June 14, 1980: The Mets didn’t have much to get excited about in 1980. Steve Henderson who came over highly touted in the Seaver trade, probably had his best moment as a Met on this day. The Mets actually had a thing going at the time, winning 8 of 10 games & 14 of 22, they were in 4th place only six games back. The last place San Francisco Giants were in town. Their pitcher; John "the Count" Montefusco went into the 8th inning with a 6-2 lead. The Mets Pete Falcone didn’t make it out of the 2nd inning, allowing five runs. Mark Bomback & Ed Glynn settled things down, then Jeff Reardon took over striking out the side in the 9th. The Mets came to bat in the 9th down by four they weren’t known for coming back in 1980, so most of the 22,000 fans had gone home. But that night “the magic was
back". The Giants Greg Minton (who became a fine reliever) came in to close the door on the Mets. Doug Flynn wanted to make something happen & he buntedfor a base hit. He was moved to third on 2 ground outs, then was driven home by Lee Mazzilli. Frank Tavares walked & Claudell Washington singled to score Mazzilli. Mets trail 6-4. Up t
o the plate came Steve Henderson. He had struck out three times on the night, and hadn’t hit a home run since July of 1979, some 226 at bats ago. Giants manager Dave Bristol brought in Allen Ripley to pitch to Henderson. Manager Joe Torre told Henderson just go up & take your swings. Ripley greeted Henderson with a high tight one, leveling him to the ground. It pissed him off. On the next pitch Henderson connected for a three run walk off HR and the Mets celebrated like they won the pennant. It was one of the few good times on the season for the Mets & the Shea Faithful. Mets win 7-6.
o the plate came Steve Henderson. He had struck out three times on the night, and hadn’t hit a home run since July of 1979, some 226 at bats ago. Giants manager Dave Bristol brought in Allen Ripley to pitch to Henderson. Manager Joe Torre told Henderson just go up & take your swings. Ripley greeted Henderson with a high tight one, leveling him to the ground. It pissed him off. On the next pitch Henderson connected for a three run walk off HR and the Mets celebrated like they won the pennant. It was one of the few good times on the season for the Mets & the Shea Faithful. Mets win 7-6. 
3 comments:
My wife and I were at that game and stayed to the very end. It was tremendously exciting: you would have thought we won the World Series. As we drove out of Shea onto the Grand Central Parkway, cars horns were honking. We even got a honk as we neared Hicksville, LI. I suppose what made this game memorable (I still talk about it) was the unexpectedness and joy of brief success. The Seaver trade had brought the franchise to a low point and this brought us hope. We went to the first home game the Mets played in 1962, and have been fans through thick and thin since then!
I was also at the game in eighth grade with my parents and I remember the fans stayed and made Henderson come out a second time after he went into the clubhouse. It was a short lived exciting time as they hadnt played that well in years.
I was 11 years old with 2 friends and a fatehr. I will never forget how crazy the fans went that night (it was comparable to Game 7 1986 which i also attended).
I just remember the loge section bouncing up and down - literally vibrating. People were jumping up to hand slap each other as we left the stadium via the famous ramps.
Henderson became my favorite player, and 3rd base my favorite position.
Let's go Met's!
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