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 on a Friday night 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 at the old Shibe Park also known as Connie Mack Stadium, which had been their home since abandoning the Baker Bowl in 1938. Shibe Park was also once home to the Philadelphia Athletics from 1909-1954.

The Phillies were suppose to start the 1970 season at the new Veterans Stadium but it's opening was delayed by one year. The Vet was one of that era's cookie cutter stadiums much mile Three Rivers in Pittsburgh & Riverfront in Cincinnati.

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

Starting Lineups

New York Mets

1	Tommie Agee	CF
2	Bud Harrelson	SS
3	Cleon Jones	LF
4	Donn Clendenon	1B
5	Ron Swoboda	RF
6	Joe Foy	3B
7	Jerry Grote	C
8	Al Weis	2B
9	Tom Seaver	P

Philadelphia Phillies

1	Oscar Gamble	CF
2	Denny Doyle	2B
3	John Briggs	LF
4	Don Money	3B
5	Deron Johnson	1B
6	Larry Hisle	RF
7	Larry Bowa	SS
8	Mike Compton	C
9	Woodie Fryman	P

In the home 1st, Seaver struck out the Phillies Oscar Gamble & Denny Doyle. Johnny Briggs reached on an error but was thrown out trying to steal. In the home 2nd, Don Money grounded out & Seaver struck out Deron Johnson & Lary Hisel.

By the 3rd inning, Seaver already had four strikeouts, he got Larry Bowa to pop up to lead off the inning. Then Phillies reserve catcher Mike Compton singled to right field. 

It was to be the only hit Tom Seaver would allow the rest of the night.

Mike Compton was to be another obscure player that would ruin a no hit bid for Tom Seaver. Just as Jimmy Qualls had done in 1969. As for Mike Compton, he would only play in 47 career games, all in the 1970 season batting just .164. 

Tom Seaver struck out Deron Johnson & Briggs in that inning. He then struck out two more batters in the 4th & 5th innings as well. In the 6th he struck out Don Money & in the 7th Deron Johnson went down again.

In the 8th Seaver got pinch hitter Ron Stone looking & then blew away Gamble. In the 9th he ended the game getting Deron Johnson for the fourth time on the night.

Seaver went the distance, besting his record to 7-1 with a 1.96 ERA, early on in the 1970 season.  He would strike out fifteen Phillie batters on the night. He walked three & two other Phillies reached base on Mets errors, committed by Joe Foy & Al Weis respectively.

In the top of the 4th inning, the Met offense provided some spark, as Don Clendenon singled to right & Ron Swoboda doubled. Fryman threw a wild pitch to Joe Foy that led to Clendenon scoring. As Swoboda tried to advance to third, catcher Mike Compton threw wildly leading to Swoboda scoring to make it 2-0 Mets. 

In the 5th inning, Cleon Jones & Donn Clendenon both walked, then hits by Joe Foy & Jerry Grote brought them in, as the Mets went on to a 4-0 victory.

The Mets kept pace with Chicago Cubs now just a half game behind them in the standings. Two days earlier Gary Gentry had one hit the Cubs at Wrigley Field.