Remembering Mets History (1975) Mets Jon Matlack Wins All Star Game Co-MVP Award
Legendary Hall of Famer & Braves player Hank Aaron had moved with the team to Atlanta in 1966. But Aaron was closing out his career back in the city where he first starred, now a Milwaukee Brewer where he was a full time DH.
In 1974 Aaron became the All-time HR King, he was not only a hero in Milwaukee but a national celebrity. This was Aaron's 25th All Star game appearance.
1975 also marked the first time the All-Star Game used honorary captains; the first honorees were Stan Musial & Mickey Mantle.
This was Mets left hander, Jon Matlack's third straight All-Star game. At the break, he was 10-7 with 3.54 ERA & 86 strikeouts.
In the top of the 2nd inning, the Dodgers Steve Garvey & Jimmy Wynn hit back-to-back HRs off Oakland's Vida Blue, putting the N.L. up 2-0. Garvey was the reigning NL MVP & Jimmy Wynn was the reigning NL HR Champ.
In the top of the 3rd, the Cardinals Lou Brock singled. The previous year, Brock stole a record 118 bases & was the current all-time stolen base stealer. The Royals pitcher Steve Busby balked advancing Brock to second base. The Reds catcher Johnny Bench's then drove an RBI single into right field to make it a 3-0 NL lead.
In the 6th inning, the Mets Tom Seaver came into pitch. Tonight, Tom struggled, he gave up a
single to the A's Joe Rudi. After striking out Greg Nettles he walked the A's Gene Tenace.
Trivia: Yaz had come into the game, batting .313 having had 12 hits in his least 23 at bats. It was his 12th All Star appearance. He came to bat with no batting helmet & no batting gloves as well.
Matlack then struck out the White Sox Bucky Dent to end the inning.
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After Larry Bowa was hit with a pitch, The Cubs Bill Madlock, drove a two-run single to left field, scoring Smith & Oliver making it a 5-3 NL lead.
In the bottom of the 9th, the Padres Randy Jones retired Hal McRae, the local slugger "the Boomer" George Scott, then Rod Carew to close out the game.
All Star Game MVP: Mets pitcher Jon Matlack was credited with the win. He & Bill Madlock were elected the co-MVPs of the All-Star Game.
Jon Matlack later said that there was only one actual award on hand that night. They gave it to Bill Madlock because he played in Chicago. The league would give Matlack his back in New York where the MLB offices were & Matlack played.
1975 also marked the first time the All-Star Game used honorary captains; the first honorees were Stan Musial & Mickey Mantle.
Mets 1975 All Stars: The New York Mets had no position players on the squad but did have pitchers Tom Seaver & Jon Matlack representing the team. Tug McGraw who had been traded to the Philadelphia Phillies before the season began was also on the NL staff.
At the break, Tom Seaver was 13-5 with a 1.93 ERA & 137 strike outs. He would go on to win his third Cy Young Award that season. It was Seaver's seventh of his twelve All Star appearances.
In the top of the 3rd, the Cardinals Lou Brock singled. The previous year, Brock stole a record 118 bases & was the current all-time stolen base stealer. The Royals pitcher Steve Busby balked advancing Brock to second base. The Reds catcher Johnny Bench's then drove an RBI single into right field to make it a 3-0 NL lead.
single to the A's Joe Rudi. After striking out Greg Nettles he walked the A's Gene Tenace.
Red Sox star rookie, Fred Lynn then fly out to right field for the second out but then his Boston teammate, Hall of Famer, Carl Yastrzemski blasted a three HR, tying up the game.
In the bottom of the 7th, The Mets, Jon Matlack came on to pitch. Matlack struck out Twins batting champion, Rod Carew.
Oakland's speedster Claudell Washington singled up the middle. Then Matlack, who had one of the game's best pick off moves, caught Washington leaning. Matlack threw to Steve Garvey at first & Garvey threw to short stop Larry Bowa nailing Wahington at second.
Matlack then struck out the White Sox Bucky Dent to end the inning..jpg){kind=link}
In the top of the 9th inning, the Cardinals Reggie Smith singled to left field off the A's Catfish Hunter. The Pirates Al Oliver then doubled putting runners on second & third. Hunter was removed as the White Sox Rich Gossage came into pitch.
After Larry Bowa was hit with a pitch, The Cubs Bill Madlock, drove a two-run single to left field, scoring Smith & Oliver making it a 5-3 NL lead. Trivia: That year Bill Madlock aka "Mad Dog" won the first of his four batting titles. He would win consecutive titles (1975-1976) with the Cubs then two more (1981 & 1983) with the Pirates. Madlock was a .305 career hitter.
The N.L. added another run, on Pete Rose's sac fly, scoring Bowa for the 6-3 lead.
In the bottom of the 9th, the Padres Randy Jones retired Hal McRae, the local slugger "the Boomer" George Scott, then Rod Carew to close out the game.The National League All Stars went on the 6-3. This was their fourth straight win, as they would go on a streak of eleven consecutive All-Star game victories over the American Leaguers.
All Star Game MVP: Mets pitcher Jon Matlack was credited with the win. He & Bill Madlock were elected the co-MVPs of the All-Star Game.After the game, the Award was presented to the players on the field by MLB Commissioner Bowie Kuhn & US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger.
Jon Matlack later said that there was only one actual award on hand that night. They gave it to Bill Madlock because he played in Chicago. The league would give Matlack his back in New York where the MLB offices were & Matlack played.