Feb
1
2011

Some Great Mets Moments Through the Mic

An article by Clayton Collier

When we tune into a baseball game, watching the game itself is only half of the story. We watch countless games day in and day out in hope of witnessing a truly historic baseball moment that will be revered and held close to our hearts for the rest of our lives. One aspect of these moments that seals the true amazement in our minds every time we think of them are the announcers that broadcast the event as it unfolds before the eyes of millions. They have the responsibility of speaking on the spot and putting into words what every viewer is thinking.

When the play-by-play begins, we are locked onto the television, a focus nothing can break. When a broadcaster views these astonishing plays, the sheer excitement in their voice shows you that they cannot even believe what has just unfurled on the diamond. Whether it is Vin Scully watching Mookie Wilson round first while watching his grounder go through Buckner’s legs or Gary Cohen witnessing Endy Chavez extending his arm over the left field wall, successfully completing one of the greatest catches in the history of postseason baseball, their reaction behind the microphone creates a memory we will remember and recall for years to come.

Here are some of those moments in Mets history we cherish through the mic:

The 1969 Miracle Mets behind Jerry Koosman in the bottom of the ninth, their future manager, Davey Johnson, steps up as the only thing standing between the Amazins and their first World Championship:

MetsWin1969World

After an amazing two out comeback to tie the Red Sox in game 6 of the 1986 World Series, Mookie Wilson hits a grounder to first that sneaks right between the legs of Bill Buckner to win the ballgame:

Game 6 1986

Jesse Orosco slams the door as the Mets win their first World Series Championship since 1969:
Mets Hold Off RedSox

With the Mets tied in the tenth inning versus the 100-game winning Diamondbacks, Todd Pratt hit a solo walk off homer to send the Mets to their first NLCS since 1988:

Todd Pratt NLDS

In the bottom of the fifteenth of game five of the 1999 NLCS down 3-2, Robin Ventura hit what is now known as the “Grand Slam Single” because Ventura’s teammates did not allow him to complete his run around the bases:

Robin Ventura Grand Slam Single

Following the 9/11 terror attacks, the Mets played their first game at Shea since the tragedy, with the game tied in the 8th inning, Mike Piazza stepped to the plate in an ending not even Hollywood could write any better:

Mike Piazza 911

Game seven of the 2006 NLCS, Oliver Perez pitching and gives up a long drive off the bat of Scott Rolen. With the left fielder Endy Chavez tracking the ball, pulls the ball back into the park, completing one of the best catches in the history of the game:

Endy Chavez Catch

I wanted to include a few other pieces of Mets History like the Black Cat Game or Agbayani’s walk off homer, but I could not find a recording with decent sound quality. Sorry if the recordings are not very clear, I recorded them myself.

Lets get back to talking about Mets baseball. Hope you enjoy!

About the Author: Clayton Collier

Clayton, a Long Island native and die-hard Mets fan, started writing online about three years ago. He is currently a Journalism major with a minor in Broadcasting at Seton Hall University. Although very disappointed with the current state of the team, Clayton remains hopeful that the young prospects in the farm system will bring the Mets back to a respected franchise in baseball once again. Besides writing for MMO, Clayton is also a staff member at 89.5 WSOU, Seton Hall's modern active rock radio station. You can contact Clayton by following him on Twitter: @Clayton_Collier or E-mailing him at MaybeNextYearMets@yahoo.com

9 Comments + Add Comment

srt February 1, 2011 at 9:21 pm

Thanks for the memories on this cold winter evening, Clayton.

I saw everyone of these games first hand (on TV, that is).
Yes, my allegiance to the Mets goes way back.

I remember watching that ’69 WS as a young Met fan totally thrilled, not realizing it wasn’t all that easy to win and it would be another 17 years before I’d see another championship.

I remember jumping up and down on my living room couch that night in ’86 screaming ‘They Did It’!

I remember watching that first game back on 9/11 with tears in my eyes at all the tributes. When Piazza hit that HR, it was just so fitting.

I remember seeing Endy make that catch, thinking it was destiny and we’d move on to the WS. We all know how that ended though.

Here’s hoping we are all celebrating the third Met WS championship sooner rather than later.
- Clayton Collier February 1, 2011 at 9:31 pm
  
  No problem! I think what is lost many times throughout our screaming of an exciting moment in sports is what is actually being said by the broadcasters at that point in time. I know for example, (not to compare with some of the greatest moments in this article) when Ike Davis flipped over the railing for the third time I was on my feet screaming at the TV and it wasn’t until ESPN’s top 10 the next morning I heard what was actually said by Gary Cohen.
  
  I happen to be very jealous of alot of people around me who were in the stands when these moments occured.
  
  My older cousin knew one of the guys ripping the stubs at the turnstiles and he snuck him into Game 6 of the 1986 World Series. One of my friends who is a yankee fan in a family of met fans went to Shea for the first time on 9/21/01. Finally another friend of mine was in the nosebleeds for game 7 of the 2006 NLCS.
  
  I never get tired of them telling me about what they saw in person at those games.
Mr North Jersey February 1, 2011 at 9:35 pm

Clayton this is b4 your time but there is a great call by Bob Murphy where the Mets hold on to beat the Phillies 10-9 where Murphy says, “‘The game’s over. The Mets win it. A line drive to Mario Diaz. They win the damned thing!”

I cant find the audio but it is classic.
- Clayton Collier February 1, 2011 at 9:39 pm
  
  I am familiar with that, I wanted to learn a little bit about Bob Murphy a little while ago and I read a brief article on him and that was one of the more famous quotes because he was known for being somewhat mild mannered.
  
  The Mets were up what 10-1 before that half inning? and Murphy was so frustrated he blurted that out.
  
  I couldn’t find one for that either, very hard to get these. It took 2 day to track down what I do have here.
Liz February 1, 2011 at 11:35 pm

Great job with these, I listened to all of them and I cant wait to see some real games again. I miss my Mets!

Didn’t you used to have a whole area with all kinds of clips like this? There used to be a click on the top but its gone now.
- Clayton Collier February 2, 2011 at 11:42 am
  
  Thank You, and hopefully we can see some fight in the Mets with an aggressive manager like Terry Collins we will see some fight in the Mets and maybe another moment or two added onto this list.
linee2010 February 2, 2011 at 2:52 am

thanks for the trip down memory lane..I miss the Murph..(God bless him)

I have a favorite in my bed, with a transitor radio lol Sept 73

Mets vs Pirates..at shea..ball off the top of the wall..(same place endy made the catch06) relay to the plate out!!!

one of the most amazin plays in Mets history..but never alked about much

thxs for the article and Lets Go Mets 2011!
- Annie Savoy February 2, 2011 at 9:56 am
  
  I have to admit I was a transistor kid, too.
  
  In fact I’m so used to the radio that until SNY came along and grabbed Keith and Ron, I would listen to all the Mets games on WFAN radio. It really is the best way – you can move all over the house/yard or go somewhere in the car and the game goes with you.
  
  This is also true about the broadcast across town where John and Suzyn do every game on CBS radio ever so much better than YES does it.
Metstheory22 February 2, 2011 at 10:47 am

Bob Murphy and Lindsey Nelson were excellent announcers. we’ve also had a couple of bad ones. Does anyone remember Lorne Browne?

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