Today In Mets History: 1996- Hundley Homers From Both Sides of the Plate at San Francisco

May 18, 1996: Todd Hundley one of the few bright spots on the 1996 Mets team, became the fourth Met to hit home runs from both sides of the plate in the same game. Hundley had done it before, two years earlier.

The Mets were already struggling under Dallas Green, as they made their annual West Coast trip. The Padres had taken 3 of 4 from them in San Diego and they now came to Candelstick Park, in San Francisco. The Mets pounded starter William Van Landingham for 7 runs by the 3rd inning. In the top of the 4th Hundley blasted a tw run HR off Jose Bautista to dead centerfield putting New York up 10-3. Once again in the top of the 9th Hundley came up, this time batting right handed. With Bernard Gilkey & Jeff Kent on base he hit another HR , this time toward left center field putting the Mets up 14-4. It was Hundley's 10th & 11th home runs of the year. He would set a mark for catchers and an all time Mets single season mark with 41 in 1996.

On the mound for the Mets that day was long forgotten Met, Mark Clark. Clark went the distance allowing 8 hits, walking only 1 & striking out four. It was his 2nd win of the year against 5 losses. Calrk was pretty much the best of the 1996 staff.