Remembering Mets History (1969) The Mets Win the Pennant !
Mets Trivia: This was the Mets first post season home game in franchise history, played at Shea Stadium.
The Mets had taken the first two games of the series in Atlanta putting up twenty runs in an incredible offensive break out where they had collected 23 hits in the first two games as well.
On this afternoon they were looking to clinch the series & the pennant in a sweep at home.
All the world tuned in to NBC to watch the Amazing Mets make history as Curt Gowdy & Tony Kubek called the game.
Henry Aaron Trivia: Aaron would hit .357 (5-14) in the series with two doubles three HRs & seven RBIs. Overall, Aaron drove in seven of the Braves 15 runs.
The usually strong Mets pitching had now given up 13 runs in 18.1 innings which was certainly not the norm for that 1969 staff.
In the bottom of the 1st inning, Tommie Agee led off with a double. But he was erased on a line drive back to the pitcher Pat Jarvis, who turned a double play. Cleon Jones singled but the inning was over when Art Shamsky got caught looking at a third strike.
In the bottom of the 1st inning, Tommie Agee led off with a double. But he was erased on a line drive back to the pitcher Pat Jarvis, who turned a double play. Cleon Jones singled but the inning was over when Art Shamsky got caught looking at a third strike.
Hodges felt he saw enough in his rookie Gentry, taking him out of the game, bringing in the young fireballer Nolan Ryan (6-3 / 3.53 ERA / 125 Ks). The Braves had not yet faced Ryan during that season due to his military obligations.
At this point in his early career, Ryan was still known to be wild with control issues, it was a bold choice for Manager Gil Hodges. On the other hand, since it was a long relief situation, he felt the youngster was the right guy & was he ever.
Nolan Ryan struck out his first batter Rico Carty. He then gave an intentional pass to Orlando Cepeda loading the bases. Ryan then struck out Clete Boyer looking. With two outs, the catcher Bod Dider hit a fly ball to left field, that Cleon Jones snagged to end the inning & leave the bases full.
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Agee Trivia: In the final two games Agee had multi-hit multi-RBI games, with five hits, two HRs,
a double, four RBIs & four runs scored.
In the home 4th, Art Shamsky singled to right field to lead off the inning. Then second baseman, Ken Boswell hit his second HR of the Series, a two-run shot, giving the Mets a 3-2 lead.
In the top of the 3rd inning, Tommie Agee got the Mets on the board with his second HR of the Series, a solo shot off Pat Jarvis, narrowing the Braves lead to 2-1.
a double, four RBIs & four runs scored.
Cepeda Trivia: "The Baby Bull" tied Hank Aaron for most Braves hits in the series with five batting .455. He also drove in three runs, drew two walks & posted a .538 on base %.
In the bottom of the 5th, the Amazing's mounted their comeback. Nolan Ryan led off the inning with a base hit to right field.
Then rookie Wayne Garrett, who had hit just one HR all season in 400 at bats, blasted a two-run shot over the right field fence putting the Mets ahead 6-4. The Shea Stadium fans rose to their feet in excitement.
Garrett Brothers Trivia: In December 1968 the Braves had left Wayne unprotected in the Rule V draft & he was picked up by the Mets. His brother Adrian was playing in the Braves minor leagues but was released later that month.
Cleon Jones then doubled, knocking out the starter pitcher Pat Jarvis, who was removed in favor (future Met) George Stone. Stone got Shamsky to ground out for the second out.
Next, the hot hitting Kenny Boswell hit a liner that Henry Aaron grabbed but the umpire ruled was trapped, Boswell reached on a single bringing in Cleon Jones to make it a 6-4 Mets lead.
Ken Boswell Trivia: Boswell had himself a multi-three hit, multi three RBI game. He had homered in the last two series games as well.
In the NLCS Boswell would lead all Met hitters with five RBIs in this NLCS. His four hits were second best to Tommie Agee & Wayne Garrett, who both collected five hits.
In the top of the 6th inning, Nolan Ryan got Bob Dider & Gil Garrido to both ground out. Ryan then struck out George Stone to end the inning.
In the top of the 7th inning Nolan Ryan again retired the side in order, getting Felix Millan to line out to left, striking out Tony Gonzales & getting Henry Aaron to pop up.
In the top of the 8th Rico Carty singled, then Nolan Ryan struck out Orlando Cepeda & Clete Boyer, both looking at third strikes for his sixth strike outs, electrifying the crowd.
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Nolan Ryan took the mound & first, got Bob Aspromonte to fly out to Tommie Agee in center. Next (future Met) Felix Millan grounded out to the sure handed short stop Bud Harrelson for the second out.
The crowd were now making their way down to prepare to storm the field, as the unthinkable was about to happen, the Mets were about to clinch the NL Pennant.
Nolan Ryan pitched to Braves batter Tony Gonzalez, who grounded to third baseman Wayne Garrett, who threw over to first baseman, Ed Kranepool for the final out. The first part of the Miracle had happened, The Amazing New York Mets won the N.L. Pennant & were headed to the World Series!
Nolan Ryan pitched to Braves batter Tony Gonzalez, who grounded to third baseman Wayne Garrett, who threw over to first baseman, Ed Kranepool for the final out. The first part of the Miracle had happened, The Amazing New York Mets won the N.L. Pennant & were headed to the World Series!The Ryan Express Trivia: For Nolan Ryan he stepped into the national spotlight for the first of many times & many years to come in his Hall of Fame career. In seven innings of work, the flame thrower struck out seven, four of them left looking at the third strike.
Quotes- Mets broadcaster Lindsey Nelson: " the Mets win the pennant; the Mets win the pennant".
Quotes- Manager Gil Hodges: "In a slugging contest with the Braves, we've got to be definite underdogs, but our hitting is better than most people think. We have such fine pitching that we're inclined to overlook hitters like Tommie Agee & Cleon Jones."
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The team celebrated in the locker room as the champagne flowed. The New York Mets had five days to prepare for the World Series where they would play the mighty Baltimore Orioles & represent the National League. It was a wild scene. Legacy: The 19869 Mets will forever be known as the Amazing Mets or the Miracle Mets having won over the hearts of millions & forever becoming the face for all future underdogs.
The Shea crowd went absolutely nuts, charging onto the field tearing it apart while walking away with anything they could. The Mets players celebrated quickly on the field then ran to the dugout for their safety. By the time the fans were done & had finally been escorted out, the Shea Stadium playing field looked like the surface of the moon.
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| Nolan Ryan & coach Joe Pignatano during post-game interview |
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| Jerry Grote & Rod Gaspar celebrate with NY Mayor John Lindsay |
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| Bob Murphy interview Ron Taylor with Don Cardwell & Jack Di Lauro |
After all the celebrations on the field & in the locker room, pitchers Tom Seaver & Gary Gentry went back on the field to view the damage on the playing surface. It was to be quite a job for the grounds crew to fix up for the World Series!
