Hero of the 1979 All Star Game : Lee Mazzilli

The 1979 All Star Game was held at the Seattle Kingdome, packed with 59,000 fans and millions of TV viewers. The Mets had the one mandatory player representing the team, he was Lee Mazzilli. Lee came into the All Star Game batting .320 with 9 HRs & 47 RBIs.

The NL banged out two runs in the 1st inning off California's Nolan Ryan, Mike Schmidts triple drove in Steve Garvey & George Fosters double brought in Schmidt. The A.L. responded with three runs off Steve Carlton, the big blow was Fred Lynn's HR. In the 2nd, Dave Parkers sac fly tied it up. The A.L regained the lead, 5-4 going into the 6th inning. Dave Winfield doubled off another Angel pitcher, Mark Clear. Then Gary Carter singled to tie the game. But in the bottom of the inning, home town hero Bruce Botche singled off Gaylord Perry driving in the Sox Rick Burleson for the go ahead run.

The A.L. brought Clevelands relief ace Jim Kern in for the 7th & 8th innings. In the top of the 8th N.L. manager Tommy Lasorda puts in Lee Mazzilli to pinch hit for Gary Mathews. In his first All Star at bat, Mazzilli leads off the inning with a HR down the left field line to tie the game. The score stays tied going to the top of the 9th. Kern tires as he walks Joe Morgan, Dave Parker, & L.A.'s Ron Cey to load the bases. A.L. manager Bob Lemon brings in Ron Guidry to face Lee Mazzilli, Guidry walks Mazzilli on five pitches as the winning run scores from third base. Bruce Sutter shuts the door in the 9th and the N.L. wins the game, with Lee Mazzilli driving in the tying & winning runs.

1950's NY Giants Pitcher Ruben Gomez (1953-1958)

Ruben Gomez Colon was born July 13, 1927 in Puerto Rico. He was known as “The Divine Madman” who loved to pitch in tough situations but was also known to be wild. Gómez, was a rookie in 1953 going 13-11, throwing 3 shutouts with a 3.40 ERA. He was welcomed into the Giant Dodger rivalry, when manager Leo Durocher ordered him to throw at Brooklyn's Carl Furillo. Furillo was so furious, he went after Durocher in the dugout and ended up breaking his hand. Gomez threw at a few others too; In 1956 he hit the Braves hot hitter Joe Adcock on the wrist, when Adcock charged the mound Gomez threw the ball at him & ran to the dugout. He leveled Frank Robinson with a fastball to the head in 1957 sending him to the hospital.

In the Giants 1954 Championship season Ruben was the #2 man, going 17-9 with a 2.88 ERA pitching 221 innings. In the 1954 World Series Gómez won Game #3 in the Giants sweep of Cleveland. He went into the 8th, allowing just two earned runs and four hits. He became the first Puerto Rican player to be a member of a World Series championship team, becoming a hero in his native country. Schools closed the day he pitched in the Series so the kids could watch the game. When Gómez returned to Puerto Rico, a holiday was declared, he was greeted by thousands.

The next two seasons his record dropped below .500 (7-17 in 1956), he was demoted to the bullpen for 10 games. By 1957 he regained form and won 15 games and lowering his ERA under four. In 1958 the Giants moved West, and on April 15, 1958 he became the first pitcher to win a game on the West Coast. He faced off against the Dodgers Don Drysdale at Seals Stadium in San Francisco, and pitched an 8-0 shutout to earn the victory. He went 10-12 and was traded to Philadelphia after the season. After three poor seasons he went to the Indians, Twins and ended up in the Mexican League. In 1967, at age 39 he pitched 11 innings for the Phillies. In 10-seasons, Gómez pitched 289 games, going 76-86, with 677 strikeouts, a 4.09 ERA, 63 complete games, & 15 shutouts.

Amazing Story: One day a young boy begged Gómez to buy a lottery ticket. He did and won $35,000. He tried to share the money with the boy, but the family refused. Instead he went a nearby bank and set up a trust fund for the boy, for when he turned 18. In 2001, Gómez was hospitalized with cancer, a doctor from Mexico requested permission to attend an operation. He was the boy, the fund put him through med school. Gómez passed away from cancer in San Juan in July 2004 at the age of 77.

Former Met of the Day: Mike Fitzgerald (1983-1984)

Mike Fitzgerald was born July 13, 1960 in Long Beach, California. Fitzgerald was a September call up in 1983 and hit a HR in his first MLB at bat; a solo shot off Tony Ghelfi of the Phillies. The next season he was slated in as the Mets regular catcher, playing 107 games behind the plate. He was defensively sound, handling a good young staff. He had the thrill of catching Dwight Gooden in some of his biggest rookie moments, including his one hitter & his 16 strikeout performance. In that game Gooden set a rookie K mark, Fitzgerald contributed with his bat as well with two hits.

He only made 4 errors with over 700 put outs, a .995 fielding percentage and was involved in six double plays. He only hit .242 with no power (2 HRs & 33 RBIs) and led the team grounding into double plays. Fitzgerald was looked at as having a bright future, making the Topps All Star Rookie team, then used as a trade chip.

On December 14, 1984 the Mets made a blockbuster traded sending Fitzgerald, Hubbie Brooks, Herm Winningham & Floyd Youmans to Montreal for All Star catcher Gary Carter. Fitz went on to catch for Montreal for the next seven years, hitting .280 & .270 as career highs in 1986 & 1988.

Today In Mets History: 1977- Henderson & Mazzilli Brighten Up A Long Summer

July 12, 1977: The Mets were down in the dumps, in 6th place Joe Torre at the helm and Tom Seaver gone a month. It’s no wonder a little over 8000 showed up at Shea to see a 3-11 Jon Matlack go against a Chicago Cubs ace Rick Reushel (12-2). Matlack pitched well allowing two runs on six hits pitching into the ninth inning. He gave way to Skip Lockwood who earned the save.

The Mets were scored first in the 5th when John Stearns walked and he was forced out by Mike Vail, who scored on a Lee Mazzilli double. In the 7th Matlack gave up a two run HR to catcher George Mitterwald putting the Mets behind again. But in the bottom of the 7th, Vail doubled and Mazzilli drove him in with a base hit to tie it. In the bottom of the 8th facing the fireman of the year Bruce Sutter, Lenny Randle singled. Then new comer Steve Henderson acquired in the Seaver trade with a lot of hype hit a two run HR that proved to be a game winner. It was his 3rd of the year and it was a happy recap in a long summer at Shea.

NY Giants Don Mueller Hits For Cycle & Six Giants Blast HRs

July 11, 1954: In the opener of a doubleheader‚ at the Polo Grounds, the Giants pound the Pirates 13-7. Don Mueller wastes no time doubling home Whitey Lockman in the 1st inning. Mueller had a huge day hitting for the cycle. He tripled home two more runs in the 3rd, singled in the 5th, and homered in the 7th inning. All in all Mueller went 4-5 with 4 RBIs and a run scored.

Five other Giants hit home runs on the day off four different Pirate pitchers, including three blasts in the 3rd inning by Monte Irvin (his 16th), Whitey Lockman (his 13th) & Alvin Dark (his 10th). Willie Mays hit his league leading thirty first in the 4th inning, raising his average to .331. Mays went on to win the NL MVP Award in ’54 7 led the league in hitting at .345. He also hit 41 HRs on the year leading the Giants to the Worlds Championship.

Sal Maglie got his 9th win of the year and Marv Grissom his 11th save. The Giants increased their lead to 5 ½ games over the Brooklyn Dodgers in the NL. Pittsburgh took the second game of the double header that day.

The Mets Make A Deal- Jeff Francoeur In Exchange For Ryan Church

Omar Minaya and the Mets make a deal to show they are trying to do something. The newest Met is Jeff Francoeur, aka "Frenchy". He comes over from the rival Braves in exchange for Ryan Church, who never quite took off in New York after a hot start last season. It seems Jerry Manuel never gave Church a chance, and the organization didn't seem to handle his injuries the right way last season. Church said he was shocked,by the trade and that he'll miss New York. He texted his friend Chipper Jones right away saying, he knows all the Mets signs & will be filling in the Braves.

Frenchy is big guy (6' 4") only 25 years old, with power and alot of potential. He is also a free swinger, known to swing at anything, and will strike out alot. He struck out over 110 times in eah of the last three seasons. I can hear the boo birds at Citi Field already. As an outfielder he known for his strong arm, and won a gold glove in 2007.

Jeff Francouer was born in Atlanta Georgia, a local high school baseball & football star who got drafted in the 1st round by the hometown Braves. He turned down a football scholarship from Clemson University. By 2005 he was voted the Braves top prospect and was selected to play in the Futures Game.

That summer he got promoted to the Braves big league club, joining "the baby Braves" rookies. In his 1st MLB game he hit a three run HR vs the Cubs, he ended the year hitting .300. He was 2nd in the NL Rookie of the Year voting; with 14 HRs & 44 RBIs. He played in every game the next two seasons, driving in over 100 runs both years. In 2006 he represented the USA in the World Baseball Classic and during the season hit, 29 HRs with 23 doubles & 6 triples. In 2007 he hit .293 with 40 doubles and 19 HRs. After three strong seasons he dropped to a .239 average & 11 HRs, last year and a mid season slump so bad he was sent back to the minors. He felt embarrassed, but was back up in three days because of all the Braves injuries. On the bright side he did hit 33 doubles with 71 RBIs & 14 outfield assists last season. In 82 games this season he's hitting .250 with 5 HRs 35 RBIs & 12 doubles.

Personally Francoeur is married since November 2007. He is a devout born again Christian, and on his batting glove wears the inscription "Joshua 1:9" written, referencing the Bible verse: "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go."

Welcome to New York Jeff, I hope you can bring some kind of life to this team.

Dwight Gooden Shines At the 1984 All Star Game

July 10, 1984: In the 1984 All Star Game, Mets rookie Dwight Gooden became the youngest All Star ever at 19 years of age. He came in to pitch in the 5th inning and struck out the side. He blew away American Leaguers Lance Parrish, Chet Lemon & Alvin Davis. In the previous inning Fernando Valenzuela struck out Dave Winfield, Reggie Jackson & George Brett. The two combined for six strikeouts in a row. The 1984 Game marked the 50th anniversary of when NY Giants pitcher Carl Hubbel fanned Hall of Famers, Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Jimmie Foxx, Al Simmons and Joe Cronin all in a row at the Polo Grounds. In honor of the anniversary, the San Francisco Giants & MLB had Carl Hubbel on hand at Candlestick Park to throw out the first pitch.

Gooden pitched two innings, in the sixth he got Loou Whitaker to ground out to him, Eddie Murray doubled, Cal Ripken grounded out & Dave Winfield flew out to left. The National League won the game 3-1. Representing the Mets in the starting lineup was Daryl Strawberry. Also representing the Mets that night were Keith Hernandez & Jesse Orosco. Strawberry went 1-2 with a strikeout, Hernandez was 0-1 and Orosco didn’t see any action.

Former Met of the Day: Bob Bailor (1981-1983)

Bob Bailor was born July 10, 1951 in Connellsville, PA. He appeared briefly with the Orioles before being chosen by the Blue Jays in the 1977 expansion draft. The speedy Bailor was one of Toronto’s 1st popular players hitting .310 earning a Topps All Star Rookie award. He was the hardest man to strikeout in the A.L.over the course of 1977 & 1978. By 1980 his average dropped to .226 and in December he was traded to the Mets for Roy Lee Jackson.

In New York Bailor played 51 games in 1981 and hit .284. He proved to be a good leadoff and second position hitter. In 1982 he kept his average up near .280, getting 104 hits in 110 games, with 20 stolen bases and 44 runs scored. Bailor was very versatile on the field playing all outfield & infield positions, making him an excellent utility player in his time with the Mets. In August of 1982 he helped turn a triple play with Wally Backman & Dave Kingman but the Mets lost the game. On April 8th 1982 he had 3 hits and a walk, scoring 2 runs & driving in 3 runs at Veterans Stadium against the Phillies. He had four three hit games in his Mets career. He hit .250 in 1983 getting into 118 games and scoring 33 runs.

In 279 career Met games he hit .266 with 69 RBIs and 40 steals. On December 8, 1983 he was traded to the Dodgers for Sid Fernandez. In L.A. he hit .275 & .246 over two seasons playing a utility role. A Life time .264 hitter with 90 stolen bases, only striking out 164 times in 2937 at bats.

Former Met of the Day: Jack Heidemann (1975-1976)

Jack Heidemann was born July 10, 1949 in Brenham Texas. He had a short career as a Mets back up shortstop to Bud Harrelson in parts of 1975 & 1976. Certainly a glove with no power, he also played some third & second base. He played 133 games for Cleveland in 1970 hitting .211 his best average in four seasons there. He was traded to Oakland with Ray Fosee for George Hendrick & Dave Duncan but his contract was sold back to Cleveland. After going to St. Louis he came to the Mets with Mike Vail for infielder Teddy Martinez. In his 3rd game with the Mets he had his biggest day ever at the plate against his old Cardinal club. He had a bases loaded double scoring 3 runs, and walked with the bases loaded having a four RBI day. Overall in 61 games in 1975 he hit .214 for the Mets and after only 5 games batting .083 in 1976 he was traded in June to Milwaukee for a minor leaguer. He finished his career in 1977 a .211 lifetime batter.

Former Met of the Day: Larry Burright (1963-1964)

Larry Burright was born in Roseville, Illinois July 10, 1937. He was signed by the Brooklyn Dodgers and made his debut in Los Angeles for the 1962 club. He played in 115 games sharing time with Jim Gilliam at second base, but he only hit .205. That December he was traded to the Mets with Tim Harkness for Bob Miller. He earned the nickname ‘Possum” and was mostly Ron Hunts back up at second base, hitting a weak .220 with 3 RBIs. In 1964 he was in the starting line up for the 1st game played at Shea Stadium, he was 0-3. After only three hitless games in 1964 he was sent down and never returned to the big leagues. A lifetime .205 hitter.

Today In Mets History: 1969- Tom Seaver's Almost Perfect Game

The night of July 9, 1969 is still one of the most memorable nights in Mets history. It was on this night Tom Seaver took a perfect game into the ninth inning with one out when Cubs reserve outfielder Jimmy Qualls singled to left center field breaking up the bid. Qualls was in centerfield that night because Don Young had made a costly error the night before and was benched by manager Leo Durocher. Jimmy Qualls had only 133 career at bats and was a .233 life time hitter out of baseball by 1972.

The Mets were rolling on a five game win streak, and a seven game win streak against these 1st place Cubs. The previous night Jerry Koosman beat Hall of Famer Fergie Jenkins 4-3 in a dramatic come from behind 9th inning win. Down 3-1 in bottom of the 9th when pinch hitters, Ken Boswell & Donn Clendenon both doubled. The league’s leading hitter Cleon Jones doubled home both runs to tie the game, and Ed Kranepool (who also homered earlier) singled home the game winning run.

A record crowd of over 59,000 including Seaver’s wife & dad, jammed Shea as the excitement of Mets baseball had taken over New York. Seaver was masterful on this night; he had control of all his pitches, and had his best fastball working. At the beginning of the game pitching coach Rube Walker said to Gil Hodges “he has no hit stuff tonight”.

Seaver struck out 11 Cubs, including Al Spangler three times, Ernie Banks, Don Kessinger & Ted Abernathy twice each. Very few Cubs made good contact at all, Qualls hit a deep fly ball to Ron Swoboda in the 2nd, Santo hit a deep fly out to Agee in the 5th, & Kessinger lined out in the 7th. In the 8th Santo flew out to Agee, Ernie Banks & Al Spangler went down swinging for K’s 10 & 11. In the 9th inning catcher Randy Hundley tried to bunt. Seaver played it & fired to first, one out. Hundley was booed off the field, nice try. Then came Qualls.Seaver said “I never faced Qualls before & had no scouting report on him, we didn’t know how to play him”. He singled to left center field, the only runner to reach base all night.

The crowd gave Seaver a standing ovation, it was the night he became great. He got the next two outs a foul popup & then a fly ball to Cleon Jones in left. The win put him at 14-3 on the year with a 2.46 ERA, both among the best in baseball. After the game Tom met his wife Nancy in the clubhouse, she was crying. He said why are you crying we won? she laughed & said “I guess a one hit shutout is better than nothing”.

The Mets scored 4 runs & had eight hits on the night; the losing pitcher was Ken Holtzman. Cleon Jones hit his 10th HR of the year & was hitting .352. Tommie Agee had two hits, including a triple, scored a run & drove in a run. Seaver himself helped his cause with an RBI hit raising his average to .190. The other Met run was driven in by a guy named Bobby Pfeil. Pfeil was playing shortstop because Bud Harrelson (Seaver’s room mate) was fulfilling an obligation in the military reserves in Watertown New York, watching the game in a restaurant. Pfeil doubled in the bottom of the first and drove in one of his 10 career RBIs. The Cubs made three errors on the night.

Former Met of the Day: George Stone (1973-1975)

George Heard Stone was born July 9, 1946 in Ruston, Louisiana. The tall lanky lefthander pitched for Louisiana Tech before being drafted by the Atlanta Braves. He pitched in Atlanta for six seasons, his best came during their 1969 NL West Division title season. He went 13-10 with 3.65 ERA and 102 strikeouts. In the NLCS against the Mets he pitched one inning in Game #3 allowing a run on 2 hits in the 7-4 Braves loss. In 1972 pitching against the Mets he hit Rusty Staub on the right hand with a pitch ending Staubs season & the Mets playoff hopes. He struggled that year having his worst season, 6-11 with a 5.51 ERA.

On November 1, 1972 Stone was traded with Felix Millan to the Mets in exchange for Danny Frisella and Gary Gentry. It was one of the best Mets trades ever, at that point in time. Stone ended up being a great surprise to an already strong staff. He was used as a starter behind Seaver, Koosman & Matlack, even pitching 7 games in relief when needed. He went 12-3 with a 2.80 ERA, and one save, having his best season ever. His winning percentage was an even .800, striking out 77 while only walking 31. From August through September He won eight straight decisions helping the Mets capture the Eastern Division.

Post Season: In Game #4 of the 1973 NLCS, Stone pitched a terrific game. Throwing six innings of shutout ball, allowing only a 2 hits, striking out three & walking two. Then he surrendered a solo homer to Tony Perez, tying the game, the Mets had no offense and lost 2-1 in the 12th inning. In the 1973 World Series Stone pitched one scoreless, hitless twelfth inning of Game 2 in Oakland, earning the save. Next is some of the most asked questions in Mets history; Why Didn’t Yogi Berra choose to start Stone? What if Stone had started Game 6? Would the Mets have won? Many of the Mets players thought Stone should have gotten the call. Instead Berra started Tom Seaver on three days’ rest. Seaver was the 1973 Cy Young winner & the Mets were leading the Series, 3-2. But Stone was the hottest pitcher New York had in the second half of the season and if he had lost, Seaver would be on full rest, as well as Jon Matlack for Game 7.

Quote: George Stone-" I was a control-type pitcher, the kind of that gave Oakland trouble. I thought I deserved a chance to start. Some of the players begged Yogi to start me. But it's best to get over it. Yogi might have had orders from above."

Seaver scattered six hits and 3 runs over seven innings. Unfortunately the Mets managed only four hits off Catfish Hunter as th

e A's eked out a 3-1 victory. Stone, incidentally, ended up pitching two scoreless innings of relief in the seventh game while striking out t

wo. Stone's overall 1973 postseason ERA was 0.93.

Stone was never as effective again; he went 2-7 with an ERA over five in 1974 suffering from arm trouble. His best game that year was May 21st; he pitched a complete game win over the Cubs at Shea and drove in four runs. In August he was shut down with injury and needed rotator cuff surgery. He was told not to pick up a baseball until Spring Training. The Mets didn’t release Stone and welcomed him to 1975 Spring Training camp. He tried to throw but was in severe pain. His determination was never ending; he was back by June becoming the 1st pitcher to ever come back from rotator cuff surgery. He won two of his first four starts and had an ERA at 1.84 by the All Star break. He struggled after the break and ended 1975 at 500, 3-3 with an ERA over five. He was traded to Texas in exchange for Bill Hands on February 24, 1976. He retired before ever pitching for the Rangers. George Stone is a physical education teacher now.

NY Giants Rube Marquard's Record Win Streak Ends at 19 Straight

July 8, 1912: Rube Marquard was signed as Richard William Marquard in 1908 for the record sum of $11,000. The NY Giants outbid the Cleveland Indians for his services. He earned the name Rube because of his resemblance to star pitcher Rube Wadell. In his first year he went 5-13, and had a 4.46 ERA the next, he became known as "the $11,000 lemon". In 1911 he turned it all around winning 24 games. He got the Opening Day start in 1912 and beat Brooklyn, he ended up wining all three of his games that April. In May he became unbeatable, he won seven games straight, in June he won eight more games straight. To begin July, he took another victory over Brooklyn, setting a record of 19 straight wins. (He actually won 20 straight but a relief win wasn't credited to him due to the record keeping of the time).

On July 8th, he was beaten in Chicago at Cubs Field by Jimmy Lavender. During the win streak he beat every team in the league at least twice, Brooklyn three times, Boston & Philadelphia four times. He pitched 16 complete games, allowed only 49 runs, 41 of which were earned. By the time he was 19-0, only two other pitchers in the league had as many as 10 wins.

He went out & celebrated buying an opal stick pin, when he found out opal was bad luck, he threw it into a river. Bad luck or not the win streak ended and he went 7-11 the rest of the season. His final season totals were 26-11 with a 2.57 ERA. The 26 wins led the league. The Giants won the pennant but lost a heart breaker World Series to the Boston Pilgrims. Marquard went 2-0 with a 0.50 ERA in the Series. In that off season he celebrated his new found fame by playing the Vaudeville circuit with his wife, singer, entertainer, Blossom Sweeney. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1971 with a 201-177 record.

Former Met of the Day: Ken Sanders (1975-1976)

Kenneth George Sanders was born July 8, 1941 in St. Louis. He made his debut in 1964 with the old Kansas City Athletics. Sanders played for nine different teams in his 10 year career, a true journeyman. He enjoyed his best years with the Brewers in their first three seasons. In 1971 he led the AL in saves with 31, and appearances (86), with a 7-12 record. He had 13 saves the previous year & 17 the next. He was very active in the early days of the newly formed players union in the early seventies.

He came to the Mets for another great yearbook prospect; Ike Hampton during Spring Training 1975. By then Sanders was a middle reliever, back then, guys who couldn’t make the starting staff. He spent two seasons with the Mets pitching in at total of 60 games, going 2-3 with a 2.60 ERA. Strangely he was sold off to the Royals in September of 1976 finishing his career there that season. Lifetime he was 29-45 with a 2.97 ERA, & 86 saves. Since his playing days he's been on the MLB Players Alumni Board and sells real estate in the Milwaukee area.

Former Met Manager of the Day: Salty Parker (1967)

Francis James “Salty” Parker was born July 8, 1912 in East St. Louis on the Illinois side of the Mississippi River. He only played 11 games in the big leagues, mostly at shortstop with the Tigers. He had a successful minor league managing career, then coached for the Giants their 1st few years in San Francisco.

In 1967 he was called over to the Mets and coached under Wes Westrum. Westrum had enough at the end of the 1967 season; he resigned as Mets manager on September 21, with a record of 57-95. Salty Parker was named the third Manager in Mets history. He was only the interim manager and took over the helm the next day, for a double header at Shea. He was greeted with an 8-0 Houston shutout in the 1st game, but won the 2nd game 8-5. He won the next day as well before going on a 5 game losing streak. He closed out the year winning 2 of 3 from the Dodgers in Los Angeles. His legacy as Met manager ended with a 4-7 record. The next year Gil Hodges was brought in as the Mets manager and Parker was off to coach in Houston.

In 1972 he managed one game for the Astros before Leo Durocher arrived. In one famous incident as Astro third base coach, he sent a runner home thinking the ball had gotten by Braves catcher Bob Dider. It wasn’t the ball but a small cast Dider had on his finger, the runner was tagged out. Parker became a Houston scout & passed away in 1992.

Today In Mets History: 1973- George "the Stork" Theodore's Violent Collision With Don Hahn

July 7, 1973: It was a sunny humid Saturday afternoon at Shea Stadium, as the Mets, fresh off a three game win streak, hosted the Atlanta Braves. Yogi Berra’s Mets were still in last place 12 ½ games behind the Cubs. But from this day on, as they got their key players off the disabled list they would go 48-34, to take over the division. It was a wild day at Shea, where 37 different players and nine pitchers were used.

In the top of the 7th inning the score was tied 3-3. Phil Hennigan was pitching for New York with a runner on 2nd, & Frank Tepedino singled to left field. George "the Stork" Theodore, playing left, for the injured Cleon Jones made an error on the play allowing the run to score. The next batter was Ralph Garr; he ripped a liner toward left center field. Theodore wanted to make up for his error and ran full speed after the ball, but so did centerfielder Don Hahn.

In one of the most violent collisions in Mets history, the two crashed into each other, fell to the ground and both lay motionless on the warning track. The ball rolled to the wall, and Garr got an inside the park home run. Both outfielders had to be removed from the field on a stretcher. Theodore suffered a fractured hip and would miss action until the end of September. He was admitted to New York Hospital, and spent days recuperating there. The Stork told reporters two weekes earlier he had a dream where Jerry Koosman & Tug McGraw were removing him from the field on a stretcher. (He never fully recovered to get his swing back. After hitting .158 in 1974 his baseball career was over.) Hahn’s injuries were minor and he remained day to day.

Berra brought Cleon Jones, fresh off the DL in to play left and placed 42 year old Willie Mays in center. In the bottom of the 8th Jones walked, and Braves pitching walked the bases loaded. Then Mays got a single & drove in two runs. Wayne Garrett doubled home two more, putting the Mets up 7-3. In the 9th Tug McGraw couldn’t hold them and the Braves scored six runs going ahead 9-7. In the bottom of the 9th, Kenny Boswell tripled and Cleon Jones singled, but the Mets fell short 9-8.

Former Met of the Day: Tim Teufel ( 1986- 1991)

Tim Teufel was born in Greenwich, Connecticut on July 7, 1958. He went to Clemson University & was drafted in 1980 with Minnesota. He was called up in September 1983 and hit well during the month, including a 5 for 5 day with two HRs. He was an official rookie in 1984 and the Twins regular second baseman. He had career highs with 14 HRs, 30 doubles, 61 RBIs in 157 games played batting .262. He had similar numbers in 1985, with a less power.

On January 16, 1986, Teufel was traded to the Mets for Billy Beane, Bill Latham and Joe Klink, (Col. Klinks son from Hogan’s Heroes?) Teufel shared time with Wally Backman at second base, mainly against left-handed pitchers. In his 1st Mets game he scored the go ahead run in a 14 inning game, although they lost it later on. On June 10th he hit a walk off grand slam HR against the Phillies at Shea in extra innings. In July he was involved in the now famous bar fight with Ron Darling, Bobby O & Rick Aguilera at a Houston night club, with off duty cops and got a $200 fine. He brought his average up 20 point in the summer to finish off at .247 with 4 HRs 31 RBIs & an impressive 20 doubles.

Post Season: Teufel played in two games of the 1986 NLCS getting only one hit in 6 at bats. That hit was in Game #6, the 16 inning marathon at Houston, he was removed for Backman in the extra innings. He played in three games of the World Series, getting the starts in Games 1, 5 & 7. The Mets lost Game 1, 1-0, when a ball went under his glove allowing the lone run to score, ruining Ron Darlings shut out. He hit a home run in the Game 5 loss at Fenway Park and hit .444 overall, 4 for 9, with a double & a walk.

In 1987 he matched his career highs in HRs & RBIs, hitting .308 with a .398 on base percentage. In a May game at Cincinnati he hit two HRs and had four hits, he had four 4 hit games in his Mets career. He was suppose to be the regular second baseman in 1988 but an injury & batting slump killed those chances. He struggled after the All Star break and only batted .234 never matching the previous year’s numbers again.

In the 1988 NLCS he only played in one game going 0-3. In 1989, hot prospect Gregg Jefferies got the second base job, Teufel played first, hitting only .256 with 2 HRs & 15 RBIs. He became a utility player, and by 1991 he was hitting only .118 when he was traded to the Padres for Garry Templeton. Teufel hit .240 in three seasons with San Diego & retired with a .254 lifetime average, 86 HRs, 185 doubles, & 379 RBIs.

Retirement: In 2003 he was manager of the Brooklyn Cyclones then the St. Lucie Mets for 2004, 2005 & 2008.

Former Met of the Day: Bob Gallagher (1974)

Robert Collins "Bob" Bob Gallagher was born July 7, 1948 in Newton Massachusetts. He is the grandson of former 1919 White Sox (Blacksox) player Shano Collins, who also managed the Red Sox. He was drafted three times; by the Dodgers, then the Redsox (playing only 7 games) then the Astros. He played 71 games batting .264 with 2 HRs, for the 1973 Astros, but then only hit .174 in 87 at bats in 1974.

He was traded to the Mets for popular Met Ken Boswell in the 1974 off season. The lefty Gallagher had a brief Mets career, 33 games, 15 at bats, and played all outfield positions . He got only two hits and never drove in a run, going down in Mets history with a .133 batting average. He was traded in Spring Training 1976 to San Francisco for a guy named Leon Brown. Mr. Gallagher as he is now called, has been teaching high school in Santa Cruz, California for the past 25 years. He lives forever on a 1975 Topps Mets card.

Former Met of the Day: Tommy Moore (1972-1973)

Tommy Joe Moore was born on July 7, 1948 at Lynwood, California. Moore was drafted by the Mets in 1967, in the 10th round. He appeared in a few early 1970s Met yearbooks as a prospect, but he never quite made it out of the year book. It was tough to crack the Mets staff of the early seventies, and Moore only saw limited action. He pitched in only 6 games in 1972 & 1973 going 0-1. In 15 ½ inning pitched he gave up 18 hits and 9 runs. In 3 games in 1973 his ERA was a whopping 10.80, yikes!! mostly due to a horrible start in San Francisco where he allowed 5 runs never getting out of the 2nd inning.

He spent 1974 in the minors then became a trivia answer for a big trade. He was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals with Ray Sadecki in exchange for Joe Torre on October 13, 1974. He then moved on to Texas and went 0-2 in 12 games. In 1977 he resurfaced with the expansion Seattle Mariner team, going 2-1 in 14 games with a 4.91 ERA.

Former Met of the Day: Lance Johnson (1996-1997)

Kenneth Lance Johnson was born July 6, 1963 at Cincinnati, Ohio. His nickname was "One Dog" and he wore the uniform number 1. The speedy Johnson was drafted by the Cardinals in 1984 & spent only 33 games of the 1987 season in St. Louis. He didn’t play in the post season & was soon traded with Ricky Horton to the White Sox for Jose Deleon.

In Chicago he became one of the better defensive centerfielders of his time, with great speed, good range and a strong arm. He led the league in triples four years in a row (1991-1994) and stole over 30 bases 4 times. Certainly not a power threat but Johnson hit over .300 three times with the Sox batting leadoff.

He signed as a free agent with Mets in 1996, and the season started out bright until Generation K failed. But Johnson had a career year, and one of the best Mets seasons ever at the plate.

He led the club in most offensive categories and set club single season marks in hits (227), triples (21) runs (117) & at bats (682). His 227 hits led the league as did his 21 triples. It was the most triples anyone had hit since Willie Mays in 1951. Only Johnson, Stan Musial, & Willie Wilson have ever led the league in triples as many as five times.

Johnson made the 1996 All Star team, and led the club in hitting with a .333 average (4th in the league). He was second in the league with 50 stolen bases, sixth with 117 runs scored, hit 31 doubles, played in 160 games, and led the N.L. with 682 at bats.

He had four, four hit games, one multiple HR game, and one multi triple game. In 1997 after 72 games he was batting .309, and the Mets traded him to the Cubs for Turk Wendell, Brian McRae, & Mel Rojas. Johnson was slowed up by injuries and his career began to wind down. He finished up in 2000 and moved to Alabama, with his wife. He has the distinction of playing for both New York & both Chicago teams. Johnson is a lifetime .291 hitter, with 1565 hits, 117 triples and 327 stolen bases.

Today In Mets History: 1970- Tommie Agee Hits For the Cycle

July 6th, 1970: A good crowd of over 36,000 came out to Shea on this Monday night to watch Jim McAndrew and the 1st place Mets beat Jerry Ruess & the St. Louis Cardinals 10-3.

Tommie Agee had a big night, hitting for the cycle, going 4-5 with 4 RBIs and two runs scored. In the bottom of the 3rd Agee singled, and scored on Ken Singletons 2nd HR of the year. In the 4th Agee hit a three run HR (his 18th) scoring Joe Foy & Jerry Grote putting the Mets up 5-0. In the 5th inning after pitcher Jim McAndrew had an RBI double, Agee doubled him home to make it 8-0 Mets. In the 7th, Agee completed the cycle tagging a triple.

McAndrew went 8 innings allowing 3 runs on 8 hits, striking out 6, earning his 4th win of the year. Tug McGraw came in the 9th and got credit for his 7th save. Gil Hodges Mets finished the night ½ game ahead of the Pirates in the standings.

Former Beatles & Stones Business Manager Allen Klein Dies

Former Beatles & Rolling Stones mega business manager Allen Klein passed away after a battle with Alzheimer's disease, he was 77.

Klein was a ruthless business manager who was almost like a gangster with his style of bullying record companies. The New Jersey accountant started out representing music stars like Bobby Darren, Connie Francis & Sam Cooke in the early sixties. Getting them royalties owed to them and collecting half the profits. He moved onto the British Invasion groups in the mid sixties; the Animals, Dave Clark Five, & Herman's Hermits. He landed the Rolling Stones who had originally signed on to a bad contract. Klein got them a much better deal by bulling the record company for bigger percentage of the earnings. Klein got a share of 20 % which Keith Richards called " the price of education". Eventually the Stones felt Klein was getting two much & wanted out. The only way out was giving him ownership of some of their biggest songs.

By this time the Beatles Apple Company was in shambles. After their manager Brian Epstein died, they tried to control the business end of things but they needed help. Klein was now considered a giant in the business and John called upon him. The constant arguing among the Beatles, got worse when Klein jumped on board. Lennon, George & Ringo all wanted Klein to represent them, but Paul wanted his new father in law to represent him, Lee Eastman.

Eventually the Beatles broke up and the legal mess went on for years. In 1970 Klein's ABKCO Company bought publishing rights to many Beatles songs. The court battles, and suings went back & forth, by 1977 the deal was dissolved with some 4.5 million going to Klein.

Klein's company ABKCO is one of the largest independent labels in the world. It owns rights to some music by the Rolling Stones, the Kinks, The Who, The Ronettes, The Animals, The Crystals, Sam Cooke (pre 1970), Herman's Hermits, Marianne Faithful, Bobby Rydell, Chubby Checker, ? & the Mysterians, Dee Dee Sharp, Righteous Brothers, Cameo Parkway Records & the Phillie's Sound label. It estimated worth is eight million dollars. Klein's three children will be taking over the company based in New York.

Today In Mets History: 2004- Richard Hidalgo Homers In Five Straight Games

July 5th, 2004: Does Anybody remember Richard Hidalgo? He came over from Houston in June 2004 for Jeremy Griffiths & David Weathers. His stay in New York was brief, but he made his spot in Mets history, setting a club record by homering in five straight games.

On July 1st Hidalgo started the streak with a HR at Great American Ballpark in Cincinnati. The next three were against the cross town rivals, as the Mets SWEPT the inter league subway series at Shea. In the 1st game, Hidalgo led the charge with a HR & 3 RBIs off Mike Mussina as the Mets romped 11-2. On Saturday he hit one off Jose Contreras, as 34 different players were used in a four hour, 10-9 Mets victory. On Sunday July 4th, Hidalgo had his fourth straight HR game, but was over shadowed by Ty Wiggington. Wiggy hit two, including the game winner in the bottom of the 8th inning.

On Monday July 5th, Hidalgo wasted no time, he hit a 1st inning HR off Paul Abbot in Philadelphia to set the Mets club record. He would end the season with 25 HRs (21 as a Met) & 82 RBIs but only a .239 average. After a hot June/July streak, he cooled off considerably and the Mets did not resign him for 2005. He finished out his career in Texas hitting 16 HRs with a .221 average in 2005.

Former Met of the Day: Jeff Innis (1987-1993)

Jeffery David Innis was born July 5th, 1962 in Decatur, Illinois. After college in Illinois he was drafted 13th round, by the Mets in the 1983. The right hander had a submarine delivery and spent seven years with the Mets as a middle reliever. He was brought up to an injury ridden pitching staff in 1987, and only appeared sparingly in his first four years. Then he became known for racking up innings, & led the club in appearances for three years (1991-1993).

In 1991 after going 0-2, he got into the record books by setting a strange MLB record, he appeared in over 60 games without earning a win or a save. He started out 1992 with a win on Opening Day, in relief of David Cone. That season he set a club record with 76 appearances, (later broken by Turk Wendell) going 6-9 with a 2.86 ERA.

He retired in 1994, with a 10-20 lifetime record, 3.05 ERA, 192 strikeouts in 360 innings. In 288 career at bats he never reached 1st base.

A HAPPY

FOURTH

of JULY

To EVERYONE!!

Today In Mets History: 1972- Seaver Tosses Another One Hitter

July 4, 1972: It was an old fashioned 4th of July afternoon double header at Shea. Tom Seaver going against San Diego's Clay Kirby. Seaver was terrefic, throwing another career one hit masterpiece. He shut down Don Zimmer’s San Diego Padres 2-0, while striking out 11 and walking four. No Padre got past second base.

Seaver carried the no hitter into the ninth inning, the first batter, Dave Roberts grounded out to second for the first out. The crowd held their breath for two more. But Leron Lee spoiled the no hit bid with a base hit to centerfield. The next batter was slugger Nate Colbert, he grounded into a double play to end the game. The win brought Seaver to 11-4 with a 3.04 ERA. He would finish 1972; 21-12 with a 2.92 ERA & 249 strikeouts. The Mets were now within one game of first place.

All the Met scoring came in the 3rd inning. Bud Harrelson singled and stole second. Then Clay Kirby walked four straight batters (Wayne Garrett, John Milner, Jim Fregosi & Ed Kranepool) giving the Mets the only two runs they needed.

Today In Mets History: 1985- Classic 19 Inning Fourth of July Mets Epic

July 4, 1985: It was suppose to be a nice little fourth of July game with a post game fire works display. Dwight Gooden going against Rick Mahler in Atlanta. Two rain delays, nineteen innings and six hours later, the fireworks show began. The residents in the surrounding area thought they were under attack hearing the 4 AM blasts. The Braves used 22 players & The Mets used 21 players knocking out a club record 28 hits. Gary Carter led with five hits, Keith Hernandez & Wally Backman had four hits each.

Doctor K gave up 2 early runs and after a rain delay, Roger McDowell came on to pitch. The Mets retook the lead in the 4th when Backman doubled, Hernandez tripled & Carter singled. Later Daryl Strawberry drove in two more runs & Hernandez hit his 5th HR of the year as the Mets went ahead 7-4. But Jesse Orosco & Doug Sisk couldn’t hold the lead, the Mets fell behind 8-7.

Wasting no time HoJo, Danny Heep & Lenny Dykstra singled tying the game again. The score held up after the second rain delay until the top of the 13th. With Ray Knight aboard Howard Johnson hit a two run HR off Terry Foster, putting New York ahead 10-8. The wackiness continued as Tom Gorman took the mound for the Mets and gave up a tying two run HR to Terry Harper 10-10.

In the 18th inning, Howard Johnson singled, and went to third when pitcher Rick Camp booted Danny Heeps bunt. HoJo scored on Lenny Dykstra’s sac fly. Just when it looked like this thing would end, Braves pitcher Rick Camp hit his only career HR off Tom Gorman to Tie it up again 11-11.

In the top of the 19th the Met bats exploded. Gary Carter singled, Rusty Staub walked and Ray Knight doubled home Carter. Hojo was walked intentionally, and on another wacky play, Danny Heep singled scoring all three base runners on an error by left fielder Terry Harper. Heep scored on Wally Backman’s 4th hit of the night and Ron Darling was brought in as a fresh arm to close it.

Nothing was easy in this epic affair; Claudel Washington reached on a rare Hernandez error. Darling walked two batters loeading the bases. Terry Harper (who went 5- 10 with 5 RBIs in the game) singled bringing the Braves within three. But Darling struck out Rick Camp it was finally over. Mets won 16-13.

Former Met of the Day: Jose Oquendo (1983-1984)

Jose Oquendo was born July 4, 1963 in Puerto Rico. He was signed by the Mets in 1979, and made his debut in 1983 at the age of 19. The versatile Oquendo found himself as the Mets regular short stop, but only batted .213 with 8 steals in 120 games. The following year he lost his job to Rafael Santana & Ron Gardenhire. Oquendo never had much power and only hit one HR in 507 Mets at bats. He was traded to the enemy Cardinlas for a minor leaguer in 1985.
After a year in the minors, he started walking more and getting higher on base percentages. He became Whitey Herzog’s “secret weapon”, and at one point played every position on the field. In the 1987 World Series he hit a HR and drove in 2 runs. He played with the Cards until 1995, a lifetime .256 hitter. In 2004 ESPNs TV show “The Cheap Seats” went on a quest to get him inducted to the Hall of Fame as the ultimate utility player. Eventually a plaque was placed in his honor in the utility closet at the Hall. He has been a Cardinals coach for the past nine seasons.

Former Met of the Day: Moises Alou (2007-2008)

Moises Rojas Alou was born on July 3rd, 1966 in Atlanta Georgia, while his dad Felipe was an outfielder for the Braves. Felipe Alou also became a successful manager, managing his son Moises, in Montreal & San Francisco. Moises' uncles made up the other two thirds of the famous Alou brothers, Matty & Jesus.

Moises had a great career, a lifetime .303 hitter but was very injury prone, especially with the Mets. The five time All Star started out in Pittsburgh playing only two games then was traded to Montreal. In 1994 he batted .339 (4th in the NL) with 22 HRs 78 RBIs and got the game winning hit in the All Star game. In 1996 he drove in 96 runs then signed on with Marlins as a free agent.

In Florida he helped the Marlins win the World Series batting .292, and having the first of three straight 100 plus RBI season. In the World Series he hit 3 HRs and drove in 9 runs batting .321. After the Series the Marlins sold off the team & he was sent to Houston for three minor leaguers. In Houston he became a star, driving in over 100 runs, hitting 27 or more HRs, and hitting over .312 all three years he was there. In 2000 he batted .355 (2nd in the NL), then signed with the Cubs, where his numbers went down. But in 2004 he hit 39 HRs with 106 RBIs, in the final year of his contract. He became famous in Cubs lore, getting angry with the fan who snatched a foul ball from him in the 2003 NLDS. It would have been one of the last outs of the game, but instead the Marlins came back & went on to win it all.

In 2005 he signed with the Giants, reunited with his dad, who was the manager. In 2005 he signed a ball for centerfield maz during batting practice at Shea Stadium. He was a hell of a nice guy, so was his dad, trying to accommodate all the fans. Two years of batting well over .300 got him a contract with the Mets.

In 2007 he was the Mets opening day left fielder, and was amongst the leagues top hitters early on. Then he suffered a torn quadricep muscle putting him out for 3 ½ months. He came back in August and picked it right up again. He set a Mets club record with a 30 game hitting streak. It was also the longest hitting streak of anyone over age 40 and the longest in baseball that season. He ended the season batting .341, 13 HRs 49 RBIs and 19 doubles in 87 games. 2008 looked promising until he needed hernia surgery in Spring Training. While rehabbing in July he pulled a hamstring and the Mets announced he was done for the year. After just 15 games he hit .347 but at age 42 his career was over. Lifetime he hit .303, 332 HRs, 1287 RBIs, 332 doubles, and 102 stolen bases.

Today In Mets History: 1996- Alex Ochoa Hits For the Cycle

July 3, 1996: 43,000 came to Veterans Stadium to see the visiting Mets take on the Phils. Mets right fielder Alex Ochoa had a career day, hitting for the cycle with five hits, three RBIs & three runs scored.

Ochoa started out with a single in the 2nd, then an RBI triple in the 4th, putting the Mets up 4-2. In the 6th he doubled and scored on a Butch Huskey HR. In the 8th he hit a solo HR, (his 6th of the year) off Ken Ryan. In the 9th he doubled off the center field wall scoring Jeff Kent & completing the cycle. The Mets won the game 10-6 and Alex Ochoa left the game batting .390.

Ochoa spent three seasons with the Mets, in 1996 he hit .294, with 4 HRs & 33 RBIs in 82 games. He dropped to .244 the next season and was traded to Minnesota. He later hit .300 in Milwaukee & Cincinnati retiring in 2002.

Former Met of the Day: Danny Heep (1983-1986)

Danny Heep was born July 3, 1957 in San Antonio, Texas. Heep was a two time All American pitcher at St. Mary’s U. in San Antonio, Texas. There he earned a bachelor’s degree in Phys Ed. In 1978 he was drafted in the 2nd round by the Astros, making it to the bigs by 1979. He played for four years in Houston, having his best year in 1980 hitting .276. He had one at bat (0-1) in the 1980 NLCS. In December 1982 he was traded to the Mets for future Mets nemesis Mike Scott.

Heep would spend the next four years at Shea, becoming one of the league’s top pinch hitters. He & Rusty Staub gave the Mets one of the best late inning benches in baseball. In 1983 he set a Mets club record with four pinch hit HRs. He got into 115 games (253 at bats), hitting .253 with 8 HRs, 21 RBIs and 12 doubles. In May his 9th inning sac fly won a game in Cincinnati, and his pinch hit HR on June 14th sent the game to extra innings. A game the Mets won in the 11th on Staub’s pinch hit RBI single. In 1984 Heep was used mostly as a fourth outfielder and pinch hitter, while his average dropped to .231 with only one HR. In 1985 he improved to .280 with 7 HRs, 17 doubles and 42 RBIs, appearing in 95 games. That year he was involved in a violent outfield collision with Terry Blocker on Banner Day against the Cardinals. The play ended up being an inside-the-park grand slam home run.

Later that season he was involved in some drama on a team flight during a road trip. He got into a fight with Darryl Strawberry and beat him up pretty bad. All made nice, for the 1986 championship season and Heep was the team’s top pinch hitter; 9-for-30 batting .282, with hit 5 HRs, 8 doubles and 33 RBIs.

Post Season: In the Mets 1986 NLCS he appeared in 5 games, getting 4 pinch hit at bats with one hit & RBI. In the World Series he became the Mets first ever official designated hitter. He got the start in that position in Games 3 & 4 at Fenway Park. He only got one hit in 11 at bats & drove in two runs. He was the first DH in a World Series to actually have the initials "D.H."

He was released by the Mets after the 1986 season and signed with the Dodgers, winning another World Series with them in 1988. He also got to pitch an inning that season, in an extra inning game.

In 1989 he went to Boston, putting up career highs in batting .300 & RBIs (49). He also pitched an inning for them then next season. While in the A.L. he became Nolan Ryan’s 4000 strike out victim. He finished out his career in Atlanta in 1991. A lifetime .257 hitter, 30 HRs, 229 RBIs in 883 games played.

Retirement: Heep was a long time head coach for the University of the Incarnate Word in San Antonio, winning two division championships.

Former Met of the Day: Angel Pagan (2008-2009)

Angel Pagan was born July 2, 1981 in Puerto Rico. Pagan was originally signed by the Mets in 1999 but his contract was bought by the Cubs. He got injured early on in 2006 and only played outfield in 77 games for the Cubs batting .247. He became the 1st player in MLB history to hit his first two HRs on his birthday. The HRs came against the cross town rival White sox in inter league play. In 2007 he became the Cubs everyday outfielder but he suffered from colitis & his season was cut short again. In 71 games he batted .264 with 4 HRs. The Cubs traded him to the Mets for 2 minor leaguers.

After a good Spring Training, he started 2008 as the Mets everyday left fielder because Moises Alou went on the DL. In 31 games he hit .275 with 13 RBIs after a hot start. He injured his shoulder catching a fly ball and landing in the stands at Dodger Stadium. He ended up on the DL and on his comeback he re injured it & needed surgery, his season was done. In 2009 he started out hot and was hitting .333 in 14 games with 42 at bats. On June 1st, he joined plenty of other injured Mets on the DL and his spot was filled by Alex Cora getting reactivated.

Pagan had trouble with the law in Port St. Lucie in May 2009, he was stopped for speeding & was caught with a suspended license. He also was found to have outstanding traffic tickets and he was arrested.

Former Met of the Day: Ron Swoboda (1965-1970)

Swobo was born June 30, 1944 in Baltimore, Maryland. He was signed out of Maryland University as an amateur free agent in 1963. He was touted as a below average fielder with good power. Bud Harrelson said he was afraid to go back on fly balls with Swoboda behind him, because Swoboda would get confused and run him over.

He debuted with the Mets on April 12th, 1965, and led the Mets with 19 HRs in his rookie season making the Topps All Star Rookie team. He was an early star of the hapless early Mets, winning the fans over by playing hard. In his sophomore year he only hit 8 HRs and batted .222. Some of those homers were big ones; in Philadelphia on the 4th of July, he hit one onto the roof of Connie Mack Stadium and hit a pinch hit walk off against the Giants in August.

In 1967 he rebounded with a career best .281 average, 13 HRs, and led the team with 59 RBIs and six triples. In May of 1968, expectations were high and after he hit HRs in four straight games he found himself on the cover of Sports Illustrated with the title "Slugger Ron Swoboda". He struck out 113 times in 1968, dropping to a .242 average, and began to hear the boo birds at Shea. In one game Swoboda struck out five times, the fans cheered as he came up again. They cheered because they wanted him to break the record of striking out six times. He was quoted as saying “I should go home and blow my head off” in reply coach Rube Walker said “You’d probably miss”. Ron never became the superstar he was expected to be but hit some memorable HRs & had a decent career.

By the miracle year of 1969 Swobo platooned 115 games in right field with Art Shamsky who was hitting .300. On September 15th, he hit another of his memorable HRs off Steve Carlton at Busch Stadium. Carlton set a record that night by striking out 19 batters, Swoboda struck out twice but also hit two two-run HRs giving the Mets a 4-3 victory. During the Mets stretch drive, Swoboda drove in 21 runs, half of his season RBI total. He finished the year with 9 HRs 52 RBIs, a.252 batting average, 8 doubles and 2 triples. In his Mets career he averaged a HR every 36 times at bat.

Post Season: He did not play against the righthanded pitchers of the Braves in the 1969 NLCS, but in the World Series he got to play against the Orioles left handers. He came to his home town Baltimore, and had many friends & family in the stands cheering for him. One of his biggest career hits came in the 8th inning of Game #5, he doubled home Cleon Jones with the winning run to seal the championship. In the Series, Swoboda hit .400, and his six hits were the most by any player. Three of those hits came in Games Four and two of them came in Game Five. But he not remembered for his hitting, it was his great catch in Game #4.

In the top of the ninth, with Tom Seaver tiring and the Mets holding onto a 1-0, Frank Robinson and Boog Powell each singled for the Orioles. Brooks Robinson then hit a smash toward right center that Swoboda raced for. He ran as far as he could, stretched, and made a full length diving backhanded catch. Swoboda looked in his glove, and there was the ball. He said to himself “that was one hell of a catch, and this is the World Series”. The crowd roared, and Tom Seaver sighed. Although Frank Robinson tagged and scored the tying run, Swoboda's catch stopped the go-ahead run from scoring. The Mets won the game in the 10th inning, Baseball Weekly later ranked the catch as one of the "10 Most Amazing Plays of All-Time."

1970 was his last season as a Met, in 115 games (245 at bats) he hit .223, 2 HRs, 26 RBIs in 245 at bats. That winter the Mets decided young Ken Singleton was getting the right field job. Swoboda was traded to Montreal for centerfielder Don Hahn just before the start of the 1971 season. Later that year, the Expos traded him to the Yankees. In 43 at bats he hit only .116 and played his final game on September 30, 1973. Life time, in 9 seasonshe played 928 games, batting .242, 73 HRs, 344 RBIs, 84 doubles, 24 triples and 285 runs scored.

Retirement: After his retirement he worked as a sportscaster in New York City on WCBS-TV and in New Orleans on WVUE. He & his family & home survived Hurrican Katrina without damage. Ron is currently the analyst for the New Orleans Zephyrs, the AAA affiliate of the New York Mets. He was on hand for the closing ceremonies on the last day at Shea Stadium in 2008.

1954 NY Giants Sweep Brooklyn at the Polo Grounds

July 1, 1954: The NY Giants completed a three game sweep against the rival Brooklyn Dodgers at the Polo Grounds, putting them four games up in first place. In 1954 Manager Leo Durocher had a great weapon off the bench, he was Dusty Rhodes. In the first game of the Series, the score was tied 2-2 in the bottom of the 9th inning. Dodger pitcher Billy Loes walks the bases loaded. Durocher calls on Rhodes to pinch hit, he delivers a single up the middle scoring the winning runs.

In the 2nd game Johnny Antonelli pitched 7 innings allowing only one run & Hoyt Wilhelm closed out the last two innings as the Giants won 5-2. Whitey Lockman drove in three runs on the day, and Alvin Dark had an RBI single as well.
In the 3rd game of the Series, the Giants jumped out to an early 2-0 lead. In the Dodger 7th Roy Campanella & Carl Furillo tied it with back to back home runs. In the 8th, Dodger pitcher Erv Palica gave up a single to Whitey Lockman, a walk to Hank Thompson & an intentional walk to Don Mueller. After getting a force at home, up stepped Dusty Rhodes as a pinch hitter again. Rhodes comes through again with a two run single to right center field. The Giants went on to win it 5-2 to complete the sweep.

Today In Mets History: 2000- Mets Score Club Record 10 Runs in 8th Inning

June 30, 2000: Things looked bad going into the bottom of the 8th inning of this Friday night game at Shea. A crowd of 52,000 saw Mike Hampton give up 5 runs, and a guy named Eric Cammack (who pitched 8 career Met games in 2000) give up another 3 to the rival Braves. Down 8-1 the Mets scored a run as Robin Ventura grounded out to second base for the second out. But a two out rally led to the Mets scoring 9 more runs, a total of a club record 10 in the inning. As they went on to beat the Braves 11-8.

Todd Zeile & Jay Payton singled, then Benny Agbayani walked and the Braves pitching fell apart. Kelly Ligtenberg walked Mark Johnson & Melvin Mora putting the score to 8-5. Terry Mullhond walked Derek Bell and another run scored, next Edgardo Alfonzo singled in two more runs to tie the game. The crowd went wild as Mike Piazza came to bat and blasted a three run HR over the wall. It topped off the record setting inning and proved to be the winning run.

Armondo Benitez got credited with the win moving the Mets within two games of 1st place, and the next night a 9-1 victory brought them within a game. On that Saturday Al Leiter improved to 10-1 combining with Turk Wendell on a six hitter.