Remembering Mets History (1967) Bud Harrelson's First Career HR

 Thursday August 17th, 1967: This Thursday afternoon the Mets played a double header at Forbs Field in Pittsburgh. Wes Westrum's Mets (48-69) were in ninth place of a field of ten battling just to stay ahead of the last place Hoston Astros. 

At the end of the season, with just eleven games left to play Wes Westrum would resign as manager. Westrum was looking to stay on as Mets manager but heard the rumors that the team was looking to bring in Gil Hodges who was managing in Washinton D.C. with the Senators.

The most took on sixth place Pirates (56-62) who were now being managed by Danny Murtaugh who had just took over the job from Harry Walker in July. In 1967 the Pirates would finish at .500 (81-81).

On this afternoon, Mets Rookie of the Year, Tom Seaver (12-8) made the start, Seaver had just pitched a three-hit shutout over the Pirates four days earlier at Shea Stadium on August 13th. He went up against the Pirates Steve Blass (4-5).

In the top of the 1st inning, Bud Harrelson led off the game with a walk, Cleon Jones & Bob Johnson followed with base hits. But the Mets couldn't bring in a run as Tommy Davis & Ed Kranepool were retired.

In the bottom of the 1st inning, Tom Seaver was shaky allowing base hits to Maury Wills & Matty Alou. Seaver struck out Al Luplow but then Willie Stargell tripled scoring Wills & Alou. Bill Mazeroski hit a sac fly scoring Stargell putting the Mets in a 3-0 hole. 

In the bottom of the 2nd, with two outs Seaver walked Steve Blass, then Maury Wills & Matty Alou hit back-to-back singles making it a 4-0 Pirates lead.

In the top of the 3rd, Bud Harrelson led off with a base, Cleon Jones followed with a base hit as Harrelson advanced to third base. Bob Johnson then tripled to right field scoring both Harrelson & Cleon making it 5-2. Johnson would score when Ed Kranepool grounded out to Willie Stargell at first base narrowing the lead to 5-3.

Tom Seaver was removed after two innings, allowing the four runs on six hits. Don Cardwell came on in relief & would finish the rest of the game.

In the top of the 4th, the Mets got two men on as Tommie Reynolds singled & Bud Harrelson walked. With two outs, Juan Pizzaro relieved Steve Blass & got Cleon Jones to ground out to short to end the inning.

In the top of the 5th, Bob Johnson walked; Tommy Davis singled & Ed Kranepool sacrificed the runners over with a bunt. "The Glider" Ed Charles was walked intentionally to load up the bases. 

Tommie Reynolds then singled to centerfield scoring Bob Johnson scored but Tommy Davis was thrown out at the plate by Matty Alou, as the game was tied at four. 

Jerry Grote was walked intentionally & the pitcher Don Cardwell grounded out to end the inning.

In the top of the 8th, the game was still tied at four. In the first game of this double header, the Pirates right fielder was Al Luplow not the usual Roberto Clemente. 

In 1966 & for the first three months of 1967, Luplow had played with the Mets. In late June his contract had been purchased by the Pirates.

With one out, Bud Harrelson hit a pop fly down the right field line that Al Luplow tried to make a shoestring catch on. Luplow couldn't make the catch, the ball bounced off the wall toward centerfield. 

Luplow thought was it was a foul ball. When umpire Ed Vargo called it fair Luplow began to argue the call with the umpire, Vargo. Bud Harrelson who was alert, had good speed & was a good base runner, kept going around the bases. Bud Harrelson slid safely into home plate & had his first career HR, an inside the park HR that put the Mets up 5-4. 

Pirate manager Danny Murtaugh pulled Juan Pizzaro & brought in Roy Face to pitch. Cleon Jones followed with a base hit. Bob Johnson collected his fourth hit of the game, a base hit to right field. It was Johnson's only four hit game of the season & in his short Mets career.

Next, Tommy Davis grounded out, but Cleon Jones scored putting the Mets ahead 6-4.

In the bottom of the 8th, Willie Stargell who always killed the Mets hit his 16th of the year making it a one run game. But Don Cardwell held on for the victory earning his fourth win (4-9).

Trivia: In his career, in 4744 at bats, Bud Harrelson would hit just seven HRs & this the only one he hit in the 1960's.