Remembering Mets History (1970) Tommie Agee Steals Home For A 10th Inning Walk Off Win
As usual, a large crowd came to see the Dodgers whenever they returned to town, as they were just 13 years removed from Brooklyn. The Dodgers were in a stretch where they lost seven of ten games & were 10.5 games behind the Cincinatti Reds
In 1970, the Reds would win the NL Pennant & lose to the Baltimore Orioles in the World Series.
Manager Gil Hodges, reigning World Champion Mets (51-44) were in second place, 2.5 games behind the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Tonight, the big Shea crowd of 53,657 was on hand to see the Mets starter Jerry Koosman (5-5), go up against the Dodgers, Bill Singer (7-3).
In the top of the 1st, Koosman gave up a base hit to Many Mota, then did not allow another hit
until the 4th inning.
Jerry Koosman would allow just the one run pitching nine innings, while giving up six hits, issuing a season high six walks while striking out six batters as well.
Tonight, the big Shea crowd of 53,657 was on hand to see the Mets starter Jerry Koosman (5-5), go up against the Dodgers, Bill Singer (7-3).
until the 4th inning.
In the top of the 4th, Willie Davis singled & stole second. Davis hit .305 that season & stole 38 bases (5th most in the NL). Ted Sizemore then singled bring in Davi with the first run.
The Dodgers, Bill Singer held the Mets scoreless thru the first five innings. In the Mets 6th, rookie Ken Singleton drew a one out walk. Cleon Jones then doubled to left field scoring Singleton to tie the game at one. It was Cleon's tenth double of the year & his 31st RBI. The game remained tied going into extra innings.
In the top of the 10th, Mets reliever Tug McGraw came on to pitch. Tug struck out Wes Parker, then got ground ball outs from Jim Lefebvre & Ted Sizemore.
The Dodgers Bill Singer pitched nine innings, allowing a run on five hits, striking out seven. In the bottom of the 19th, Jim Brewer came in to pitch for L.A.
Mets pitcher Tug McGraw came to bat & led off the inning with a single. Tommie Agee then attempted to bunt him over. Jim Brewer fielded the bunt, threw to second but McGraw slid in safely, as short stop Billy Grabarkewitz dropped the ball.
Al Weis came in to pinch run for McGraw but quickly got picked off of second by Jim Brewer.
Al Weis came in to pinch run for McGraw but quickly got picked off of second by Jim Brewer. Tommie Agee the always pesky baserunner stole second base for his 22nd steal of the season. Agee advanced to third when Jim Brewer threw a wild pitch.
Bud Harrelson then struck out for out number two. Then Ken Singleton drew a walk.
Manager Gil Hodges sent Donn Clendenon up to pinch hit for rookie Mike Jorgenson. Clendenon drew a walk to load the bases
Then, on a 1-1 count as Jim Brewer delivered his pitch to batter Cleon Jones, Tommie Agee surprised everyone in the ballpark breaking for home plate.
Agee slid under Dodger catcher, Tom Haller's tag as the home plate umpire Shag Crawford fell over Haller & Cleon Jones around the plate area. Crawford signaled Agee safe & the Mets won the game 2-1 on a walk off steal of home plate.Agee never lost his helmet on the play & walked off the field as his teammates all came out to congratulate him.
For Agee it was his 23rd steal of the season, tying the franchise record at that time, set by Cleon Jones in 1968. It was the second time Agee had stolen home.