By Robert Silverman
In 1961, President John F. Kennedy challenged America. He insisted that by the end of the decade, we put a man on the moon and return him safely to earth. Kennedy’s idea was outlandish and considered completely and utterly impossible. However, on July 21, 1969, Neil Armstrong set foot on the surface of the moon.
Almost equally as impossible was the Mets winning a World Series. In 1962, the Mets set the modern day record for baseball futility by losing 120 games. The thought of this team winning it all by the end of the decade was also considered completely and utterly impossible.
On July 21, as Apollo astronauts Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin surveyed the lunar landscape, the Mets were 53-39, just 5 games back. The ’69 season was filled with strange plays, unlikely stars and a black cat. As the underdog Mets shocked the baseball world and ran down the Cubs to win the division, fans wondered how long would our luck last.
After out-slugging the Braves in the first ever League Championship Series, the Mets faced a much more daunting task – the mighty Baltimore Orioles. Although many fans hoped the Amazins’ season would continue, the experts were skeptical and saying a best case scenario would be the Mets holding their own and not being too embarrassed by the much more superior Orioles.
Baltimore had won 109 times during the season and captured the AL East by 19 games. The Mets were quickly brought back to reality. On just the second pitch of Game One the Mets were trailing 1-0 after Don Buford took Tom Seaver yard, and they would go on to lose the opening game 4-1. However, the Mets captured Game 2 by a score of 2-1 and now the two teams would head to Shea Stadium – the house of miracles – tied one game apiece.
The Mets won Game 3, 5-0, highlighted by Tommie Agee’s catches and baby-faced Gary Gentry out-pitching Jim Palmer and shutting down the O’s vaunted offense.
Game 4 was next and that would be one for the ages. The right fielder for New York that day was Ron Swoboda. Five seasons earlier, on April 12, 1965, 20-year old Swoboda made his major league debut. He hit two home runs in his first four at-bats and would go on to hit 19 for the year, a Mets record for rookies at the time.
Overly optimistic Mets fans quickly pointed out that was more homers than Mickey Mantle had hit in his rookie season. People also began drawing comparisons between Swoboda and Babe Ruth. After all, BOTH were born in Baltimore.
Although well loved, Swoboda would never be destined for greatness. There would be no all-star games in his future and no induction in Cooperstown. He was a mediocre hitter at best. But he played with heart.
He was not blessed with blinding speed or natural ability. He had no special gift. But his all out play and the fact that he gave it his all and made the most of his limited talent endeared him to fans. It was once said of Ron, “He’s got the heart of a lion.”
Ironically, his greatest weakness was his inept fielding. He would frequently circle under routine fly balls seeming unsure and confused. A popup to right field was always an adventure and resulted in fans holding their collective breath. Teammates nicknamed him ‘Rocky’ as a tongue in cheek way of chiding him for his lack of defensive prowess.
However, Swoboda played his part in that miracle season. In September, Cardinals ace Steve Carlton set the MLB record by striking out 19 batters, but still lost the game, 4-3, thanks to a pair of 2-run homers by Swoboda.
Pivotal Game 4 featured Tom Seaver (25-7, 2.21 ERA) opposing Mike Cuellar (23-11, 2.38 ERA). Both would go on to win the Cy Young Award that year. In everything that World Series pitching match-ups should be, but seldom are, Seaver out-pitched Cuellar. With the expression ‘pitch count’ not in anyone’s vocabulary, Seaver went to the top of the 9th clinging to a 1-0 lead.
With their backs to the wall, Baltimore battled back. With one out, Frank Robinson and Boog Powell both singled. Baltimore had the tying run on third and the go-ahead run on first. Future Hall of Famer Brooks Robinson stepped to the plate. He hit Seaver’s first delivery to right-center. The white baseball began sinking against the bright green grass. There was no player in sight. Suddenly, out of nowhere, the poor-fielding Swoboda appeared.
Using all of his limited speed, he dove and stuck out his glove. Completely parallel to the grass and fully extended, just inches from the ground, he snared the sinking liner. The initial response was one of disappointment. After all, Frank Robinson scored easily from 3B on the Sac Fly and Baltimore tied the game.
However, seconds later, the reality of Swoboda’s catch began to sink in. Had the ball gotten by him it would have easily rolled to the wall and given the Orioles a 2-1 lead, most likely a victory and guaranteed a return trip to Baltimore.
Swoboda’s catch kept the game tied at 1-1 and the Mets would win the game in 10 innings. The next day Jerry Koosman would take the mound for Game 5. Game, set, match. The Mets had shocked the world.
Swoboda’s catch is an iconic image, not only in Mets history but in World Series history. At the time, it was considered by many to be one of the best catches, if not the best, in the history of October baseball.
On March 31, 1971, 26-year old Swoboda was sent to Montreal in exchange for Don Hahn. Later that year, he returned to NY but was wearing pinstripes. In 1973, however, as the Mets battled toward their second World Series, the Yankees released Swoboda. He attended spring training in 1974 with the Braves but did not make the team.
Although he attempted a brief comeback with the Mets in 1976 (he attended spring training but didn’t make the cut), Rocky decided to hang ’em up and retire from the game.
His career stats are unimpressive. In six seasons with the Mets, he batted just .242 and collected 536 hits, 304 RBI, and ironically, 69 Home Runs. However, when Met fans remember Swoboda, his career stats are meaningless to us. Home runs and RBIs can be measured, but intangibles like heart, can not. And that is one area where Swoboda is unsurpassed.
When one looks back at the history of the turbulent 1960’s, there are certain unforgettable images that come to mind. You will remember those old photos of John Kennedy in the Oval Office, or his brother Bobby tousling his hair. You can see Martin Luther King Jr. on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial.
You will recall photos of The Beatles and their screaming throngs of fans. And Jimmy Hendrix playing a guitar like no one ever had at Woodstock. You can count on seeing helicopters dropping bombs in the jungles of Vietnam and the image of Neil Armstrong stepping onto the moon. And in addition to all that iconic imagery, Met fans will always have that unforgettable memory of Ron Swoboda sliding across the green grass of Shea and saving the day.
