Remembering Mets History (1999) NLCS Game #4: Mets Silence John Rocker & Avoid Sweep as Jon Olerud's Drives in All Three Mets Runs
Mets manager Bobby Valentine sent Rick Reed (11-5 / 4.58 ERA) to the mound to face off against Atlanta's John Smoltz (11-8 / 3.19 ERA).
The Mets Braves rivalry of that era was in full swing. Prior to the series, the Braves Chipper Jones had made comments about the Mets being dead, weeks ago.
Quotes- Bobby Valentine: "the Braves better be ready to play some ghosts".
Shea Stadium Taunts: The Mets fans let Jones have it, as they would forever "Boo" & hiss at just the sight of him. It was here where the Mets fans began to call him by his birth given name: "Laaaarrrry". They also began the clever references to the Three Stooges- Larry Fine.
This was also the series where obnoxious Braves pitcher John Rocker, began making his rude comments about New York & the folks who live here. On the field Rocker would also pretend to throw ball into the stands, taunting the fans.
Both pitchers retired the opposing sides in order in the first two innings.
In the bottom of the 6th inning, Jon Olerud connected off Smoltz with a HR giving the Mets a 1-0
lead. It was Johnny O's second HR that post season & his fifth career post season HR.
In the top of the 8th, Rick Reed went back to the mound, with a one hit shutout going. But then he ran out of gas as he surrendered back-to-back HRs to Brian Jordan & Ryan Klesko putting Atlanta up 2-1.
Thru the years Rocker continued to make controversial remarks offending people of all kinds. Wherever he played he would get taunted by fans of the opposing or same team as well. He would admit to using steroids claiming everyone had in that era. He also would write a book & appear on television shows.
This was also the series where obnoxious Braves pitcher John Rocker, began making his rude comments about New York & the folks who live here. On the field Rocker would also pretend to throw ball into the stands, taunting the fans.
This brought a certain ugliness out of the Shea Crowd as well, as John Rocker & Chipper Jones became two of the most hated sports opponents of the era & maybe all time.
National Anthem: Astoria Queens native, Cyndi Lauper sang the National Anthem, to get things started & it was the on to a classic Mets post season night.
In the home 3rd, the Mets Roger Cedeno singled with the game's first hit but went nowhere as John Smoltz got Rey Ordonez & Rick Reed to both ground out. He then struck out Rickey Henderson to end the inning.
Rick Reed retired the first ten batters before giving up a hit to Bret Boone. Boone was thrown out by Mike Piazza trying to steal second.
Rick Reed retired the first ten batters before giving up a hit to Bret Boone. Boone was thrown out by Mike Piazza trying to steal second.
Rick Reed went on to retire the next ten Braves in a row as well.
In the top of the 5th, after having retired eight batters in a row, John Smoltz gave up a single to Roger Cedeno, for the Mets second hit.
lead. It was Johnny O's second HR that post season & his fifth career post season HR.
In the top of the 8th, Rick Reed went back to the mound, with a one hit shutout going. But then he ran out of gas as he surrendered back-to-back HRs to Brian Jordan & Ryan Klesko putting Atlanta up 2-1.
Mets manager Bobby Valentine came to the mound & brought in reliever Turk Wendell. Wendell retired the next three batters to end the inning.
In the bottom of the 8th, John Smoltz came on & up to that point had allowed just one run on four hits, striking out seven & hadn't walked anyone.
In the bottom of the 8th, John Smoltz came on & up to that point had allowed just one run on four hits, striking out seven & hadn't walked anyone.
Roger Cedeno led off the inning with a base hit to center field.
After Rey Ordonez failed on a sacrifice bunt, Braves manager Bobby Cox came to the mound & pulled Smoltz, bringing in Mike Remlinger. Remlinger struck out his first batter, Benny Agbayani. Roger Cedeno stole second base & Melvin Mora drew a walk.
The mentally disturbed John Rocker: Bobby Cox again went to his bullpen & brought in public enemy #1 in New York, John Rocker.
The mentally disturbed John Rocker: Bobby Cox again went to his bullpen & brought in public enemy #1 in New York, John Rocker. Rocker had made comments to Sports Illustrated writer Jeff Pearlman criticizing the driving skills of Asian women, his dislike of foreigners & saying he'd never play in New York for any team.
Quotes- John Rocker: "Imagine having to take the 7 train to the ballpark, looking like you're riding through Beirut to some kid with purple hair, some queer with AIDS, right next to some dude who just got out of jail for the fourth time right next to some twenty-year-old mom with four kids, it's depressing".
Quotes- John Rocker: "Imagine having to take the 7 train to the ballpark, looking like you're riding through Beirut to some kid with purple hair, some queer with AIDS, right next to some dude who just got out of jail for the fourth time right next to some twenty-year-old mom with four kids, it's depressing".
After his Game #3 save at Shea, Rocker taunted the fans & shouted back at them as they were letting him have. The Shea fans threw whatever they could at him & shouted back as loud as they could any time, he was visible to them.
But no justice was better than what happened when he came to the mound in Game #4.
Met manager Bobby Valentine put on the double steal, as the Mets made it look easy as both Roger Cedeno & Melvin Mora successfully stole the next base. Braves manager Bobby Cox later said he knew it was coming.
Quotes- Turk Wendell: " He got everything that was coming to him. That was very pleasurable to see. It's too bad we didn't leave him standing on the field. That would have been the ultimate".
Met manager Bobby Valentine put on the double steal, as the Mets made it look easy as both Roger Cedeno & Melvin Mora successfully stole the next base. Braves manager Bobby Cox later said he knew it was coming.
Jon Olerud stepped back in & then delivered the deadly blow to Rocker, a two-run single up the middle, scoring Roger Cedeno & Melvin Mora putting the Mets ahead for good with what was the game winning hit.
Trivia: Olerud had now driven in all three Mets runs on the day & collected three of the Mets five hits, with Roger Cedeno collecting the other two. Thru the first four games Braves pitchers held the Mets to nine runs on 23 hits in 36 innings.
The crowd went absolutely crazy & gave it to Rocker as loud as they could.
Turk Trivia: Wendell was the winning pitcher of record, earning his second post season victory & was posting a 1.59 ERA in five appearances.
Armando Benitez came on for the save & had one of his best post season performances retiring the side in order, striking out Keith Lockhart to end the game. The Mets still down three games to one, had life.
Quotes- Mike Piazza: "It doesn't look good, but you hope it's a momentum change. We're still in a tough position, but we're not rolling over & dying. We're going to battle; that's the way we've played all year."
Armando Benitez came on for the save & had one of his best post season performances retiring the side in order, striking out Keith Lockhart to end the game. The Mets still down three games to one, had life.
Quotes- Mike Piazza: "It doesn't look good, but you hope it's a momentum change. We're still in a tough position, but we're not rolling over & dying. We're going to battle; that's the way we've played all year."
