Remembering Mets History (1962) Frank Thomas Hits Six HRs Over Three Days
In the 1962 Mets inaugural season, they were on their way to losing 120 games. It was a rough season as far as winning games, although it was an important season bringing National League baseball back to New York City. The old fans of the New York Giants & Brooklyn Dodgers took to the Mets as a whole new loyal fan base was born.In the zany season, there were some highlights. During the first week of August Mets slugger Frank Thomas brought some excitement to the Polo Grounds.
On August 1st, Casey Stengel’s Mets were 26-77 in last place, 43 games back. Tonight, they hosted Gene Mauch’s seventh place Philadelphia Phillies (50-58).
Wednesday August 1st,1962: In the top of the 1st, the Phils Don Demeter hit a two run HR. Then with two on Bob Oldis drove in another run with an RBI single.
Wednesday August 1st,1962: In the top of the 1st, the Phils Don Demeter hit a two run HR. Then with two on Bob Oldis drove in another run with an RBI single.
In the bottom of the 1st inning, with the bases loaded, Frank Thomas drew a walk bringing in the Mets first run. Felix Mantilla's sac fly brought the Mets to within a run 3-2.
In the top of the 3rd, Tony Gonzales doubled bringing in the fourth Phillies run. Bod Oldis then singled with his second RBI of the game making it 5-2 Phillies.
In the bottom of the 6th with the Mets down 10-8 Thomas brought them within a run as he hit his second HR of the game, a solo shot off pitcher, Dennis Bennett.
Thursday August 2nd, 1962: This afternoon the Mets Craig Anderson went up against the Phillies Art Mahaffey. Anderson was on a personal nine game losing streak. In 1961 Art Mahaffey led the NL in losses (19) & in 1962 would give up a league high 36 HRs & 120 earned runs.
"Marvelous" Marv Throneberry followed with a back-to-back HR. In the 9th inning, Throneberry would hit his second HR of the game. For Marv it was the second multi-HR game of his career.
In the top of the 3rd, Tony Gonzales doubled bringing in the fourth Phillies run. Bod Oldis then singled with his second RBI of the game making it 5-2 Phillies.In the bottom half of the inning, the Mets put up two runs on Marv Throneberry's RBI hit & Felix Mantilla's ground out RBI.
In the top of the 4th, Al Jackson was finally removed after walking the first two batters, he had given up seven runs (five earned) on seven hits. Ray Daviault the gave up three straight singles allowing four more runs to score putting New York in a 9-4 hole.
In the bottom of the 4th, Joe Christpher singled to right field. Richie Ashburn then walked, with one out Charlie Neal singled loading the bases.
Frank Thomas then came on hitting a grand slam HR to left field off Jack Hamiliton. It was Thomas's fifth career grand slam & his first as a Mets player.
In the bottom of the 6th with the Mets down 10-8 Thomas brought them within a run as he hit his second HR of the game, a solo shot off pitcher, Dennis Bennett. Frank Thomas Trivia: For Thomas it was his second multi-HR game of the season. The HR gave him a season high muti-six RBI game, setting a franchise record that would last until 1971 when Donn Clendenon drove in seven runs.
In the 6th, Roy Seivers HR made it 9-4 & another Tony Gonzale single led the Phillies to the 11-4 win. Met pitchers Al Jackson allowed five earned runs) Ray Daviault allowed two earned runs, Bob Miller, one earned run & Willard Hunter one earned run as well in the 11-9 loss.
In the top of the 1st, Tony Gonzalez hit his 18th HR of the season. In the top of the 2nd, Tony Taylor's RBI hit gave the Phillies a 2-0 lead.
In the bottom of the 2nd, Frank Thomas hit his 22nd HR of the year, a long solo shot into left field.
If Craig Andrson's season wasn't going bad enough, he gave up a grand slam HR to the Phils pitcher Art Mahaffey to fall behind 6-1. In the top of the 4th, the Phils added two more run, as Anderson exited the game down 8-1. All runs were earned & he gave up 11 hits.
In the bottom of the 7th, Frank Thomas connected again, with a line drive HR over the Polo Grounds left field wall with his second HR of the game. It was Thomas' second straight multi-HR game. The two RBI's gave him 69 on the season.
"Marvelous" Marv Throneberry followed with a back-to-back HR. In the 9th inning, Throneberry would hit his second HR of the game. For Marv it was the second multi-HR game of his career.The Mets would take a 9-4 loss to the Phillies as Art Mahaffey tossed a complete game, five hit victory. Of the five hits, Frank Thomas collected three & "Marvelous' Marv the other two.
Friday August 3rd, 1962: On Friday night, Fred Hutchinson’s reigning NL Champion Cincinnati Reds (63-43) were in town to take on the Mets in front of 8,811 fans at the Polo Grounds. The Mets Jay Hook took on the Reds Joey Jay.
In the bottom of the 2nd, Frank 
Thomas led off the inning with a HR, Thomas's fifth HR in the last three games.
In the top of the 4th, the Reds put up five runs on a two run HR from Gordy Coleman, a two-run single from Frank Robinson & an RBI hit from Eddie Kasko.
In the bottom of the 5th, the Mets Charlie Neal hit a solo HR making it a 5-2 Reds lead. In the top of the 7th, the Reds added two more with RBIs from Jerry Lynch & Frank Robinson.
In the bottom of the 5th, the Mets Charlie Neal hit a solo HR making it a 5-2 Reds lead. In the top of the 7th, the Reds added two more with RBIs from Jerry Lynch & Frank Robinson.
In the bottom of the 7th, Frank Thomas hit his second HR of the game, his sixth HR in the last three games.
Frank Thomas Trivia: In his last three games, Thomas, had collected eight hits, with six HRs & ten RBIs. He brought his season average up to .296 with 25 HRs & 71 RBIs. On the season he would lead the club hitting 34 HRs (6th most in the NL).