Remembering Mets History (1987) Strawberry & Hojo Make Mets First Team with Two 30-30 Club Members

Monday September 21st, 1987: Davey Johnson's New York Mets (86-64) were in second place 2.5 games back of the St. Louis Cardinals with twelve games left to play. They had lost three of their last four games missing a chance to gain ground on the Cardinals who had lost two of three.

Today the Mets were in Chicago to play an afternoon matinee at Wrigley Field against Gene Michael's last place Chicago Cubs (71-78) in front of just 8,229 fans. At this point in time Wrigley Field still did not have lights.

The Mets sent Dwight Gooden (14-6) to the mound against Les Lancaster (7-1).

In the top of the 1st, Lenny Dykstra doubled with his 31st double of the year. Keith Hernandez then drove a base hit to score Dykstra with his 86th RBI for a 1-0 lead.

In the top of the 3rd inning, Darryl Strawberry hit a one out single to left field. After Kevin McReynolds flew out Strawberry stole his 229th base of the year.

Dwight Gooden held down the Cubs for three innings. In the bottom of the 4th, Rafael Palmeiro homered for the Cubs to tie the game.

The game remained tied until the 8th inning with both Gooden & Lancaster still in the game.

In the top of the 8th, with two outs Darryl Strawberry singled up the middle & then stole second base. 

30-30 Club: It was Strawberry's second steal of the game reaching the 30 stolen base mark for the season. Strawberry already had 38 HRs to his credit which put him into the exclusive 30-30 club. Darryl became just the tenth member of the 30-30 club. 

Along with Howard Johnson, who had stolen his 30th base on September 11th, they became the first 30-30 club teammates in the history of MLB. Howard Johnson was the first switch hitter to join the 30-30 club as well.

Trivia: Four players in the majors, would reach 30-30 club status that year. Strawberry, Howard Johnson, Joe Carter of the Cleveland Indians & Eric Davis of the Cincinnati Reds.

After Straw got on base with a base hit, Kevin McReynolds drew an intentional walk & Gary Carter singled. Then it was Howard Johnson to the plate. 

Grand Slam HR: HoJo ripped a grand slam HR, to give New York a 5-1 lead. It was the fourth career grand slam of Johnson's career. It was his 36th HR of the season & his 96th RBI. 

In the top of the 9th inning, Lenny Dykstra hit his second double of the game, his 32nd of the year. Tim Teufel then followed with a two run HR, his 13th HR of the year sealing the Mets 7-1 win. 

Dwight Gooden went the distance, pitching a nine run seven hit victory, where he struck out nine batters, walking no one to get to 15-6 on the year.

The Mets went 6-6 over the final games & did not make the post season.