Remembering Mets History (1986) Ron Darling Throws a Shut Out on Rusty Staub Day
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Not only was he honored by the Mets but by the National League, the City of NY, the NY Restaurant Association as well as the Police & Firefighters of NY for his charitable efforts.
Rusty Staub came out from center field riding & waving to the fans in a fittingly orange convertible.
Mets broadcaster Bob Murphy was the opening MC for the on-field ceremonies, donning a pink jacket & blue pinstripe shirt with blue tie.
Quotes- Rusty Staub: "The one thing that I'll probably miss the most in my life, is coming out of that dug out over there, trying to get a hit for you people in New York.
In the top of the 1st inning, with one out, Ken Oberkfell singled to left field. Ron Darling then
walked slugger Dale Murphy. He struck out Bob Horner & got Ken Griffey to ground out to Keith Hernandez at first base who threw out Murphy at second to end the inning.
In the top of the 4th, Bob Horner led off with a base hit. After Darling retired the next two Braves, Bruce Benedict singled to center putting two on. Ron Darling then walked Glen Hubbard to load the bases but he got out of the inning as pitcher Doyle Alexander flew out to centerfield.
In the bottom of the 6th inning, Dykstra hit his fourth HR of the season, a solo shot giving the Mets all they would need for the 2-0 win.
The Braves Doyle Alexander had only surrendered four hits in the game, but the two runs earned him the loss.
In 1975 Staub became the first Mets player in franchise history to drive in 100 runs.
Rusty Staub came out from center field riding & waving to the fans in a fittingly orange convertible.
Mets broadcaster Bob Murphy was the opening MC for the on-field ceremonies, donning a pink jacket & blue pinstripe shirt with blue tie.
Rusty's Staub's family was on hand including his mother, two sisters & his brother.
Mets broadcaster Ralph Kiner also helped out with the on field ceremonies, where Rusty was honored for his playing days, his restaurant business & charity work with the Rusty Staub Foundation.
Staub had insisted that instead of any personal gifts or items given to him a donation rather be made to his Charities. Mets GM Frank Cashen, then gave Rusty Staub a check for $25,000 for the Rusty Staub Foundation charity.
Staub a devout practicing Catholic, was honored to have his friend, The Archbishop of New York, Cardinal John O'Connor on hand for the festivities as well. Cardinal O'Conner made a speech, then telling a few jokes while referencing the Pope on Rusty's behalf.
Staub had insisted that instead of any personal gifts or items given to him a donation rather be made to his Charities. Mets GM Frank Cashen, then gave Rusty Staub a check for $25,000 for the Rusty Staub Foundation charity.
Staub a devout practicing Catholic, was honored to have his friend, The Archbishop of New York, Cardinal John O'Connor on hand for the festivities as well. Cardinal O'Conner made a speech, then telling a few jokes while referencing the Pope on Rusty's behalf.
Quotes- Rusty Staub: "The one thing that I'll probably miss the most in my life, is coming out of that dug out over there, trying to get a hit for you people in New York.The highlight of the event was when Keith Hernandez came out honoring Staub with a plaque for his friend & former Mets teammate.
Hernandez called for the team to join him & the 1986 Mets came out of the dugout donning long red wigs in Rusty's honor to congratulate him on his day.
Some of the players including Darryl Strawberry, Howard Johnson, Wall Backman & Roger McDowell padded their bellies in honor of Rusty's growing waist size.
A Shea crowd of 41,128 was on hand for the Sunday matinee as Davey Johnson's first place Mets (59-25) took on Chuck Tanner's fifth place Atlanta Braves (42-46). Ron Darling (8-2) went up against veteran Doyle Alexander (6-4).
Some of the players including Darryl Strawberry, Howard Johnson, Wall Backman & Roger McDowell padded their bellies in honor of Rusty's growing waist size.
A Shea crowd of 41,128 was on hand for the Sunday matinee as Davey Johnson's first place Mets (59-25) took on Chuck Tanner's fifth place Atlanta Braves (42-46). Ron Darling (8-2) went up against veteran Doyle Alexander (6-4).
walked slugger Dale Murphy. He struck out Bob Horner & got Ken Griffey to ground out to Keith Hernandez at first base who threw out Murphy at second to end the inning.
In the home 1st inning, Lenny Dykstra led off with a triple to center field. It was Dykstra's fifth triple of the year, he would lead the club with seven triples that season. Next Wally Backman grounded out to first base, allowing Dykstra to score the first run.
In the top of the 6thinning, Ken Griffey led off with a base hit & stole second. With one out Bruce Benedict drew a walk & Glen Hubbard singled to load the bases. Darling got out of another bases loaded jam when the pitcher, Doyle Alexander flew out to centerfield ending the inning.
Ron Darling pitched one of his best games of the '86 regular season, as he tossed a complete game shutout, allowing nine hits, with seven strike outs & three walks.
Darling would throw two shut outs that season, both coming in the month of July, the next coming on July 30th against the Cubs.
Trivia: In the month of July Darling went 3-1 posting a 1.47 ERA striking out 41 & walking 11 in 49 innings of work over six starts. It was his best month of the year along with May when he as 5-0 with a 1.63 ERA, 28 K's & 17 walks in 38.2 innings over five starts.
The Braves Doyle Alexander had only surrendered four hits in the game, but the two runs earned him the loss.Rusty Staub Trivia: Rusty Staub played nine years with the Mets in two separate eras. In 1972 he first came over in a deal with the Expos. In1973 he led the offense in the NL Pennant season.
In the 1973 NLCS he hit just .200 but all three of his hits were HRs, driving in five runs. In the Mets Game #3 win, he had a multi HR- four RBI game.
In Game #4 he made a 9th inning leaping catch, robbing the Reds of an extra base hit but injured his shoulder crashing into the right field wall. He missed the clinching Game #5 & his injury affected his throwing in the World Series.
In the World Series he led all batters hitting .423 with a HR, two doubles & six RBIs. In Game #4 he set a Mets post season record with a multi-five RBI game.
After that season he was traded to Detroit returning in 1981 Staub in the twilight of his career (1981-1985) becoming one of the games best pinch hitters, setting an MLB record with eight consecutive pinch hits & tying a record with 25 pinch hit RBIs in a season.
Rusty played in 942 Met games (15th most in team history) with 399 RBIs (16th) 709 hits (23rd) 130 doubles (23rd) 75 HRs 7 triples 296 runs scored batting .276 with a .358 on base %.