It helps to be in the right places at the right time. It also helps be a very good pitcher. Al Leiter was both. Those circumstances helped him achieve a feat that, at the time, was unique only to him. The left-handed pitcher went seven strong innings against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Bank One Ballpark on April 30 of 2022, only allowing one unearned run. Thanks to the Mets’ offense...
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This was a no-hitter regardless of how you viewed it or how many pitchers it took. The Mets waited more than 50 years for their first: Johan Santana providing the entirety of the 134 tosses on a Friday night at Citi Field. They waited nearly 10 years for the next one: also on a Friday night, also at Citi Field, but using five pitchers to deliver the 159 needed against the Philadelphia Phillies....
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Five-and-two-thirds innings into his outing against the San Diego Padres at Shea Stadium on April 22, 1970, Tom Seaver had faced 22 batters. Two managed hits and nine struck out. For an ordinary pitcher, it would be a great day. For Seaver, who in three seasons had established himself as arguably the best at his position, it was any other day. Seaver would eventually deliver a performance...
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The official grand opening for the Mets’ newest home featured several dignitaries: the commissioner, Dwight Gooden, Darryl Strawberry, as well as ceremonial first pitch participants Mike Piazza and Tom Seaver. Jody Gerut was not a scheduled member of the festivities. The San Diego Padres center fielder led off an otherwise celebratory evening with a home run. Much like the entire 2009...
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He established a rookie record for strikeouts, posted an ERA of 2.60, went 17-9 and completely captivated New York. It’s hard to believe Dwight Gooden almost didn’t start the ’84 season in the major leagues. Davey Johnson, the Mets’ first-year manager who saw Gooden up-close when the teenager helped his Triple-A Tidewater club, insisted upon it. Johnson eased the...
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