Remembering Mets History (1969) World Series Game #4: Tom Terrific's Pitching / Ron Swoboda's Catch & J.C. Martin's Amazing Walk Off Bunt Hit
The Mets pitchers had shut down the mighty Orioles line up. The Orioles had managed just six singles in the past two games, with their big guns Boog Powell, Brooks Robinson & Frank Robinson collecting just six hits in the first three games, with Powell collecting three of them.
Shea Stadium was filled again with 57,367 with fans ready to witness another amazing victory.
would go up against the only Orioles pitcher, to have a victory in the 1969 World Series, Mike Cueller (23-11 / 2.38 ERA / 182 Ks).
In Game at Baltimore, Cuellar held the Mets to a run & six hits pitching a complete game victory.
As Manager Gil Hodges said after the Game Three win, he felt pretty good having Seaver start Game Four & Koosman ready for Game Five.
Pre-Game Drama: Tom Seaver's day at the ballpark began when he learned that there were leaflets being passed around outside Shea Stadium, with his picture on it protesting the war in Vietnam. There was a quote saying, "If the Mets can win the World Series, then we can get out of Vietnam".
Seaver said any war protest from him would not come during a World Series & it would be him as a U.S. citizen not an MLB pitcher.
More US Flag Dramas: That day Mayor John Lindsay had agreed to fly the US Flags at half-staff to observe moratorium Day in honor of those who had died in Vietnam. MLB Commissioner Bowie Kuhn overruled the mayor & had the Flag flown at full staff.
In a pregame ceremony, former Mets manager Casey Stengel threw out the ceremonial first pitch. The Ol' Professor had managed the Mets from their inception until the summer of 1965 when health had him retire. Casey had always been the Mets biggest supporter & cheerleader.
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In the top of the 1st inning Tom Seaver started the game striking out Don Buford. Paul Blair followed with a single to center field. Frank Robinson flied out to center & Seaver closed out the inning by striking out Boog Powell looking at a called third strike.
In the top of the 3rd inning, home plate umpire Shag Crawford called a strike on O's short stop Mark Belanger, from the dugout manager Earl Weaver started barking from the dugout. Weaver was known to be one of the biggest complainers & argumentized managers in baseball history.
World Series Trivia: Earl Weaver who would make a career out of arguing with umpires & getting thrown out of games, became the first manager in 34 years to get thrown out of a World Series Game.
After the two singles, Tom Seaver would not allow another hit until the 9th inning as he would retire 19 of 20 batters in that period, allowing just a walk.
In the top of the 6th inning on, Seaver issued a walk to Paul Blair. Frank Robinson then popped
up & Boog Powell flew out to Tommie Agee in center. Seaver retired the next eight batters in a row.
Mike Cuellar had put in another strong outing, going seven innings,
allowing just one run on seven hits, as he struck out five & walked no one.
Cuellar gave way to reliever Eddie Watt, who had 16 saves (4th most in the AL) during the regular season. In the bottom of the 8th, Watt retired the side in order.
Multi- Three Hit Game: Next Ron Swoboda singled with his third hit of the game. During the regular season, Swoboda had two muti-three hit games.
In the top of the 10th, Davey Johnson reached on an error at third base by Wayne Garrett as the ball bounced thru him into left field. Mark Belanger then popped up to catcher Jerry Grote.
In the bottom of the 10th, veteran Dick Hall the oldest player at 39 years old in the Series came on
to pitch. Jerry Grote dropped a bloop into left field that Don Buford lost in the sun & Grote slid safely into second base.
Next, Al Weis was walked intentionally to get to the pitcher's spot. Gil Hodges made a couple of moves, first putting in pinch runner Rod Gaspar at second base, then called on backup catcher J.C. Martin to pinch hit for Seaver. Pete Richert (7-4 / 2.71 ERA) a native of Floral Park, New York came in to pitch for Baltimore.
J.C. Martin got the bunt sign and dropped a perfect bunt in front of home plate that rolled toward the first base side. Pete Richert chose to field the ball, instead of letting catcher Elrod Hendricks handle it
After the game, in the Shea Stadium visiting dugout, an ejected Orioles manager Earl Weaver naturally complained about the call, but MLB Commissioner Bowie Kuhn stated that the game was official.
Quotes-Tom Seaver: " I saw him hit the plate & I said to myself, my God I have won a World Series game. This is the most exciting moment of my life. When the run scored, I was a kid again & my entire life flashed before my eyes. I have wanted this since I was nine years old."
Quotes- Tom Seaver: "They overestimated themselves & underestimated the Mets. One more game will really prove it."
Seaver said any war protest from him would not come during a World Series & it would be him as a U.S. citizen not an MLB pitcher.
Quotes- Tom Seaver: "I'm a ball player not a politician. I did not give them permission to use me".
In a pregame ceremony, former Mets manager Casey Stengel threw out the ceremonial first pitch. The Ol' Professor had managed the Mets from their inception until the summer of 1965 when health had him retire. Casey had always been the Mets biggest supporter & cheerleader.
The National Anthem was song by singer / actor Gordon Mcrae.
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In the bottom of the 1st, Mike Cuellar retired the Mets in order.
In the bottom of the 2nd inning, Donn Clendenon launched a solo HR deep into the left field Orioles bullpen, putting the Mets on the board 1-0.
In the bottom of the 2nd inning, Donn Clendenon launched a solo HR deep into the left field Orioles bullpen, putting the Mets on the board 1-0.
Clendenon Trivia: Donn had not played in the NLCS nor in Game #3 due to Gil Hodges platoon system. He now had hit safely in all three games he played & homered in his second consecutive game.
Possibly trying to ignite his team or possibly just frustrated at how Mets pitchers shut down his team's bats, Shag Crawford had enough. The umpire turned to the dugout shouted back to Weaver to shut his moth. Weaver then followed the Umpire back to the home plate area, where Crawford then tossed Weaver from the game.
In Game #3 of the 1934 World Series, Cubs manager Charlie Grimm was one of four men to get ejected from the game.
Belanger & pitcher Mike Cuellar both reached with base hits. If Weaver's ejection seemed to spark the team it was short lived because Seaver retired Don Buford & Paul Blair on ground ball outs, them Frank Robinson popped up to Clendenon to end the inning.
In the bottom of the 3rd inning, Al Weis reached on an infield single. After Tom Seaver struck out, Tommie Agee singled to left field. But with two on & a possible rally in the works, Bud Harrelson & Cleon Jones both grounded out to end the inning.
In the bottom of the 4th Ron Swoboda singled to center field but was erased on Ed Charles inning ending double play.
In the home 5th, Al Weis collected his third hit of the series, a base hit but he too was erased on an inning ending double play, on Tom Seaver's grounder to Belanger at short.
up & Boog Powell flew out to Tommie Agee in center. Seaver retired the next eight batters in a row.
In the bottom of the 6th Mike Cuellar retired the side in order. In the home 7th, Ron Swoboda collected his second hit of the game, a one out single but Cuellar retired Ed Charles & Jerry Grote to end the inning.
allowing just one run on seven hits, as he struck out five & walked no one.
Mike Cuellar Trivia: The Cuban left hander was the most effective Orioles starter in the World Series, in two games he was 1-0 allowing two runs on 13 hits with 13 Ks & four walks in 16 innings of work, posting a 1.13 ERA. From 1969-1971 Cuellar would win twenty games three straight seasons, leading the AL in wins in 1970 (24).
In the top of the 9th inning, Tom Seaver was beginning to tire. After getting Blair to fly out, Frank Robinson & Boog Powell both reached on base hits, just the fifth & sixth hits of the game off Seaver.
With one out & runners on first & third, manager Gil Hodges came to the mound for a visit. Hodges discussed the game plan with Seaver & catcher Jerry Grote, choosing to keep the best pitcher in baseball in the game. The Shea crowd cheered at his decision.
The next batter was Brooks Robinson who hit a rocket toward the right center field gap. Right fielder Ron Swoboda raced for the ball, running as far as he could, then decided to leap after it.
Swoboda stretched out his body & reached out with his glove having the ball land inside of it, making a remarkable diving backhanded catch. He looked in his glove & there was the ball. The crowd roared, in disbelief they realized he had made a spectacular circus catch.
After Tommie Agee's two spectacular catches the day before, America was witnessing some of the things that made the 1969 Mets Amazing.
Today, it was Swoboda who etched himself in Mets history with one of the best catches ever made in a World Series. Although Frank Robinson tagged up from third base & scored the tying run, Swoboda's grab prevented the go-ahead run from scoring. The game saving catch would also have put another runner in scoring position with just one out.
Rocky's Defense: Ron Swoboda who was never known for his glove work, he erased all those early career error memories away. Tom Seaver once a critic on his defense would earn his only World Series career victory thanks to Mr. Swoboda's catch.
Quotes- Ron Swoboda: "I want to thank the Rawlings people for making such a fine glove. You know that if you catch the ball, you aren't going to throw anybody out, but you have to try."
Swoboda Trivia: A silhouette of Swoboda making his famous catch, is designed on the right field gate entrance at Citi Field in his honor.
Quotes- Ron Swoboda: "I want to thank the Rawlings people for making such a fine glove. You know that if you catch the ball, you aren't going to throw anybody out, but you have to try."
Swoboda Trivia: A silhouette of Swoboda making his famous catch, is designed on the right field gate entrance at Citi Field in his honor.
Now with two outs & order restored in the universe, Seaver got the final out of the inning, as Elrod Hendricks lined out to non-other than Ron Swoboda in right field.
In the bottom of the 9th inning, with one out Cleon Jones singled to left field. Donn Clendenon then struck out for the second out.
Gil Hodges sent up Art Shamsky to pinch hit for Ed Charles, but Shamsky grounded out to Davey Johnson at second base to end the inning.
World Series X-tra Inning Trivia: It was the first World Series game to go to extra innings since Game #5 of the 1964 Series. The next extra inning World Series game would come in 1973 when the Mets beat the A's in Game #2 at Oakland.
Pinch hitter, Clay Dalrymple then drove a single to center field moving Davey Johnson into scoring position as the go ahead run. Pitching coach Rube Walker came out to talk to Seaver with Rin Taylor & Tug McGraw throwing in the bullpen. Seaver remained in the game.
Don Buford then lifted a deep fly ball to right field that Ron Swoboda caught on the warning track for the second out. Since his two hits in Game #1 including the HR off Seaver, Mets pitchers held Buford hitless for the rest of the series.
Seaver then struck out Paul Blair to end the inning.
Overall, on the day for Tom Seaver, he went ten innings, allowing one run on six hits, struck out six & walked two.
Seaver Trivia: In four career World Series games, this was Seaver's only credited victory. Overall, in eight post season games he was 3-3 with a 2.77 ERA. In the 1969 post season Seaver was 2-1 with a 4.70 ERA striking out 11 & walking six.
to pitch. Jerry Grote dropped a bloop into left field that Don Buford lost in the sun & Grote slid safely into second base.
Jerry Grote Trivia: Grote had now hit safely in all four World Series games. He had a five-game post season hit streak going as well with three doubles.
J.C. Martin got the bunt sign and dropped a perfect bunt in front of home plate that rolled toward the first base side. Pete Richert chose to field the ball, instead of letting catcher Elrod Hendricks handle it
Hendricks was yelling he had it to the pitcher, but Richert didn't hear him.
Quotes- Pete Richert: " I just went for the ball; he might have yelled; first base or he might have yelled I got it. With all those people yelling, if I stop to listen, I don't make the play."
Richert's throw to first base hit Martin in the arm as he was running down towards first base.
The ball ricocheted off his arm & into right field. Rod Gaspar was rounding third base & crossed home plate scoring the unbelievable game winning walk off run. The Mets won the game 2-1 & took a commanding three games to one lead in the World Series.
The ball ricocheted off his arm & into right field. Rod Gaspar was rounding third base & crossed home plate scoring the unbelievable game winning walk off run. The Mets won the game 2-1 & took a commanding three games to one lead in the World Series.
Tales From the Dugout:
After the Mets celebrated on the field to congratulate Martin, Tom Seaver whispered to Jerry Koosman the scheduled Game #5 starter in the dugout to "get em tomorrow & stuff it down their throats, one more!"
On the field NBC Broadcaster Tony Kubek interviewed the winning pitcher asking Seaver if this was the most exciting moment in his life.
Quotes- Tom Seaver: "It is it has to be Tony, it's the greatest, I've wanted this since I was nine years old. This is the most beautiful ballclub I've ever seen, they're just fabulous, it's a pleasure to play with them it really is.
The Orioles protested that Martin was running inside the baseline, which could have resulted in an interference call. The umpires said they didn’t make an interference call because they felt Martin didn’t intentionally interfere with the play.
Quotes- J.C. Martin: "I knew it was a good bunt. As I was going down to first, I knew it was going to be a close play. Davey Johnson was getting down real low to take the throw., so I came in high, hoping the ball would hit me & I tried to swell up. When it hit me on the left wrist, it was the greatest feeling in the world."
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| Manager Gil Hodges congratulates J.C. Martin |
Rod Gasper Trivia: In an interview prior to the 1969 World Series a very cocky Frank Robinson said he had heard just about enough of the New York Mets hype. Robinson whined " And who the hell is Ron Gasper anyway?" He was corrected by a teammate that the correct name was Rod Gaspar. After the ending of Game #4, Mr. Robinson sure knew who Rod Gaspar was when he scored with the games winning run.
After the game Seaver was interviewed by NBC broadcaster, Sandy Koufax. Koufax asked Seaver if he thought God was a Mets fan? Seaver's reply was "no but he might have an apartment in New York".
Quotes- Tom Seaver: "They overestimated themselves & underestimated the Mets. One more game will really prove it."
