Remembering Mets History (1967): Bob Johnson's Walk Off HR

Tuesday August 8th 1967: The New York Mets (41-65) were still being managed by former New York Giants catcher, Wes Westrum who would resign at the end of the season when he learned Gil Hodges was coming to manage.

Tonight 21,280 came to Shea to see the Mets host Billy Hitchcock's fourth place Atlanta Braves (56-50). The Mets sent Bob Hendley up against Denny LeMaster.

Starting Lineups

Braves

1	Felipe Alou	CF
2	Denis Menke	SS
3	Hank Aaron	RF
4	Joe Torre	1B
5	Clete Boyer	3B
6	Rico Carty	LF
7	Bob Uecker	C
8	Woody Woodward	2B
9	Denny Lemaster	P

Mets

1	Bud Harrelson	SS
2	Cleon Jones	CF
3	Bob Johnson	1B
4	Tommy Davis	LF
5	Ron Swoboda	RF
6	Ed Charles	3B
7	Jerry Buchek	2B
8	Greg Goossen	C
9	Bob Hendley	P

The Braves jumped out in front with RBI doubles from Dennis Menke in the 3rd & Rico Carty in the 6th inning.  Denny LeMaster shut the Mets out into the 8th inning, he was then removed with two outs & the bases loaded. Cecile Upshaw came in & got Bud Harrelson to fly out.

In the bottom of the 9th, the Mets made a come back, Bob Johnson singled with one out. Even in his young days, Ed Kranepool was a good pinch hitter, here he doubled bringing on Johnson. After Ron Swoboda lined out, The Glider-Ed Charles singled to center tying up the game.

Ron Taylor would hold the Braves down for two innings earning the win when in the bottom of the 11th, Bob Johnson hit a walk off HR off pitcher Jay Ritchie. An exciting win for the Mets & Bob Johnson who would spend just the 1967 season with the Mets.

That year he was the Mets top pinch hitter. The next season he would play for the Braves & have a walk off base hit against the Mets, off pitcher Billy Connors.