Remembering Mets History (1983) Mets Hit Three HRs To Walk Off & Come Back In Darryl Strawberrys MLB Debut
Friday Night, May 6th, 1983: Shea Stadium filled just 15,916 seats, as two Mets stars from different generations careers crossed over. Tonight, was the much-anticipated debut of the young, talented, Mets rookie outfielder, Darryl Strawberry.
Strawberry, the former number one draft pick was ushering in a new era in Mets history, while on the mound, "The Franchise" Tom Seaver represented the past, Glory Days of a Mets Championship.
Reds pitcher Bill Scherrer came in & quickly got two outs. But he then walked Darryl Strawberry
& the youngster stole second base, for his first career steal.
Foster delivered, as the Mets had their third comeback HR of the day. Foster's three run walk off shot was the game winner 7-4 Mets.
Trivia: After a slow start, Strawberry went on to win the 1983 Rookie of the Year Award.
Tom Seaver now in his second coming to the New York Mets, late in his career, got tonight's start for George Bamberger's fifth place Mets (7-15).
Seaver went up against Mario Soto & his former Cincinnati Reds team (13-14) in third place under Russ Nixon.
Seaver pitched eight innings, allowing three runs on four hits, striking out seven. The game was scoreless when Gary Redus hit a solo HR in the 6th inning. The Reds scored two more runs in the 7th, as Seaver walked two & Alex Trevino & Mario Soto both had RBI base hits.
The Mets began their big HR comeback day in the 8th inning. Danny Heep pinch hit for Jose Oquendo & hit a solo HR putting the Mets on the board.
In the 9th inning, Soto was going for the complete game win, as he struck out Mookie Wilson & Daryl Strawberry. Then Wally Backman got aboard on a pinch hit single.
With two outs, veteran slugger Dave Kingman stepped in & in dramatic fashion; "Kong" as he was known, hit a long two run HR to tie the game at 3-3, to get it to extra innings.
In the top of the 10th, Mets pitcher; Carlos Diaz had troubles, a Gary Redus triple followed by an Eddie Milner single put the Reds back on top 4-3. Tom Hume came on for the Reds trying to earn a save. But with two outs, Hubie Brooks delivered with another dramatic game tying HR.
It was now 4-4, remaining that way until the bottom of the 13th inning. A young Jesse Orosco came on to pitch three scoreless innings & eventually earn the win.
With two outs, veteran slugger Dave Kingman stepped in & in dramatic fashion; "Kong" as he was known, hit a long two run HR to tie the game at 3-3, to get it to extra innings.
In the top of the 10th, Mets pitcher; Carlos Diaz had troubles, a Gary Redus triple followed by an Eddie Milner single put the Reds back on top 4-3. Tom Hume came on for the Reds trying to earn a save. But with two outs, Hubie Brooks delivered with another dramatic game tying HR.
It was now 4-4, remaining that way until the bottom of the 13th inning. A young Jesse Orosco came on to pitch three scoreless innings & eventually earn the win.
& the youngster stole second base, for his first career steal.
Darryl was now in scoring position representing the winning run. Mike Jorgensen then drew a walk & George Foster came to bat.
Foster delivered, as the Mets had their third comeback HR of the day. Foster's three run walk off shot was the game winner 7-4 Mets.
Trivia: After a slow start, Strawberry went on to win the 1983 Rookie of the Year Award.