centerfield maz

Wednesday June 25th, 1986: A good crowd of 33,030 came out to this matinee at Shea as New York hosted Buck Rogers second place Expos (38-30). Montreal had the second best winning % in the league behind the Mets. The Mets had lost the first two games of the series with Montreal but had an eight game lead over the Expos in first place. After a seven game win streak, the Mets had lost five of seven one of the few weak points of their Championship season. The Mets sent Sid Fernandez (8-2) who was on a personal three game win streak, to the mound to face Andy McGaffigan (5-2). In the top of the 2nd inning with two outs & runner on first, former Met Mike Fitzgerald who was traded to Montreal in the Gary Carter deal, doubled to bring in the first run. In the top of the 4th Fitzgerald added another RBI double making it 2-0 Expos. Fitz had homered against his old team the night before as well. They were the only runs, Sid Fernandez gave up in his six innings of work. In the bottom of the ...

Ronald Alan Swoboda was born on June 30, 1944, in Baltimore, Maryland. His parents were John & Delores Swoboda. His father was a veteran of World War II who worked as a mechanic & teacher. His mother was a supervisor in social services. In high school Ron played baseball, basketball & soccer. He was goal tender & the captain of his soccer team. The six foot two right-handed hitting outfielder was signed out of Maryland University, as an amateur free agent in 1963. He signed for $35,000 after a strong AABA tournament performance. Swoboda only played minor league ball for one season, impressing a new Mets organization with his power. They were a team looking for a home-grown slugger to attract fans.  In 1964 he hit 14 HRs at AA Williamsport & then three more at AAA Buffalo in 22 games there.  Youth of America : He was called "Rocky" & "Swobo" becoming one of Casey Stengel's young Mets he called the "Youth of America". Othe...