In our continuing attempt to help fill the baseball void, we present the first-ever World Series home game in Mets history — better known as the “Tommie Agee Takeover.”
Agee thwarted the Baltimore Orioles’ chances to gain a 2-1 edge in a series they were almost universally expected to win. His bat helped give New York the early lead, then his dazzling defense took over — with a pair of catches that still remain a part of World Series lore.
Here are a few highlights:
- Check out the player introductions — no pyrotechnics, no flashy graphics, no overlaying music.
- The man introduced at 1:40 might make a good manager one day.
- Calling the game for NBC is the legendary Curt Gowdy and longtime Mets’ broadcaster Lindsey Nelson (back when the team’s everyday announcer would assist with the national broadcasts of the World Series).
- Agee, the Mets’ leadoff hitter, began asserting control at 21:50 at the expense of starting pitcher (and Hall of Famer) Jim Palmer.
- With runners on the corners in top of the fourth and Elrod Hendricks at-bat, Agee’s remarkable range and deft glovework became the story at 56:51.
- If that play wasn’t stunning enough, at 1:44:24, Agee added to his highlight reel to rob Paul Blair‘s bid for extra bases.
