Mets Madness Recap: 1986 Mets Beat 1976 Mets

The 1986 Mets knocked out the 1976 Mets in the first round of the Mets Madness tournament.

While the ’86 Mets won the series in five games, the ’76 Mets put up a fight. Ed Kranepool powered the Mets to victory in Game 4, and if not for a blown save late in the series, the ’76 Mets could have pulled ahead of the World Champ ’86 squad.

Mets’ Mookie Wilson hits a slow grounder up the first base line that gets by Red Sox first basemen Bill Buckner scoring Ray Knight from second to give the Mets the walk-off victory in the bottom of the 10th inning during Game 6 of the World Series at Shea Stadium Oct. 25, 1986.
Mets Vs Red Sox 1986 World Series

Game 1

Tom wasn’t so terrific in Game 1.

The Franchise struggled against the might of the 1986 lineup and allowed nine earned runs in three innings. He was relieved from that point as the 1976 Mets couldn’t get their offense going against Doc Gooden.

Game 2

The 1976 Mets punched back and recorded their only series victory in Game 2

Both sides started southpaws, with Sid Fernandez taking the mound for the ’86 Mets and Jerry Koosman for the ’76 Mets. Each starter had respectable games, as Fernandez allowed four earned runs in six innings pitched and Koosman with four allowed in 7 1/3 innings pitched.

While Fernandez was solid, the ’86 Mets’ bullpen was not. Randy Myers came in and allowed a bases-clearing double to Jerry Grote in the seventh, which gave the ’76 Mets a 6-2 lead. Then, Roger McDowell followed suit and allowed three earned runs in the top of the ninth. The ’76 Mets finished the night with a 9-4 win.

Game 3

Howard Johnson got the Mets back in the win column in Game 3.

The switch-hitting third baseman went 2-for-5 in Game 3, driving in a run and setting the tone at the top of the lineup. Meanwhile, Gary Carter and Keith Hernandez kept the line moving at the bottom of the order. The two captains both went 3-for-4, taking care of starter Jon Matlack who allowed 11 hits and five runs in six innings.

Bob Ojeda took care of the other side of the ball for the ’86 Mets. He went five innings, scattering five hits and striking out five for a scoreless outing. The lefty then handed the ball to Myers and John Mitchell, who allowed one run in four combined innings.

Game 4

Carter carried the ’86 Mets on his back in Game 4.

The catcher started his terrific night in the top of the fifth inning, driving in Mookie Wilson with an RBI double. The extra-base hit gave the ’86 Mets a 1-0, which they surrendered in the bottom half of the inning when Bruce Boisclair drove in two runs with a double of his own.

The score held at 2-1 going into the top of the ninth. The ’76 Mets turned toward their closer Skip Lockwood and needed only three outs to tie up the series. However, Carter had other plans. The former Expo clubbed a two-run homer to the ’86 Mets a 3-2 lead, and eventual win after Jesse Orosco completed his two-inning save.

Game 5

The ’76 Mets turned to Seaver for Game 5 to keep them in the first round of Mets Madness.

However, like in Game 1, Seaver struggled. The righty allowed eight hits and five runs in six innings pitched, putting his offense in a hole they couldn’t recover from. The bullpen wasn’t any better and Lockwood had another horrific outing, allowing four earned runs in the ninth inning.

Gooden once again was reliable for the ’86 Mets. He struck out five batters across five innings but got an early hook from his manager. The ’86 Mets opted for a bullpen game, throwing five different arms in their 9-1 win in Game 5.

The offense was powered by Wilson and Hernandez, who went 5-for-7 combined with three runs batted in and scored. Wally Backman also had a stellar game and went 3-for-5 with two runs batted in from the eighth spot in the lineup.

MVP

Carter was the MVP for the ’86 Mets in their series against the ’76 Mets.

He went 5-for-8 in Games 3 and 4 combined, which propelled the ’86 Mets to a 3-1 series lead. In fact, if Carter hadn’t clubbed a go-ahead homer in Game 4, the ’76 Mets would have tied the series at 2-2 and thrown Seaver out for Game 5.

While Carter went 0-for-4 in Games 2 and 5, his performances in Games 3 and 4 were enough to award him the most valuable player for the ’86 Mets.

On Deck

The ’86 Mets will move on to round 2 of Mets Madness, where they face off against the 2022 Mets. Unlike the ’76 Mets, the ’22 Mets have a dangerous and potent lineup. Pete Alonso, Francisco Lindor, Starling Marte, and Brandon Nimmo will be a tough top of the order and will certainly be tough on the ’86 rotation. Their rotation isn’t shabby either, as Jacob deGrom, Max Scherzer, and Chris Bassitt will get their shot at the ’86 lineup.

Here are the previous recaps from round one: