Remembering Mets History (1972) Tom Seaver Throws Independence Day One Hitter

Tuesday July 4, 1972: On this Fourth of July, Navy Day at Shea, it was an old-fashioned twin bill Holiday matinee followed by some fireworks at night.

Yogi Berra's second place Mets (43-28) were just one game behind the first-place reigning World Champion Pittsburgh Pirates. Today the Mets hosted Don Zimmer's last place; San Diego Padres (25-47). 

The Padres were playing in the franchise's fourth season, they would finish last in the NL West from 1969-1974, losing 100 games or more four times in that stretch. In 1972, the Padres best hitter was Nate Colbert who would hit 38 HRs & drive in 111 runs.

Today for the Mets, Tom Seaver (10-4) would pitch on five days rest. an extra day than his usual four days between starts. Tom was going up against the friars' Clay Kirby (5-7).

The Mets had won five of their last seven rebounding from a stretch where they had lost six of eight. They were suffering thru injuries with Rusty Staub, Tommie Agee & Cleon Jones all out of todays line up.

In the top of the 1st, Derrel Thomas attempted to start the game with a bunt base hit but he lined out to Seaver for the first out. After Dave Roberts grounded out, Seaver fanned Leron Lee to end the inning. 

In the top of the 2nd, Seaver started the inning striking out Padre slugger Nate Colbert then Cito Gaston for his third K.

 In the top of the 3rd, Pat Corrales pooped up to Bud Harrelson. Seaver then fanned Enzo Hernandez & got Clay Kirby on a grounder as he set down the first nine Padres.

In the home 3rd, with two outs Bud Harrelson singled & stole second. Then Clay Kirby lost all control. He walked four straight batters, first Wayne Garrett & John Milner to load the bases. He then walked in two runs giving free passes to Jim Fregosi & Ed Kranepool as the Mets had a 2-0 lead.

In the inning the Mets sent nine men to the plate, scoring two runs collecting just one hit & four walks.

In the top of the 4th Seaver had his roughest inning; after getting the first two outs, he walked Leron Lee & Nate Colbert. With Colbert being the first of just two Padres that would reach second base that afternoon. Seaver then struck out Cito Gaston to end the inning. 

In the top of the 5th, Seaver got two ground ball outs & a fly ball out keeping his no hitter intact.

In the top of the 6th, Seaver struck out Johnny Jeter, then got Derrel Thomas on a grounder to third base. He ended the inning fanning Dave Roberts for his seventh strike out.

In the top of the 7th Leron Lee flew out to center field, making it the first time a ball was even hit to the out field. Next, Seaver he struck out slugger Nate Colbert & Cito Gaston to reach nine K's on the day.

In the top of the 8th, the Shea crowd were hanging on every pitch, they had seen Seaver do this before but fall short, they were hoping this was the day to see his first no hitter.

The first batter Jerry Morales flew out for the first out. Next pinch hitter Curt Blefary struck out as Tom Terrific reached ten strike outs on the day.

Trivia: Although it was the third time on the year he reached double digits in strike outs, he would reach that mark six times on the year.

Seaver then walked pinch hitters Larry Stahl & Garry Jestadt. As the Padres had two men on for just the second time in the game. Next, Derrel Thomas hit a sharp liner, but it was caught by Teddy Martinez in right field to end the inning.

Seaver carried a no hitter into the 9th inning, once again flirting to throw the first one in franchise history.

In the top of the 9th, the first batter, Dave Roberts grounded out to second baseman Wayne Garrett for the first out. The Shea crowd cheered & held their breath for two more outs.

In July 1969, Seaver had taken a no hitter into the 9th but with two outs, the Cubs Jimmy Qualls lined a base hit to left field breaking up not only a no hitter, but a perfect game.

On this Independence Day, the next Padres batter; Leron Lee would spoil Seaver's no hit effort. Lee sailed a base hit into centerfield. The Shea Faithful let out a huge gasp, as they were heartbroken as was Seaver. 

Quotes- Tom Seaver: "As soon as he hit it, I knew it was a hit. At least I had the satisfaction of having him break his bat."

Leron Lee Trivia: Leron Lee was a life time .250 hitter. He played eight seasons in the majors, St. Louis Cardinals (1969-1970) San Diego Padres (1971-1973) Cleveland Indians (1974-1975) & Los Angeles Dodgers (1975-1976). In 1972 he had his best season batting .300 with 12 HRs 23 doubles & 47 RBIs in 101 games played. From 1977-1987 he played in Japan hitting 238 HRs & batting .320 enjoying a very successful career.

The crowd gave their beloved Tom a standing ovation; he walked back to his office of the pitcher's mound, continuing on with his business. 

The next batter Nate Colbert, who was now the tying run at the plate. Colbert grounded into a 6-4-3 double play to end the game. The Mets won the game 2-0. 

Tom Seaver threw a one hit masterpiece, striking out eleven batters & walking four. He went to 11-4 on the season with a 3.04 ERA.

One Hit Trivia: This was Tom Seaver's fourth complete game one hitter. He would go on to pitch five one hitters in his Mets career. It was the ninth one hit game thrown by a Mets pitcher in franchise history.

Tom Terrific '72: Seaver would win 21 games that year, winning twenty or more games in back-
to-back seasons, now a three time twenty game winner. After winning the two previous ERA & strike out titles, he posted a 2.92 ERA with 249 K's (second in the NL) in 1972. Seaver would throw three shut outs & 13 complete games on the season.

The Mets went on to lose the night cap & go 3-6 on this homestand.