centerfield maz

Sunday September 1st, 1974: Yogi Berra's fifth place Mets (60-71) were nine games back at the start of September, but unlike last year in 1973, there was no NL Pennant run in store this September.  The Mets were still the reigning NL Champs but were to lose their title in the next month.  Tonight, the Mets hosted Clyde Kings third place Atlanta Braves (73-61) in front of 33,879 fans at Shea Stadium. The Braves former Rookie of the Year, Carl Morton (14-7) went up against The Mets Tug McGraw (5-7). In his Mets career, Tug McGraw made 36 starts for the club, most of them in the earlier part of his career. In the upsetting Mets 1974 season, the team needed help in the starting rotation at times & McGraw filled in making four starts. This game would be the only shut out he pitched in his fine career, where he made 39 starts in 824 appearances. In the 1st inning, that year's NL Batting champ Ralph Garr "the Roadrunner" led off with a base hit. Marty Perez then

By 1972 the Giants franchise was losing money, and owner Horace Stoneham was in debt. He would not be able to pay Mays' his big salary. So, after negotiations with the Mets Willie was traded back to New York for pitcher Charlie Williams & $50,000. At first, he did not know all the details & was upset at the trade. He felt betrayed by the Giants organization after all his years of dedicated service.  He felt a bit better after Stoneman tried to explain that it was done for Mays’ best interests as well as the team’s financial situation. New York Mets owner, Mrs.  Joan Payson was a huge fan of Willie and had tried to purchase his contract years earlier, offering one million dollars, but Stoneham refused the offer.  In 1972 the Mets gave Mays a ten-year contract at $ 175,000 a year, and after retirement $50,000 a year for the rest of his life. They offered him a position as a coach upon his retirement & Mrs. Payson promised to retire his number. Willie’s return to New

Sunday August 23rd, 1964: Casey Stengel's New York Mets (42-83) were at the bottom of a ten team NL. Today the hosted Bob Kennedy's Chicago Cubs (57-65) who were in 8th place themselves.  It was a traditional Sunday double header at the new Shea Stadium just across from the 1964 World's Fair being held steps away in Queens. In the bottom of the 3rd, two Mets singles by Bobby Klaus & Ron Hunt led the way for Joe Christopher's sac fly, making it 1-0. Galen Cisco held that lead until the 7th inning, when Len Gabrielson led off with a double, advanced on a grounder, then Jimmy Stewart's sac fly scored him to tie it. Cisco would pitch eight strong innings, allowing just a run on eight hits, he walked three & only struck out two. Larry Bearnarth pitched a scoreless 9th & Bill Wakefield started the top of the 10th. After fanning Jimmy Stewart for the first out he gave up a single to the pitcher Buhl, who was not pulled for a pinch hitter & then walked Joey