Remembering Mets History (1967): Rookie Tom Seaver Earns Save In 2-1 Classic All Star Game

Tuesday July 11th, 1967: The 1967 All Star Game was played at Angels Stadium " The Big A" in Anaheim California. The Baltimore Orioles Hank Bauer managed the AL All Stars & The World Champion L.A. Dodgers skipper, Walter Alston the NL squad.

The game featured 20 future Hall of Famers and up until 2008 was the longest All Star game in history going 15 innings. 12 different pitchers were used, seven for the N.L. five for the A.L. & every pitcher had at least one strikeout. The two teams staff's totaled 30 strike outs a record which lasted until 2008.

The sole representative of the New York Mets, was a young 22 year old rookie named Tom Seaver. Seaver looked so young when he arrived in the clubhouse wearing a sweater, St. Cardinals future Hall of Famer; Lou Brock thought he was a clubhouse boy and asked him to fetch a beer. Brock was shocked when he found out, Seaver was on the team. He joked " Does your guardian know your out so late" ?

Seaver finished the first half of the season at 8-5 with a 2.65 ERA, on his way to the 1967 Rookie of the Year award.

All the runs in this Mid Summer Classic were scored on HRs. The Phillies Dick Allen led off the 2nd inning with a HR off local hero, the Angels Dean Chance.

In the 6th inning, Brooks Robinson hit a solo shot off the Cubs Fergie Jenkins. Jenkins led all pitchers by far, with six strike outs on the night, in three innings of work.

The Cardinals Tim McCarver led the NL with two hits (going 2-2)& That years Triple Crown winner, MVP, Boston's Carl Yastremski had three hits for the A.L. The Twins Tony Oliva  had two hits of his own.

In the top of the 15th, Catfish Hunter was pitching in his 5th inning of work, he had only allowed two hits along the way. A single to  Houston's Rusty Staub & a double to Tim McCarver.

Then Cincinnati's Tony Perez came to bat & hit a HR over the left field wall putting the N.L. ahead 2-1.It was an exciting All Star Game walk off HR.

The Mets  Rookie Tom Seaver came on to pitch the bottom of the 15th inning, replacing the Dodgers Don Drysdale.

Seaver looked into his battery mate Tim McCarver took a deep breathe and got Tony Conigliaro to fly out. He then walked Yastremski, and got  the Tigers' Bill Freehan to fly out to center. 

The last batter was the White Sox, Ken Berry. Seaver struck him out, earning the All Star save.

It was one of Tom Seaver's first shinning moments in the spotlight, with many more to come.