Remembering Mets History (1986) The Mets Go Mets Go Music Video

Sunday August 17th, 1986: A large crowd of 44,843 came out for this Sunday afternoon Shea doubleheader as the first place New York Mets (76-41) hosted Whitey Herzog's third place, rival St. Louis Cardinals (59-58).

In between games of this twin bill, the Mets filmed their classic 1986 rally-theme song, music video- "Let's Go Mets Go". 

In the mid 1980's everyone started to capitalize on their success by making so called music videos. The Mets were no exception.

The tune was written & produced by Shelly Palmer. The song was sung by Tom Bernfeld. Bernfeld was known for having had done some previous studio work with Eric Clapton.

The song was the promotional idea of Jerry Della Femina & two of his business executives. Della Femina was a Coney Island native whose ad agency had been hired by the Mets in the early 1980's coming up with the slogans "The Magic Is Back" & "Catch the Rising Stars".

The advertising agency was very successful in the commercial industry. They were famous for classic ads including the Meow Mix Cat Food theme, the Joe Isuzu car ads, Blue Nun wines, which featured actor / actress, husband & wife Jerry Stiller & Ann Meara. There also were advertising slogans for Chemical Bank, Becks Beer & Pan Am airlines.

On this day centerfieldmaz & friends were in the Shea Stadium crowd doing the chant with fellow Mets fans forever to be immortalized in the cheesy video. The crowd was directed when to stand & cheer by a video team. 

Shots of the fans singing, cheering & doing "the wave" were filmed. The wave had gained popularity at She Stadium in the heyday of the mid 1980's. There were also Mets players doing acting out their parts on the field.  It was certainly geeky but all in in good fun during the great summer of '86 at Shea.

Back in the 80's it was awesome, as was anything to do with that great Mets team. Us fans, like the team were cocky & couldn't wait for the playoffs to start. There was a feeling that no one could beat this Mets team.

First Game of the Twin Bill: In the first game, the Mets took a 2-1 loss to John Tudor, as held the Mets to a run over seven innings. Relievers Ray Soff & Pat Perry finished off the win. 

In the top of the 1st, back to doubles from Tommy Herr & Andy Van Slyke gave the Cards their first run. In the 2nd inning, Rick Aguilera had to exit the game as Rick Anderson took over.  In the top of the 4th, Tommy Herr walked, Andy Van Slyke singled & John Morris received an intentional walk loading the bases. Curt Ford's sac fly made it 2-0. On the play Mookie Wilson threw out Van Slyke as third base to end the inning.

But John Tudor, who always was tough on the Mets held them to a run, on four hits over seven innings. Ray Soff & Pat Perry closed out the 2-1 loss.

After the filming of the video, there was a real party atmosphere around Shea Stadium. It was time for more baseball as in the night cap Randy Nieman (1-3) went up against the Cards Danny Cox (7-9). 

Nieman a journey man pitcher who had been with Houston, Pittsburgh & the White Sox appeared in 31 games that season, finishing off eleven games. On this afternoon, Nieman made his only start of the season.

After two scoreless innings, the Mets got to Danny Cox in the 3rd inning. Catcher, John Gibbons walked then Rafael Santana singled. After Nieman & Lenny Dykstra walked, Wally Backman doubled to left field bringing in Gibbons to make it a 1-0 Mets lead.

In the bottom of the 4th, Darryl Strawberry drew a leadoff walk, Danny Heep followed with a two run HR making it 3-0 Mets. For Heep it was his fifth HR of the year.

In the top of the 5th, St. Louis added two runs on three straight singled with John Morris collecting the two RBIs.

In the bottom of the 5th, Mets pitcher Randy Nieman & Wally Backman both reached with base hits. Darryl Strawberry hit a fly ball to left field that Tito Landrum made an error on, allowing Nieman to score the Mets fourth run. Danny Heep then collected his second hit of the game with an RBI double to left field scoring Dykstra making it a 5-2 Mets lead. And the crowd kept partying.

Randy Niemann would pitch six innings allowing two runs on five hits. Roger McDowell came on & pitched three scoreless innings, to collect his 12th save of the year. 

In the bottom of the 6th inning, Tim Teufel added a solo HR off Ricky Horton, Tim's third HR of the season. 

In the bottom of the 8th, John Gibbons doubled & Rafael Santana walked. Lenny Dykstra belted his seventh HR of the year, the three-run shot topped off the 9-2 Mets win.