centerfield maz

The 1962 Mets lost a record 120 games in their inaugural season. As for winning games it was a rough season, but the fanbase grew in spite of its losing efforts as it was more important to establish National League baseball back to New York City.  The old fans of the New York Giants & Brooklyn Dodgers took to the Mets as well as a whole new generation of loyal fans starting what was to be one one of the games largest & loyal fan bases. In that zany season, there were many low lights as well as highlights. During the first week of August Mets slugger Frank Thomas also known as "the Big Donkey" brought some excitement to the old Polo Grounds. Wednesday August 1st,1962:   Casey Stengel’s Mets (26-77) were a distant 43 games out of first place. On this night, they hosted Gene Mauch’s seventh place Philadelphia Phillies (50-58).  In the top of the 1st, The Phillies Tony Taylor reached on a Mets error at short by Charlie Neal.  Don Demeter then hit a two run HR ...

Sunday, August 1st, 1999:  Bobby Valentines Mets (66-43) were boasting one the league's best records, trailing the Atlanta Braves by just a half game in the NL East.  The Mets had won eight of their last ten games, twelve of their last sixteen. This afternoon they were at Wrigley Field for the rubber game of the three-game set against Jim Riggleman's last place Cubs (48-54).  A Wrigley Field crowd of 39,222 filled the Friendly Confines to watch Kyle Farnsworth take on the Mets Al Leiter. In June Al Leiter had gone 5-0 winning five straight games, he went 2-2 in July coming into this game at 9-7. In the bottom of the 1st inning,  Al Leiter gave up a pair of singles but also struck out two batters, getting Glenallen Hill to end the inning. gain in the 3rd inning.  In the bottom of the 2nd, he walked Henry Rodriguez then struck out Gary Gaetti, Benito Santiago & Kyle Farnsworth. In the bottom of the 3rd, Leiter started the inning striking out two more...

Tuesday July 26th, 1983:    The Mets had just returned from losing seven of ten games on a road trip that took them through Houston, Atlanta & Cincinnati. Tonight, they opened up a three-game set at Shea Stadium, hosting Joe Torre's first place Atlanta Braves (61-37).  Torre had been the Mets manager from 1977-1981.  On the first game of this home stand, they had beaten the Braves 5-4 in a walk off win scoring four runs in the bottom of the 9th inning. Junior Ortiz & Dave Kingman had both reached on base hits. Then consecutive singles from Hubie Brooks, Keith Hernandez & George Foster won the game. Tonight, 16-year pitching veteran Mike Torrez went up against Rick Camp. Mike Torrez would pitch parts of two seasons for the Mets. leading the NL in losses (17) that season. Torrez was a big influence & mentor to young Dwight Gooden when he first came up to the Mets big league club. Mets pitcher Mike Torrez started out the game retiring the first nine batt...

Tuesday July 30th, 2024:   The Mets came into the game six games above .500 at 56-50 having gone 16-9 in July after having started the month at .500.  Tonight, in front of 27,767 fans at Citi Field, the Carlos Mendoza's Mets hosted Rocco Baldelli's second place Minnesota Twins (58-47).  On the mound Sean Manea (6-4) went up against the Twins David Fest (1-1). In the top of the 1st inning, Sean Manaea issued his only walk of the game, a two out walk to Royce Lewis. He then struck out Jose Miranda for his first of the night to end the inning. After retiring the next four batters, Manea gave up a base hit to Brooks Lee the first of only two hits he would allow on the night. Manaea struck out Byron Buxton to end the inning. In the top of the 4th inning, Manea struck out Royce Lewis & Jose Miranda for his third straight strike out. Carlos Santana then singled for the last Twins hit of the game. In the bottom of the 4th, David Festa walked Brandon Nimmo, then balked & t...

Wednesday July 30th, 1969: Gil Hodges second place Mets (55-42) were playing good baseball thru July, chasing the first place Chicago Cubs. But on this day, they dropped a twin bill to the team that gave them the most trouble in 1969, the Houston Astros. The Mets manager Gil Hodges demanded that his players gave it 100% at all times, no matter what the score or situation was. He also demanded discipline from his team as well. On this day, he sent a message to his team, that no slacking off would be tolerated, not even from his team's best hitter, who was chasing the NL batting title. The incident has become legendary in Gil Hodges lore & in the 1969 Mets story. Harry Walker's fifth place Houston Astros (52-49) came in to play a double header in a wet rainy Shea Stadium in front of 28,922 fans.  First Game: In the first game of this twin bill, the Astros pummeled the Mets 16-3. The game was highlighted by an eleven-run top of the...

Charles Dillon Stengel was born on July 30th, 1890, in Kansas City Missouri. His parents were German Irish & originally lived in the Illinois-Iowa, Quad Cities area. The five foot eleven Stengel batted & threw left-handed. He was a star athlete in high school playing baseball, football as well as basketball. He would play on semi pro baseball & sandlot leagues all around the Kansas City area. Eventually he was offered a contract with a Kansas City minor league team that earned him more money than his father was making.  Casey had a backup plan in case baseball didn't work out, he attended Western Dental school since he always wanted to be a dentist. He would later tell stories about how difficult it was as a left hander to use the right-handed dental equipment. His dental school background also helped him negotiate a contract in baseball.  Casey Stengel Brooklyn Superbas Originally,  he was signed as a pitcher, but he ran fa...