Remembering Mets History (1986)

 

Monday October 27, 1986 World Series- Game #7- Shea Stadium, NY: After the unbelievable Game Six comeback, the Mets and their fans couldn’t wait to play Game #7. It was understood in New York that there was just no way the Mets could lose. Confidence was at an all-time high. But Mother nature wanted to bask in the Game Six glory for another day as rain postponed Game Seven until Monday night.

from centerfield: I had to be there- so I took my Game #6 ticket stub & artistically  colored in a #7 on it trying to get it in. It didn't work. After a few attempts to pay off a ticket taker to allow me thru the turnstiles, I finally got lucky. With a ten-dollar bill wrapped around a bunch of singles, I found my man who looked at the bills & aid "I guess I can let  one more in".  I was in!! Not pushing it too much more, I ran up the escalator, to the upper deck. Somehow, I found the only empty seat in Shea Stadium that night & I was there for the entire game.

The Mets came into the game with 115 wins behind them in the 1986 regular & post season, with it all coming down to one game.

Mets manager Davey Johnson sent Ron Darling (1-1) to the mound for his third World Series
start. Darling had been outstanding in his first two games, not allowing an earned run in 14 innings of work. He had struck out twelve, given up seven hits but also nine walks.  

For Boston, with an extra day from the rain out, John McNamara decided to pass up his original scheduled started Oil Can Boyd for lefty Bruce Hurst. Hurst was also making his third Series start & had also pitched well in his first two games. He gave up just two runs in 17 innings, striking out 14, with 14 hits & six walks. 

Hurst was trying to become the 13th pitcher since 1900 to win three games in a World Series & just the fourth in the  past thirty years to do so.

Quotes- Keith Hernandez: "Someone's going to come out on top, it's a shame one team has to lose. It's a series where we've come from behind, the win the other night was very uplifting for us obviously. The two best pitchers of the Series are going, it's going to be a great seventh game."

The ceremonial first pitch was done a bit differently, as two were thrown out. Mets Chairman of the Board Nelson Doubleday & Red Sox President Mrs. Gene Yawkey,  tossed pitches to the opposing team's catchers.

On a damp 53 degree October night, 55,032 paid fans came into Shea Stadium for a historical night for Mets fans. From the start the fans were loud & excited, some of us were waiting our whole lives for this night, a dream come true.

Quotes- Broadcaster Vin Scully: "The last game of the year & they're determined to be heard."

Trivia: That same night across at the Meadowlands the NY Giants were taking on the Washington Redskins in a big NFC East game. The World Series beat out the NFL game as Monday Night Football had it's lowest rating that night since 1970.

In the top of the 1st inning, the Red Sox Bill Buckner came to bat getting an ovation from the Shea crowd, thanking him for last nights error, Buckner singled.

In the top of the 2nd, Darling served up back-to-back HRs to Dwight Evans & Rich Gedman to start the inning. Darryl Strawberry almost robbed Gedman of his HR, as the ball went into his glove but fell over when it hit the top of the fence. For Gedman it was his first & only RBI if the Series. For Dwight Evans it was his second HR & seventh RBI of the Series.  

Trivia: Up to that point all ten HRs in the World Series were all hit on the road.

The runs ended Ron Darling's 15 scoreless innings streak in the World Series. Ronnie then walked Dave Henderson, which was his tenth walk of the Series. Spike Owen popped up &the pitcher Bruce Hurst sacrificed moving Hendu into scoring position. Next an RBI single from Wade Boggs quickly made it 3-0 Boston. 

World Series Hit Record: Marty Barrett then collected his 13th hit of the Series, tying a record set by Bobby Richardson (1964) & Lou Brock (1967), while having hit safely in all seven games while continuing his new MLB  post season hits record with 24.

In the home 2nd, Ray Knight collected a two out single having him now hit safely in five straight World Series games.

In the top of the 3rd, Jim Rice led off with a hit off the left field wall, his ninth hit of the Series but he was thrown out trying to stretch it into a double by Kevin Mitchell at second base.

In the top of the 4th, Ron Darling hit Dave Henderson on thigh with a pitch to start the inning. After recording the first two outs, struggling & having thrown 61 pitches, Davey Johnson came out & removed Darling. 

On the night he gave up three runs on six hits, walked one, hit a batter & didn't strike any one out. In 17 innings pitched in the World Series, he gave up three earned runs, good for a 1.53 ERA, 13 hits ten walks & 12 strike outs. 

avey Johnson brought Sid Fernandez in to pitch. Johnson had rearranged his pitching rotation removing Fernandez to use in long relief. So far up to this point Sid had made two appearances allowing a run on six hits in 4.1 innings (2.08 ERA). This was the turning point of the game. 

After walking Wade Boggs, "El Sid" retired Marty Barrett for the third out. 

In the 5th, Sid retired Bill Buckner, then struck out Jim Rice & Dwight Evans, getting the crowd back into the game.

Sid shut down the Sox thru the 6th inning, retiring seven batters in a row, striking out four of the
eight batters he faced in an outstanding relief effort. 

After getting Spike Owen looking at a third strike on an off speed curve, Sid Fernandez walked off the mound to a standing Shea ovation to end the top of the 6th inning.

The Red Sox Bruce Hurst had been tough on the Mets, thru the first five innings & was on a 15 scoreless innings streak. On the night he had given up just one hit, the single to Ray Knight in the 2nd inning.

In the home 6th, after Rafael Santana grounded out, pinch hitter Lee Mazzilli singled into left field. As he did on Saturday night, Mazzilli collected a pinch hit starting a Mets rally

Mookie Wilson then singled to left filed putting two men getting the crowd revved up. Bruce Hurst then walked Tim Teufel to load the bases. 

The Mets best hitter, who at the time held the Mets all time best career batting average (.309) their Mr. Clutch, Keith Hernandez came to bat facing Hurst. Keith had gone 1-7 in the Series against Hurst up till now.

The Shea crowd were excited with everyone on their feet, making lots of noise. Boston manager John McNamara came out to settle down his pitcher with Steve Crawford warming up in the bullpen.

 Keith Hernandez came through in the big situation, driving a two run single up the middle scoring Mazzilli & Wilson making it a one run 3-2 game. 

Keith World Series Trivia: In the 6th inning of Game Seven of the 1982 World Series while playing for the St. Louis Cardinals, Hernandez tied the game with a bases loaded single off Milwaukee's Bob McClure. In that Series' Game Six, Hernandez homered & drove in four runs.

Quotes- Keith Hernandez: "I was like you've got to be kidding me. It was the same situation basically which I thought was kind of ironic".

Wally Backman came in to pinch run for Tim Teufel. Gary Carter then hit a short fly to right field. Dwight Evans dove for the ball but could not come up with it as Backman crossed the plate with the games tying run.

Because Keith Hernandez had to wait for a delayed call by the umpire Dale Ford, to see if right fielder Dwight Evans had caught the ball or not, he was thrown out at second base. Keith was livid on the field yelling at the umpire. Ray Knight led Keith off the field.

But now Shea Stadium was a different place than it had been an inning before as the crowd was now a huge factor.

Bruce Hurst night was over, he went six innings, allowing three runs on four hits, striking out three & walking one. Overall his World Series ERA was 2.13 in three appearances.

Quotes- Roger McDowell: "I have no idea how we kept rallying in the playoff & in the last two games here".

In the top of the 7th inning, Roger McDowell came on striking out Tony Armas, then got Wade Boggs on grounder to Ray Knight. Knight's throw bounced in front of Hernandez who caught in off his leg on the bounce. 

Then Marty Barrett hit a chopper that Rafael Santana charged over the middle & threw out Marty Barret to end the inning.

In between innings Gary Carter & Keith Hernandez had a moment in the dug out & embraced each other encouraging the team.

After a wild 7th inning stretch, former Met Calvin Schiraldi came on to pitch again for Boston. Calvin was the losing pitcher in Game Six giving up four runs (three earned) on four hits.

Quotes- Vin Scully: Oh, is it wild here!"

Quotes- Joe Garagiola: "That's the way it should be, everyone on their feet!"

The Shea fans begam taunting Schiraldi with a "Caaaalvin" chant in response to the "Daaaarrryl" chants at Fenway Park. 

Ray Knight led off the inning with a HR over the left center field wall. It was probably his biggest hit in his Mets career, sealing him as the World Series MVP. 

After being greeted by his teammates in the dugout, he came out for a curtain call & blew a kiss to his wife, pro-golfer Nancy Lopez.

Lenny Dykstra then pinch hit for Kevin Mitchell driving a single to right field.

Sports Stadium Trivia: It was during this Series that the Queen's “We Will Rock You” was played over the P.A. system. The classic drum beat to the song, which is similar to the 'Lets go Mets" chant had the Shea fans chanting "We Will Rock You" certainly rattling reliever Calvin Schiraldi. The song has become a staple at Sporting events around the world since.

Schiraldi then threw a wild pitch advancing Len Dykstra to second base. Next, short stop Rafael Santana singled to right field scoring "Nails" from second base to make it a 5-3 Mets lead. 

Calvin's Tough Series: Calvin exited the game, giving up three runs on three hits taking the eventual loss. It was a rough two games for Calvin as he had taken the loss in the final two World Series games, giving up seven runs (six earned) on seven hits in three innings.

Former Met (1985) & Italian American Long Island native Joe Sambito came in to pitch.

Multi Three RBI Game: Keith Hernandez followed with an RBI sac fly to centerfield for his third RBI of the night with a sac fly to centerfield. In the Series, Hernandez collected six hits (6-26) hitting .231 with five walks & four RBIs.

t was now a 6-3 Mets lead & it seemed only a matter of time with just six outs remaining to celebrate the long awaited championship. But the Red Sox were not going to go quietly.

In the top of the 8th, the Sox got three straight hits off Roger McDowell to start the inning. First Bill Buckner & Jim Rice both singled, then Dwight Evans doubled to right field scoring both runners making it a one run 6-5 game. 

Nothing was coming easy in this amazing World Series.

Mets manager Davey Johnson came out & removed Roger McDowell, giving the ball to Jesse Orosco. McDowell gave up two runs on three hits in one inning of work. After having pitched eleven scoreless innings in the post season, he had given up runs in three straight Series games. 

Overall he would go 1-0 (taking the Game Seven Win) allowing five runs (four earned) on five hits with two K's & two walks in 7.1 innings in five appearances.

Jesse for Relief:  Once again it was time for Jesse Orosco to close out the big game. Jesse had 21 saves on the regular season with three wins & a save in the post season.

Quotes- Jesse Orosco: "I wasn't thinking about baseball, I was looking for the bathroom. I just told myself, stay within yourself, this is no time to fold".

In the top of the 8th, Orosco got Rich Gedman to line out to Wally Backman at second for the first out. He then struck out Dave Henderson & got pinch hitter Don Baylor to ground out to short to end the inning. The Mets were three outs away.

In the bottom of the 8th, with Al Nipper was now pitching for the Red Sox, Daryl Strawberry who
was hitless in his last 12 at bats at Shea Stadium, still disgruntled about being taken out of Game Six & still thinking about being taunted at Fenway Park, stepped in. 

Straw led off the inning with a monstrous HR to right field. Darryl slowly trotted around the bases, basking in the glory showing the Boston fans what they could do with their "Daaarrrryl" chants as The Shea crowd roared & went into an absolute frenzy. 

Straw was greeted by Ray Knight at the plate giving him some words of encourage him.

 

Quotes- Darryl Strawberry: "Ray has a lot more experience than I do. He said to me, ok you've just shown what you can do again. Now be a man & don't rub it in, don't say anything more. Go shake hands with Davey, put it behind you."

After getting congratulated in the dugout he came for a classic Shea curtain call acknowledging the fans with two arms in the air. 

Play was delayed as the grounds crew cleaned up the rolled up paper & debris that had been thrown on the field.

Next Ray Knight got his ninth hit of the Series, a single to center field. 

Knight's World Series Trivia: In the Series Knight batted .391 with team best nine hits (9-23) a HR, a double, two walks, four runs scored & five RBIs. It was Rays third hit of the game & third multi-hit game of the seven game Series.

Rafael Santana was intentionally walked in order to get to the pitcher's spot.  In a rare plate appearance, Jesse Orosco came up to bat. With everyone expecting Orosco to bunt, he squared then surprised everyone swinging away & chopping a single into to center field scoring Ray Knight with the what was the final run of the World Series making it 8-5 New York. 

Orosco Hitting Trivia: In four career post season appearances & 24 games, this was Jesse Orosco's only post season at bat. In the 1986 regular season he had collected an RBI in just three at bats.

John McNamara brought in Steve Crawford to pitch & he hit Mookie Wilson with a pitch on the knee sending him to the dirt loading the bases. 

Quotes- Mookie Wilson: "I know what it's like to be in the cellar, to be home during this time of year watching the World Series with a pizza & a beer".

Wally Backman broke his bat with a chopper to second, Marty Barrett got the lead runner at the plate. Keith Hernandez were retired for the third out. 

In the top of the 9th, the Mets needed three outs to win the Championship. The crowd were on their feet throwing confetti, rolls of toilet paper & anything else in early celebration.  

First Jesse Orosco got Ed Romero to pop out in foul territory to Keith Hernandez. Wade Boggs then grounded out to Wally Backman at second for the second out. 

Jesse Orosco then struck out Marty Barrett for the final out. He threw his glove in the air falling to his knees with his arms raised in the air, in a lasting image for the ages. 

Gary Carter ran to the mound as his Mets teammates came running from their positions & out of the dugout to celebrate, creating a big pile of Champion Mets on the mound. 

The dream had come true again, the Mets were now World Champions for the first time since 1969. 

After the fans had celebrated on the field for the NL East clinching game destroying the turf the City made preparations. This time around, there were no fans able to run on the field to celebrate, as the NYPD had mounted police officers surrounding the entire playing field. The field was safe for the players to have their own festivities.

Boston World Series Trivia: For The Red Sox it was the fourth World Series they had lost in a seventh game. 1975 to the Reds, 1967 & 1946 to the Cardinals.

Quotes- Keith Hernandez: "We've been a comeback team all year. Winning Game Six was the key, it's tough to come back from a loss like that."

Quotes- Gary Carter: "We had our backs against the wall against Houston & we came back in that ball game. Here we were down two games to nothing, we did the inevitable we went into Boston won two games out of three there & now we're here, we're the World Champions. We're enjoying it, we're celebrating it & that's what it's all about."

Quotes- Lee Mazzilli: "I might have started that rally but 23 other guys finished it, we did it as a team, that's it. Any time you can contribute to a team that's going to be the champions of the world  it's so gratifying & it's unbelievable.  For me it's like a Cinderella story, I got the glass slipper right now, that's it it cant be any better".

Quotes- Manager Davey Johnson: "This is what it's all about, what we were set out to accomplish. It doesn't get any better than this, we deserve it. We had the best record in baseball, we deserve to be World Champions."

*from centerfield- On a personal note- I found strength I didn’t know I had, as I ripped my actual seat right off its support. I still don’t know how I did, it but I still do have that seat.