27 & finish third, 10.5 games out of first. Mets Records: The Mets came into the game with Rusty Staub leading the team with 98 RBIs a new team record & Dave Kingman having hit 34 HRs, second most in the NL, having tied Frank Thomas' team record. On this night the Mets hosted Jim Marshall's Chicago Cubs (73-81) who were six games behind the Mets in the standings. A small crowd of 6,336 came out to Shea Stadium on this night to see Amityville, Long Island native, Hank Webb (7-6) take on rookie Donnie Moore (0-0). Donnie Moore Trivia: This was Donnie Moore's thir...