Remembering Mets History: (1967) Jerry Buchek's Walk Off HR Gives Tom Seaver His Third Career Win

Friday May 5th 1967: A young Tom Seaver was quickly making a name for himself, impressing everyone across major league baseball. He was certainly becoming a popular figure in New York as well. 

12,745 Mets fans came to Shea Stadium to see Tom Seaver take the mound, as manager Wes Westrum's eighth place Mets (8-13) took on Grady Hatton's tenth place Houston Astros (7-15). Seaver's opponent that day was Dave Giusti.

Starting Lineups

Astros

1	Joe Morgan	2B
2	Sonny Jackson	SS
3	Jim Landis	CF
4	Eddie Mathews	1B
5	Rusty Staub	RF
6	Norm Miller	LF
7	Bob Aspromonte	3B
8	John Bateman	C
9	Dave Giusti	P

Mets

1	Bud Harrelson	SS
2	Cleon Jones	CF
3	Al Luplow	RF
4	Tommy Davis	LF
5	Ed Kranepool	1B
6	Jerry Buchek	2B
7	Tommie Reynolds	3B
8	Jerry Grote	C
9	Tom Seaver

The Mets jumped on the board first, as Jerry Buchek & Tommy Reynolds singled with one out in the 2nd inning. Jerry Grote then got aboard on an error by second baseman; Joe Morgan, as Buchek scored. With two outs, Harrelson singled to right field scoring Reynolds. 

In the 4th inning, the Astros tied it up, as a young Rusty Staub hit a two run HR off his future teammate & friend, Tom Seaver.

The game stayed that way until the 9th inning, when second baseman; Jerry Buchek led off against reliever Claude Raymond. 

Buchek blasted a walk off solo HR, giving Seaver & the Mets a victory. Buchek was the main second baseman that season & would hit a career high 14 HRs, second most on the '67 Mets team.

Tom Seaver earned  his third career win (3-1) in just his fifth ever start. He struck out five on this night, walking three. Seaver had 25 Ks in 37.2 innings up to that point.