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

Tom Seaver then struck out Deron Johnson & Johnny Briggs in that inning to total six strike outs. In the 4th, he walked Briggs, then got Don Money to line out. Seaver then struck out numbers seven & eight, Deron Johnson & Larry Hisel. In the 5th inning Seaver got Larry Bowa looking, got Mike Compton this time to ground out & then whiffed Bill Wilson for his tenth strike out of the night.

In the 6th Seaver retired the first two batters then struck out Don Money. In the 7th, Deron Johnson went down again for K #12. Larry Hisel pooped out & Larry Bowa hit a liner but it was snagged by Cleon Jones.

In 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 9th inning, Seaver got Briggs to line out & Don Money to fly 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 7-1lowering his ERA to 1.96. He would total 15 strike outs on the night. He walked three & 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. He would have 12
games that year where he struck out ten or more batters, including a record setting 19 less than a month earlier. 

As for the Mets scoring, 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 first run. As Swoboda tried to advance to third, catcher Mike Compton threw wild, allowing Swoboda to score making it 2-0 Mets. 

In the 5th inning, Cleon Jones & Donn Clendenon both walked, then two out singles by Joe Foy & Jerry Grote made it an easy 4-0 victory. Two days earlier Gary Gentry had one hit the Cubs at Wrigley Field.