October 1, 1969

Wrigley Field - It must have been very difficult on this day for the Cubs and their fans as the Mets came to town. On a personal note, I never have given the business to any Cubs fan I have met throughout the years. As a Mets fan, I know frustration more than satisfaction. No fans can be more frustrated than Cub fans.

The 1969 Cubs were a great team with great players including Hall of Fame members Ernie Banks, Billy Williams, and Ferguson Jenkins. 1969 was suppose to have been their year. And in August, they led the NL east by 9.5 games before the Mets surged. In the forty years since 1969, the Cubs have not won a World Series or even been in one. In fact Chicago has not won in over a century. You have to feel for Cub fans.

But the Mets did not feel sorry for the Cubs. In the game the Cubs scored in the first inning off of Jerry Koosman who was making his last start of the regular season. The run ended the Mets pitcher's scoreless streak of 42 consecutive innings.

With the Mets leading 5-3 going to the bottom of the ninth, the Cubs rallied for two sending the game to extra innings with the score tied at five. In the top of the 12th, Art Shamsky singled in the go ahead run. When the dust cleared, the Mets won 6-5, their 100th victory of the season and their ninth in a row.

Record 100-61, first place (clinched) 9 games ahead of the Cubs.