Mets Madness Series Recap: 1969 Mets Beat 1997 Mets in 7 Games

In Game 2, in the first, the ’97 Mets immediately got to young Gary Gentry, taking a 2-0 lead on the power of a Todd Hundley two-run HR. After the Miracle ’69 Mets clawed back a run in the bottom of the second, the teams remained scoreless until the bottom of the sixth when the ’69 Mets finally broke through. With nobody out, Cleon Jones singled, moving Ken Boswell, to 2nd after his leadoff hit, Tommie Agee struck out, Mgr. Eckert had his bullpen up when Art Shamsky sacrificed, bringing Buddy Harrelson to the plate. Harrelson lined a two-out base hit, driving in two. That brought Jerry Grote to the plate with the Rheingold play of the game, a two-run double driving Harrelson and Eddie Kranepool in, who had walked.

The ’69 Mets brought in Jack DiLauro in the sixth to pitch to John Olerud, and the Southpaw specialist did his job neutralizing Olerud and the Mets pen behind DiLauro and Cal Koonce closed it out, securing the victory for Gentry and the ’69 Mets, who took a 2-0 series lead.

In Game 3, and back as the home team, the ’97 Mets had no intentions of rolling over.

Both lineups were struggling vs. superior pitching performances, and in the fifth, the ’97 Mets finally broke through. After a leadoff base hit from Rey Ordonez,  Edgardo Alfonzo doubled; Carlos Baerga walked. Mgr. Mike Lloyd elected to stay with Koosman with the bases full to pitch to the lefty Olerud, providing the Chevrolet play of the game, a long grand slam from Olerud. That gave the ’97 Mets an insurmountable lead.

Dave Mlicki carving up the ’69 Mets like a holiday turkey, scattering six hits over eight innings, and with the help of Greg McMichael, who pitched the 9th, shut down the ’69 Amazins with a 5-0 shutout victory. The ’69 Mets series lead was cut to 2-1.

Game 4

In Game 4, the ’97 Mets were looking to tie the series at 2-2 apiece.

The ’97 Mets went right to work on young Mets swingman Nolan Ryan. In the fifth, Olerud touched him up for a long home run, and things then remained quiet until the third when Hundley of the ’97 Mets stepped to the plate, with the highlight of the game, a long three-run homer over the auxiliary scoreboard.

That would be all the ’97 team would need, Reynoso working both sides of the plate and confounding the ’69 team. McMichael and J. Crawford lent a hand, and the ’69 team is shutout 5-0 again. The Series is tied 2-2!

*At this point, it was important to acknowledge the pitching exhibited by the ’97 team. They have 19 straight scoreless innings.

Game 5

In Game 5, Tom Seaver took the ball for the ’69 team, back as the home team, and tried to get the team back on track.

The ’69 Mets offense, having been shut down for 19 consecutive innings vs the ’97 Mets rotation, finally broke through. Art Shamsky hit a solo shot in the second. Ending the scoreless streak at 19 innings and making it 1-0. In the fourth, with Seaver cruising, Reed pitched to Shamsky, who connected for a double, driving in Cleon Jones for the Mets second run.

In the sixth, the ’69 team’s offense finally got on track and put up a five-spot in the fifth highlighted by a Tommie Agee run-scoring double.

The ’69 Mets then went to Jim McAndrew after Seaver pitched 7 1/3, and McAndrew shut down the ’97 team to secure the 9-1 victory.

–Of special note. In the top of the eight, with one out, Rey Ordonez strode to the plate, breaking up Seaver’s shutout and hitting a 430 ft. HR to straightaway CF. (Manager Eckert’s favorite moment and my most perplexing)

The ’69 Mets lead the series 3-2.

Game 6

With ’69 team up 3-2 in the series, Mgr. Eckert turned to Bobby Jones. Jones and the ’97 team had no plans to go quietly onto the night. In the first, Gentry walked Edgardo Alfonzo; after getting a strikeout, Gentry pitched to Hundley. The power bat proceeded to hit a long two-run home run, and the ’97 Mets took a 2-0 lead early in the first in Game 6.

In the sixth, Butch Huskey tacks on a sacrifice fly, and the ’97 Mets take a 3-0 lead. The ’69 Mets go quietly the rest of the way and the series is now heading to a pivotal Game 7.

Game 7

In Game 7, we have our pitching matchup from Game 3, where Dave Mlicki re-introduced himself to Mets fans with his six-hit shutout in Game 3. Both managers will let it all hang out. Full rosters are available except for the game 6 starters.

In the first, the ’69 Mets get on the board early; Ron Swoboda, in the leadoff spot, walks. After two outs, Swoboda advanced to second on a fielder choice, Art Shamsky singles, bringing Swoboda in and giving the ’69 Mets an early 1-0 lead.

In the second, with one out, hits by Ken Boswell and Buddy Harrelson give the ’69ers a chance. Leadoff hitter Swoboda, who had sat against the right-handed Mlicki in Game 3, proved his manager correct with a two-run double to give the ’69 Mets a 3-0 lead.

In the fourth, with Koosman cruising, the ’97 Mets managed to scratch out a run with a hit and run and fielders choice throw that enabled Olerud to score after a Hundley single.

Things remained quiet till the sixth, when Agee, who struggled mightily this series, stepped to the plate. The center fielder took Mlicki deep, and Nolan Ryan and Ron Taylor were ready in the pen. The ’69 team led 4-1 after six.

Ryan pitched 2 1/3 innings before left-hander Tug McGraw was called upon to get the last out. McGraw secured the 4-1 victory and closed the seventh game to win it for the ’69 Mets.