centerfield maz

Wednesday July 9th, 1969: On this date the New York Mets ball club played in one of the most significant games in team history.  On this night the franchise gained respected & was recognized as a true contender. The most important Met of All Time, Tom Seaver pitched one of his greatest games as well as one of the best pitched game any Mets pitcher ever had. In 1962, just eight seasons earlier t he Mets were an expansion team losing a record 120 games. That team mostly consisted of washed-up veterans & below average young players who never had a chance to develop.  Before 1969 the Mets had finished in last place six of seven seasons. But Manger Gil Hodges & their star pitcher Tom Seaver brought a new attitude to New York, it was about playing hard to win. There were some good young players who had come through their system with some of the best young pitching arms in baseball. By July 9th, 1969, the Mets were playing the best baseball they had...

Saturday July 9th, 2022: On this memorable day in Mets history a crowd of 43,336 came out to see the team retired Keith Hernandez's uniform number 17. In a touching pregame ceremony the Mets raided #17 up high at Citi Field to stand forever with the teams all time legends. An emotional Hernandez was surrounded by his daughters, grandchildren & his brother. Former Mets Mike Piazza, Mookie Wilson, Ron Darling, Tim Teufel & Ed Lynch were also on hand to honor "Mex". Quotes- Keith Hernandez: "This is a great moment for me. I never dreamed I'd be here this long, in the organization. I am absolutely humbled & proud that my number will be up in the rafters for eternity along with Gil, Tom, Mike & Jerry". Hernandez was greeted by current Marlin's manager Don Mattingly who also spent the 1908's in New York playing first base across town. Keith threw out today's ceremonial first pitch as well.  In today's game, Buck Showalter's f...

Saturday July 8th, 2006: Willie Randolph's first place New York Mets (52-36) were hosting Joe Girardi's third place Florida Marlins (38-47). This was the second game of a doubleheader in which the Mets had lost the first game 3-2.  A good crowd of 41,477 had all filled in for the second game played in the evening.  Tonight, Mike Pelfrey was making his MLB debut going up against the Marlins' Ricky Nolasco. In the top of the 1st, the first batter Mike Pelfrey faced Alfredo Amezaga reached on an infield single then stole second base. He struck out Hanley Ramirez but got wild hitting Dan Uggla with a pitch. Then Miguel Cabrera hit into an inning double play. In the bottom of the 1st, Endy Chavez led off with a triple into center field. Paul Loduca singled bringing in Endy with the Mets first run. Carlos Beltran walked & Cliff Floyd singled to load the bases for Jose Valentin. Valentin hit his seventh career grand slam HR giving the Mets a 5-0 lead. It was Jose...

Saturday July 7th, 1973: A Saturday afternoon crowd of 30,468 filled up Shea Stadium on a beautiful sunny day to watch Yogi Berra's last place Mets (34-45) take on Eddie Mathews fifth place Atlanta Braves (38-49).  At this point, Braves slugger; Hank Aaron was chasing the All-Time HR record & was the most famous face in baseball.  Aaron was #2 on the all-time HR list with 694 career HRs & the Mets' own Willie Mays was #3 on the all-time with 657 career HRs.  The Mets were bottomed out in last place 12.5 games out of first place, just about their lowest point of the season. There was still a long way to go in what was to be a pennant winning season  as the NL East remained tight all year. The Mets would not make their unlikely comeback until late August on. The Mets Ray Sadecki would get his first start of the year.  Sadecki a 13-year veteran who  spent eight years in St. Louis (1960-1965) winning twenty games & a C...

Timothy Shawn Teufel was born on July 7, 1958, in Greenwich, Connecticut. His father William was a carpenter & his mother Marjorie took care of the family's three sons. Teufel attended St. Mary’s High School in Greenwich, then moved on to Clemson University. The six foot right-handed hitting infielder, was a star baseball player there getting drafted by both the Milwaukee Brewers (1978) & the Chicago White Sox (1979). He did not sign either time. In 1980 he did sign as a second-round pick of the Minnesota Twins. In his third minor league season he hit 27 HRs & batted .323 for the AAA Toledo Mud hens, getting a September call up to the Twins big league team. MLB Debut: On September 3rd, Teufel  made his MLB debut going 1-4 playing second base in a 13-0 loss to the Baltimore Orioles. He hit well during the month, batting .308 (24-78) with three HRs, seven doubles & six RBIs.  On September 16th he had a 5 -5 day with two HRs against the Toronto Blue...