Remembering Mets History (1970) Tom Seaver Throws His Second Career One Hitter

Friday May 15th, 1970: A small crowd of just over 6,000 gathered at the old ballpark in Philadelphia, for a meeting between Gil Hodges second place New York Mets (17-16) and Frank Lucchesi's fifth place Phillies (13-20).

The Phillies were playing their last season in Shibe Park (also known as Connie Mack Stadium) which had been their home since leaving the Baker Bowl in 1938. Shibe Park was also once home to the Philadelphia Athletics from 1909-1954.

The Phillies were supposed to start the 1970 season at the new Veterans Stadium but it's opening was delayed by one year. 

The Vet was to be one of that era's "cookie cutter" stadiums much like Three Rivers Stadium in Pittsburgh & Riverfront Stadium in Cincinnati.

Tonight, the Phillies sent Woodie Fryman (2-0) to the mound against the NL reigning Cy Young Award winner; Tom Seaver (6-1). 

In the home 1st, Seaver struck out the Phillies Oscar Gamble & Denny Doyle. Johnny Briggs reached on an Al Weis error but was thrown out trying to steal. In the 2nd, Don Money grounded out to start the inning. Seaver struck out Deron Johnson & Lary Hisel for his third & fourth K's.

By the 3rd inning, he got Larry Bowa to pop up to lead off the inning. Then the Phillies reserve catcher Mike Compton singled to right field. This was to be the only hit Tom Seaver would allow the rest of the night.

Trivia: Mike Compton was another obscure player that ruined a no-hit bid for Tom Seaver. In July 1969 the Cubs Jimmy Qualls singled with two outs in the 9th inning of what was a perfect game. Mike Compton, played in 47 career games, all in the 1970 season batting just .164. 

Tom Seaver then struck out Deron Johnson & Johnny Briggs in that inning to total six strike outs. 

As for the Mets, in the top of the 4th inning, Don Clendenon singled to right. Ron Swoboda then doubled. Woodie Fryman threw a wild pitch with Joe Foy batting & Donn Clendenon scored the Mets first run. As Ron Swoboda tried to advance to third, catcher Mike Compton threw wild, allowing Swoboda to score making it 2-0 Mets. 

In the bottom of the 4th, he walked Briggs, then got Don Money to line out. Seaver then struck out Deron Johnson & Larry Hisel for a total of eight K's on the evening. 

In the top of the 5th inning, Cleon Jones & Donn Clendenon both reached base on walks. Then two out singles by Joe Foy & Jerry Grote scored both Cleon & Donn to made it a 4-0 Mets lead. 

In the bottom of the 5th inning Seaver got Larry Bowa looking at a third strike, then got Mike Compton to ground out. Seaver then whiffed Bill Wilson for his tenth strike out of the night.

In the bottom of the 6th Seaver retired the first two batters then struck out Don Money for his
11th K. In the home 7th, Deron Johnson went down swinging again for K #12. Larry Hisel popped out & Larry Bowa hit a line drive that was snagged by Cleon Jones in left.

In the bottom of the 8th, pinch hitter Ron Stone got caught looking. Seaver then blew away Oscar Gamble for the second time, his 14th strike-out of the night. 

In the bottom of the 9th inning, Seaver got Johnny Briggs to line out & Don Money to fly out for the second out.

Tom Terrific ended the game getting Deron Johnson to strike out for the fourth time on the night, earning the golden sombrero.

Seaver bested his record to 7-1 while lowering his ERA to 1.96. He struck out 15 batters on the night. Seaver would have 12 games that year where he struck out ten or more batters, including a record setting 19 less than a month earlier. He walked three on the & two other Phillies reached base on Mets errors, by Weis & Joe Foy.

In 1970 Seaver went 18-12 with a league leading 283 strike outs & 2.82 ERA. 

Two days later in the Mets next game, Gary Gentry would also toss a one- hitter.