Remembering Mets History (1983) Mets Hit Three HRs To Walk Off & Come Back In Darryl Strawberry's 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, the Glory Days of a Mets Championship.
Tonight George Bamberger's Mets (7-15) hosted Russ Nixon's Cincinnati Reds (13-14).
Tom Seaver (1-0) was coming off his first win of the year in his return to New York, a three hit shut out over the Pirates. Tonight he went up against Mario Soto (3-2). Soto would win 17 games for the last place Reds that year.
Seaver would pitch eight innings, allowing three runs on four hits, striking out seven.
Mario Soto held the Mets scoreless thru seven innings. In the bottom of the 8th inning. Danny Heep pinch hit for Jose Oquendo & hit a solo HR putting the Mets on the board.
But he then walked Darryl Strawberry, as Straw reached for the second consecutive time. Then the youngster stole second base, for his first career steal. Darryl was now in scoring position representing the winning run.
George Foster delivered, hitting a three run walk off HR off his former Reds team. This was Foster's fourth HR of the season. The Mets had their third comeback HR of the night.
Tom Seaver & Mario Soto held their opponents scoreless thru the first five innings.
In the bottom of the 1st inning, Darryl Strawberry who was batting third & playing left field, struck out in his first career at bat.
In the bottom of the 4th, Straw popped up in foul territory. In the 7th, he struck out for a second time.
In the top of the 6th, Gary Redus hit a solo HR putting the Reds up 1-0. In the top of the 7th, Seaver walked Dan Driessen & Dave Concepcion. With two outs the bottom of the order, Alex Trevino & pitcher Soto both singled making it a 3-0 Red lead.
Mario Soto held the Mets scoreless thru seven innings. In the bottom of the 8th inning. Danny Heep pinch hit for Jose Oquendo & hit a solo HR putting the Mets on the board.
Trivia: Danny Heep had come over from the Astros in a trade for pitcher Mike Scott. Heep would be one of the Mets top pinch hitters in the coming years & Scott would become one of the Astros top pitchers with his split finger fast ball. In the 1986 NLCS Scott would baffle the Mets winning the only two Houston games in the series.. The Mets publicly accused him of scuffing the baseball. Scott was looming as the starter if there was a Game seven.
In the bottom of the 9th inning, Mario Soto was going for the complete game win leading 3-1. He began the inning by striking out Mookie Wilson. Pinch hitter Wally Backman then singled. Next Daryl Strawberry struck out for the third time in his debut game.
With two outs, veteran slugger Dave Kingman stepped in & in dramatic fashion "Kong" hit a long two run HR to tie the game at 3-3, to get it to extra innings. It was Kingman's fifth HR of the year
Kong Trivia: Kingman had first played for the Mets from 1975 - 1977 setting single season HR marks for the team. In 1977 Seaver was traded the same night Tom Seaver was traded in what is known as "The Midnight Massacre". In 1981 he was traded back to the Mets in exchange for Steve Henderson. In 1982 he became the first Met to lead the league in HRs (37).
In the top of the 10th, Mets pitcher Carlos Diaz had troubles, first Gary Redus tripled then Eddie Milner singled to put the Reds back on top 4-3. Diaz would make 54 appearances out of the bullpen going 1-0 with five holds, a save & a 2.05 ERA.
In the top of the 10th, Mets pitcher Carlos Diaz had troubles, first Gary Redus tripled then Eddie Milner singled to put the Reds back on top 4-3. Diaz would make 54 appearances out of the bullpen going 1-0 with five holds, a save & a 2.05 ERA.
In the bottom of the 10th, Tom Hume came on for the Reds trying to earn a save. After retiring the first two outs, Hubie Brooks delivered with another dramatic Mets game tying HR. It was his second HR of the season.
It was now 4-4, remaining that way until the bottom of the 13th inning. For the Mets Jesse Orosco came on to pitch three scoreless, hitless innings. Orosco had come up in 1979 & was now becoming the Mets top reliever, saving a team best 17 games that year.
In the bottom of the 11th, Tom Hume gave up a one out hit to Wally Backman, then Darryl Strawberry walked reaching base for the first time in his career. After Mike Jorgensen was struck out George Foster was hit with a pitch to load the bases. But Ron Hodges grounded out to Dave Concepcion at short to end the threat,
In the 12th, Hume retired the Mets in order. In the bottom of the 13th, Reds pitcher Bill Scherrer came in & quickly got two outs.
Mike Jorgensen then drew a walk & George Foster came to bat.
George Foster delivered, hitting a three run walk off HR off his former Reds team. This was Foster's fourth HR of the season. The Mets had their third comeback HR of the night.
Foster Trivia: George Foster would hit three walk off HRs that season & have five walk off game winning hits overall.
Straw Trivia: After a slow start, Strawberry went on to win the 1983 Rookie of the Year Award with 26 HRs 74 RBIs & a .257 average.
Straw Trivia: After a slow start, Strawberry went on to win the 1983 Rookie of the Year Award with 26 HRs 74 RBIs & a .257 average.