Frankie Montas struggled yet again on Wednesday, making his place in the Mets’ rotation a point of contention. The newly acquired Montas had a line of 5.0 IP, 7 H, 5 R, 1 BB, 2 K (80 pitches, 47 strikes) in his sixth rehab start since returning from a high grade lat strain. This outing actually lowered his ERA in rehab starts this season to 13.19 as he has given up eight home runs in 18 2/3 innings. Montas must be called up to the big league squad, assuming he’s healthy, but it could be hard to justify any major role given his struggles.

Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

Latest Mets News

Atlanta continues to be a house of horrors for the Mets as they were shut out by Chris Sale for 8 2/3 innings while the Braves clinched the series win. The Mets turned mental lapses, defensive errors and a poor start from Paul Blackburn into a 3-0 deficit early on and could never climb back, resulting in their fifth straight loss. Click here for the full game recap.

The Mets will look to salvage the last game of this set as Clay Holmes (7-3, 2.87 ERA) will face Spencer Strider (1-5, 4.35 ERA) at 7:15 p.m. on Thursday night. 

Kiley McDaniel of ESPN released his MLB Mock Draft 2.0 and has the Mets taking LF Devin Taylor from Indiana with their first pick.

Carlos Mendoza told reporters that Brett Baty wasn’t available last night and is not sure if he will need an IL stint.

Latest MLB News

Dodgers owner Mark Walter is buying majority ownership of the Lakers from the Buss family, per Shams Charania of ESPN.

The Tampa Bay Rays are in advanced talks to sell the club to a group led by Jacksonville home builder Patrick Zalupski, per Kurt Badenhausen of Sportico. Parties have signed a letter of intent and the price is roughly $1.7B. Click here for more on the potential purchase.

Former Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina was named Team Puerto Rico’s manager for the 2026 World Baseball Classic.

Franmil Reyes, who is now playing in Japan, is being sued for failing to follow through on his earning stake, per Michael McCann of Sportico. When Reyes was a 21-year-old minor league outfielder, he agreed to a player investment contract where he’d give up 10% of annual earnings in exchange for $302K.

Latest On MMO

Francisco Alvarez continues to struggle.

The Rays are in advanced talks about selling the team.

Tyrone Taylor continues to shine!

On This Date in Mets History

2014: Zack Wheeler throws a three-hit complete game shutout, the first shutout of his career.

2004: Mike Cameron tallies his second walk-off hit in as many days.

1989: Dwight Gooden records his 100th career victory, joining Tom Seaver and Jerry Koosman in the exclusive Mets club.

Born on This Date: Logan Verrett (1990), Devin Mesoraco (1988), Jacob deGrom (1988), Collin McHugh (1987), Claudio Vargas (1978), Doug Mientkiewicz (1974), Bob Gibson (1957), Bob Aspromonte (1938), Larry Miller (1937).

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Tom Seaver.

We’re looking back at the 50th anniversary of the Mets’ 1973 National League pennant-winning team by reviewing the most inspirational figures of that remarkable run. Last but not least, “The Franchise,” who stood out again as the finest pitcher in baseball. 

In the pantheon of great seasons from the greatest player in Mets’ history, this season isn’t at the top. And in the list of elite pitching performances, very few from 1973 stand about above any others.

It would be difficult, even for Tom Seaver, to match what he or the Mets did in 1969. Individually, equaling his numbers in 1971 (when he somehow wasn’t recognized as the league’s top pitcher) is asking a lot.

Seaver didn’t reach the same heights of ’69 four years later. Neither did his team. But he did win his second of three Cy Young awards. In many ways, the ’73 season turned out to be a very rewarding one for the ace of the New York staff. But it also brought its share of challenges.

By this, his seventh year in the big leagues, Seaver had become New York’s biggest sports figure. The public fully embraced his integrity, and intensity in a city that thrives on such qualities.

From 1970–72, Seaver fanned an average of 274 batters, led the National League in strikeouts twice, and claimed a pair of ERA titles. Still, somehow, he never added to his Cy Young collection. The most galling omission came in 1971, when Seaver constructed a career-low 1.76 ERA, a career-low 0.946 WHIP, a career-high 289 strikeouts, and a career-best 9.1 strikeouts per nine innings only to lose out to Chicago’s Fergie Jenkins and his 24 wins. Seaver had 20.

There would be no snub in ’73, a season in which he was one of few not missing time due to injury. Only twice did Seaver allow more than four runs in a start. And by mid-September, a replenished roster sparked a resurgence. Even as Seaver’s shoulder barked with soreness, the call of the pennant race didn’t go unanswered.

“For the last month, I didn’t have my stuff and I didn’t know where it was going, anyway,” Seaver said to the New York Times. “It’s tough trying to pitch like that.”

Seaver helped lock up the division and the Cy Young in Chicago with the help of Tug McGraw to earn his 19th win and secure an MLB-best 2.08 ERA. It didn’t come easily. A 5-0 New York lead became 5-2 in the sixth and a 6-2 advantage was narrowed to 6-4 in the seventh. After allowing his 11th hit, Seaver gave way to McGraw, who got the final nine outs.

He then attempted to win the NLCS opener in Cincinnati on his own. Seaver drove in the lone Mets’ run with his bat on a second-inning double that drove in Bud Harrelson. He kept the Reds in check and off the scoreboard until the eighth when Pete Rose took him deep to tie it up. Seaver stayed out into the bottom of the ninth, striking out a then-LCS record 13. But Johnny Bench‘s walk-off homer ruined an otherwise tremendous performance.

Seaver got another opportunity with the National League pennant at stake. He wasn’t nearly as sharp in this Game 5 at Shea Stadium. He struck out four and walked five (three intentionally) and allowed two runs. But he didn’t need to be as spectacular, because the Mets’ bats came alive. They scored twice in the first, four times in the fifth, and again in the sixth to give their ace a 7-2 lead. Seaver struggled to get through the ninth but again passed the baton to McGraw, who took them across the finish line.

Seaver appeared again as the World Series shifted to New York. He would have only two starts in this seven-game series, each coming with their own bit of frustration. He exited Game 3 tied after eight innings—a contest the Athletics eventually won in 11. As the Mets took the next two, Seaver was set for a potential close-out start in Oakland. With the luxury of a series lead, manager Yogi Berra could go with Seaver or his freshest arm, George Stone, and save Seaver for a potential winner-take-all. The ladder was a strong 12-3 during the season. Sore shoulder and all, Berra played his ace.

While Seaver was good over seven innings, allowing two runs, his opponent was better. Catfish Hunter allowed one run and pitched into the eighth. It remains one of the most scrutinized decisions in Mets’ history, but a matter that was no fault of Seaver’s.

Seaver’s last game as a Met was in 1983. It would have been easy to believe ten years earlier that all that time would’ve been spent in New York. But the rift between “The Franchise” and the franchise that began on an infamous night in June 1977 became a dark period in Queens. The Mets were irrelevant and it took until Seaver was let go a second time after ’83 that things began to look promising for the first time since their last pennant year.

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The slate of postseason games Wednesday contained loads of fireworks as home runs were slugged and tickets were punched. The day started out in Philly, where Bryce Harper and Nick Castellanos both sent two balls out of the park on their way to a 10-2 win over the Braves and a 2-1 series lead.

The Diamondbacks took over the nightcap as they lit Lance Lynn up like a Christmas tree, smashing four home runs in the third inning alone en route to taking down the 100-win Dodgers in a three-game sweep. However, the Houston Astros stole the headlines yet again as they moved on to their seventh consecutive ALCS, knocking off the Twins in four games.

This rendition of the Astros’ dominance will meet an obstacle that they’ve never seen before, as they will take on their in-state rival Texas Rangers in the postseason for the first time ever. The Astros and Rangers’ historic lineups will take most of the attention leading up to their battle, but one of the underlying stories is the meeting of former Mets Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander. Scherzer, who missed most of the last month of play, including the previous two postseason series, is on track to return for Texas in the ALCS. While he will not be built up to go the usual starter length, Scherzer should still be able to give the Rangers some valuable innings throughout the series. Verlander, on the other hand, has been his steady self in his return to Houston, including a scoreless outing as he went six innings in his start in game one against Minnesota. 

Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Latest Mets News

Mets star shortstop Francisco Lindor underwent surgery to remove a bone spur from his right elbow on Tuesday, per Metsmerized‘s Mike Mayer. Andy Martino later announced from SNY that Lindor had been dealing with this elbow injury all throughout his 30-30 season, which he first felt in Spring Training. The Mets expect him to be fully healthy by the start of 2024 Spring Training.

Latest MLB News

Jon Morosi of MLB Network reported that Texas Rangers associate manager, Will Venable, has been contacted by multiple MLB teams regarding their managerial openings. The former 9-year major leaguer is highly regarded around the league, but has reportedly told clubs that he is staying with the Texas Rangers. Texas will be playing in their first Championship Series game in over a decade this coming weekend. 

Yuki Matsui, who is a left-handed closer from the Rakuten Eagles of the NPB league in Japan, will be exercising his international free agent rights, per the Yakyu Cosmopolitan. The stud closer holds a 2.43 ERA, 1.107 WHIP and 12 K/9 in his 10-year career and will be looking to pursue an MLB contract this upcoming offseason while he heads into his age 28 season. 

Latest on MMO

Tyler Antonelle found some positives in the Syracuse Mets’ disappointing season. 

Ross Bentley analyzed the Mets organization catcher depth.

With 2023 being the 50th anniversary of the Mets’ 1973 miracle run, Brian Wright looked back at Cleon Jones‘ part in the run.

On This Date in Mets History

2015: The Mets play their first home postseason game at Citi Field, winning the game 13-7 and taking a 2-1 lead in the NLDS over the Dodgers. A Yoenis Céspedes three-run home run in the fourth inning sent the New York faithful into a frenzy as Curtis Granderson led the way for the Mets with five RBIs.

2006: Tom Glavine twirls a gem for the Mets, going seven innings of shutout ball in game one of the NLCS against the Cardinals. Carlos Beltrán‘s two-run sixth inning home run off the right field scoreboard would be all the Mets needed in a 2-0 victory, taking a 1-0 series lead. 

2000: In a 5-5 tie in the ninth inning, Jay Payton puts the Mets ahead with a go-ahead RBI single to give the Mets a 6-5 win and a 2-0 NLCS lead over the St. Louis Cardinals.

1969: The Mets win their first World Series game in franchise history behind a marvelous performance from Jerry Koosman, who went 8 2/3 innings while only giving up a single run. Ed Charles, Jerry Grote, and Al Weis string together base hits in the ninth inning to take a 2-1 lead and even the series against the Orioles at 1-1.

Birthdays: José Valentín (54), Sid Fernandez (61)

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Darryl and “Doc” both had meteoric rises through the Mets system, winning Rookie of the Year in 1983 and 1984, respectively. Together, they immediately turned the Mets into perennial contenders throughout the 1980’s. The two had decorated careers with the Amazin’s as they combined for 11 all-star appearances during their time in Queens while also bringing the Mets their second-ever World Series Championship. Despite some off-the-field issues, the two young stars brought life to a dormant Mets franchise, and historic years like Doc’s 1985 season and Darryl’s 1988 season transformed the Mets franchise. 

Mets owner Steve Cohen, who has made it an initiative of his to honor Mets history, commented on Doc and Darryl’s numbers going into the rafters, “I’m thrilled that two iconic members of the 1986 championship club will have their numbers retired in 2024…Darryl Strawberry and Dwight Gooden each had an enormous impact on our franchise and it’s my honor to continue our commitment to celebrating our wonderful history. “

“When getting the call that their numbers would be hanging in the rafters, the two Mets legends were both overcome with waves of emotion. Strawberry said, “When I got the call from Steve, I welled up with tears of joy… I had some ups and downs, but in the end, I am proud of my time in New York. I owe so much to Mets fans – they are simply the best. It’s really amazing to me that No 18 will be forever remembered.”

While overwhelmed with the emotion of it all, Darryl also took the time to thank the new owners, “I would like to thank the Hall of Fame committee and especially Steve and Alex Cohen.” 

His counterpart, DocGooden, was also very emotional when he received the call, ” I was completely overwhelmed when I got the call. I want to say ‘thank you’ to the fans who supported me through the good times and bad times. I couldn’t have made it through without their encouragement.”

The former Cy Young award winner made it known how much this honor means to him, “There is no greater honor a player can receive than having his number retired. It’s hard for me to express how honored and thankful I am to Steve and Alex. This would make my mother and father extremely proud, and I know they are looking down from heaven smiling.”

While the two are synonymous with each other, even up until the announcement of their jersey retirements, Howie Rose noted on Twitter that “Doc” and Darryl will each get their separate ceremonies. 

The two Mets legends will become the sixth and seventh players to have their number retired in club history, which has taken a steep increase since Steve Cohen took over ownership of the team in 2020. Since being in power, Cohen has retired the jersey numbers of Keith Hernandez (17) and Willie Mays (24). Jerry Koosman‘s No. 36 was retired during the Cohen era, but was announced when the Wilpons still owned the team. Previously, Tom Seaver‘s No. 41 and Mike Piazza‘s No. 31 were retired. Managers Casey Stengel (37) and Gil Hodges (14) had their numbers retired by the Mets as well. 

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Jacob deGrom in a Texas Rangers uniform. That’s going to take some getting used to. Actually, it may never really look normal. But this kind of scenario is nothing new. There have been a few occasions in which the combination of ex-Met player and team doesn’t sound — or look — right. Here are some of the strangest examples of famous Mets wearing the jersey of another team.

Jerry Koosman as a Phillie

Soon after the sight of Tom Seaver in Cincinnati Reds colors made Queens queasy, the other powerful pitching half made his exit. Jerry Koosman was traded to his native Minnesota to join the Twins before moving to the White Sox and eventually back to the NL East for his final two seasons. In 1984, at age 41, Koosman posted his lowest ERA and WHIP since departing New York. Koosman faced the organization which eventually retired his number six times while with Philadelphia — winning once with a 6.75 ERA.

Mookie Wilson as a Blue Jay

A mainstay of the Mets of the 1980s, Mookie Wilson was there at the lowest point of the decade and was also there for the highest moments. His popularity was unmatched, making the trade to Toronto in July 1989 hard to take — coupled with Lee Mazzilli also flocking north. Wilson hit .331 in August 1989 for Toronto while also driving in 12 as the Jays closed in on the division-leading Baltimore Orioles. Toronto eventually overtook the O’s, and won the AL East with Wilson regularly in the starting lineup. Wilson’s trip to the playoffs with the Jays was the third of his career. He stayed on for two more years (with one more appearance in the playoffs) before retiring.

Keith Hernandez with Cleveland

If you blinked, you missed it. Leg and back injuries severely curtailed what would be Keith Hernandez’s final year in 1990. He appeared in just 43 games for Cleveland and didn’t play after July 24. Hernandez’s durability, a hallmark of his career with the Mets and Cardinals along with his fielding excellence and hitting consistency, waned during his final two seasons in New York and the trend continued in Cleveland. He batted only .200 with one home run (seen below) and eight RBIs.

Darryl Strawberry as a Giant

Darryl Strawberry‘s personal issues had a significant effect on him once he moved from New York to Los Angeles in 1991 and then to San Francisco in May 1994. Strawberry’s stint with the Giants comprised only 92 at-bats over 29 games.  He saw limited playing time and hit only four home runs with 17 RBIs. At the start of the 1995 season, he was suspended after testing positive for cocaine. Straw eventually was picked up by the Yankees, where he made an impact on their ’96 World Series run and played until 1999.

Dwight Gooden with Cleveland

Like Darryl, Dwight Gooden temporarily revitalized his career with the Yankees. After a no-hitter and another ring, Gooden faltered in 1997, and over the winter was picked up by the defending AL Champs, Cleveland. Gooden improved in 1998, posting  a 3.76 ERA (despite his strikeout-per-nine-innings staying steady at 5.6) and made two starts in the postseason — the second coming in the ALCS against his former team. Gooden remained in Cleveland for one more season that didn’t go nearly as well.  In 1999, Gooden posted a 6.26 ERA in 22 starts. The last three stops of his career came in 2000, including a return to the Bronx that was preceded by two unusual one: short stints with the Houston Astros and the Tampa Bay Devil Rays.

John Franco as an Astro

Although John Franco has strong connections to  New York City, the start of his big-league career began in Cincinnati for the Reds from 1984-89. The St. John’s alum came to the Mets in a swap for fellow closer Randy Myers  and went on to span several eras for the franchise. Franco went through several transitions in Queens, going from closer to set-up man to captain. His Mets career concluded in 2004, but his major-league career did not. The Houston Astros got on him on a one-year deal in 2005, but he couldn’t last that long. By July of that year, Franco was released, and he eventually retired as the all-time saves leader among lefties.

Mike Piazza and the A’s

Mike Piazza had three stops in California in his career — starting in Los Angeles and later ending up in San Diego in 2006 after his Mets career. The final Golden State club Piazza played on was the most forgotten. While Piazza excelled to an All-Star level with the Dodgers and had a decent 2006 season with the Padres, his wearing of green and gold in Oakland in 2007 was a blip in his hall-of-fame career.  A shoulder injury in early May resulted in an 11-week stay on the disabled list, and he was only able to play in 83 games that season. Piazza eventually finished with a slash line of .275/.313/.414, eight homers, and 44 RBIs.

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Perhaps the most important trade in Mets’ history wasn’t even for a player. In the story of a franchise, there are a few seminal moments. The acquisition and appointment of Gil Hodges as manager is definitely one of them.

He had been a Met, a member of the original 1962 club in the twilight of his playing career. More famously, Hodges was a significant part of the Dodgers’ success in the late 1940s and 50s. The leadership qualities which made him a respected first baseman weren’t lost on organizations seeking a manager. And for more than four seasons, he oversaw an inexperienced Washington Senators club which improved incrementally each year.

Mets’ vice president Johnny Murphy sought a replacement for the recently-departed Wes Westrum. He had a connection in Washington: George Selkirk, the Senators’ general manager and Murphy’s former roommate when they were Yankee teammates.

Selkirk wouldn’t give in so easily. But shortly after Murphy took over GM duties from Bing Devine, the offer was Hodges for right-handed pitcher Bill Denehy and $100,000 as compensation to release Hodges from his deal with Washington. Realizing the possibility of no return if he decided to leave when the contract expired following the 1968 season, Selkirk relented.

Inheriting a club that had suffered 100 or more defeats in five of its first six seasons, he instilled a confidence that future Mets teams would be different than their predecessors.

Hodges proved to be more patient than most disciplined leaders and less vocal also. But there was never any doubting whose word mattered in the Mets’ clubhouse. Many leaders are usually feared or loved. Gil was both. No player was immune from his authority. And no player would dare question it.

As for in-game strategy, he maximized the talent at his disposal—coaxing and adjusting a lineup to create the greatest chance of victory. He allowed inexperienced players to work through tough situations and out of any rough stretches. By the end of 1968, the Mets made a significant step toward respectability, even if it didn’t appear that way in the standings.

New York improved by 12 games with a franchise-best 73 wins and a ninth-place finish—just the second time the Mets had emerged from the cellar. That was nothing compared to what took place the next year.

There were many reasons why the Mets became champions in 1969—Tom Seaver and Jerry Koosman’s brilliant pitching, stellar defense, and timely hitting. But none of that would have been possible without Hodges’s unwavering leadership. That, in short, is his Mets’ legacy.

His way overdue election to the Hall of Fame—better late than never—is based on his success as a player, but Hodges’ influence as a manager in New York certainly should certainly be included.

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We all have Aunts down in Florida.  Okay, maybe not everyone, but I do.  And recently she sent some “vintage” mid-80s Mets cards up to me in NY from a neighbor who wanted to get rid of them after her spouse passed on.  In looking through them, I came across the 1986 Mets card shown below:

Several things about this card. Firstly 1986 is not “vintage”.  In 1986 I was in high school, had a full head of hair, and weighed about 150 pounds.  The Mets had a young Dwight Gooden, Darryl Strawberry, and Lenny Dykstra and would win their second World Series. Truly just a few short years ago.

Secondly, while I remember Tom Paciorek, I don’t remember him ever being a Met. Paciorek had come up to the Dodgers in 1970 as a corner outfielder and had become an All-Star with Seattle in 1981 when he was second in the American League with a .326 batting average.  In 1985 he was a 38-year old fourth outfielder, and back-up first baseman with the White Sox when the Mets acquired him for good glove but no-hit shortstop project Dave Cochrane, who was batting .223 in AA when traded on July 16. That was at the All-Star break in 1985 and the Mets were in second place, 2.5 games behind St. Louis.

It was a trade to shore up the bench as young outfielder John Christensen was hitting .190. Paciorek could also serve as a defensive placement for an aging George Foster in left, provide Strawberry a day off in right, spell Keith Hernandez at first or serve as a right-handed pitch hitter while Rusty Staub was the left-handed pitch hitter.

Paciorek did exactly that in 1985 with the Mets, hitting a solid .284 while playing 8 games at first, 29 in the outfield and pinch hitting 17 times as well.

The picture on the card is easy to determine where and when it was taken.  Shown in the home uniform and high-fiving after a home run, Paciorek only hit one home run for the Mets.  A check of BaseballReference.com shows that occurred on August 15, against the Phillies in the bottom of the first off of Jerry Koosman, who was pitching in his final year of baseball.  Wally Backman, who had walked, scored ahead of him, so that’s likely Wally on the left side of the card shown.

Alas, the 1985 Mets remained where they were at the All-Star break, as despite winning 98 games, the second-best record in the National League and the third-best in baseball, the Cardinals won 101 games, finishing 3 games ahead of the Mets. St. Louis won the pennant that year but fell to the Royals in the World Series.  At least the way Don Denkinger saw it.

After the season, with a young Kevin Mitchell on the way, Paciorek was released.  He signed with Texas and played two seasons with the Rangers, finishing his career with a .282/.325/.415 slash line, and at least one card showing his 1/2 season with the Mets so “vintage” fans can be prompted that Tom Paciorek was once a New York Met.

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In April 1969, humans were hundreds of thousands of miles away from setting foot on the moon just as the New York Mets seemed far away from a World Series title.

By October 15, both distances had been covered and two feats once thought of as miracles were achieved.

The Mets—cellar dwellers for the better part of their first seven years—headed into Game 5 on the brink of an accomplishment registering as much awe July’s moon landing.

Even 100 regular-season wins and a sweep of the Atlanta Braves in the NLCS  did not convince skeptics that New York was capable of toppling the 109-win Orioles in the World Series.

Despite dropping Game 1 in Baltimore, the magic refused to fade. Three straight wins turned skeptics into believers. And now a win away, the elements bringing the Mets to this juncture — superb starting pitching and timely hitting — carried them to the top.

But fate intervened once more, with the Orioles up 3-0 and poised to take the series back to Baltimore. The first pitch from  Dave McNally  to start the bottom of the sixth dove in on Cleon Jones and rolled toward the Mets’ dugout.

Jones went up the first base line thinking it hit him in the foot before home plate umpire Lou DiMuro called him back. Hodges stoically approached DiMuro and presented what turned out to be indisputable evidence: a ball with a small smudge of shoe polish. DiMuro was convinced. Jones was awarded first base.

Soon to be named MVP, Donn Clendenon stepped in and belted his third homer of the series to pull New York to within a run. Al Weis, emblematic of the unlikely nature of the Mets’ unexpected success, delivered in the seventh with a game-tying home run — the only round-tripper he hit at Shea all year — to finish off a fabulous .455 batting average over the five games. Two doubles and two Oriole errors in the eighth led to a 5-3 Mets’ lead.

It was an advantage the Mets’ superb big-game pitcher would protect. Through three innings, Jerry Koosman had allowed four hits and three runs. He yielded just one hit the rest of the way while his hitters mounted their comeback.

Koosman’s pitch in the top of the ninth to O’s second baseman (and future Mets’ manager) Davey Johnson was sent to deep left field. Jones, on the warning track, knelt as he secured the clinching out almost as if to pay respect to the heavens. It was one of the franchises’ iconic images, as was Koosman jumping into the arms of catcher Jerry Grote as the masses congregated on a Shea Stadium turf about to be torn to shreds.

What had been inconceivable in April was reality in October. One hundred-to-one odds to win it all when the season began, now the Mets were World Champions.

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For the first time since 2013, the Mets have a representative in the starting lineup of the All-Star Game. And for the first time since 2009, the team has four selectees. Even though it’s been confirmed that Starling Marte won’t see action, there’s a good possibility for any of the other three to add to this list of moments in the Midsummer Classic.

1964

In its debut season, Shea Stadium had already opened in conjunction with the New York World’s Fair. By July, it had already seen a perfect game (thrown by Philadelphia’s Jim Bunning on June 21), and now it hosted one of the greatest All-Star Games. Mets fans who had little success to cheer for in the early years latched on to Ron Hunt, a scrappy second baseman elected to start for the National League in his home park. He would go 1-for-3, but more excitement was saved for the finish. Johnny Callison of the Phillies hit a walk-off homer to give the NL a 7-4 win, the last time in the contest’s history to end in such a fashion.

1967

Tom Seaver quickly harnessed the attention of the public with 16 wins on a team that had just 61, posted an ERA of 2.76, and struck out 170. He was the lone Mets representative in that year’s All-Star Game at Anaheim Stadium and waited for his turn on the mound. Then he waited…and then waited some more. In the longest Midsummer Classic, Seaver put an end to it. He threw a scoreless 15th, working around a walk to retire Tony Conigliaro, Bill Freehan and finally Ken Berry on a strikeout.

1968

One rookie Mets pitcher finished the ’67 game and another finished in ’68. Jerry Koosman was summoned from the bullpen to protect a 1-0 lead in the ninth. His task? Get the reigning American League MVP and Triple Crown winner, Carl Yastrzemski. Koosman had the luxury of pitching to Yaz with the bases open. After starting 2-0, Koosman rallied to get three straight swings and misses. It was the 20th strikeout of the day at the Astrodome, five of which were recorded by Seaver over two innings.

1969

If the country wasn’t aware of the rapidly improving New York Mets–in second place at 53-39 and five games behind the Chicago Cubs–by the time the All-Star Game arrived, it soon would. Three players who provided the biggest contributions to the turnaround were selected for the 40th midsummer classic at Washington D.C.’s RFK Stadium.

Cleon Jones started in left field for his first All-Star appearance and went 2-for-4, Jerry Koosman pitched 1 2/3 scoreless innings, and eventual Cy Young Award winner Tom Seaver was present but was not called on to the mound in what turned out to be a 9-3 NL win. 

1970

It remains an all-time top-5 All-Star moment: Pete Rose barreling into Ray Fosse at home to ensure a NL victory. We know how it ended, but it was started by Seaver, fresh off his first of three Cy Young Awards and a 19-strikeout performance in April. He was selected by his manager, Gil Hodges, who after participating in eight All-Star Games as a player now got his chance to call the shots for the NL squad after his World Series triumph. Bud Harrelson, making his first appearance, entered in the seventh and got two hits in three at-bats. 

1975

Jon Matlack often was second or third on the hierarchy of Mets pitchers during that era. But not long after Tom Seaver relinquished the lead by giving up a game-tying sixth-inning blast to Carl Yastrzemski, he bailed out this rotation cohort and kept the American League from scoring any more. Matlack got two strikeouts (mixed in with a caught stealing) in the seventh inning and two more in the eighth. It was certainly an MVP-caliber performance, Matlack shared the honor on this night at Milwaukee’s County Stadium with Bill Madlock of the Chicago Cubs, who produced the game-winning hit in the top of the eighth and allowed the lefty to get the victory. 

1979

The lowly Mets had one participant, but he was very much present even though he didn’t appear until the eighth inning. Nevertheless, Lee Mazzilli‘s cameo at the Kingdome was made worthwhile. Leading off with the NL down 6-5, Mazzilli took a Jim Kern pitch down the left field line that snuck just over the wall. The defensive heroics of MVP Dave Parker kept the score even into the ninth. That’s when the NL, and Mazzilli, took advantage of wild American League pitching.

Joe Morgan drew a one-out walk and moved to second on a balk. Parker was intentionally walked. Ron Cey earned the traditional free pass to load the bases for Maz with two gone. Ron Guidry came in, but his 3-1 pitch drifted outside. Mazzilli had driven in the tying and go-ahead runs. The 7-6 lead was placed into the hands of Bruce Sutter, who closed out the NL’s eighth straight win.

1984

For All-Star K’s, no one did it better–in quantity and quality–than Carl Hubbell back in 1934. After Fernando Valenzuela struck out the side in the fourth inning at Candlestick Park, it was time for Dwight Gooden–and history–to make an appearance, as one former sensation passed the baton to the current one.

The 19-year-old was the youngest All-Star in history and, in the fifth inning, did what had been doing to hitters thus far in his Rookie of the Year campaign, Gooden overpowered a succession of American League sluggers: Lance Parrish of Detroit, fellow Tiger Chet Lemon, and the Mariners’ Alvin Davis. Gooden tossed another scoreless frame with future teammate Gary Carter behind the plate. 

1986

The Mets were the predominant story of ’86, so it was of little surprise that when the All-Star rosters were announced, the Mets had the most participants. At the Astrodome on July 15, the setting for future postseason drama, the Amazin’s had five selectees–Dwight Gooden, Gary Carter, Keith Hernandez, Darryl Strawberry, and Sid Fernandez.

The recognition of the Mets’ accomplishments was apparent in the starting lineup. Fans voted in Carter at catcher, Hernandez at first base, and Strawberry in right field. At age 21, Gooden was making his third All-Star appearance in three seasons. He worked a scoreless first and was touched up for two runs in the second. The Hernandez-Carter-Strawberry trio combined to go 1-for-9 with Darryl logging the lone hit against Teddy Higuera in the bottom of the fifth. 

1987

Davey Johnson‘s reward for being in the World Series is representing the NL as manager. He had Carter and Strawberry in his starting lineup and Hernandez off the bench, but it was Fernandez who closed out the extra-inning victory. Runs were at a premium thanks mainly to the late-afternoon sun at the Oakland Coliseum. The NL finally broke through in the 13th after Tim Raines‘ triple with “El Sid” preserved in the bullpen. Fernandez walked the leadoff batter, but found his location from then on.

2006

Apparently, nobody told him the Home Run Derby was over. David Wright complimented his runner-up finish in the annual long ball contest with a drive off former Met Kenny Rogers which cleared the left-field fence to tie it up at one in the second inning. Wright was one of six Mets selected to the NL squad in a season when the NL East was already a runaway by the unofficial midway point. Carlos Beltrán doubled in the first inning and later stole third and scored the tie-breaking run. That 2-1 lead held up until Trevor Hoffman let it get away in the ninth inning.

2013

The Mets’ past, present, and future was on display as Citi Field hosted the game for the first time. David Wright was the unofficial ambassador, starting at third base and batting fourth. He caught the ceremonial first pitch from Tom Seaver, who not surprisingly has the most All-Star appearances of any Met.

The actual first pitch also came from a Met. Matt Harvey was the headliner, earning the nod in his first full big-league season. For those in the national audience still unaware of “The Dark Knight,” they got glimpses over 32 pitches. Harvey brushed off early jitters to toss two scoreless innings before the announced crowd of 45,186—the largest in the brief history of Mets’ new stadium. As for Wright, he singled in the seventh—the last of his three at-bats in the game and, as it turned out, his seventh and final All-Star appearance.

2015

“Hi, I’m Jacob deGrom, and I have the chance with my stuff to just dominate baseball for years to come.”

Never has Joe Buck been so on point with a call. The 27-year-old defending Rookie of the Year wasn’t around long for his All-Star debut. That was of his own doing. DeGrom didn’t just strike out each of the three American League All-Stars he faced in the sixth inning at Cincinnati’s Great American Ballpark. He was nearly immaculate, fanning Stephen Vogt, Jason Kipnis, and Jose Iglesias on just 10 pitches.

The post Greatest Mets All-Star Game Moments appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

The Mets retired Keith Hernandez‘s number 17 with a special ceremony before Saturday’s game.

It began with a brilliantly edited video tribute, which featured current players, former players and broadcasters talking about Hernandez’s career from his perspective.

Mets radio announcer Howie Rose introduced and welcomed everyone. Taking the field was Hernandez’s family, some of his former teammates like Ron Darling, Mike Piazza and Mookie Wilson, current Mets manager Buck Showalter, Mets owner Steve Cohen and play-by-play man Gary Cohen. Marlins manager Don Mattingly was there too, as he of course was a legendary player for the other team in New York. As expected, Hernandez took the field to a thundering ovation.

The current Mets watched on from the dugout. Francisco Lindor came out of the dugout to watch attentively, while Pete Alonso was sporting a mustache in honor of Hernandez.

Showalter and Cohen presented Hernandez with a mosaic portrait of his face, which was incredibly put together with more than 6,000 Hernandez baseball cards and Strat-O-Matic cards of the Mets’ 1986 roster.

Keith Hernandez, everyone. pic.twitter.com/82VX8OTyLm

— Metsmerized Online (@Metsmerized) July 9, 2022

Piazza opened with some words of appreciation, relating his experience of coming to New York in a trade.

As Hernandez stepped up to the podium, he joked, “Should I step out of the box?” He continued to give an expectedly fantastic speech, showing emotion while not straying from his typical Keith self.

“I realized that I had to set an example of how I conducted myself on and off the field, and I embraced that…,” Hernandez said. “It’s a team. I always felt myself as just a player, one of 25. Nothing special about me, just one of the guys, having a great time and working hard for a championship. AND WE DID.”

As Hernandez stepped out, Rose told him that it was a “500-foot speech.” As bellows of “KEITH HERNANDEZ!” erupted from the packed Citi Field crowd, the Mets players came out of the dugout to personally congratulate Hernandez. The legendary first baseman showed his love to the current team as well, expressing how much of a joy it is to watch them play, and urging Mets fans to show them the same support they showed the Mets teams of the 1980s.

Rose added another note as the ceremony wrapped up: “If there is any justice in this world, the next stop is Cooperstown.”

Hernandez took a victory lap after the proceedings, soaking in the moment. He becomes the fourth Mets player to have his number retired, joining Piazza (31), Jerry Koosman (36) and Tom Seaver (41).

Hernandez has clearly left his mark on the Mets organization, given how universally beloved he proved himself to be at this ceremony. The Mets will now have a patch in his honor forever.

The post Mets Honor Keith Hernandez With Number Retirement Ceremony appeared first on Metsmerized Online.