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

Friday May 5th, 1967: In this point in history, the Mets were still trying to establish themselves & put up a winning season as they were in their sixth year of play.

The 1967 Mets would not do that, they would finish tenth (57-94) & no one would believe that this team would win a World Series in just two years. But there were some beginnings to what was to be that Championship team.

Players like Jerry Grote, Cleon Jones were gaining experience in their second full seasons. At just 22 years of age, Ed Kranepool was already a five-year veteran & Ron Swoboda was in his third full season.

Exciting short stop Bud Harrelson was playing in his first full season & the Mets brought up the pitcher that would change the organization around to that Championship level, starting out what was to be a Hall of Fame career.

A young 22-year-old Tom Seaver was quickly making a name for himself, impressing everyone across major league baseball. Seaver was immediately 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). Tom Seaver was making his fifth career start, his opponent that game was Dave Giusti.

In the top of the 1st, Seaver had a rough start issuing two walks & throwing a wild pitch. But Seaver got out of the inning getting Rusty Staub to pop up to Ed Charles to end the inning.

In the bottom of the 2nd, the Mets jumped on the board first. With one out Jerry Buchek & Tommy Reynolds both singled. Jerry Grote then reached on an error by second baseman; Joe Morgan which allowed Jerry Buchek to score. 

With two outs, Bud Harrelson singled to right field bringing in Tommie Reynolds making it 2-0.

In the top of the 4th inning, future Hall of Famer Eddie Mathews led off with a base hit. 

Trivia: After 17 seasons with the Braves playing in Milwaukee (16) & Atlanta (1 year), Eddie Mathews was now in Houston. Next season he would finish his Hall of Fame playing career with the Tigers. Mathews hit 512 HRs with 1453 RBIs & a .885 OPS. He would go on to manage the Braves from 1972-1974 as well.

Next a young Rusty Staub hit a two run HR to tie up the game. Rusty was one of the first stars of the Houston Astros franchise. That season he hit .333 (5th best in the NL) & lead the NL in doubles (44). Staub & Tom Seaver would become good friends when they were Mets teammates (1972-1975).

The game remained tied going to the 9th inning. Seaver would allow the two runs on nine hits, striking out five & walking two. Seaver had 25 Ks in 37.2 innings up to that point in his career.

In the bottom of the 9th, Mets second baseman Jerry Buchek led off against Houston reliever Claude Raymond.

Buchek blasted a walk off game winning HR, leading the Mets to an exciting finish. Tom Seaver got the win earning his third career victory (3-1) & the Shea fans were thrilled.

Trivia: In 1967 Buchek was the Mets main second baseman, he would hit a career high 14 HRs, second most on the team. Jerry Buchek spent five seasons with the Cardinals as a backup middle infielder. He was in his first of two seasons with the Mets.