If the Mets hadn’t converted all their disbelievers by now– those who were still convinced the Orioles superiority would overcome New York’s combination of pitching, timely hitting, and spectacular plays in the field — would be given even more of a reason to believe in miracles after game 4.

Of no miracle was the performance by Tom Seaver on this afternoon. Following a shaky opening game loss in Baltimore, Seaver was vintage at Shea Stadium as he even carried the Mets into extra innings. But the game probably would never have gotten to that point, and the Mets wouldn’t have taken a 3-1 series lead, if not for the heroics of a most unlikely defensive star. On the heels of Tommie Agee‘s exhibition in center field one day earlier, Ron Swoboda garnered the spotlight with one incredible catch that still ranks among the best ever in a World Series.

Here are some highlights to look for:

  • Enjoy the pregame show plus commercials. Sandy Koufax and Mickey Mantle were among the many who predicted a Baltimore series victory, and provided analysis from a room that must have been used for a darts tournament.
  • Original Mets manager Casey Stengel tosses out the first pitch around the 29:00 mark.
  • Donn Clendenon, the eventual series MVP, continues to feast on the Orioles’ left-hand pitching at 59:00. It would be his second of three homers (each off southpaws) in the five-game set.
  • Orioles skipper Earl Weaver proceeds to get tossed by home plate umpire Shag Crawford beginning at 1:05:31, becoming the first manager to be ejected from a World Series game since 1935.
  • At 2:22:10, the play of the game — and maybe of the Mets’ franchise: Ron Swoboda’s sensational, diving play with runners on first and third and one out in the top of the ninth robs Brooks Robinson. Frank Robinson manages to tag up and score the tying run, but Swoboda’s heroics limit the damage.
  • The Mets win it in the tenth as J.C. Martin “drives” in the winning run. His sacrifice bunt attempt is fielded by Baltimore reliever Pete Richert, whose throw to first base strikes Martin in the wrist and allows pinch-runner Rod Gaspar to come in from second base. The Orioles contest afterward that Martin interfered with the throw, but to no avail. Everything was coming up Mets.