centerfield maz

Ron Darling debuted with the Mets as a September call up in 1983.  He went 1-3 with a 2.80 ERA, showing signs that he would be a key part of the rotation for years to come. In his 1984 rookie season, he won his first game & by the end of May was 3-3 with a 4.61 ERA due to a couple of bad starts.  By this time, the Mets started showing that they were a good team with many good young players as well as having a few veterans mixed in as well. Ron Darling always pitched in the shadows f phenom Dwight Gooden who broke all the record & his strike outs electrified a once dark Shea Stadium. But Darling was very important to the Mets success & would have been a number one pitcher on most other teams. Trivia: At this point in time Darling was wearing uniform #44 before his familiar #12. Monday June 4th, 1984: Ron Darling went up against the Pirates Don Robinson at Three Rivers Stadium. In the top of the 1st, Darryl Strawberry helped Darling with a two-run HR to start the Me...

Tuesday July 1st, 1969: Donn Clendenon had only been with his exciting new Mets team for two weeks. Gil Hodges perused Clendenon & he was brought in to add much needed power & run production to the lineup. When he arrived, Hodges determined he was to mainly share time at first base in a platoon with Ed Kranepool.   In his first ten games, Clendenon collected four hits in 22 at bats driving in four runs. As July began, he settled in with his new club driving in run in five straight games. Clendenon collected 11 RBIs with nine hits, two doubles & a HR in that stretch.  July 1st, 1969:  This evening the Mets dropped a double header to the Cardinals in St. Louis. In the nightcap game they took an 8-5 loss with Clendenon going 2-2 with RBI singles off Mike Torrez & Joe Hoerner. In the top of the 14th, Ken Boswell hit an RBI single & rookie Wayne Garrett walked with the bases loaded with the winning runs. Wednesday July 2nd, 1969: In this 14 in...