Remembering Mets History (1973): World Series: Game #1 New York Mets vs Oakland A's

Saturday, October 13th 1973: World Series Game #1
Oakland Alameda Coliseum, Oakland California 

The 1973 World Series Series opened up on beautiful Saturday afternoon in Oakland, as crowd of 46,021 came to the Oakland Alameda Coliseum. 

Hank Aaron became the first active player to ever throw out a ceremonial first pitch in a World Series. Aaron was just two HRs shy of the all time HR record (715) as the 1973 regular season ended.

The Mets would have to start the Series, without their main run producer; Rusty Staub, due to the injured shoulder he suffered crashing into the outfield wall in Game #4 of the NLCS. His ailing shoulder would be an issue the entire series.

Willie Mays was in the line up in his place, playing centerfield to the delight of America.

It was an extra special treat for Mays & the fans of the Bay Area since he had spent the majority of his career, playing across the Bay, in San Francisco.

Mays received a tremendous standing ovation from the Bay Area crowd during the pre game introductions. It was a tribute to all his great years, One of baseballs all time popular players, American appreciated Mays as well. This would be the last start of his career.

During the pregame meeting at home plate between the managers & the umpires, Dick Williams asked if Yogi Berra minded if Manny Trillo, who had been denied late activation by the Mets & left the A's one man short, could sit in the dugout. Berra responded with a  great reference to Game #3 of the NLCS brawl-

Quotes: Berra said "I don't mind as long as a fight breaks out, he stays there!"

The starting pitchers were Jon Matlack for New York (14-16 / 205 Ks / 3.20 ERA) who had pitched a two hit shutout in his last outing in Game #2 of the NLCS.

Matlack had won four of his last six regular season games as well. Although he was much better than his record shows, history remembers him as one of just four pitchers who started a World Series Game #1 after posting a regular season losing record.

Matlack went up against left hander Ken Holtzman (21-13 / 2.97 ERA / 157 Ks) one of Oakland's three twenty game winners. 

Holtzman had out dueled Baltimore's; Mike Cuellar in Game #3 of the ALCS, pitching 11 innings allowing just one run on three hits striking out seven Orioles.

Starting Lineups

Mets

1	Wayne Garrett	3B
2	Felix Millan	2B
3	Willie Mays	CF
4	Cleon Jones	LF
5	John Milner	1B
6	Jerry Grote	C
7	Don Hahn	RF
8	Bud Harrelson	SS
9	Jon Matlack	P

Athletics

1	Bert Campaneris	SS
2	Joe Rudi	LF
3	Sal Bando	3B
4	Reggie Jackson	CF
5	Gene Tenace	1B
6	Jesus Alou	RF
7	Ray Fosse	C
8	Dick Green	2B
9	Ken Holtzman	P

Mets Willie Mays Gets First Hit of '73 World Series

The World Series opened up with Wayne Garrett popping up for the first out. Felix Millan then grounded out. But then after recieving a huge ovation, America's favorite ball player in the twilight of his career, Willie Mays then appropriately, got the World Series' first hit, a single to left field. 

Cleon Jones then grounded ou to end the inning.

Matlach retired the A's in order in the first two innings.

Felix Millan's Error

In the Oakland 3rd, with one out, Dick Green walked. A's pitcher Ken Hotzman attempetd to bunt, but Green got thrown out trying to steal second base. Holtzman then doubled down the left field line. Holtzman did not bat all season, since this was the American League's first year using the designated hitter rule.

Bert Campaneris followed with a ground ball to second base, that went under the legs of the usually sure handed Mets second baseman, Felix Millan. Holtzman came around to score the Series' first run, 1-0 Oakland.

All Star Short Stops Campaneris & Harrelson

Bert Campaneris, was a six time AL stolen base leader, who had 34 steals on the '73 season, a number that was low for him. Matlack threw to first base & fooled Campaneris with the pickoff throw.

But the throw was too high as first baseman John Milner leaped in the air at first base to make the catch. Campy took off & swiped second base cleanly. Joe Rudi then delivered with a base hit to right field, and just like that it was 2-0 Oakland.

The base running antics of Bert Campaneris who was trouble for the Mets the entire series, caused the first controversy of the game as well.

In the 8th, Campy bunted between home plate & first base. Mets first baseman John Milner fielded the ball & attempted a tag on Campy on his way to first base. He slid under the tag, jumped up running safely to first base. He may have been out of the baseline as well but was ruled safe on all accounts.

Manager Yogi Berra came to argue the call saying Milner tagged him, to no avail. The play made the cover of that weeks Sports Illustrated as well.

The two runs proved to be all the A's needed that day, as their pitching held down the Mets to just one run on seven hits.

The Met run came in the top of the 4th. After Willie Mays grounded out, Cleon Jones doubled to left center field. The Hammer; John Milner brought him in with a single to center field. 

Jerry Grote hit a long line drive to center that was snagged by Reggie Jackson for the second out. Don Hahn walked but Bud Harrelson struck out to end the inning.

A's Ken Holtzman Shuts Down Mets

Holtzman went five innings, one run on four hits with three walks & two strike outs. He was relieved by the American Leagues best relief pitcher; Future Hall of Famer, Rollie Fingers (7-8 / 22 saves / 1.92 ERA).

In the 6th inning, Fingers served up a leadoff base hit to Cleon Jones. John Milner tapped a ball in front of the plate & was thrown out at first. Jerry Grote flew out to centerfield for the second out. Rollie 

Fingers then struck out Don Hahn. But the ball scampered away from A's catcher Ray Fosse & Hahn reached first base as Cleon Jones went to third. Fingers then struck out Bud Harrelson to end the threat. 

In the Mets 7th, pinch hitter Kenny Boswell singled but was quicklt erased as Wayne Garrett grounded into a double play. The Mets went down quietly as Millan grounded out.

In the 9th, Fingers got pinch hitter Ed Kranepool to line out. He then walked Ron Hodges who was pinch hitting for Bud Harrelson. A's manager Dick Williams came to the mound & brought in reliever, Darold Knowles (6-8 / 9 saves / 3.09 ERA) .

Knowles would get pinch hitter Jim Beauchamp to pop out & Wayne Garrett to fly out to right field. The first game of the World Series was over, with the Mets taking a rough 2-1 loss.

Matlack went six innings, taking the loss, even though both runs were un earned. He allowed just six hits with two walks & three strike outs.

After the 3rd inning , when the A's had scored their runs, Matlack did not allow any more base runners. Tug McGraw came in relief & pitched two scoreless innings, allowing a walk & a hit.