Remembering Mets History (1973) Cleon Jones Becomes the First Mets Player to Collect 1000th Hits & Willie Mays Almost Single Handedly Beats Pirates
Yogi Berra's club were still ten games below .500. They were in last place of the NL Eastern division, back nine games. Some of the new papers were calling for Yogi Berra to be let go as manager.
There was even a fan survey asking who the Mets should axe, the manager, the GM or the Chairman of the Board. The fans voted for Yogi to stay, as he was that popular a figure.
Berra had just stated to the press a few days ago his now famous line- "It Ain't over till it's over". Tug McGraw had shouted out his famous "You gotta Believe" motivation call a few weeks earlier, at chairman M. Donald Grant's team meeting. It was yet to be believed.
Eventually things would turn around, as most of the injured regulars returned to action. Excellent pitching & an amazing September run, got the Mets to win the Eastern division. A big win over the Big Red Machine in the NLCS & a seven game run which they fell short in the World Series, against the mighty A's.
One of the regulars back in action was Cleon Jones. Jones was one of the Mets main hitters, he had already missed almost two months of action with an injury. He returned in July & started making a difference. On this night he reached his own career milestone.
By now, Jones had been with the Mets for a decade, having played in parts of nine seasons. He was there for the bad years of the mid sixties, then was the leading hitter on the 1969 Championship team (hitting .340.) In 1973 he was one of the key players in the pennant season.
The 42 year old Mays accounted for three of the Mets runs with an RBI & two runs scored, with another two runs scoring on errors on balls he hit.
Veteran Met pitcher Ray Sadecki, had himself a shut out going to the 9th inning. But the Pirates quickly put two one as Al Oliver singled & Willie Stargell drew a walk. Yogi Berra went to the bullpen for Tug McGraw.
Quotes- Tug McGraw: "I knew that was my break & I had to take advantage of it"'
After walking Dal Maxvill, McGraw struck out Dave Cash to end the game. The Mets won it 5-1 with McGraw collecting his 12th save. For Sadecki he earned the win it was his second of the year (2-1).
There was even a fan survey asking who the Mets should axe, the manager, the GM or the Chairman of the Board. The fans voted for Yogi to stay, as he was that popular a figure.
Berra had just stated to the press a few days ago his now famous line- "It Ain't over till it's over". Tug McGraw had shouted out his famous "You gotta Believe" motivation call a few weeks earlier, at chairman M. Donald Grant's team meeting. It was yet to be believed.
Eventually things would turn around, as most of the injured regulars returned to action. Excellent pitching & an amazing September run, got the Mets to win the Eastern division. A big win over the Big Red Machine in the NLCS & a seven game run which they fell short in the World Series, against the mighty A's.
One of the regulars back in action was Cleon Jones. Jones was one of the Mets main hitters, he had already missed almost two months of action with an injury. He returned in July & started making a difference. On this night he reached his own career milestone.The Mets (47-57) hosted the reigning NL Eastern Champion Pittsburgh Pirates (51-57). Danny Murtaugh's Pirates were also struggling. at this time. The Pirates were a mighty force in those days, winning five of six divisional titles from 1970-1975.
Tonight the Mets Ray Sadecki took on the Pirates, Jim Rooker.
Thru the first two innings the game went scoreless.
In the bottom of the 3rd inning, after Ray Sadecki struck out, the Mets got consecutive singles from Don Hahn, Felix Millan. Then Willie Mays hit a high chopper down the base line, Don Hahn scored easily & after the pitcher Jim Rooker waited for the ball to come down, the only play he had was at first base.
Rooker's throw went wild, Mays went to second & Felix Millan came around to score the Mets second run.
Willie's All Time RBIs: It was Willie Mays' career mile stone 1900 & 1901 RBIs, sixth on the All Time RBI list up to that point in time.
1000th Career Hit: Next Cleon Jones doubled to right field scoring Mays with the Mets third run. For Cleon it was a milestone hit, his 1000th career hit, as he became the first Met in franchise history to reach that mark.
1000th Career Hit: Next Cleon Jones doubled to right field scoring Mays with the Mets third run. For Cleon it was a milestone hit, his 1000th career hit, as he became the first Met in franchise history to reach that mark.
By now, Jones had been with the Mets for a decade, having played in parts of nine seasons. He was there for the bad years of the mid sixties, then was the leading hitter on the 1969 Championship team (hitting .340.) In 1973 he was one of the key players in the pennant season.
Willie Mays then laid down a bunt down to third base, the Pirates were caught off guard, as the pitcher John Lamb picked up the ball he threw to first but no one was covering. Mays collected his second hit of the game without having a ball leave the infield. He advanced to second on the error as Felix Millan scored all the way from first base giving the Mets a 4-0 lead.
Cleon Jones then grounded out moving Mays to third. Manager Yogi Berra called for a suicide squeeze, Jerry Grote bunted & Mays scored from third base making it 5-0.
Veteran Met pitcher Ray Sadecki, had himself a shut out going to the 9th inning. But the Pirates quickly put two one as Al Oliver singled & Willie Stargell drew a walk. Yogi Berra went to the bullpen for Tug McGraw.
Up to that point in time, McGraw had been struggling, in his last 12 appearances he had four blown saves & two losses. On the year he was 0-4 with a 5.77 ERA.
Quotes- Yogi Berra: "If you ain't got a bullpen, you ain't got nothing. I've got to die with him, he's still the best I've got."
The first batter McGraw faced, Richie Zisk singled to centerfield scoring Al Oliver putting two on with no one out. McGraw struck out Bob Robertson for the first out.
Next Richie Hebner hit a smash to first base that Willie May, playing just his third game at the position that year, back handed it & made the un assisted out at first.
After walking Dal Maxvill, McGraw struck out Dave Cash to end the game. The Mets won it 5-1 with McGraw collecting his 12th save. For Sadecki he earned the win it was his second of the year (2-1).
The Mets were still ten games under .500 & 9.5 games behind the first place Cardinals. There was still a ways to go before they'd capture the NL East title enroute to the pennant.
McGraw would turn his season around to become one of the best relievers in the game coining the phrase "You gotta believe".