October 2, 1969

Wrigley Field - It was an extremely small consolation prize but perhaps it was something that would help Cubs fans get through the cold winter ahead. The Cubs ended the Mets nine game winning streak by ending the regular season with a 5-3 victory.

The Mets led the game early 3-0 but the Cubs came back to win off of Don Cardwell who came in relief of Gary Gentry to tune up for the post season. The loss was only the 11th in the last 49 games played. Since August 13th 1969, after the Mets were swept by the Astros, they went 38-11. The Mets went from third place, 9.5 games back to 8 games up in the 49 remaining games.

Record 100-62, first place 8 games ahead of the Chicago Cubs.

The regular season had ended. The Mets were in the final four. They would head to Atlanta to prepare for their first post season in history, the first NLCS in history.

It would be the New York Mets vs. the Atlanta Braves in the National League and the Minnesota Twins vs. the Baltimore Orioles in the American League.

The Mets accomplished the improbable. But now that the regular season was over there was much work to be done. Winning 100 games was over. As far as the Mets were concerned, it started all over in two days in Atlanta at 0-0.