Remembering Mets History (1973 World Series) Game #3 - Tom Seaver &. Catfish Hunter Face Off at Shea Stadium

Tuesday, October 16th, 1973: World Series Game #3 -Shea Stadium, Queens, New York

Carmen Berra cheers her husband Yogi's Team on

As the 1973 World Series moved east, there was so much excitement in New York City as the Mets returned home for the third game of the World Series. 

New York World Series Trivia: This was the very first World Series night game in New York City history.

The series was tied up at one game each. 54,817 paid was the official attendance on a standing room only, crisp autumn night at Shea Stadium. 

After the rowdiness of some fans at the NLCS a record 1,000 police & extra security guards were put in place to keep order. Luckily there were no issues recorded.

Quotes- Wayne Garrett: "The infield is in terrible shape. The grounds crew works as hard as it can, but no money is put into it. The infield is sinking. Everybody knows that the grass part of an infield is supposed to be higher than the dirt part. Here it's the other way around. Unless you get a ball on a long hop, you're in trouble."

Quotes-Jerry Koosman: "I'll be sitting in the dugout, and the crowds will get going and I'll feel a chill up and down my spine."

NBC who was covering the game knew the Mets were a big draw & wanted the prime-time audience. 

NBC Broadcasting Team for Game #3
Curt Gowdy, Lindsey Nelson & Tony Kubek

MLB Commissioner Bowie Kuhn agreed to have the official game time start at 8:30 pm. This was a late start back then the first time a World Series played a night game was just two years earlier in 1971.

Mets announcer Lindsey Nelson joined the NBC team of Curt Gowdy & Tony Kubek for the broadcast.

This was the first game back at Shea Stadium, since the fans had torn it up a week earlier at the conclusion of the NLCS win over the Cincinnati Reds. The grounds crew did the best they could to make repairs to the turf & dirt areas.

The Mike Andrews Drama: The Oakland A's, a team always involved in controversy, were a major news story but not because of their play on the field. It was because of the incident after Game #2 in Oakland involving team, owner Charlie Finley & second baseman Mike Andrews.

Mike Andrews was brought in to play second base late in the game. He committed two errors on back-to-back plays in the 12th inning. After the game Finley had him sign a waiver claiming he was injured. This would enable him to go on the DL & have another player activated in his place.

The players were boarding the team bus to leave Oakland when the news got out. The A's players were furious enough to boycott the series in support of their teammate.

MLB Commissioner Bowie Kuhn stepped in as did Players Union boss Marvin Mitchell. They insisted Andrews was to be reactivated & would join the team the next night.

After many a team meeting, the A's decided to wear black armbands with Andrews' uniform number on their sleeves in his honor. 

A's Captain Sal Bando Answers Questions for NY Press

Dick Williams Resigns as Manager- Telling His
Team At Shea Stadium in Closed Door Meeting

Oakland manager Dick Williams was so fed up with the owner meddling with team affairs on the field, he chose to resign after the World Series win or lose. 

It was in the Shea Stadium club house before Game #3 that he notified his team of this decision. It was already being rumored that Williams was taking a job with the A.L. New York team. He would go to the Angels instead.

The press was having a field day covering the story & being in New York the whole thing blew up even more. A's team Captain Sal Bando denied rumors that they were boycotting the Series. Reggie Jackson told the press he supported Andrews all the way. Many of the players voiced their negative opinions on Finley.

Tonight's pitchers would be Tom Seaver & Jim "Catfish" Hunter in a marquee matchup

As for the game itself, it was a marquee pitching matchup showcasing the two best pitchers in baseball.  

The A's sent Jim Catfish Hunter (21-5 / 3.34 ERA / 124 Ks) to the mound. Hunter had gone 2-0 in the ALCS allowing just three runs to the Orioles in 16.1 innings, striking out six walking five. 

In the 1972 World Series he also won two games 2-0 allowing five runs in 16 innings to the Cincinnati Rds. 

For the Mets, that years NL Cy Young Award winner, Tom Seaver (19-10 / 2.08 ERA / 251 Ks) was to make his third career World Series start. 

In the NLCS Seaver went 1-1 allowing three earned runs while striking out 17 Reds in 16.2 innings of work. He was the winning pitcher in the clincher Game #5.

As for the pregame festivities on the field, the first manager in Mets history, Casey Stengel-"The Old Professor" was on hand to throw out the ceremonial first pitch. 

Casey Stengel was seated in MLB Commissioner Bowie Kuhn's box as he tossed the pitch to Mets catcher Jerry Grote.

It was apparent from the start that Tom Seaver's fastball would be electric on this night. He overpowered the A's batters in an almost record fashion.

In the top of the 1st inning, lead off man Bert Campaneris started out the game by popping up in foul ground to Jerry Grote. 

Seaver then gave up a double to Joe Rudi. Rudi had 25 doubles on the season & would lead the AL next year with 39 doubles.

Tom Seaver then struck out Sal Bando swinging & got Reggie Jackson looking at a third strike to end the inning. Seaver would retire seven A's in a row including striking out five of them.

Wayne Garrett Hits Mets Leadoff HR

In the bottom of the 1st inning, Wayne Garrett led off with a HR, blasted to deep right field. It was his second homer of the World Series as he had hit one off Vida Blue in the 3rd inning of Game #2 in Oakland. Garrett had hit 16 HRs on the season, second on the club to John Milner's 23.

Mets Game #3 Trivia: This was the second time a Mets batter led off a World Series Game #3 with a HR. In 1969 Tommie Agee had led off Game #3 at Shea with a HR. In 1986 Len Dykstra would lead off Game #3 at Fenway Park with a HR as well.

After Garrett's HR, Felix Millan singled into left field for his eighth hit of the post season. Mets manager put the hit & run on. Rusty Staub slapped a base hit thru the hole at short advancing Millan to third base. The Shea fans began their "Let's Go Mets" chants.

With two on , no one out & Cleon Jones up, Catfish Hunter threw a wild pitch into the dirt getting passed catcher Ray Fosse then caromed into the dugout allowing Felix Millan to score from third with the Mets second run.

The Mets had Catfish Hunter on the ropes early with a chance to blow the game open, but they failed to make the kill.

Catfish slowly settled in, first striking out Cleon Jones. John Miner then bounced one off the plate that Hunter couldn't handle. Milner was safe, there were two men on with one out. 

Hunter then struck out Jerry Grote & got Don Hahn to line out to centerfield to end the inning getting out of a jam allowing just two runs.

In the top of the 2nd inning, Tom Seaver blew away the A's striking out the side getting Gene Tenace, Vic Davalillo (looking) & Ray Fosse. 

World Series Trivia: Seaver had struck out five batters in a row, one shy of a World Series record.

In the bottom of the 2nd, Hunter issued a two out walk to Wayne Garrett, then Felix Millan lined

out to end the inning.  

In the top of the 3rd, Dick Green grounded out to Wayne Garrett for the first out. Catfish Hunter lined out to Don Hahn in centerfield for the second out. Bert Campaneris then singled to right field. Campy had now hit safely in all eight 1973 post season games. Seaver then got Joe Rudi to ground out to Harrelson. 

Trivia: The 3rd inning would be the only inning Seaver did not strike out at least one batter.

In the home 3rd, Rusty Staub flew out to left field for the first out. Cleon Jones them grounded out to Sal Bando at third base. Catfish Hunter then walked John Milner. 

Trivia: John Milner had now reached base safely in all eight post season games & would reach safely in every 1973 post season game.

Jerry Grote then  grounded out to end the inning. 

In the top of the 4th, Sal Bando lined out to Cleon in left field. Seaver then struck out Reggie Jackson for the second time on the night for his sixth K.

With two outs, Seaver walked Gene Tenace.

 Next, the A's Vic Davalillo bounced one in front of the plate. Jerry Grote fielded the ball but his throw pulled John Milner off the bag. Milner dove for the ball saving it from going past him as the speedy Davalillo reached safely. 

Next, catcher Ray Fosse hit a chopper to short that Bud Harrelson charged & fired quickly to first to get the out to end the inning.

In the bottom of the 4th inning, Don Hahn hit a ground rule double down the left field line. Then Bud Harrelson flew out to right field. Hunter then struck out Tom Seaver looking, for his third strike out of the game.

Wayne Garrett was then put on intentionally. Felix Millan then hit a bouncer down the third base line that Sal Bando couldn't handle. Millan reached on the infield hit loading the bases for clean up man Rusty Staub. But Staub hit a comebacker to the mound, Hunter fielded it ending the inning. 

In the top of the 5th, Tom Seaver was still on fire as he struck out the side for the second time in the game. Dick Green, Catfish Hunter & Bert Campaneris all went down as Seaver now had nine strike outs thru five innings.

In the bottom of the 5th, after Cleon Jones was retired, John Milner hit a rocket down the right field line just missing a HR as it bounced off the foul marker into Reggie Jackson's glove. It ended up being just a long single.

Jerry Grote & Don Hahn both were retired on fly balls to Joe Rudi in left field. The score remained 2-0 Mets.

In the top of the 6th, Seaver ran into trouble for the first time. First Joe Rudi hit a deep fly ball to left center field, that Dohn Hahn leaped up against the wall to make an outstanding catch to save a hit.

The next play wasn't as lucky, Sal Bando hit a shot which went over Hahn's head in straight away centerfield, that went for a double. 

Hahn had misplayed the ball. In his defense he was confused in center due to some of the outfield turf having been removed along the warning track, then placed in the infield to make up for the damage done by the fans after the NLCS victory.

Quotes-Don Hahn: "I was playing deep, but not deep enough. I played the warning track. What should have been, wasn't. The ball dropped for a double. After the game Seaver told me he knew about the field being changed but forgot to tell me about it.

Next, Tom Seaver struck out Reggie Jackson for the third time on the night. 

Double Figures in K's: It was Seaver's tenth strike out of the night, the second time in as many 1973 post season outings he reached double figures in Ks.

But then Gene Tenace doubled down the left field line, bringing in Sal Bando with the A's first run of the night, making it a 2-1 game. Seaver retired Vic Davalillo to end the inning.

In the bottom of the 6th, Bud Harrelson led off with a base hit to center. Tom Seaver came to bat getting a nice applause from the Shea fans. Tom couldn't execute a sacrifice bunt & struck out as he popped it up in foul ground. Catfish then struck out Wayne Garrett for the second out.

Felix Millan drilled a liner to left center field but Vic Davalillo snagged it with a running catch to end the inning.

In the top of the 7th inning, A's manager Dick Williams sent up three straight pinch hitters. First Pat Bourque who hit a long fly ball to the right field warning track that Rusty Staub caught. 

Then Jesus Alou grounded out  to Bud Harrelson at short for the second out. Tom Seaver then struck out Deron Johnson for his 11th strike out on the night, ending the inning.

In the bottom of the 7th inning, A's reliever Darold Knowles (6-8 / 9 saves / 3.09 ERA) came in to pitch for the A's. 

World Series Record for Appearances: This was Knowles third appearance in the Series, he would set a record appearing in all seven World Series games.

Catfish Hunter had given up two runs on seven hits, striking out five walking three in six innings of work.  

Rusty Staub lined out to Joe Rudi in left. Cleon Jones grounded out to Campaneris at short for out number two. John Milner then drew his second walk of the game, but Jerry Grote ended the inning grounding out to Campy at short.

In the top of the 8th, Bert Campaneris led off with a base hit to left field. Campaneris who led the AL in stolen bases six of the last nine seasons, stole second base. It was a close play that second baseman Felix Millan thought he had made the out

on, but in a cloud of dust, umpire Russ Goetz called him safe. 

The moment lives forever in a 1974 Topps baseball card.

Joe Rudi then delivered a base hit to right field, tying up the game as Campaneris easily crossed the plate.

Joe Rudi Trivia: Rudi had now driven in a run in all three Series games. He had an RBI in four straight post season games & six of the eight 1973 post season games.

Next Sal Bando sacrificed Rudi to second base.

Mets manager Yogi Berra came out to the mound for a conference with Seaver, Jerry Grote & Bud Harrelson. Seaver pretty much demanding to stay in the game, convinced Berra to keep him in the game. 

After discussing the strategy, Seaver got Reggie Jackson to fly out to centerfield, making Jackson 0-4 against him on the night. Seaver then struck out Gene Tenace for his 12th strike out of the night.

 

Mets World Series K Record: Seaver's night was over, he left the game after eight innings, allowing two runs on seven hits walking one batter. He set a Mets single game World Series record that still stands with 12 strike outs. 

After all, was be said & done, the two best pitchers in baseball delivered for their team, living up to the hype  as advertised. Both Seaver & Hunter exited the game in a tie with neither figuring in the final decisions.

In the bottom of the 8th, the A's Darold Knowles had an easy inning. Don Hahn grounded out to Campaneris at short for the first out. Bud Harrelson then hit a bloop to short left field that was caught by Joe Rudi charging in by the foul line. Lastly, pinch hitter Jim Beauchamp lined out to Rudi in left field. 

World Series Trivia: Joe Rudi set a new World Series record with seven put outs in left field.

Darold Knowles would pitch two scoreless innings, giving up no hits & one walk.

In the top of the 9th, veteran Ray Sadecki (5-4 / one save / 3.39 ERA) came on for the Mets making his second Series appearance. 

Vic Davalillo reached on an error by Felix Millan at second base. Then Pat Bourque dragged a bunt that got past a charging at first base, putting two men on with no one out. 

A's manager Dick Williams put in his pinch runner, Allan Lewis. Lewis was baseballs first player to only appear in games as a pinch runner, he did not play the field or get any at bats.

Mets manager, Yogi Berra went to the bullpen & brought in Tug McGraw (5-6 / 25 saves / 3.87 ERA). For Tug, it was his third appearance after pitching six innings of relief in Game #2 on Sunday.

As Mets organist played her traditional Irish gig as Tug McGraw warmed up, the TV cameras showed Cleon Jones throwing up in left field. Jones was apparently sick suffering from a flu bug.

Tug McGraw did his job once again. First, he fielded Ted Kubiak's bunt & threw to third base nailing the lead runner Vic Davalillo.

Tug McGraw All Fired Up

Next McGraw struck out pinch hitter Angel Mangual looking at a third strike. He then got Bert Campaneris to fly out to Don Hahn in center to end the inning.  

The Shea crowd roared & cheered for McGraw as he tapped his glove on his upper thigh. When he got to the dugout, he jumped up & down in excitement cheering on his teammates.

In the bottom of the 9th, Dick Williams brought in Paul Lindblad to pitch (1-5 / two saves/ 3.69 ERA). Wayne Garrett led off & popped out to short for the first out. Felix Millan fouled a ball off that shook up catcher Gene Tenace. 

Tenace stayed in the game, when play resumed Felix Millan grounded out to Campaneris for the second out. 

The Oakland outfield gave Rusty Staub a big gap between left & center field thinking he was going to pull the ball to right.

But Staub took advantage of the situation & drove a liner into that left center field gap. The ball bounced over the fence for a ground rule double, where even the slow footed Staub may have gotten a triple. 

Cleon Jones was intentionally walked. Then with two on John Milner flew out to right field to end the inning. It was onto extra innings in a fantastic, Fall Classic nail bitter.

In the top of the 10th, Joe Rudi lined out to left field for the first out. 

Then Sal Bando hit a shot off the left field wall, Cleon Jones played it perfectly threw to second where Felix Millan was covering wide of the bag. He dove over to tag Bando who came in sliding & kicked the ball loose. Bando was safe at second. 

Tug McGraw got Reggie Jackson to ground out to second base, moving Bando to third base.

The Mets intentionally walked Gene Tenace, who reached base for the third time on the evening. McGraw then got Vic Davalillo to fly out to right field, ending the threat & the inning.

In the bottom of the 10th inning, Paul Lindblad stayed in the game for another inning. He got Jerry Grote & Don Hahn to both ground out to second base for the first two outs. 

Bud's Multi- Hit Games: Then Bud Harrelson singled to right field with his second hit of the night. It was Bud's fifth hit of the series & second straight multi-hit game.

Willie's Final At Bat: Yogi Berra then sent in Willie Mays to pinch hit & to the delight of the Shea Stadium crowd. The fans gave Willie a standing ovation as he was introduced. This was to be the final at bat of his Hall of Fame career. 

Mays grounded into the hole at short stop, Campaneris fielded it & got Harrelson on a close force play at second base. It was the third out & the inning was over. In the World Series Mays appeared in the first three games going 2-6 with an RBI.

Harry Parker Pitches the 11th.

In the top of the 11th inning, Harry Parker (8-4 / 5 saves / 3.35 ERA) came on to relieve Tug McGraw.

Tug McGraw pitched two scoreless innings allowing a hit, a walk & struck out one.

Harry Parker had pitched a scoreless 1th inning inning in the Mets Game #2 win in Oakland.

A's pitcher Paul Lindblad came to bat & led off with a line drive out to Bud Harrelson at short. 

Second Baseman Ted Kubiak then drew a walk. 

Angel Mangual Strikes Out but the Ball Gets by Jerry Grote

Passed Ball: Next, Harry Parker struck out Angel Mangual, but the ball got away from catcher Jerry Grote for a passed ball as Mangual reached first base safely.

Quotes-Jerry Grote: " The ball had been scuffed on one side & had been sailing, apparently Harry had turned the ball around without realizing it & the ball went in the other direction a little bit. And being a little bit on the tired side at this stage of the game, I just couldn't react quick enough to catch ball."

Grote had been behind the plate for almost three hours that night & had caught every inning of the four thirteen minute 12 inning epic on Sunday. This turned out to be a most costly error. 

Now with two men on, Bert Campaneris came to bat & delivered once again, driving a base hit into centerfield. Ted Kubiak scored from third base in what turned out to be the game's winning run.

Campy was thrown out at second trying to stretch it into a two-base hit. It was the third out, but the damage was done.

Trivia: Campaneris had hit safely in every post season game for Oakland up to that point going 12-37 batting .324 with 2 HRs, a triple, a double, two walks seven runs scored, six stolen bases & a .943 OPS.

This was his fifth hit of the World Series & he was batting .313 thru the first three games.

In the bottom of the 11th, Paul Lindblad came out for another inning of work. But when Wayne Garrett led off with a single, A's manager Dick Williams removed him for his bullpen star, Rollie Fingers (7-8 / 22 saves / 1.92 ERA). 

Lindblad had put in a fine outing, allowing no runs on three hits & a walk in two innings of work. He was to be the game's winning pitcher. 

Rollie Trivia: In his Hall of Fame career, Rollie Fingers pitched in three post seasons & three World Series. Overall he made six appearances with this being his only credited victory (1-0).

Next Felix Millan sacrificed Wayne Garrett over to second base. Rollie Fingers then got Rusty Staub to fly to center field. Cleon Jones grounded out to short stop  & fittingly Campaneris recorded the final out. It was a heartbreaking 3-2 loss for the Mets in another exciting game.