centerfield maz

Sunday, August 1st, 1999:  Bobby Valentines Mets (66-43) were boasting one the league's best records, trailing the Atlanta Braves by just a half game in the NL East.  The Mets had won eight of their last ten games, twelve of their last sixteen. This afternoon they were at Wrigley Field for the rubber game of the three-game set against Jim Riggleman's last place Cubs (48-54).  A Wrigley Field crowd of 39,222 filled the Friendly Confines to watch Kyle Farnsworth take on the Mets Al Leiter. In June Al Leiter had gone 5-0 winning five straight games, he went 2-2 in July coming into this game at 9-7. In the bottom of the 1st inning,  Al Leiter gave up a pair of singles but also struck out two batters, getting Glenallen Hill to end the inning. gain in the 3rd inning.  In the bottom of the 2nd, he walked Henry Rodriguez then struck out Gary Gaetti, Benito Santiago & Kyle Farnsworth. In the bottom of the 3rd, Leiter started the inning striking out two more...

In the 1962 Mets inaugural season, they were on their way to losing 120 games. It was a rough season as far as winning games, although it was an important season bringing National League baseball back to New York City. The old fans of the New York Giants & Brooklyn Dodgers took to the Mets as a whole new loyal fan base was born. In the zany season, there were some highlights. During the first week of August Mets slugger Frank Thomas brought some excitement to the Polo Grounds. On August 1st, Casey Stengel’s Mets were 26-77 in last place, 43 games back. Tonight, they hosted Gene Mauch’s seventh place Philadelphia Phillies (50-58). Wednesday August 1st,1962:  In the top of the 1st, the Phils Don Demeter hit a two run HR. Then with two on Bob Oldis drove in another run with an RBI single. In the bottom of the 1st inning, with the bases loaded, Frank Thomas drew a walk bringing in the Mets first run. Felix Mantilla's sac fly brought the Mets to within a run 3-2. In the top...

Tuesday July 30th, 2024:   The Mets came into the game six games above .500 at 56-50 having gone 16-9 in July after having started the month at .500.  Tonight, in front of 27,767 fans at Citi Field, the Carlos Mendoza's Mets hosted Rocco Baldelli's second place Minnesota Twins (58-47).  On the mound Sean Manea (6-4) went up against the Twins David Fest (1-1). In the top of the 1st inning, Sean Manaea issued his only walk of the game, a two out walk to Royce Lewis. He then struck out Jose Miranda for his first of the night to end the inning. After retiring the next four batters, Manea gave up a base hit to Brooks Lee the first of only two hits he would allow on the night. Manaea struck out Byron Buxton to end the inning. In the top of the 4th inning, Manea struck out Royce Lewis & Jose Miranda for his third straight strike out. Carlos Santana then singled for the last Twins hit of the game. In the bottom of the 4th, David Festa walked Brandon Nimmo, then balked & t...

Saturday July 29th, 2000: At this point in the 2000 season, Bobby Valentine's New York Mets were in second place, five games behind the Atlanta Braves & in the front runner for the Wild Card spot. The Mets had lost their main short stop Rey Ordonez for the rest of the season & were not willing to gamble on the young Melvin Mora to get them to the playoffs.  In a deal with the Baltimore Orioles, the Mets dealt Mora, Mike Kinkade & Leslie Brea in exchange for solid veteran; Mike Bordick. It was a good short-term move, as Bordick solidified the position, hit well enough & did help get the Mets to the World Series.  In the long term Bordick left via free agency signing back with the Orioles. Melvin Mora went on to a fine ten-year career in Baltimore, making two All Star team's the Orioles' Hall of Fame.  Mike Bordick arrived in New York to suit up for a Saturday afternoon matinee at Shea Stadium in front of 50,726 as the Mets hosted Tony LaRussa's ...

Wednesday July 30th, 1969: Gil Hodges second place Mets (55-42) were playing good baseball thru July, chasing the first place Chicago Cubs. But on this day, they dropped a twin bill to the team that gave them the most trouble in 1969, the Houston Astros. The Mets manager Gil Hodges demanded that his players gave it 100% at all times, no matter what the score or situation was. He also demanded discipline from his team as well. On this day, he sent a message to his team, that no slacking off would be tolerated, not even from his team's best hitter, who was chasing the NL batting title. The incident has become legendary in Gil Hodges lore & in the 1969 Mets story. Harry Walker's fifth place Houston Astros (52-49) came in to play a double header in a wet rainy Shea Stadium in front of 28,922 fans.  First Game: In the first game of this twin bill, the Astros pummeled the Mets 16-3. The game was highlighted by an eleven-run top of the...

Casey Stengel- The Mets Years: In 1961 after Casey Stengel had been fired, he  turned down several managerial jobs, the Detroit Tigers, San Francisco Giants & Los Angeles Angels, all wanted him. Instead, he went to work for Glendale Valley Bank, in Glendale, California which was owned by his wife's family.  His old friend, George Weiss  was now working as General Manager for the expansion New York Mets. Originally Stengel did not to manage an expansion team, because the rules of the expansion draft guaranteed the team would not be a competitive team. Weiss e ventually convinced his old friend  to return to baseball & take the job as the Mets first Manager.  Right away he began talking in what was known as his famous "Stengelese". During the expansion draft when the Mets first pick was an unknown catcher named Hobie Landrith.  Casey said, said, "You have to have a catcher, or you'll have a lot of passed balls".  On October 2...