Mets Video Vault: 2000 NLDS Game 2

The latest installment of our continuing series showcasing notable Mets broadcasts features a pivotal point in the run to the National League pennant twenty years ago.

After dropping the opener in the best-of-five versus the San Francisco Giants, the team with the NL’s best regular-season record in 2000, New York could ill afford to dig itself an 0-2 hole.

It was incumbent on starter Al Leiter, who had thrived in many critical games before, to avoid that fate. The Mets would head back to Queens with the series even, but not before late-inning drama threatened to impede any New York momentum.

Here’s the game broadcast (in two parts):

And here’s what to look out for when you watch:

The Giants won 97 times on the strength of power hitters Barry Bonds followed by ex-Met and NL MVP Jeff Kent.
Would you look who’s starting on the mound for San Francisco? Future Met Shawn Estes. Don’t worry, there was no need to plunk anyone on purpose.
It’s the breakout of Timo Perez, a complete unknown until September, who went 3-for-5 with a two-RBI single in the second (31:25 of Part 1).
Leiter departed after eight solid innings with the ‘W’ seemingly in hand, especially when Edgardo Alfonzo added some ninth-inning insurance (27:53 of Part 2).
No big Mets game from the late 1990s and early 2000s would be complete without an Armando Benitez meltdown, and he doesn’t disappoint at 39:25 of Part 2. You’ve been warned in advance.
New York responded in extras behind Jay Payton (at 50:22 of Part 2), and then John Franco shut the door in typically heart-stopping Franco fashion — getting Barry Bonds to look at a nasty changeup on the inside corner (at 1:02:45 of Part 2).