Remembering Mets History (2004): Anyone Recall Craig Brazell Or His Walk Off HR?

Saturday September 25th 2004: Art Howe's Mets (68-87) were playing out the regular season, with hope for a better 2005. The Mets were in fourth place, just keeping out of the Montreal Expos way in last place.

It was just four seasons ago the Mets were the NL Champions.

In his early days Aaron Heilman was actually a starter, today he went up against Mark Prior.

Starting Lineups

Cubs

1	Corey Patterson	CF
2	Derrek Lee	1B
3	Aramis Ramirez	3B
4	Moises Alou	LF
5	Sammy Sosa	RF
6	Nomar Garciaparra	SS
7	Todd Walker	2B
8	Paul Bako	C
9	Mark Prior	P

Mets

1	Gerald Williams	CF
2	Kazuo Matsui	SS
3	David Wright	3B
4	Mike Piazza	1B
5	Richard Hidalgo	RF
6	Eric Valent	LF
7	Jason Phillips	C
8	Jeff Keppinger	2B
9	Aaron Heilman	P

Heilman surrendered his usual HR, this was a two run shot by Todd Walker. Down 2-0, the Mets bullpen of Mike Stanton (base hit) Bartolome Fortunato (two walks) Heath Bell (walk) made it 3-0 Cubs.

Things looked gloom in the 9th as Todd Zeile struck out. But Eric Valent & Jason Phillips walked. LaTroy Hawkins came in for the Cubs and struck out Jeff Keppinger. But with two outs young Victor Diaz came through with a two run game tying HR.

Ricky Bottalico & Jae Weong Seo got the Mets to the 11th inning. In the top of the 11th Craig Brazell was brought in to play first base.

The September roster was expanded & this gave Brazell a shot. This was the biggest moment in his baseball career, he connected for the walk off HR off veteran Kent Mercker. The Mets came back for a 4-3 win.

Craig Brazell would play in just 24 games for the New York Mets, all at first base in 2004. He would bat .265 with just one HR this one. He would play in just 29 MLB games, the five other games came with the Kansas City Royals in 2007.