1969 World Series Game #2: Agee Saves the Day With Two Incredible Catches

October 14th 1969- World Series Game #3: Shea Stadium hosted its 1st ever World Series game for Game 3. Gil Hodges sent his rookie Gary Gentry to the mound against Hall of Famer Jim Palmer. But the day would belong to Tommy Agee who put on one of the best performances in World Series history. He started out the game putting the Mets on the board with a lead off home run in the bottom of the 1st to put the crowd in a frenzy.

In the bottom of the 2nd, Jerry Grote walked and Bud Harrelson singled. Gary Gentry came up and doubled down the left field line scoring both runners. Gentry had only six hits, one double & one RBI all season in 84 at bats. Then in the 4th Agee made the first of his two great catches. With runners on the corners, Elrod Hendricks ripped Gentry's pitch to the left center field gap. Agee ran a long way and stuck out his glove, catching the ball backhanded in the webbing for the third out.

In the 6th Ken Boswell singled and scored on Jerry Grotes double giving the Mets a 4-0 lead. In the 7th Agee did it again.With two outs Gary Gentry lost it and walked three straight batters. Gil Hodges seen enough and brought in fireballer Nolan Ryan. Ryan served up a fastball to Paul Blair that he ripped to right center. Agee got on his horse and made a sliding diving grab saving at least two runs from scoring. The threat, the inning and the game were essentially over. The crowd of 56,335 gave Agee a standing ovation when he led off the bottom of the seventh. Ed Kranepool added a HR of his own in the 8th inning making it 5-0.

Rookie Gary Gentry went 6.2 inning only allowing 3 hits, but walked five. Nolan struck out 3 batters & allowed 1 hit in 2.1 innings pitched, closing the door. It was the only time Ryan ever pitched in a World Series in his 23 year career.