This Week In Mets History: 1969 Mets Win 11 Straight

This week back in 1969 the Mets were in the middle of a 10 game winning streak that began on May 28th & ended on June 10th. They were in 4th place 9 games back when it began and after it ended they had leaped in to second place, still 7 games behind the Cubs. But the Mets were now a dominating force in the NL. As Bob Murphy woould say "here's a happy recap"................

5/28/69: Mets vs. Padres at Shea, Clay Kirby & Jerry Koosman go at it in a classic pitcher’s duel. Kirby threw 9 innings of shutout ball, but Koosman was even better, throwing 10 shut out innings. He broke Nolan Ryan’s Met single game strike out record, by striking out 15 batters. Allowing only 4 hits & 2 walks but he got no decision. Tug McGraw got the win pitching a scoreless 11th. In the bottom of the 11th Cleon Jones got aboard on an error. He went to second after Ron Swoboda singled, then scored on Bud Harrelson game winning base hit.

5/30/69: The San Francisco Giants arrive at Shea for a three game series. The Mets take the opener 4-3. Tom Seaver got his 7th win of the year pitching 8 innings, allowing 3 runs on 4 hits. In the 8th inning down 3-1, Rod Gaspar hit his only HR of the season. Ron Swoboda added an RBI single, then Duffy Dyer pinch hitting, singles home Cleon Jones with the winning run. Ron Taylor closed the game out with a perfect 9th.

5/31/69: Rookie Gary Gentry evened his record to 4-4 and Tug McGraw got his 1st save of the season. Ed Charles “The Glider” provided the offensive power with a three run HR. He would hit only three HRs all season.

6/1/69: Mets pitcher Jim McAndrew got pulled in the 2nd inning after allowing 2 runs. Don Cardwell also allowed 2 runs but pitched six innings, then Ron Taylor pitched a perfect 9th. With the score tied 4-4 Giants reliever Joe Gibbon walked Bud Harrelson, Cleon Jones, & rookie Amos Otis. Feeling the pressure he then walked Ron Swoboda and in came the winning run. The Mets sweep the Giants and win four straight.

6/2/69: More big crowds at Shea, as the Dodgers come to town. The Mets got two runs off L.A.'s Claude Osteen in the 4th inning as Tommie Agee singled, Ed Charles walked and Jerry Grote & Al Weis drove them in. Jerry Koosman went all the way, throwing a five hitter, allowing only 1 run in the 9th.

6/3/69: It was Tom Seaver's turn next. He struck out 9 Dodgers allowing only 2 runs in 8 innings, for his 8th win of the year. Tug McGraw pitched the 9th for his second save. Ed Kranepool homered twice leading the offense. A solo shot in the 5th & a two run shot in the 6th inning. Cleon Jones also drove in two runs bringing his average up to .358, amongst the best in the NL.

6/4/09: The Mets finished the sweep of L.A. with in a 1-0 shutout, in 15 innings. In the bottom of the 15th Bud Harrelson walked and was forced by Tommie Agee. Wayne Garrett then singled and center fielder Willie Davis made an error which led Agee to score all the way from 1st base. Jack DiLauro only allowed 2 hits through 9 innings, one of his best outings ever. Tug McGraw pitched 4 scoreless innings & Ron Taylor got the win with 2 scoreless innings.

6/6/69: The Mets go on the road to sunny San Diego. Gary Gentry strikes out 9 Padres, pitching into the 9th before Ron Taylor saves it. The Mets were down 3-1 in the 6th when Harrelson & Agee singled. Cleon Jones grounded out scoring a run, then Ed Kranepool doubled scoring Agee to tie it. Art Shamsky drove in the go ahead run with a pinch hit single in the 8th and Tommie Agee doubled home Al Weis for insurance in the 9th. Mets win 5-3, eight straight.

6/7/69: Jerry Koosman goes up against Brooklyn Dodger hero Johnny Podres. Koos threw another complete game, allowing only one run on six hits as the Mets coasted to a 4-1 victory. Jerry Grote, Ed Charles, Ron Swoboda & Rod Gaspar all drive in runs as the win Streak goes to 9.

6/8/69: What could be worse than facing a team on a 9 game win streak? Having to face them with Tom Seaver on the mound. 9000 Padre fans showed up at Jack Murphy Stadium for the series finale. Seaver was great, striking out 14 winning his 9th game of the year, & lowering his ERA to a league leading 2.51. Padre pitcher Al Santorini was also throwing well, then in the 7th, the hot Ed Kranepool got an RBI single with two outs. In the Mets 8th, Ed Charles got a pinch hit base hit & Bud Harrelson walked. Tommie Agee then doubled to tie it & Wayne Garretts single put the Mets ahead for good 4-3.

6/10/69: By now everyone especially the Cubs were paying attention to the Mets. On to San Francisco and win #11 in a row. Don Cardwell got the start and received a lot of run support as the Mets romped 9-4. It was only Cardwell’s 2nd win of the year against 6 losses. Tommie Agee homered twice for his 8th & 9th HRs of the year, driving in 3 runs. Cleon Jones hit his 8th HR, and also drove in 3 runs. Jerry Grote had 3 hits & an RBI, and Ed Charles & Don Cardwell drove in runs as well.

6/11/69: Gaylord Perry & the Giants finally stopped the Mets win streak at 11, beating them 7-2. Gary Gentry was knocked out in the 4rd inning & took the loss. From this point on the Mets will win 71 of the 110 remaining games.