Today marks the 23rd anniversary of the clinching of the last Mets world championship. That means a Mets fan younger than 20 has never seen the Mets win a World Series.

Each year the Mets do not win extends the longest draught in team history. Mets fans in 1969 only had to wait eight years before experiencing a World Series victory. It was a 17 year gap after that before the Mets won it all again.

The Mets will be heading into their 49th season come 2010. In that time, the Mets have only won two World Series. They have been in four however, the last being 2000 when they lost to the Yankees in five games.

Twenty three years ago this evening, Jesse Orosco chucked his glove high into the night after striking out Red Sox hitter Marty Barrett for the final out. It was a game the Mets trailed early before rallying late to win 8-5.

To put it into perspective how long ago 1986 was, consider the following. The Space Shuttle Challenger had been destroyed shortly after liftoff the previous January to suspend America’s manned space program that year. There was no Internet, at least not as we know it today. Ronald Regan was still president and windows was something you opened to get fresh air. One of the most popular movies of the summer was “Aliens”, the rollercoaster sequel to the 1979 classic. A lot has passed since that evening.

Since then, the Yankees have won four World Series and are about to attempt to win another. The expansion Florida Marlins, who did not exist in 1986, have won two World Series, matching the Mets total. Another expansion club, the Arizona Diamondbacks, also won a World Series since the Mets last did.

Closer to home, the Mets passed through the Vince Coleman/Bobby Bonilla era. Then came Bobby Valentine along with Steve Phillips who brought in Mike Piazza. The Mets got good again and made it to the World Series where they proved to be no match for the mighty Yanks.

The Art Howe era came and went and was a total disappointment before we got Willie Randolph and Omar Minaya. And what seemed so promising after getting so close in 2006 came crashing down since.

Yes, twenty three years is a long time. Cubs fans don’t want to hear it. They have waited over a century now. But we don’t care about them. We care about our team, the Mets, a New York team. The Mets are a team that for whatever reason, cannot seem to sustain success.  Each trip to the playoffs is a one-off.

The Phillies are a cruel reminder of what we thought the Mets future was going to be after the 2006 season. It hasn’t happened. Will we see a dominant Mets team in our lifetime, like the one from the 1980s, but one that makes the post season several times in a seven to ten year period? Who knows but I hope it does not take another twenty three years to find out.

I would imagine it must be pretty quiet in the Mets management offices today. All the talk in town is surrounding the Yankees, the Mets' intercity rival. And of course the Yankees will be playing the Phillies, the Mets divisional rival. While the new Yankee Stadium continues to beam with action, the new Citi Field sits quietly waiting for April.

As for Mets fans, the debate continues, root for the Yankees or root for the Phillies. Here’s an idea, root for neither.

Who says it is imperative to root for a team when watching a ballgame? Why can’t we watch baseball without rooting for either club? If you attend an out of town game to take in a ballpark you have never been to, do you really pick a team to root for? I don’t. I often attend minor league games. I enjoy the atmosphere and the price. I don’t root for either team. I just quietly observe hoping to see some good ball played.

So when it comes to the 2009 World Series, I will also quietly observe, not caring who wins or loses. Why bother? For Mets fans, it’s a no win situation. The Phillies and Yankees in the World Series punctuate an already disastrous season for the Mets. If you thought it couldn’t get worse when the season finally concluded, it did.

The fact is I can’t root for either team. How can I possible root for the Yankees? I have been a Mets fan my whole life. I have loathed the Yankees. No matter how hard I might try, I just cannot root for that team. I can’t root for the Phillies either. They have trashed the Mets for a few years now and continue to back it up with great play. They are a true rival for the Mets. There is no way I want them to win.

But alas unfortunately, one team must win. For the Mets and their fans it is a no win/no lose situation. If the Phillies lose, then we can mock their fans. If the Yankees lose, we can mock the Yankee fans. But whoever wins or loses can continue to mock us so what’s the point?

I will not root for either team but I will root for bad weather. A nice icy cold rain storm might make me feel good as I watch the two teams in baseball I hate the most. I’ll sip a hot coco watching the Yankees wear those silly baseball caps with the ear flaps. They remind me of a hat my mother use to make me wear to school when I was a kid. I was so embarrassed to wear it I would take it off and put it in my book bag when I got far enough away for her not to see me.

I’ll laugh at Jimmy Rollins in that goofy ski mask. At least I can enjoy the game of baseball, the summer game, played in likely miserable conditions. As long as TV controls baseball, and make no mistake, they do, the World Series will continue to be played later in the year in the worst possible weather conditions.

But I digress. I guess my bitterness is showing. I’m sure if the Mets were in the World Series I would have no qualms about the conditions. Let’s face it. It’s a bad time to be a Mets fan.

I first posted this two years ago then published it again last year and decided it would be fun to do again. Actually it took me so much time to transcribe the following, I will publish it every year on October 25th.

Twenty-three years ago today was maybe the most memorable game in Mets history, certainly the most amazing inning in the 48 year reign of this franchise. How much has changed in two decades and three years. The great Bob Murphy is no longer with us. Gary Thorn continues to work for ESPN doing baseball and hockey and is the voice of the Baltimore Orioles. And the broadcast booth where this account emanated from is now gone and replaced with the new Bob Murphy Broadcast Booth at Citi Field occupied by Howie Rose and Wayne Hagen. 

Where were you on the evening on October 25, 1986? I was at a Halloween party dressed in full costume as I watched the most unbelievable ending to a baseball game I have ever seen. Resigned to the fact that the Mets unbelievable season was about to end at the hand of the Boston Red Sox, I could not believe what unfolded.

The following account is the word for word broadcast of the bottom of the 10th inning of game 6 of the 1986 World Series as told on WHN radio by Bob Murphy and Gary Thorn.

Date: October 25, 1986
Time: Approximately 11:05PM
Where: Shea Stadium, Flushing, New York
Attendance: 55,078 

Murphy: Fifty-five thousand standing at Shea, Wally Backman leading off…strike  called on the outside corner. Crowd standing at Shea now hoping to give the Mets a big send off as they try and rally one more time. Twice they have come from behind in the game tonight. It would take a huge effort here in the bottom half of the 10th inning. Wally Backman leading off against Cal Schiraldi. Schiraldi’s third inning of relief work. Fouled back into the crowd and a two strike count. Schrialdi has worked the last two innings allowing one run and only one base hit. Lee Mazzilli has the only hit off Cal Schiraldi. That was a pinch hit single in the eighth inning. The Mets missed their big chance to win it all in the bottom half of the ninth inning. They had first and second and nobody out. Keith Hernandez on deck and then Gary Carter. Now the pitch on the way…hit in the air, a fly ball to left field, Rice running toward the line—is there and has it for the out. And the Red Sox are two outs away from a championship. Mets have to get a base runner to get that tying run to bat. One out and nobody on, Hernandez the hitter. Keith one for three, a single in the sixth inning. If Hernandez can get on…it will bring Gary Carter to the plate. Now Schraldi getting his sign from Gedman. And the pitch on the way…off the outside corner, strike one called. Keith Hernandez with five hits in the World Series. The Mets have been badly out hit in this ballgame tonight…13 to 5. They’re trailing 5 to 3. Next delivery…outside high, one ball and one strike. The Mets have had 7 left on base. The Red Sox have had 14 men left on. They’ve set a new World Series record for men left on base. One and one on Keith Hernandez. Mets badly in need of a hit to set the stage. One-one delivery, outside high, two and one to Keith Hernandez. Gary Carter tied the game in the bottom half of the eighth inning when he hit a sacrifice fly, a line drive to left. Mazzilli tagged up, scored the tying run. Waiting on a 2-1 delivery…and a fly ball to center, Henderson going back, going back, under it now…he has it, two men down. Hernandez hit it to the warning track, straight away in center field, run down by Dave Henderson. Two outs and nobody on. Marty Barrett and Dave Henderson have been the big hitting stars for Boston. They are now one out away from a World Series Championship. They have not had one in 67 years. (It was now that the diamond vision board in left field displayed “Congratulations Boston Red Sox, 1986 World Champions”) Last time was 1918. Now Gary Carter carrying the final hopes. Pitcher is due up next, Kevin Mitchell is out on deck. And the pitch by Schiraldi…high pop foul, it might be playable. Gedman coming back, coming back…no play.  Into the crowd and the game is still on. Red Sox now one out away from their World Series Championship. Gary Carter without a hit in the game tonight, oh for 3 and an RBI, the RBI, his eighth RBI of the series. He’s had his share of RBIs. Pitch on the way—look out, up high, one ball and one strike. Kevin Mitchell is out on deck, he would bat for Rick Aguilera. Now Schiraldi will check it out. Infield and the outfield very deep. Low and outside, two balls and one strike. Everybody sitting very quietly in that New York Mets dugout, hoping against hope that something will start to happen. The two one delivery—line drive, it’ll be a base hit to left field. The tying run, Kevin Mitchell, will come to bat. So Carter keeps it going with a single to left field. And Kevin Mitchell will be the pinch hitter. And Mitchell does have home run power. Nothing going in the Red Sox bullpen. That’s only the second hit Schiraldi has allowed. Doug Sisk is up in the New York Mets bullpen.  

Thorne: Darryl Strawberry got to wonder sitting over there, if the double change had been made, it might have been him coming to the plate right here.

Murphy: Strawberry came out. Davey did not make a double change at that point in time…So the hopes now have shifted to Kevin Mitchell. This rookie from San Diego California had a superb rookie year.  The stretch by Schiraldi…and the pitch on the way…check swing, foul ball, strike one. Five to three Boston, bottom half of the 10th inning, two outs and one on. Red Sox won 96 games to win the American League Eastern Division title. Went to the seventh game before beating California. Here’s the pitch…and a line drive base hit into center field. Now the tying runs are on base. Mitchell delivers…a single to center…and Ray Knight will be coming up. So Gary Carter singles, Kevin Mitchell has singled. Tying runs are on first and second, two down and Ray Knight will be the hitter. Ray earlier in the game after getting off to a good start…driving in a run with a single off Roger Clemens, made a high throw that allowed one of the Red Sox runs to score. Now in this game of redeeming features, Ray Knight stands in with his biggest chance of all. Bill Fisher, the pitching coach, has been dispatched to the mound by John McNamara. And they’ll have a little strategy talk here about how they’re going to go about pitching to Ray Knight.

Thorne: They’ll get the bullpen up and active. Nobody had been throwing however so there is nobody ready out there and they didn’t make a change here, probably in any event with a right handed batter up.

Murphy: Ray Knight, one for three and a walk in the game tonight. Davey has pretty well used up his bench. He’s had to do that playing catch up ball—all night long. Now Ray Knight is the batter, he is the winning run at bat. Tying runs are on base, the stretch by Schiraldi…the pitch on the way…fastball, a strike called. They’re going to play straight away against Ray and pretty deep in the outfield. And the third baseman, Boggs, is not really playing the line, he’s more or less moving away from the line now to try and chop off a single. Schiradli is ready…the pitch to Ray Knight…and a ground ball slowly hit, foul, no a…foul ball down the third base line. Boggs had first started to come in for it, realized the best play was to let it role foul and he did… and now my friends the New York Mets…are down to their final strike. Two strike count on Ray Knight. The Red Sox were down to their final strike in their game with California, their series with California. They were behind three games to one and down to their last strike in the ninth inning. Dave Henderson, the same Dave Henderson who homered in the 10th inning here tonight, hit a two run homer and the Red Sox went on to win it and to win the American League championship. Now the Mets are down to that final strike. Cal Schiraldi who went to Boston on the Bobby Ojeda deal trying to get the biggest win of his young Major League career by far and away. Now he blows on his pitching hand. Gary Carter on second, Kevin Mitchell on first. Mookie Wilson is the on deck batter if Ray Knight can keep the ballgame alive. Ray taking plenty of time, now he’s in the batter’s box and ready. Here’s the stretch by Schiraldi…now the pitch on the way…and a soft line drive…it’ll be a base hit…into center field. Carter around third will score. Mitchell will go to third! A base hit by Ray Knight. The Mets now have the tying run on third! Ray Knight, with the Mets down to their final strike…gets a base hit to center field. It is now five to four. Still two men down and Mookie Wilson is coming up. Second RBI of the game for Ray Knight.

Thorne: Well Knight has come through in tough situations after making that fielding mistake. That’s the veteran hanging in and John McNamara is coming out and he’s seen enough of this.

Murphy: I think he’ll bring in the right hander Bob Stanley. Mookie Wilson is going to be coming up, we will get a pitching change here in the bottom half of the 10th inning. It is now five to four, Bob Stanley, a ten year pro, real veteran out of that bullpen is coming in, so with a break in the action, and the tying run 90 feet away on third, we pause for this message…

After commercial break…

Murphy: Veteran relief right hander Bob Stanley being brought on now by John McNamara. Stanley has pitched affectively in this World Series. He’ll be pitching to Mookie Wilson. The Mets were down to their final strike. Ray Knight kept it going with a base hit. Bob Stanley…with the World Series, making his fourth appearance. He has not given up a run. Now the tying run is on third, that’s Kevin Mitchell. The winning run, Ray Knight, is on first. The hitter is Mookie Wilson. Mookie, one hit in four times at bat. Boston 5, New York 4. The first two batters up in the home 10th inning were retired. Three hits in a row. Gary Carter, a single to left, Kevin Mitchell a single to left, Ray Knight with a two strike count, a single into centerfield…scoring Gary Carter. Now one more hit and the Mets for the third time tonight would have come from behind and tied this ballgame.

Thorne: Mookie Wilson had a single against Bob Stanley in his last relief appearance in game three.

Murphy: Now the stretch by Stanley, the pitch…fouled upstairs, strike one. The Mets have one run in. The tying run is on third, Kevin Mitchell. The winning run, Ray Knight is on first. But they have so little working room. Stanley is ready, the pitch…outside high, one ball and one strike to Mookie Wilson. Howard Johnson is the on deck batter. The Mets so badly needing one more base hit. Stanley ready, the pitch…up high. Two balls and one strike to Mookie Wilson. Howard Johnson loosening up in the on deck circle. Bottom half of the 10th inning. Red Sox one out away from a World Championship. Stanley in the set position, the pitch…foul ball skidding off the bat handle and again, the Mets are down to their last strike. Count two and two on Mookie Wilson. Kevin Mitchell at third base. Ray Knight on first. Three hits in a row. One run in, they need one more. Now the pitch…swing and a foul tip. It looked like he had been struck out. He just barely ticked the ball. And Mookie stays there with a count of two balls and two strikes. A very memorable sixth World Series game. Stanley…working very quickly, the pitch…fouled out of play behind third. Stanley really anxious to get it over with, he’s getting the ball back and almost quick pitching. So Mookie will step out on him to slow him down a little bit. Two balls and two strikes, Mets have only one strike left. Stanley is ready, the pitch…Gets away! Gets away! Here comes Mitchell! Here comes Mitchell! Tie game! Tie game!

Thorne: Unbelievable! A wild pitch!

Murphy: The game is tied, five to five. Mitchell comes in to score, Knight the winning run is on second. Either a wild pitch or a passed ball, we’ll wait for the official scoring. But it’s a tie ballgame Gary. 

Thorne: The pitch came low and inside. Gedman did get a glove on it…slowed it down but it went all the way to the backstop.

Murphy: Now Wilson with a chance to win it. Three two delivery, popped the ball up foul, probably out of play. Gedman coming over, coming over, it will be in the crowd, a foul ball. The winning run is on second base. For the third time tonight, the third time in this ballgame, the Mets have come from behind. It was scored a wild pitch by Bob Stanley…allowing Mitchell to score. And its five to five, the winning run is on second. Mets are down to their final strike. Three and two on Mookie Wilson.  The pitch…hit down the left field line foul. Foul ball off the bat of Mookie. If that been fair, the Cinderella story would had been all over and the Mets would have been the happiest guys in the world.

Thorne: Two pitches...twice the Mets have had just one strike left in this game.

Murphy: As mentioned, the Red Sox were in that position against California. The Mets in that position here tonight, and they have dodged a huge missile. They’ve tied it up. The worst that could happen is to go to the eleventh inning. Mookie Wilson still hoping to win it for New York. Three and two the count. And the pitch by Stanley…and a ground ball…trickling…it is a fair ball!…gets by Buckner!, rounding third Knight, the Mets will win the ballgame! The Mets win! They win!

Thorne: Unbelievable, the Red Sox in stunned disbelief!

Murphy: A slow ground ball went right through the legs of Buckner down the right field line. The Mets have won the ballgame. Three runs in the bottom half of the 10th inning. Three runs in the 10th inning. They were down to their final strike twice in the bottom half of the 10th inning, they win the ballgame. I thought the ground ball was going to be foul, it stayed fair. It went right through the legs of Billy Buckner and down the right field line.

Thorne: Bob, what is Billy Buckner doing in the game in the bottom of 10th inning?

Murphy: …with a three run lead.

Thorne: Do not understand it (talking over Murph who corrects himself saying a two run lead)

Murphy: We talked about that earlier saying they usually put Dave Stapleton in to play defense. This crowd, and not a soul had left, they’re all here, they can’t believe what they’ve just seen. Mets were down and out, it was all over. Some how, some how they managed to get three runs and they win it…it’ll be a very costly error but none the less the Mets are delighted that it came about that way. A slow ground ball hit by Mookie Wilson…went through the wickets on Billy Buckner. Ray Knight at first didn’t realize it when he rounded third, Buddy Harrelson said keep it going, keep it going. And he came racing in and in to score and the Mets have won…what must be the most amazing game in their 25 year history. I can’t imagine a more remarkable victory. It’ll be an error charged to Billy Buckner. It was an amazing play, Buckner came over, it was a very slow ground ball. I thought it was going to be foul, maybe he thought so. He had the glove down. It went right under the glove, it rolled very slowly down the right field line, fair ball. And around to score the winning run came Ray Knight. That’ll be an error charged on Billy Buckner. In the 10th inning, 3 runs…3 hits…the biggest error of the World Series and a man left on. We’ll be back with the happiest recap of them all in just a moment. The final in 10 innings, New York 6 and Boston 5.

Notes: A common misconception is that the Mets won the World Series after this game. Not true, this game tied the series at three. The next night, Sunday, October 26, 1986, game 7 was rained out. Some felt the rainout negated the momentum the Mets created by winning game six. Game 7 was played on Monday night, the 27th. The Sox led that game 3-0 early. But the Mets scored late and eventually won the clincher 8-5 to secure their second and last world championship in club history.

While Bill Buckner's reputation was tarnished for years by the play, it should be pointed out that he was playing on two very bad ankles. In fact, he was wearing high top spikes to help support his legs. As Gary Thorne pointed out (Gary grew up in New England a Bo-Sox fan), Buckner never should have been in the game at that point. More importantly, Calvin Schiraldi and Bob Stanley never shouldered the blame they should have received compared to Buckner who was a great player during his career. The Mets were down to their last out four times and their last strike multiple times. And remember, Stanley had already blown the lead. Had Buckner made the play, the Red Sox would not have won the game. The game would have simply gone to extra innings as Murphy pointed out.

One final point: It is the Vin Scully call that often is heard when recounting the incident at Shea that night. But in my opinion, with all due respect to the great Scully, nothing could compare to Murphy's call that evening. After all, for over 40 seasons, Murph was the voice of the Mets.

I don’t want to hear anything that disrespects the Phillies from any Mets fan or any Mets player. The Mets arch rivals (are they really a rival anymore? Doesn’t that require two teams to be good?) won their second consecutive National League pennant having defeated the Dodgers in five games.  That is simply an outstanding achievement considering the two-tiered round of playoffs a team must win to get to the World Series.  The last National League team to do it was the 1995-96 Atlanta Braves in the midst of their 14 consecutive post season run.

So Mets fans and Mets players—shut up! The time has come for the Mets players and management to put their money where their mouths have been so often since 2006. From the moment Carlos Beltran took a third strike from Adam Wainwright, it has been going backwards ever since. Meanwhile, what have the Phillies done? They won three consecutive division titles. After getting knocked out in the first round in 2007, the Phillies came back last year to win the whole thing against the Tampa Bay Rays. Now they’re back again on the grandest of baseball stages to defend their world title awaiting the Yankees or Angels.

How many consecutive division championships have the Mets won? Answer: one. The Mets have never won back to back division titles in their 48 year history. The Mets won back to back wild cards in 1999 and 2000 under Bobby Valentine.  All other Mets post season appearances have been one offs—1969, 1973, 1986, 1988 and 2006.

So come next season when the Mets are back at Citi Field, please spare me the “Phillies Suck!” chant. That would be as embarrassing as the “Yankees Suck” cheer I heard hoards of people screaming at Shea Stadium over the years. I could never understand that mentality. Season after season, we witnessed the Mets playing in just futile situations while the Yankees made the post season year after year. And it was the Yankees that sucked? Please explain that one to me. I do not like the Yankees but they don’t suck and they haven’t for fifteen years.

All the Mets players, coaches, and front office must learn to keep the rhetoric down. Stop talking like the Mets are such a great franchise, they’re not. The entire organization has a lot to learn in how to build a championship team and conduct itself at a professional level. That was obvious this past season.

The sad truth for the Mets is that the Phillies are going to be good for a very long time. They could become what the Braves were from 1991 through 2005. They have an outstanding core and good starting pitching. Cliff Lee was a brilliant move. They were able to make that trade because the Phillies farm system is packed with talent.

So if the Mets are serious about winning, they need to stop talking and start doing the things that the Phillies did to build a winner. That does not mean the Mets should gut the team. Remember, prior to 2007, the Phillies had a lot of their current players in place but they could not put it together. Finally they did. So patience is a virtue that the Mets and their fans need to embrace. The Mets do not need to make big moves but they do need to be patient with some of their younger players.

The free agent market is thin this off season. It will be tough for the Mets to make big trades without creating other holes to fill. We must hope the injured players come back healthy next year. Perhaps a trade or signing for an outfielder or first baseman will help support the offense. They definitely need a starting pitcher or two. But mostly what the Mets need is some humility. An attitude adjustment is required. The Mets won the division in 2006 and played since as if it would come easy. Have they learned their lesson?

Anyway, this is one Mets fan that hates the Phillies but I do congratulate them. They deserve everything they have achieved. The Phillies are a model franchise. I wish I could say the same about the Mets. They can be but much work needs to be done and I am not confident the right people are in charge to get us there.

If you thought the 2009 Mets season could not get any worse, guess again. No, thankfully no Mets player hurt himself and no poor trade was made. In fact, what I am referring to has nothing to do with the Mets but it has everything to do with Mets fans.

The only thing that can carry on the pain and suffering for Mets fans this season is what teams will ultimately make it the World Series. I have been rooting for the Dodgers and Angels for two reasons.

First, as I mentioned the other day, I actually feel baseball should be played in decent weather. With an all LA series, that would be assured. The other reason, and the one more pertinent to Mets fans, is the last teams Mets fans want to see in the fall classic is the Phillies and the Yankees. I mean, what does a Mets fan do here?

Personally, I just cannot bring myself to root for the Phillies. They have become everything I thought the Mets would be after 2006. It has been so painful to see the success the Phillies have earned while the Mets continue to step backward. I really do not want Philadelphia to win back to back pennants let alone back to back World Series.  The Phillies are poised to be this good for years to come. How do we endure a potential dynasty 90 miles down the Jersey Turnpike? I have to root against them.

But then what, I root for the Yankees? I can’t do that either. I’ve spent a lifetime loathing the Yankees and now they are doing it to us again. Once more, they own New York. Am I delusional to think that ever changed anyway?  The Yankees represent everything the Mets are not. The Yankees are fundamentally sound, consistent, and champions. The Mets are pretenders. Look, I can face the truth, but regardless, I can’t root for the Yankees, I just can’t. Is it possible both teams can lose?

Unless the Dodgers and Angels perform a couple of miracles, this is what we are faced with. I can just hear comments from Phillies players now in regards to the Yanks. “Now we will have to play the real good team from New York.”, “This is a New York team that just doesn’t talk.”  You know someone in that clubhouse will say something like this, you just do. In complimenting the Yankees, they will be bashing the Mets. The Yankees on the other hand will not say anything about the Mets. They have more class than that.

Although I will not root one way or the other, if it comes down to the Yankees and Phillies, I would prefer the Yankees win. We need to see the Phillies knocked down a peg. Back to back world championships will just be too much to live with. We Mets fans can say nothing if that happens. Actually, there isn’t much we can say anyway. Plus the Yankees have won so many times over the years, what’s the difference if they win one more World Series. I’ve lost count anyway.

Maybe the best thing to do is not even watch. I love baseball but what good can come of it.

Hopefully, Mets management is as embarrassed as Mets fans feel right now. To see their two biggest rivals succeed after such a tremendously disappointing season has got to be killing them. And make no mistake about it. The Yankees are one of the Mets biggest rivasl even though they play in a different league. I hope they realize that.

2009 was an awful baseball year. The fact that the Phillies and the Yankees are poised to meet on the biggest stage of all just about sums it up.

For those of you yearning for anything to do with the Mets, here is a list of Mets players currently on the winter league rosters in the Arizona Fall League and the Caribean Leagues. You can link to the MLB stats page for each player to see how they are doing.

I included all Mets even though it is likely Francisco Rodriguez will not throw and Jose Reyes will definitely not play in winter baseball. Jenrry Mejia is listed twice but is currently pitching for the Surprise Rafters of the Arizona Fall League. The Puerto Rico winter league is not included since they do not begin play until November. Daniel Murphy is slated to play in the PR league.

Player	Position	WL Team	Winter League	2009 Last Team
Jenrry Mejia	Pitcher R/R	Surprise Rafters	Arizona Fall League	Binghamton AA
Scott Moviel	Pitcher R/R	Surprise Rafters	Arizona Fall League	St. Lucie A
Eric Neisen	Pitcher L/L	Surprise Rafters	Arizona Fall League	Binghamton AA
Josh Stinson	Pitcher R/R	Surprise Rafters	Arizona Fall League	St. Lucie A
Ike Davis	First Baseman	Surprise Rafters	Arizona Fall League	Binghamton AA
Reese Havens	SS/2nd Base	Surprise Rafters	Arizona Fall League	St. Lucie A
Ruben Tejada	Shortstop	Surprise Rafters	Arizona Fall League	Binghamton AA
Lucas Duda	Outfielder	Surprise Rafters	Arizona Fall League	Binghamton AA
Francisco Pena	Catcher	Aguilas Cibaenus	Dominican Winter League	St. Lucie A
Fernando Tatis	Left Field	Estrellas de Oriente	Dominican Winter League	New York NL
Rhiner Cruz	Pitcher R/R	Gigantes del Cibao	Dominican Winter League	Savannah a
Julio De La Cruz	Pitcher R/R	Gigantes del Cibao	Dominican Winter League	Binghamton AA
Jeurys Familia	Pitcher R/R	Gigantes del Cibao	Dominican Winter League	Savannah a
German Marte	Pitcher R/R	Gigantes del Cibao	Dominican Winter League	St. Lucie A
Elvin Ramirez	Pitcher R/R	Gigantes del Cibao	Dominican Winter League	Savannah a
Jose Reyes	Shortstop	Gigantes del Cibao	Dominican Winter League	New York NL
Wilson Valdez	Shortstop	Gigantes del Cibao	Dominican Winter League	New York NL
Rafael Fernandez	Center Field	Gigantes del Cibao	Dominican Winter League	Savannah a
Raul Reyes	Right Field	Gigantes del Cibao	Dominican Winter League	Savannah a
Tobi Stoner	Pitcher R/R	Leones del Escogido	Dominican Winter League	Buffalo AAA
Argenis Reyes	2nd Base	Leones del Escogido	Dominican Winter League	New York NL
Jenrry Mejia	Pitcher R/R	Tigres del Licey	Dominican Winter League	Binghamton AA
Salvador Paniagua	Catcher	Tigres del Licey	Dominican Winter League	Binghamton AA
Richard Pena	Right Field	Tigres del Licey	Dominican Winter League	St. Lucie A
Jefry Marte	3rd Base	Tores del Este	Dominican Winter League	Savannah a
Auturo Lopez	Pitcher L/L	Caneros Del Los Mochis	Mexico Pacific Winter League	Buffalo AAA
Matias Carrillo Jr.	Pitcher L/L	Tomateros de Culiacan	Mexico Pacific Winter League	Brooklyn ssA
Manual Olivares	Pitcher R/R	Aguilas del Zulia	Venezuelan Winter League	Binghamton AA
Wilmer Flores	Shortstop	Bravos de Mararita	Venezuelan Winter League	Savannah a
Fernando Nieve	Pitcher R/R	Caribes de Anzoategui	Venezuelan Winter League	New York NL
Jose Coronado	Second Baseman	Caribes de Anzoategui	Venezuelan Winter League	Buffalo AAA
Lance Broadway	Pitcher R/R	Leones del Caracas	Venezuelan Winter League	New York NL
Josh Thole	Catcher	Leones del Caracas	Venezuelan Winter League	New York NL
Edgar Alfonso	Pitcher L/L	Navegantes del Magallanes	Venezuelan Winter League	Binghamton AA
Manual Alvarez	Pitcher R/R	Navegantes del Magallanes	Venezuelan Winter League	St. Lucie A
Angel Colero	Pitcher L/L	Navegantes del Magallanes	Venezuelan Winter League	St. Lucie A
Phillips Orta	Pitcher R/R	Navegantes del Magallanes	Venezuelan Winter League	Savannah a
Jose Sanchez	Pitcher R/R	Navegantes del Magallanes	Venezuelan Winter League	Buffalo AAA
Adam Bostick	Pitcher L/L	Tiburones de La Guaira	Venezuelan Winter League	Buffalo AAA
Junior Guerra	Pitcher R/R	Tiburones de La Guaira	Venezuelan Winter League	Buffalo AAA
Chris Mason	Pitcher R/R	Tiburones de La Guaira	Venezuelan Winter League	Buffalo AAA
Francisco Rodriguez	Pitcher R/R	Tiburones de La Guaira	Venezuelan Winter League	New York NL
Chris Carter	Outfielder	Tigres de Aragua	Venezuelan Winter League	Pawtucket AAA

It took the city of New York four years to get another National League team once the New York Giants and the Brooklyn Dodgers left after the 1957 season. The New York Mets would enter the National League in 1962, made up largely of former New York players like Duke Snider and Gil Hodges. Former Yankee manager Casey Stengel would run the team, a team expected to go nowhere but a team that would at least get National League baseball back in New York…where it belonged.

The original Mets were awful. They started the season stuck in an elevator in a St. Louis hotel. In the first game ever played, they lost 11-4 to the Cardinals with Al Jackson getting the loss, the first of a record 120 losses that season. The Mets finally won their first game of the season after losing nine in a row. At Forbes Field on April 23, 1962, the Mets defeated the Pittsburgh Pirates by a score of 9-1. Jay Hook has the distinction of being the first pitcher in Mets history to record a win. It was the first of only 40 that inaugural season.

The hapless Mets were a laughing stock. But to their fans they were the lovable Mets. On that 1962 team was a player who was a favorite New York son, Gil Hodges, who was one of the Brooklyn Boys of Summer. Gil was winding down as a player and soon would try his hand at managing. Also on that ’62 team was a 17 year old rookie who played in just three games for the Mets that season. His name was Ed Kranepool, a left handed first baseman the Mets hoped would someday be a star. Both Hodges and Kranepool would be the only Mets left from that 1962 club come October 1969.

October 16, 1969, World Series Game 5

Shea Stadium – Jerry Koosman pitched about as dominantly as anyone could against the mighty Orioles in game 2, just four days prior. He gave up just one run in eight and two thirds innings in the first Mets win of the series. On this day, he was faced with the opportunity of becoming the winning pitcher in the potential clinching game of the 1969 World Series.

Koosman would face Dave McNally as he did in game 2. That Sunday afternoon, McNally held the Mets in check most of the game with the Mets ultimately prevailing 2-1. Game 5, like game 2, was predicted to be another pitcher’s duel. For the Mets, their motivation was not to go back to Baltimore. But for the Orioles, it was a must win. Lose and their season would be over. It would be a bitter pill to swallow for Baltimore having won 109 regular season games.

The first two innings were quiet with only a mild threat by the Mets in the first when McNally issued two walks. But in the top of the third, Mark Belanger led off with a single. Koosman then surrendered a home run to Dave McNally, the pitcher of all players. The Orioles had jumped out to a 2-0 lead. Koosman got the next two outs but Frank Robinson followed with a solo shot giving the O’s a 3-0 lead. After the inning, Koosman was quoted in the dugout as saying "Hold them there boys, they are not getting anything else the rest of the game”.

Koosman led off the third and almost hit one out as he doubled off the left field wall. But the regular Mets hitters were unable to get anything going offensively against McNally in the third or any of the middle innings. Meanwhile, Koosman settled in and was true to his word. The Orioles were unable to mount any rally since the third.

Cleon Jones led off the sixth inning. During his at bat, McNally threw a ball low and in that appeared to hit Jones in the foot. As Cleon started for first, Lou DiMuro, the home plate umpire called him back claiming he was not hit by the pitch. As Jones settled back in the box, Mets manager Gil Hodges came out to home plate carrying the ball that bounced into the dugout allegedly off of Jones’ show. For a minute, DiMuro and Hodges talked while looking at the ball. Hodges was apparently pointing at what appeared to be shoe polish. Convinced, DiMuro sent Jones to first. Hodges walked back to the dugout as Weaver came out to argue. The discussion did not last long. Jones was on first and Donn Clendenon came up to bat.

Whether the shoe polish came from Cleon’s shoe or Koosman’s while sitting in the dugout is debatable. But the move paid off as Clendenon launched a bomb into the left field loge section for a two run home run to make it a one run game. The homer was the third for Clendenon, the most ever in a five game series up to that point. After six, the Orioles led 3-2.

Koosman continued to dominate in the seventh retiring the Birds in order. In the bottom half of the inning, light hitting journeyman, Al Weis hit a home run to lead off the inning and tie the game. Al Weis was proving to be one pesky player in the World Series. It was his hit in game 2 that drove in the game winning run. Here was a guy who hit two regular season home runs and now he just hit the biggest of his career. The crowd was going wild. You could feel the momentum building for the Mets who had tied the game at three. 

Koosman retired the Orioles in order again in the eighth. 

Eddie Watt relieved McNally in the bottom half. Cleon Jones led off with a double. Now Mets fans were on their feet. But Clendenon grounded out with Brooks Robinson holding Jones at second. With one out Ron Swoboda came up. Just the day before, Swoboda made the most unlikely of plays in the history of the World Series when his incredible diving catch saved the game for the Mets. Ron came through again, this time with his bat as he doubled down the left field line. Jones scored from second. The Mets had the lead. The stands at Shea were vibrating as fans jumped up and down. Everyone at that ballpark and watching on TV knew the Mets were three outs away from the impossible.

Maybe the wheels were falling off for Baltimore. With two outs, Grote hit a ground ball that was booted by Powell. Grote reached first. But as Watt picked up the ball he fired wildly to home as Swoboda scored. Two errors on the play and the Mets had an insurance run. Heading to the top of the ninth, the Mets held a 5-3 lead.

Mets fans were still standing when the ninth inning began. Koosman had dominated since the third inning when he gave up the two home runs. Frank Robinson led off with a walk. Boog Powell came up as the tying run. But Koosman got Powell to hit a ground ball to Weis who got the force at short with Harrelson covering. Brooks Robinson then hit a fly ball to right field. Swoboda settled under it and now there were two down.

Powell was still on first. 57,397 crazed Mets fans were standing and cheering. The sound at Shea was deafening without a plane in site. Davey Johnson came up to the plate, the Orioles last chance.  When Johnson hit the ball, there was silence for a moment. It looked, at least on TV, that Johnson hit it hard. Koosman did not like the sound it made coming off the bat. But the ball held up perhaps from the October wind blowing in from left.  Jones moved back to the warning track. He turned and held his glove out with his bare hand assisting, caught the ball and knelt down to the ground punctuating one of the greatest seasons in baseball history. The Mets were World Champions.

Record - Mets 4, Orioles 1, in best of seven series.

Epilogue – The New York Mets became the first expansion team to win the World Series. And it only took eight years from their inception.  It was done by building a wealth of talent in their farm system and making keen trades by Johnny Murphy, the Mets GM who took over in 1968. It also took great guidance by their manager Gil Hodges who should be in the Hall of Fame. He was a great teacher and a tremendous leader who instilled confidence in his team that they could achieve, that they had the talent to win.

1969 was perhaps the most amazing season in New York baseball history. Unlike the many mighty Yankee teams, the 1986 Mets, the dominating Giant teams of the early twenties or the Dodgers of Brooklyn in the late forties and fifties who were all expected to win, the ’69 Mets were not. And although I hate when the ’69 Mets are referred to as the Miracle Mets, the miracle was in their unexpected rise to greatness, not what they achieved on the field.

Winning 107 games was not accomplished by miracles. It was done through great pitching, hitting, and defense. Sure, there were moments when you scratched your head. Moments like when the black cat stared into the Cubs dugout, or when both pitchers knocked in the only run of a doubleheader to win both games in Pittsburgh, or when Ron Swoboda hit two home runs to win the game in St. Louis when Steve Carlton set the record for striking out nineteen, or even the shoe polish play in game five.  But those moments would have gone unnoticed if it was not for the spectacular play day in and day out by this group of twenty-five individuals.

For me, the 1969 season will always be the summer of my life. I was thirteen and the Mets taught me a valuable lesson. No matter how the odds are stacked against you, there are always possibilities. Never give up, always strive to get better, and never let anyone convince you that you cannot succeed. And who said baseball is just a game?

Unfortunately, the Mets did not repeat in 1970. They were competitive for most of the season but ended just a few games above .500 in third place six games behind the Pirates. Cincinnati won the National League pennant but lost to the Orioles in the World Series who made amends to their fans for losing to the Mets a year earlier. The Mets returned to the World Series in 1973 to lose in seven games to the Oakland A’s. They would not return again until 1986.

1969 did not start the era of dominance Mets fans had hoped. In fact, sustained success has always been something that has eluded this franchise. The Mets became a powerhouse in the mid to late 80’s but again only appeared in and won just one World Series. Now as we watch the Mets struggle after such a promising season in 2006, we ask when will the Mets climb back to the top again.

A season like 1969 comes perhaps once in a lifetime. But if there is one franchise that seems to have a knack for the unexpected, it’s the Mets. A team that did what it did in ’69, almost won it all in ’73 when they were in last place in mid August, came back to win game six down to their last strike several times in ’86, is due for something special. 

On October 20, 1969, the Mets were ushered down the Canyon of Heros with a ticker tape parade. A couple of weeks later it was announced that in the National League Tom Seaver won the Cy Young award, Gil Hodges was the manager of the year, and Tommie Agee was the comeback player of the year. Mets GM Johnny Murphy was given the Executive of the Year award also.

I hope you enjoyed reading “40 Years Ago Today” this season as much as I have enjoyed writing it. It brought back great memories for me. I hope it did for you too. And if you are too young to have experienced that magical season, I hope it provided you with a sense of what it was like to be a Mets fan back then.

Thanks to retrosheet.org, ultimatemets.com, and to the many authors of books and newspaper articles I have kept over the years. They all helped jar my memory of each day of the 1969 season.

Obviously with the Mets out of it I have to decide what to root for in the post season. I have the answer. No, it’s not whether to root for the Phillies over the Yankees or the Yankees over the Phillies. It’s not rooting for Joe Torre over the Yankees, although that is intriguing. No, no. For me, I’m rooting for Mother Nature. That’s right, the weather.

This is not a new rant for me. Usually, once or twice a year, I write about the absurdity of Major League Baseball extending the season later and later each year. This year, the World Series will end in November, no ifs ands or buts. Game four is scheduled for November 1st unless it has to be pushed back further due to bad weather. If the Series goes seven games, it will end on November 5th, likely at Yankee Stadium…at night. Perfect!

Forty years ago, the Mets won the World Series on October 16th, the same date the ALCS will begin this season. This year, the World Series will not even start for another two weeks.

That’s why I am rooting for cold, windy, wet weather. What better way to spend an evening than freezing to death catching the Swine Flu while rooting for your beloved Yankees or Phillies.

Now, before you think I’m being cynical, here me out.

What is it going to take for the lords of baseball to come to their senses? If you are going to tell me the love of the game is first and foremost in the minds of the owners, you are crazy and downright wrong. Like everything else in America, baseball is only about the money, the almighty buck. The powers that be know there are enough of us morons tuning in every evening to pedel their dopey products. To them, it justifies the horrendous conditions the national pastime’s championship season is played in.

Baseball sells the rights to broadcast games to the highest bidder. Why? Because, the owners want the most money they can get. Do you honestly think the question “What will you do to enhance the game of baseball?” is ever uttered from those from baseball when negotiating these deals? I doubt it. If that were true, TBS would have never gotten the opportunity to broadcast games.

The networks pay top dollar because they in turn charge the most they can to advertisers who know they will have a large audience. In the mean time, the game suffers. Last season, the Phillies won the World Series in awful conditions at Philadelphia. Was it as fair as it could have been for Tampa Bay if it had been played earlier in the month of October during the day time?

I am a fan of the game. I don’t care how much money changes hands. But I do care about the conditions in which these games are played. Remember, it’s the summer game, a game that requires decent weather conditions so players can use their skills to the best of their abilities. The post season of baseball should be a celebration of the best of play from the game. How can that be in the worst of conditions? Even football’s Super Bowl, a game designed for cold weather, is played in a warm weather location every year.

Are there things that baseball can do to improve the condition of the post season? Why of course there are. Shorten the regular season or start the season earlier in warm weather locations. Why not play more doubleheaders during the regular season so the post season can start sooner.  Shorten the playoffs to 2 of 3 in the first round, 3 of 5 in the second. Play in a warm weather, neutral location (personally, I’m not a fan of this idea). Don’t have so many days off during the playoffs. Play the games during the day when the weather is at least warmer.

But my (and others) solutions have a common problem. They all benefit the good of the game. None of them increase revenue. That’s why they will never be employed. And that’s why I hope a monsoon hits New York or Philadelphia on November 1st.

He won twenty-five games during the regular season against seven losses. He struck out 208 batters, pitched eighteen complete games, five of which were shutouts. He won his last eight decisions but yet Tom Seaver had struggled in the post season.

It’s not as if he was bad but he wasn’t as dominating as he had been during the 162 game campaign. Seaver was 1-1 in the post season. He won the first game of the NLCS but gave up five runs in the process. Luckily for Tom, the Mets bats scored nine runs that first game to bail him out. In game one of the World Series, Seaver gave up four runs and was outpitched by Mike Cuellar as the Mets could only score a single run.

Seaver was getting another chance in game four to show the country on National Television just what kind of pitcher he was. Tom admitted to trying to do too much and perhaps even being a bit nervous in the Series opener. The Mets and their fans were counting on Seaver to put them in position to win the series at home. If the Mets won game four, they would take a three games to one lead in the Series. Even the powerful Baltimore Orioles would have the odds stacked against them to win the series if that were to happen.

October 15, 1969, World Series Game 4

Shea Stadium – In game one, Orioles left fielder Don Buford rudely greeted Seaver with a leadoff homerun on the first pitch of the game. But on this date, Seaver struck out Buford. Center fielder Paul Blair singled for the first hit of the game but was left stranded when Tom got Frank Robinson to fly out then struck out Boog Powell.

Mike Cuellar started for Baltimore. He too looked sharp again as he faced Seaver for the second time. In the first, he retired Agee, gave up a single to Harrelson and then got Cleon Jones to hit into a double play.  

In the second, Seaver walked Elrod Hendricks with one down but Jerry Grote threw him out trying to steal second. In the bottom of the inning, Donn Clendnenon led off with his second homerun of the World Series to give the Mets the early lead.

Seaver got into trouble in the third, giving up back to back singles to open the inning. Once again, Seaver was not looking as sharp as he had prior to the post season. But the big right handed pitcher got the next three batters preserving the slim Mets lead. The Mets also put two runners on with singles in the bottom half of the third but were not able to score against Cuellar. A third the way through, the Mets held a slim 1-0 lead.

After the two hits given up in the third, Seaver hit his stride, not giving up another hit until the ninth inning. The Orioles could not muster anything against Seaver accept a walk in the sixth inning. Unfortunately however, the Mets could not get anything going against Cuellar either. The Mets got a few hits but were unable to rally for any runs and continued to hold a 1-0 lead through eight innings.

But in the top of the ninth with one out and Seaver still in the game, Frank Robinson and Boog Powell hit back to back singles putting runners on first and third. Hodges left Seaver in hoping to get a double play ground ball. But instead Brooks Robinson lined a ball into right field that looked for sure as if it would touch down and go to the wall. Ron Swoboda dove to his right. With his body parallel to the ground and glove outstretched, Swoboda miraculously caught the ball. He got up quickly and fired home as Frank Robinson tagged and scored the tying run. Quite possibly, Ron Swoboda made the greatest catch in World Series history, even better than the two Agee made the previous day. More importantly, had Swoboda missed catching that ball, the tying and go-ahead runs would have scored.  Seaver got out of the inning without any further damage. The score was tied at one.

After two singles in the ninth got the winning run to second, Gil Hodges sent up Art Shamsky to pinch hit for Ed Charles. Shamsky grounded out to first ending the inning. It was on to extra innings for the first time in the Series.

Tom Seaver stayed in the ballgame. Through nine innings, he had given up just one run on five hits. Wayne Garrett entered the game to play third for Charles who was pinched hit for. The Orioles’ Dave Johnson reached on an error to lead off the tenth when Garrett bobbled a ground ball. Seaver got Mark Belanger to pop up in foul territory. Grote made the catch for the first out. Clay Dalrymple was sent up to pinch hit by Earl Weaver. Dalrymble singled pushing Johnson into scoring position.  Lead off hitter Buford flied out to right. The putout was deep enough to allow Johnson to tag and reach third. Now a miscue could give the Orioles the lead. But Seaver was true to form as he struck out Paul Blair to end the inning.

Dick Hall came in to start the tenth for the Orioles. Jerry Grote led off the inning by doubling down the left field line. The Mets had the winning run on second with nobody out as the Shea faithful went wild. Hodges sent in Rod Gaspar to run for Grote. Weaver countered by intentionally walking Al Weis. After pitching ten innings, Seaver was taken out as Hodges sent up left handed hitter J.C. Martin to pinch hit. It was likely that Martin was up to bunt the runner to third. But before Martin could hit, Weaver brought in left handed pitcher Pete Richert.  Hodges let the lefty Martin hit. Martin dropped down a bunt on the first base side. Catcher Hendricks ran up the line to pick up the ball and fired it to first. But the ball hit J.C. Martin and ricocheted toward second base. Gaspar running all the way scored from second giving the Mets the 2-1 victory.

Record Mets 3, Orioles 1, in best of seven series.

The ending was controversial. It appeared on the replay that Martin was outside of the runner’s lane while running to first when the ball hit him. According to the rules, he could have been called out for interference. However, it is a judgment call made by the first base umpire and in this case, no one came out to argue the play, not even the feisty Earl Weaver.

The Mets were now in the commanding position of having to win just one game of the potentially remaining three. The Mets had one more game at Shea Stadium the next day. Mets fans were hoping the Mets could do it at home. I’m sure the players were hoping the same thing.

56,335 people crammed into Shea Stadium for the ballpark’s first World Series game in history. The Mets and Orioles were tied at one game each in this best of seven series. The Mets had a simple goal. Try to win two of three at home giving them the opportunity to win one game in Baltimore and capture their first World Series. But the Mets also knew there was an opportunity to not go back to Baltimore. The Mets could win the next three but so could the Orioles. The Mets would send 23 year old Gary Gentry to the mound to try and hold down the Orioles powerful offense.

The Orioles countered with right handed pitcher Jim Palmer who won 16 games in the regular season. The Orioles and Mets, in traditional fashion before the game, lined up on the baselines as they were announced by Shea's public address announcer Jack Lightcap.

October 14, 1969, World Series Game 3

Shea Stadium – Gentry struck out Don Buford to start game three. In fact, Gentry had no problem in the first inning retiring the Orioles, only giving up a walk to Frank Robinson who was left stranded at first.

In the bottom of the first, Tommie Agee homered to lead off the game for the fifth time during 1969. Agee hit a bomb over the camera platform in center field off a 2-1 pitch. The Mets took a one nothing lead early. Palmer settled in and retired the next three batters to end the inning but both Cleon Jones and Art Shamsky hit long drives for the final two outs.

Gentry retired the Orioles in order in the second. Early on, it was looking as if Gentry had his good stuff. In the Mets half of the second, they rallied again. Boswell grounded out to Powell then Ed Kranepool popped up to short. But with two out, Jerry Grote walked. Bud Harrelson lined a single up the middle moving Grote to second. Then, as it happened so often during the season, a Mets pitcher helped himself. Gentry lined a double into the right field gap driving in both Grote and Harrelson. The Mets led 3-0. Agee grounded out to end the inning after pitching coach George Bamberger came out to settle down Palmer.

In the third, Gentry retired Baltimore in order again. After three, Gentry had only allowed a walk. Wayne Garrett walked to start the Mets third but Palmer retired the next three hitters.

With one out in the fourth, the Orioles finally got a hit, two in fact from Frank Robinson and Boog Powell to put runners on first and second. Gentry then struck out Brooks Robinson for the second out. Left handed hitting catcher Elrod Hendricks hit a fly ball to deep left center on an 0-2 pitch. The Orioles were sure to score two if the ball fell in. Tommie Agee in hot pursuit reached out with his glove hand and miraculously snared the ball back handed in the webbing of his glove as he ran into the fence. Agee saved two runs from scoring as the Mets continued to hold a 3-0 lead. Agee's catch was one of the greatest in World Series history, ranking right up there with the one Willie Mays made in 1954 at the Polo Grounds.

With two outs, Harrelson reached on a walk in the Mets fourth. In an attemted pick off, the ball went past Orioles first baseman Boog Powell. Harrelson tried to go to second but was blocked by Powell. First base umpire Shag Crowford ruled obstruction and awarded Harrelson second base. However, the Mets did not capitalize as Gentry struck out.

Neither team did anything for the next inning and a half. Halfway through the sixth, the Mets were still protecting a 3-0 lead.

In the bottom of the sixth Ken Boswell led off with a ground single to right. He nearly was thrown out by Dave Johnson who got to the ball but Palmer covering pulled his foot off the bag. Kranepool grounded out to the right side allowing Boswell to move up into scoring position. Jerry Grote doubled to left scoring Boswell. Palmer got out of further trouble by striking out Harrelson and Gentry. After six, the Mets led 4-0.

Gentry got two outs to start the Orioles seventh but then Mark Belanger walked. Weaver sent up Dave May to pinch hit for Palmer. May walked. Gentry then walked leadoff batter Don Buford to load the bases. Gil Hodges called to the bullpen bringing in Nolan Ryan.

On a two strike pitch from Ryan, Orioles' center fielder Paul Blair lined one to right center. Agee took off after it. As the ball headed toward the wall, Agee tapped his glove and slid on the warning track catching Blair's liner with his glove face up. It was another spectacular catch by the Mets center fielder. Had that ball fallen in, the Orioles would have scored three runs. Agee, who made all three putouts in the inning, single handedly saved five runs from scoring in the game with his two remarkable catches.

Dave Leonhard replaced Palmer from the Baltimore bullpen. The Mets did not score in the seventh.

In the top of the eighth Hodges brought in Al Weis to play second and Rod Gaspar into right for defensive purposes. Ryan retired the Orioles in order striking out two.

Leading 4-0, the Mets came to bat in the bottom of the eighth. With one out, Ed Kranepool, the only Met player remaining from 1962, hit a home run to right field. Heading to the ninth, the Mets led Baltimore 5-0.

Nolan Ryan, still in the game, retired the first two batters in the inning. The Mets were one out away from winning game three. But then Ryan walked Belanger. Pinch hitter Clay Dalrymple singled then Ryan walked Buford. The bases were loaded. Hodges left in Ryan to face Paul Blair. Ryan was throwing smoke but with two strikes he threw a devestating curve ball that froze Blair looking to end the game.

Record Mets 2, Orioles 1, in best of seven series.

The Orioles had to be shaking their heads. The powerhouse offense had only scored five runs in three games against Mets pitching which was outstanding during the World Series. Ironically the one pitcher that struggled in the playoffs so far was none other than twenty-five game winner Tom Seaver. But game three will always be thought of as Agee's game. He led off with a homer and made two of the greatest catches in World Series history.

The next day, Seaver would get another chance. Baltimore had to be a bit concerned facing Seaver in game four trailing in the series.

Interesting note: In the Mets sixth inning, a kite flew down from the upper levels of Shea Stadium. Attached to the kite was a banner that said Mets on it. Jokingly, Curt Gowdy said to Lindsey Nelson that he wouldn't be surprised if a fan flew down next. Little did Curt and Lindsey know that's exactly what would happen 17 years later in game 6 of the 1986 World Series.