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Yogi Berra: The Mets Years (1965-1975) Former Mets Player-Coach & Manager

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After the 1963 season & a sweep by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the World Series, Yogi Berra retired from playing baseball. He had just one at bat in that Series as he ended his Hall of Fame career.  That October, Berra took over as manager of the A.L. New York team replacing Raph Houck. Berra was unsure if he could manage, so he turned down a two-year contract & insisted on a one-year deal. Although he got the team to the World Series, the last one they would play in for another twelve years, they lost to the St. Louis Cardinals in seven games. Even after all his years with the organization, Berra was fired. Across the borough in Queens, former AL New York team GM George Weiss & manager Casey Stengel were now running the Mets, National League baseball team heading into the club's fourth season.  Casey a huge fan of Berra, once said he never played a big game without his man, that man was Berra. The Mets gave Berra a position as a player/coach. With his wife Carmen's...
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Remembering Mets History (1973) Mets Win Mayors Trophy Game- Take 6-5 Lead in Annual Event

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  May 10th, 1973: Since 1963 the two New York baseball teams played an annual exhibition game labeled "The Mayors Trophy Game". Tonight Yogi Berra's Mets hosted Ralph Houck's AL team. The Mets came into the game at 14-14 having won just two of their last eight games.  The previous night the AL New York team had left Minnesota taking two of three, but like the Mets had won just two of their last six as well. In their travels, their plane could not land at LaGuardia Airport due to foggy conditions. The plane was rerouted to Philadelphia where they had to spend the night. They flew to New York the day of the game & went right to Shea Stadium. A crowd of 36,9157 came out to see the battle of the New York teams with Mike Pazik starting for the AL New Yorkers & George Stone for the Mets.  Pazik Trivia: Pazik was a starter for AAA Syracuse not seeing regular MLB action until he was traded to the Twins for Dick Woodson. Pazik pitched three seasons with the Twins (1...
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Remembering Mets History (1996) A Huge Brawl on John Franco Day Ends with a Walk Off HR

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Saturday May 11th, 1996: On this day 23,237 fans came out to Shea Stadium to celebrate John Franco Day. The Mets honored the Brooklyn born pitcher who, was a graduate of nearby St. John's University, in a pre-game ceremony.  The Italian / American John Franco had recently recorded his 300th career save, less than two weeks earlier. On this afternoon, D allas Green's New York Mets (15-19) hosted Jim Riggleman's Chicago Cubs (16-20). Pete Harnisch took the mound for New York, and Kevin Foster for the Reds, in what turned out to be a wild brawling afternoon. In the top of the 1st inning, the Cubs Sammy Sosa hit a two run HR to start out the scoring.  In the bottom frame, with one out, the Mets Jose Vizcaino singled & Bernard Gilkey walked. Next up was catcher Todd Hundley, with two strikes on him, Kevin Foster threw a pitch straight at his head.  Hundley was not happy & neither was pitcher Pete Harnisch.  Hundley ended up popping up maki...
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