Last night I documented what I considered to be the second best game in Mets history ( game five of the ’86 NLCS). That game with all it’s twists and turns was in my opinion no match for the jaw dropping , heart stopping white knuckler of a game that was played the next day in Houston. Yes I am talking about game six of the ’86 NLCS against the Houston Astros !
It is one of the most famous – and infamous games in baseball history It was a sixteen inning affair in which our beloved Mets defeated Houston at the Astrodome 7–6 ! I remember being walking with my mother in Sheepshead Bay Brooklyn, I had my boom box with me because I needed to at least hear the game being called by Bob Murphy since I wasn’t home to see it on television.I remember Bobby Ojeda was shaky in the first inning, allowing three runs to the Astros. Bob Knepper kept the Mets in check eight innings until the Mets tied the game with r.b.is by Mookie Wilson,Keith Hernandez and Ray Knight,
At this point we had stopped in front of ” Video On The Bay” – our local video store which had a bank of televisions in the front window broadcasting the game. I pleaded with my mother if we could please just stop and watch the rest of the game because at this point the Mets had just taken a 4-3 lead on Wally Backman’s go ahead r.b.i. So here we were planted infront of this store watching this game with no audio broadcast – just the sound from my radio. And the funny thing is that with every inning that the game remained tied, more people stopped to watch the game with us. We all oohed and ahhed at ever great defensive play that was made, we cursed when Billy Hatcher tied the game in the bottom of the 14th with that damned solo homerun !
But our cursing turned to wild cheering in the top of the sixteenth when Darryl Strawberry doubled to lead off the inning. It was followed by Ray Knight’s single which plated the Strawman to once again take the lead. After a Jeff Calhoun wild pitch that scored Ray Knight, Lenny Dykstra then singled in Backman to increase the lead to 7–4 . All of us fans that were crowded around the store window were whooping it up !! We could taste victory , we believed we would be going to the World Series for the first time since ’73 !!! But Jesse Orosco gave us heart palpitations in the bottom half of the inning. We all groaned in disbelief when he gave back two of the three runs we just scored, and with the tying run on third base and the winning run on first , with the spectre of facing Mike Scott the next day Jesse Orosco reached back and struck out Kevin Bass on a curveball for the final out ! All of us watching those monitors on Sheepshead Bay Road went crazy !! We were high fiving each other , hugging laughing and whooping it us while the Mets celebrated on the infield (and clubhouse) of the Astrodome. My mother who doesn’t care for baseball – and the Mets in particular even had a big smile on her face. She saw her teenage son happy – which in turn made her happy !It is a day that neither of us to this day could ever forget.
"STRUCK HIM OUT !! STRUCK HIM OUT !!!"
And with that said … HERE COMES THE INFAMY !!!
Today would have been the 101st birthday of former Mets pitching coach from the ’64 team, Mel Harder (1909) .
Utilityman from the ’66 team, Lou Klimchock is 71 (1939) .
Sadly on this date in 2005, Pitcher from the ’63 team, Don Rowe passed away.
New York Mets purchased utility infielder, Amado Samuel from the Milwaukee Braves on October 15, 1963.
New York Mets traded outfielder, Dick Smith to the Los Angeles Dodgers for pitcher, Larry Miller on October 15, 1964.
New York Mets released catcher,Norm Sherry on October 15, 1964.
Reliever, Bob Gibson granted free agency on October 15, 1987.
Pitcher, Mickey Weston granted free agency on October 15, 1988. He was granted free agency again by the Mets on this date in ’93.
Outfielder,Lou Thornton was granted free agency on October 15, 1990.
Pitcher,Jeff Kaiser was granted free agency on October 15, 1993.
Middle reliever, Mauro Gozzo was granted free agency on October 15, 1994.
Outfielder, Jeff McKnight was granted free agency on October 15, 1994.
Pitcher, Eric Hillman granted free agency on October 15, 1994.
Reliever, Jonathan Hurst was granted free agency on October 15, 1994.
Pitcher, Doug Linton was granted free agency on October 15, 1994.
New York Mets released pitcher, Rob MacDonald on October 15, 1996.
Chicago Cubs claimed reserve infielder, Jason Hardtke of the New York Mets on waivers on October 15, 1997.
One time dominant reliever ( but washed up when he came tot he Mets), Donne Wall granted free agency on October 15, 2001.
Pitcher, Brett Hinchliffe granted free agency on October 15, 2001.
Reserve outfielder,McKay Christensen was granted free agency on October 15, 2002.
Pitcher, Kane Davis granted free agency on October 15, 2002.
Reliever Mike ” Brother of Tom FU$KING” Glavine was granted free agency on October 15, 2004.
Middle Reliever, Orber Moreno granted free agency on October 15, 2005.
Back up catcher, Kelly Stinnett was granted free agency on October 15, 2006.
Utility-man, José Offerman granted free agency on October 15, 2006.
And Mo Vaughn is a continent onto himself !!!
30 comments
GravediggerHebner
10/15/2010-8:37pm at 8:37 pm (UTC -4)
I often make sarcastic remarks so I want to note first that I’m being completely genuine and serious when I say that’s a very touching story of mother/son bonding through sports. Very cool.
rustyjr
10/15/2010-8:41pm at 8:41 pm (UTC -4)
Thankyou sir
stickguy
10/15/2010-9:28pm at 9:28 pm (UTC -4)
this was so long ago that they were playing a weekday game during the day.
I remember being at work (at that time, in Ft. Lee) and not much getting done that afternoon in the place. I think someone had a portable TV, and somehow think we may have ended up around the corner at a bar.
But the big thing was, being afraid to leave to drive home, in case of missing the end! finally made the run after the bottom of an inning, and still had plenty of game left to watch at home.
metsfan4decades
10/15/2010-10:09pm at 10:09 pm (UTC -4)
I remember starting off listening to the game on the radio in my office at work.
I remember hubby arriving at my office at 4pm for the drive home (we worked at the same Navy base at the time).
I wanted to stay and listening to one more inning but had to get to day care before the appointed hour ’cause it would cost us more money we didn’t have back then. Besides, as hubby said, we can get the broadcast in the car.
At that point, for the next half hour, I was hoping it remained tied until I got home b/c I wanted to see the end, no matter which way it went. Well…no worries there.
On and on it went. Hubby got the dinner started, finished and served. Bath time for the little one, PJs and bed time story. The way our old house was configured, if I left the room where the TV was to do anything else, I couldn’t hear or see what was going on.
There I remained watching to the 16th inning. Loved that game, especially loved the fact that when it was said and done, we were heading for the WS.
If I had known then what I know now, I think I would have better appreciated the laughing comment I heard hubby make the next day on the phone when he said ‘I married a crazy Met fan’. I’m sure he still feels that way although after 27 years, I’m sure crazy and Met fan don’t often go together when he might be describing me. LOL……
Mr North Jersey
10/15/2010-10:23pm at 10:23 pm (UTC -4)
Cough…cough Rangers winning 5-0 bot 6th.
stickguy
10/15/2010-10:37pm at 10:37 pm (UTC -4)
don’t count your chickens in a bandbox until they are hatched.
but the yankees losing would be a fine way to end the week.
Mr North Jersey
10/15/2010-10:51pm at 10:51 pm (UTC -4)
Cough…cough Rangers winning 5-2 top 8th.runner at 2nd 1 out for yankees wilson leaves after 100 plus pitches
stickguy
10/15/2010-10:58pm at 10:58 pm (UTC -4)
cough cough… D. Oliver in the process of giving it all back, with bases jacked and 0 out.
90% chance by the time I finish typing this A Rod has already hit the GS.
stickguy
10/15/2010-11:02pm at 11:02 pm (UTC -4)
only a 2 run single.
I hate the yankees. They annoy me.
Mr North Jersey
10/15/2010-11:06pm at 11:06 pm (UTC -4)
M Young is auditioning to be a bull fighter with that ole of his.
Game tied 5-5
GravediggerHebner
10/15/2010-11:13pm at 11:13 pm (UTC -4)
Earlier in the game he made a perfect play, stayed directly in front of a grounder that took a bad hop and kept it from getting through. Ron Darling praised his solid fundamentals and I made a twitter crack “I hope David Wright was watching that play.”
But late innings with the game on the line he ole’s one. I hope Wright wasn’t watching that one.
Damn Yankees. This is why I usually don’t, and shouldn’t, watch Yankees or Phillies games.
Mr North Jersey
10/15/2010-11:14pm at 11:14 pm (UTC -4)
yankees take 6-5 lead no outs
Mr North Jersey
10/15/2010-11:15pm at 11:15 pm (UTC -4)
5 run 8th no outs 5 different pitchers in 8th and no outs
Mr North Jersey
10/15/2010-11:20pm at 11:20 pm (UTC -4)
2 outs 6-5 Yanks
Mr North Jersey
10/15/2010-11:22pm at 11:22 pm (UTC -4)
Lets see how Texas answers back
njstuckintx
10/15/2010-11:30pm at 11:30 pm (UTC -4)
With a whimper and base running blunder.
stickguy
10/15/2010-11:36pm at 11:36 pm (UTC -4)
I thought the Mets season was over though?
Sorry. Had to do it.
njstuckintx
10/15/2010-11:42pm at 11:42 pm (UTC -4)
Had it been the Mets, there’d be an “s” after blunder. I couldn’t resist either.
stickguy
10/15/2010-11:43pm at 11:43 pm (UTC -4)
ah hell. I am done watching the playoffs, unless somehow the giants or rangers pull of the miracle and win their series.
stickguy
10/15/2010-11:58pm at 11:58 pm (UTC -4)
and I hate the yankees.
gategem
10/16/2010-12:02am at 12:02 am (UTC -4)
The difference in bullpens between these two teams is the deciding factor. The Yankees pen kept the game 5-0 and you will notice that the Yankees have some solid young pitchers for middle relief. I’ve been impressed with the talent of some of the young pitchers they brought up.
Texas only hope would have been to finish off Tampa without going to a fifth game. If Lee starts this game it’s a win for the Rangers. Now it’s just a question of whether the Yankees sweep or win in five games.
Mr North Jersey
10/16/2010-12:07am at 12:07 am (UTC -4)
You may be right but I am not ready 2 wave a white flag just yet.
I wanna see how this team responds 2morrow before I start penciling the Yankees in the W.S.
Mr North Jersey
10/16/2010-12:03am at 12:03 am (UTC -4)
The Yankees make 5 run 8th innings look like a walk in the park.
Just wow. Darren Oliver’s 2 walks plus Young’s ole just awful.
The Yankees win game 1 but if Texas wins 2morrow it will be 1-1 as many expected with Lee on the hill for Game 3.
Lets Go Rangers!
gategem
10/16/2010-12:09am at 12:09 am (UTC -4)
I visited the “Lone Star Ball” blog to see how the Rangers’ fans were responding to the loss. Most are in shock but some are cursing Young and his bull fighting prowess and Oliver.
metsfan4decades
10/16/2010-12:04am at 12:04 am (UTC -4)
I hate the Yankees.
Did you catch that bunt in the 9th with one on and none out? Straight from the Jerry school of baseball.
metsfan4decades
10/16/2010-12:06am at 12:06 am (UTC -4)
Oh…and we’ll be hearing about the ‘Legend of the slide’ for the next who knows how long.
Post game interview opens up with the grission of the dirty uniform due to a head first slide into first.
All I can say is ‘WTF’, Rangers?
gategem
10/16/2010-9:50am at 9:50 am (UTC -4)
Young on his play last night:
“I would have loved to have made it,” Young said. “I don’t know if I could have made it. He hit it hard and it took kind of a tricky hop at the end. I would have loved for it to find my glove, but I’m not going to lose any sleep over that play, that’s for sure.”
That last statement:
“I’m not going to lose any sleep over that play, that’s for sure.”
has Rangers’ fans up in arms. Could you imaging him making that statement in New York.
GravediggerHebner
10/16/2010-10:10am at 10:10 am (UTC -4)
Eerily similar to Glavine’s “disappointed but not devastated” in that immediately following the situation that prompted the remark it’s really not what fans want to hear even though given time and distance it’s not terrible and is an appropriate “putting it behind me” kind of reaction that any athlete should have. The last thing a fan needs is an pro athlete out on the field trying to perform while thinking about some bad previous performance.
gategem
10/16/2010-10:47am at 10:47 am (UTC -4)
Agreed.
gategem
10/16/2010-10:25am at 10:25 am (UTC -4)
BTW the word “imaging” sb “imagine.”