Let’s get into the rest of the week.

Jonah Tong

Triple-A

The Syracuse Mets split their six-game series against the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp last week. Despite the split, the Mets outscored Jacksonville 25-19 in the six games and held the Jumbo Shrimp to five or fewer runs in each game. Syracuse is 18-21 on the year.

Luis De Los Santos had a rollicking series against Jacksonville, going 9-for-20 with two homers and two doubles. De Los Santos also recorded five RBIs, which tied for the team lead in the series. He had been struggling prior to this breakout, as he still owns just a .651 OPS for the year.

Jared Young only went 3-for-14 in the series, but two of his hits went for home runs. Young now has three on the season and owns a .942 OPS through 14 games.

Not to be overshadowed by Jonah Tong and his combined perfect game in Binghamton, Nolan McLean had a brilliant Triple-A debut. McLean tossed seven shutout innings, allowing seven hits, no walks, and striking out seven. McLean’s prospect status continues to surge, as he owns a 1.08 ERA between six starts for Binghamton and Syracuse.

Paul Blackburn also made a couple of notable starts as he inches closer to joining the big league team. Blackburn allowed four runs in 6 2/3 innings across the two starts, not particularly great numbers, but he did strikeout seven and is expected to be a long man in the bullpen upon his return.

Brandon Sproat continues to look more and more comfortable, as he allowed just one run in five innings in his last start. Sproat still owns a 4.82 ERA through seven starts, but just two rough outings are responsible for his inflated ERA.

Nolan McLean. Photo Credit: Rick Nelson

Double-A

The Binghamton Rumble Ponies played just five games against the Reading Fightin’ Phils, taking the series by winning three of them. Binghamton is now 18-13.

The biggest win in the series came in the second game of Saturday’s doubleheader, when the Rumble Ponies tossed a perfect game. It can’t be overstated just how dominant Jonah Tong was, as he fanned 13 of the 20 batters he faced and didn’t allow a single baserunner. The Mets struck out two-thirds of the batters they faced in that final game of the series. Tong now has a 2.57 ERA through six starts and an absurd 51 strikeouts in 28 innings.

• Ryan Clifford has finally found a groove after a slow start to the year. Clifford launched three home runs against Reading, going 9-for-19 in the series. His OPS on the year climbed up to .820 after his successful series.
• Joander Suarez added a solid start for Binghamton, allowing just two runs in 5 1/3 innings while striking out seven. Suarez has a 4.03 ERA in five games this year, but a 0.93 ERA in four games with the Rumble Ponies.
• Luis Moreno and Alex Carrillo looked great out of the bullpen, with Moreno tossing 3 1/3 scoreless innings, while Carrillo allowed one run in 3 1/3 innings and struck out six. Moreno (5.91 ERA) and Carrillo (6.75) have both had a rough go of it, but they’ll be looking to build off of these latest solid outings.

Carson Benge. Photo by Ed Delany of Metsmerized

High-A

The Brooklyn Cyclones split their series with the Asheville Tourists, and it was a very even series, with Brooklyn outscoring Asheville by just one run (35-34). The Cyclones are still off to a great start to the year, sitting at 20-12.

Carson Benge and Eli Serrano had fantastic weeks, each knocking two home runs and going 8-for-23. Benge scored six runs, drove in seven, walked five times, and stole three bases, while Serrano scored five runs, drove in four, and walked twice. Benge (.860 OPS) and Serrano (.883 OPS) have both been extremely impressive and look like stars from the 2024 draft class.

A.J. Ewing and Jacob Reimer also looked great, with Ewing also going 8-for-23 and Reimer going 6-for-16. Each hit a home run, with Ewing stealing five bases, while Reimer drove in five runs and walked four times. In ten games with Brooklyn, Ewing has an .850 OPS (1.018 OPS overall) while Reimer has been crushing Brooklyn all year (1.063 OPS).

Noah Hall made the best start of the week for the Cyclones, allowing just a run in 5 2/3 innings of work. Hall has looked excellent this year and owns a 1.83 ERA in seven starts.

Out of the bullpen, both Eduardo Herrera and Chandler Marsh tossed three scoreless innings with six strikeouts apiece. Herrera has yet to allow a run in nine outings (11 1/3 innings) this year, while Marsh has a 2.81 ERA overall but an 8.44 ERA in four games with Brooklyn.

Colin Houck. Photo by Ed Delany of Metsmerized

Low-A

The St. Lucie Mets got off to a hot start in their series against the Clearwater Threshers, winning the first two games of the series, but they couldn’t sustain it and dropped four straight to lose the series. Still, the Mets are 17-16 in the early going.

2024 11th-round pick Nick Roselli had a great series, going 5-for-22 with a double and two home runs. Roselli, however, has struggled mightily this year and owns a .549 OPS between St. Lucie and Brooklyn.

Trace Willhoite also stood out despite playing in just three games. Willhoite went 4-for-10 with two home runs, three walks, and a stolen base. The undrafted free agent now owns an .873 OPS in 22 games with St. Lucie.

2023 first-rounder Colin Houck had another good week as he looks to build momentum. Houck went 5-for-17 with two doubles and a triple, walking five times and stealing two bases. After a slow start to the year, he owns a .735 OPS.

As for the pitching:

• Channing Austin, an undrafted free agent who signed last summer, had the best week of any St. Lucie pitcher. In two relief appearances, Austin allowed just one run in nine innings. Austin has struggled otherwise, owning a 4.94 ERA on the year.
• Edgar Moreta also looked great out of the bullpen, striking out six and allowing one run in six innings of work. Moreta owns a 3.04 ERA in six games.
• Raimon Gomez continues to look unhittable, as he struck out six in 3 1/3 hitless innings out of the bullpen. Gomez did walk three, but he lowered his season ERA to 0.69 through six games.

FCL Mets

The FCL Mets went 1-3 in four games this past week, dropping their record to 1-4 on the year. It’s been a brutal start, as the Mets have scored just 16 runs and have allowed 40, averaging 10 runs allowed per game.

Jeffry Rosa went just 2-for-9 in three games played, but his two hits were both home runs. He has a .923 OPS through 13 at-bats this year.

Edward Lantigua had a solid week, going 3-for-8 with two walks and three stolen bases. Lantigua is coming off a year in which he had a .792 OPS in the Dominican Summer League.

Luis Alvarez (3 1/3 scoreless innings, six strikeouts) and Daviel Hurtado (three scoreless innings, six strikeouts) were the standout pitchers for the FCL squad this past week. Alvarez and Hurtado have pitched sparingly in their professional careers but are off to solid starts in 2025.

Organizational Leaders

Batting

AVG – A.J. Ewing (STL/BRK) – .361

OPS – Jacob Reimer (BRK) – 1.063

HR – Jon Singleton (SYR) – 7

SB – A.J. Ewing (STL/BRK) – 21

Pitching

ERA – Anthony Nunez (BRK) – 0.63

SO – Jonah Tong (BNG) – 51

WHIP – Anthony Nunez (BRK) – 0.56

Players of the Week

Offense – Ryan Clifford, 1B/RF/LF Binghamton

It’s great to see Clifford showing significant signs of life at the plate after a dreadful start to the year. Clifford is still striking out at a high rate, but he is starting to demonstrate the power that makes him so valuable. His slugging percentage (.475) is starting to close in on .500 and his OPS is sitting at .820.

Pitching – Jonah Tong, P Binghamton

How does Nolan McLean, who tossed seven shutout innings in his Triple-A debut, not win pitcher of the week? If anything, that should tell you just how good Tong was. Tong is a strikeout artist, and he continues to put people away at unbelievable rates. In his last start, he did so without even allowing a baserunner. Both Tong and McLean have arguably surpassed Sproat in the Mets’ minor league pitcher rankings as they have had brilliant starts to the 2025 season.

Upcoming Schedule – May 13-18

• Triple-A Syracuse: vs. Lehigh Valley
• Double-A Binghamton: vs. Reading
• High-A Brooklyn: vs. Winston-Salem
• Low-A St. Lucie: @ Daytona

The post Minors Weekly Report: It’s All Jonah Tong appeared first on Metsmerized.

Kade Morris. Photo by Ryan Levy of Nevada Athletics

Triple-A

Buffalo Bisons (47-52) 5, Syracuse Mets (60-39) 3

BOX SCORE

• 3B Pablo Reyes: 2-for-4, R, 3B, SB (9) (.908 OPS)
• LF Luke Ritter: 2-for-4, RBI, BB, 2 K (.849 OPS)
• RF Carlos Cortes: 1-for-4, R, 2B, BB, 2 (SB) (.809 OPS)

Syracuse blew their 3-2 lead in the eighth inning, dropping their Friday matchup against Buffalo. Syracuse struggled to bring around their baserunners, getting 13 guys on but going 3-for-11 in RISP situations.

Just call on Dom Hamel to get the job done 👊

6.0 IP, 7 H, 2 ER, 0 BB, 9 K pic.twitter.com/hNyGcie57M

— Syracuse Mets (@SyracuseMets) July 27, 2024

• RHP Dom Hamel (6.25 ERA): 6 IP, 7 H, 2 ER, 0 BB, 9 K (96 pitches/52 strikes)
• RHP Carlos Guzman: 1 2/3 IP, 1 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 1 K
• RHP Wilkin Ramos: 1/3 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 1 K

Despite his underwhelming season numbers, Dom Hamel has come on strong for the Syracuse Mets. The 25-year-old struck out nine and walked none in his Friday start—he has allowed a combined five ER, 19 strikeouts, and three walks. With the unfortunate injury luck of the major league club, Hamel has made a strong case to make his MLB debut this season–whether it’s as a long man in the bullpen or a spot start.

Double-A

Binghamton Rumble Ponies (49-42) 2, Richmond Flying Squirrels (44-50) 5

BOX SCORE

• 3B Jeremiah Jackson: 2-for-4, R, 2 RBI, BB, K (.650 OPS)
• DH Kevin Parada: 2-for-4, 2 R, 2B, BB, 2 K (.707 OPS)
• 1B Ryan Clifford: 1-for-4, R, 2B (.901 OPS)

The Rumble Ponies fell down early and couldn’t complete the comeback, falling 5-2 against the Flying Squirrels. Jeremiah Jackson stayed hot in July with two more hits and RBI, raising his monthly OPS to .731.

Jackson does it again 👀 pic.twitter.com/DebW0yXfIX

— Binghamton Rumble Ponies (@RumblePoniesBB) July 27, 2024

• RHP Nolan McLean (5.10 ERA): 5 IP, 5 H, 4 R (3 ER), BB, 3 K ( 71 pitches/48 strikes)
• RHP Josh Hejka: 3 IP, 5 H, 1 R (0 ER), 0 BB, 3 K

Richmond jumped all over McLean early, scoring three runs in the first inning and allowing a long homer in the fourth. McLean has been solid in July, posting a 2.77 ERA, but has yet to record a scoreless outing since May 16th.

High-A

Brooklyn Cyclones (44-50) 12, Rome Emperors (45-47) 5

BOX SCORE

• C Christopher Suero: 2-for-5, R, HR (5), 2B, 3 RBI (.665 OPS)
• 1B Kellum Clark: 3-for-4, 2B, RBI, BB (.635 OPS)
• LF Omar De Los Santos: 2-for-5, HR (5), 2 RBI, 2 K (.552 OPS)

Despite the Cyclones’ offense putting up 12 runs, the story of the game was starting pitcher Kade Morris. Morris carried a perfect game into the seventh inning before giving up three runs in the frame. Offensively, Chris Suero went bonkers in a breakout performance, including this long home run.

Omar De Los Santos and Kellum Clark also added extra-base hits, bringing in three of the Cyclones’ 12 runs.

Us: How was your Friday?

Kade: Not bad…was perfect through 6.0

Have a night Kade Morris!#AmazinStartsHere I #LGM I #MiLB pic.twitter.com/LNLBaSsnIH

— Brooklyn Cyclones (@BKCyclones) July 27, 2024

• RHP Kade Morris (3.43 ERA): 6 1/3 IP, 3 H, 3 ER, 0 BB, 6 K (81 pitches/61 strikes)
• RHP Ben Simon: 1 1/2 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 2 K
• RHP Henry Henry: 1 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 1 K

Kade Morris demonstrated his elite potential at the start of his play on Friday, continuing his fantastic play in July. His monthly ERA is 0.57, and his strikeout-to-walk ratio is 23:6.

Low-A

Palm Beach Cardinals (53-38) 0, St. Lucie Mets (31-62) 4

BOX SCORE

• 3B Boston Baro: 1-for-4, RBI, 2 BB, 2 K, SB (7) (.766 OPS)
• DH Ronald Hernandez: 2-for-4, 2 R, 3B, RBI, BB, K (.751 OPS)
• LF Willy Fañas: 1-for-4, RBI, K (.614 OPS)

The St. Lucie offense combined for four runs and 14 combined baserunners in their 4-0 win over the Palm Beach Cardinals. Ronald Hernandez and Boston Baro continued their great seasons for St. Lucie, which has maintained above a .750 OPS for most of the season.

• RHP Jorge De Leon (8.31 ERA): 1 2/3 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K
• RHP Jeremy Peguero: 1 1/3 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K
• RHP Joseph Yabbour: 2 1/3 IP, 0 H, BB, 3 K

St. Lucie’s pitching staff dominated Palm Beach, combining to strikeout 13 Cardinals en route to their shutout victory. Jeremy Peguero was lights out again for the Mets; he did not allow a baserunner in an inning and a third on the mound.

Both DSL squads split their doubleheader fixtures–Daris Cordero went 4-for-7 for DSL Mets Blue on Friday. 

The post Mets Minors Recap: Morris’ Dynamic Start Leads Brooklyn to Win appeared first on Metsmerized.

There have been many splendid pitching performances in Mets history, and Tom Seaver is appropriately responsible for most of them. For all the gems this mound artist conjured up, his outing on July 9, 1969 is his masterpiece.

In front of a jam-packed Shea Stadium, the Mets faced the team they were chasing in the National League East and a lineup that included three Hall of Famers — Ernie Banks, Billy Williams, and Ron Santo. The primary worker of on-field miracles during this championship season set down those Cooperstown-bound batters. Even Randy Hundley (father of Todd) tried to bunt for a hit and failed.

Seaver went through the first 25 Chicago Cubs batters unscathed, striking out 11. The electricity from the raucous crowd amplified as the outs accumulated. The Mets bats, meanwhile, built up a 4-0 lead to give their mound ace plenty of breathing room. Some of the scoring was supplied by Seaver himself, who produced an RBI single in the second.

With the legends occupying the Chicago order, it was Jimmy Qualls — a man with 11 big-league hits to date and who would end up with only 31 for his career — who got the most notoriety from this night. Had Qualls failed to reach base in the top of the ninth, he would become one of many before and after who go virtually anonymous through the annals of baseball.

Instead, he delivered a clean single to left-center field and is forever known in Mets history as the man who put the sole blemish on an otherwise immaculate night.

He retired the next two in order. On the occasion of the final out, he had both hands on his hips—distraught and unsatisfied. Seaver was a perfectionist, even if he wasn’t perfect by the box score’s standards. Shea reacted much differently—a rousing ovation in honor of the brilliant performance.

Seaver’s bid for history ended just two batters short. Dreams of a World Series title, however, were soon to be realized.

Even after getting his no-hitter, cruel and unfair as it was for Mets fans to see it done in the uniform of the Cincinnati Reds in 1978 yet deserved because it was Seaver, “The Franchise” himself always claimed what he dubbed the “Imperfect Game” as his greatest of all efforts.

The post OTD 1969: Tom Seaver’s “Imperfect Game” appeared first on Metsmerized.

He was with his new team for hardly a month before he made his presence felt and it wasn’t with his bat or his glove. Donn Clendenon, the free swinging, free-talking, outspoken new first baseman for the New York Mets was in the field for New York on July 9, 1969. Tom Seaver was on the mound and the opponent was the Chicago Cubs whom the Mets trailed by 4.5 games.

In perhaps the greatest game ever pitched by a Met, Seaver retired the first 24 Cubs that faced him and headed to the ninth with a perfect game intact. In the ninth, Tom Terrific retired Randy Hundley on a bunt and then faced back-up outfielder Jimmy Qualls. Very little was known of Qualls as he was seldom used by Chicago, yet he hit a clean single to break up the perfect game and no-hitter.

Noticing a slump in his pitcher’s shoulders after the hit, Clendenon walked to the mound and told Seaver, “All right, Tom,” he said, “you (messed) up”.

Seaver, with a serious on-field manner hardened in the Marines, took such a challenge seriously: ” I (messed) up?”  he responded.

“Yeah, Tom,” finished Clendenon. “You pitched a great game and I’m proud of you. We still have to finish the inning though, so don’t let down now.” Seaver didn’t let down, retiring the final two Cubs without incident to preserve a Mets win. He walked off the field to a standing ovation. The Mets crept closer to a dispirited Cubs team whose NL East lead continued to shrink.

Such was the manner of Donn Clendenon, a man never afraid to take a strike or take a jab at an opposing player or even a teammate.

Clendenon grew up in a home where academia was preached. He finished second in his high school class, and lettered in 9 sports. His stepfather urged him to play baseball at an early age and as Clendenon matured, he seemed to gravitate toward baseball even though he had scholarships galore for several sports. He was even offered an opportunity to play basketball with the Harlem Globetrotters.

In 1957, after a short career in teaching, Clendenon went to a try-out camp run by the Pittsburgh Pirates. He was signed shortly thereafter as an amateur free-agent. After five years in the minors, Clendenon made his Major League debut in September, 1961. In his first full year, in ’62, he batted .302 with seven home runs and 28 RBIs in 80 games. He finished second in Rookie of the Year balloting to Ken Hubbs.

Over the next several years, Clendenon developed into proficient hitter, with a 98 RBI season in 1966 as his apex, in a line-up that included Willie Stargell and Roberto Clemente. He also developed a reputation as a ‘free swinger’ as he led the league in strikeouts in 1963 and 1968, and finished second in 1966 and third in 1965.

After the ’68 season, the Pirates left Clendenon unprotected for the 1968 MLB expansion draft as they were grooming Al Oliver for the first base job. The Montreal Expos drafted him and after a failed attempt to trade him to Houston which involved legal maneuvering and the intervention of commissioner Bowie Kuhn, Clendenon finally reported back to the Expos on April 19, 1969. Scarcely two months later, on June 15, 51 years ago today, Montreal sent him to the Mets in a trade for Steve Renko, Kevin Collins and two minor leaguers.

Mets historians and fans alike feel Clendenon was the missing piece of the mosaic that turned the 1969 Mets from a good team to a championship caliber team. Many of his teammates agreed.

Sports Illustrated

“He [Clendenon] was the catalyst on the team,” outfielder Art Shamsky recalled to Stanley Cohen, author of A Magic Summer. “You can talk about our pitching, which was great, and whatever else, but until June we were just a potentially good team. When Clendenon joined us, he gave us the right-handed power we needed, some more experience, and we became a really good team from that point on.” Third baseman Wayne Garrett agreed, telling Cohen, “Clendenon was probably the key to our whole season, because when he came over we really came alive.”

Alive indeed. When Clendenon joined the Mets, they were 11.5 games behind the Cubs. By the All-Star break, they were just 4.5 games back. Manager Gil Hodges, a devotee of platooning even star players at times, did the same with Clendenon as his newly acquired first baseman split time with Ed Kranepool. Playing part-time, Clendenon, in a pitcher’s league, playing in a pitcher’s park, batted .252 and slugged .455 for the Mets, with 12 homers and 37 RBIs in just 202 at-bats.

He started slowly for New York after the trade, but gained momentum as the season wore on. And his tenacity and outspoken nature were apparent from day one. When the Cubs came to Shea Stadium in early September still leading the Mets by 2.5 games, it was Clendenon who helped the Mets sweep the short series with a home run in game two. Clendenon also hit two home runs against the St. Louis Cardinals in the game that clinched the NL East title on September 24.

Clendenon did not make an appearance in the National League Championship Series against the Atlanta Braves. Atlanta rolled out three right-handed starters in the eventual three-game sweep by the Mets, and Hodges, true to his platooning style, opted for Kranepool. The World Series was a different story.

What is sometimes lost in the euphoria of the unexpected victory by the Mets against the Baltimore Orioles, is the amount of chatter surrounding the series. The jawing was partly between the two squads and in part in the clubhouse after a game, especially after the game one loss by the Mets. Before the Series even saw its first pitch, Frank Robinson said on the field ,  “No hard feelings, but you guys can’t beat us,” Clendenon replied that the Mets would “kick your ass, maybe in four straight games!” Clendenon’s confidence was boosted by the fact that Baltimore had two left-handers in their powerful four-man rotation, and were in fact cutting to a three-man rotation for the Series with southpaws scheduled to throw four of the first five games.

After the Mets lost game 1, Clendenon noticed the Mets clubhouse was sullen and he asked Hodges if he could address the team. Hodges agreed and what followed was pure Clendenon:

Donn started by letting Seaver off the hook. They had chased the team’s (and league’s) best pitcher, but the Orioles still didn’t dominate the game. “Gentlemen, trust me!” he shouted. “We have much better pitching than they do. Our pitchers are better and they throw a hell of a lot harder than (Baltimore’s) pitchers. Let’s not get down, and let’s look at what we can do if we just play our game.” He even told reporters after his chat unequivocally, “Trust me fellows! We will win!”

Now this boast did not get the press a la Joe Namath’s or Mark Messier’s guarantees did,  but it was still gutsy coming from a player whose team was already down a game to a heavily favored opponent.

Undaunted from the loss in game one, Clendenon, outspoken as always, continued his verbal sparring before game 2. During batting practice, he got into a spat with Paul Blair and it ended with Clendenon shouting, “We are going to send you home with your (freaking) head between your legs.”

A man of his word, Clendenon broke a scoreless tie with fourth inning home run off of Dave McNally. Also, he played excellent defense at first,  scooping out a number of throws from his infielders including one from Ed Charles to record the final out.

In game 4, Clendenon once again opened the scoring in the second with a homer of Mike Cuellar. The score stayed 1-0 until the ninth when the Orioles put runners on first and third with one out against Seaver. Brooks Robinson then lined a fly ball to right center that was caught by Ron Swoboda after a full-extension dive, truly one of the finest catches ever in a World Series game.

Clendenon always maintained that Swoboda should have played the ball on a hop, that it was the go-ahead runner on first (who may have come around to score had the ball gotten by Swoboda). He made a point of spelling out his thinking to Swoboda when they got to the dugout.

With the Mets up three games to one, the Orioles struck quickly in game 5 taking a 3-0 lead. In the bottom of the sixth, fate may have stepped in to seal the championship. Cleon Jones was awarded first base on what would later be known forever as the Shoe Polish Incident. What is sometimes overlooked is that the next batter, Donn Clendenon, smacked a two-run home run to cut the Orioles’ lead. Al Weis homered later to the tie the game, and the Mets rallied for two in the eighth to give them their first lead.  That lead held-up and the Mets had their unlikely, but wondrous championship.

As pandemonium broke out on the Shea infield, Clendenon made his way to the clubhouse to be told he had been named the Most Valuable Player of the World Series—despite strong cases for Tommie Agee, Jerry Koosman, and Al Weis. Clendenon’s three homers tipped the scale in his favor for the prestigious MVP award. The last man to join the 1969 Mets stood the tallest at their hour of victory.

For the series, Clendenon batted .357 (5 for 14) with three home runs and four RBI.  His three home runs remain tied for most home runs in a five-game Series with the Phillies’ Ryan Howard, who equaled it in the 2008 World Series.

In 1970, eyebrows were raised when Ed Kranepool, the last player from the Mets inaugural 1962 season, was sent to Tidewater, leaving first base the exclusive province of Clendenon. He responded with his best full season since 1966, one of his best ever, in fact, as he batted .288, slugged .515, clubbed 22 homers, and drove in 97 runs—a Mets record for RBIs at the time. He even had a 7-RBI game on July 28. Interestingly, Clendenon was overlooked for an All-Star birth even though his manager filled in the roster with extras. Clendenon never made an All-Star appearance in his 12-year career.

There was no Mets Magic in 1970 though as they finished in third place, six games behind the Pirates.

In 1971, Kranepool returned from the minors with a vengeance and had a career year, greatly reducing Clendenon’s playing time. With John Milner and Mike Jorgensen waiting in the wings, Donn Clendenon became the odd man out and was released from the Mets at the end of the 1971 season. After a short stint with the Cardinals, Clendenon retired from baseball.

Clendenon pursued a law degree at Duquesne University. He graduated with a Juris Doctor in 1978 and practiced law in Dayton, Ohio. He also had a bout with drug addiction, all of which is recounted in his book, Miracle In New York, in which he wrote about growing up in Atlanta, the magic of the ’69 Mets, earning his law degree and battling drug addiction as he neared his 50th birthday.

As part of his rehabilitation, Clendenon had frequent medical check-ups and during one, was found to have leukemia. As was his ilk, he did not stay home and wait for the inevitable, rather, he worked for many years as a chemical dependency counselor and was devoted to helping others in their recoveries. Clendenon died from leukemia on September 17, 2005. He is survived by his wife, Anne; his sons, Donn, Jr. and Val, his daughter, Donna Clendenon, and six grandsons. Shortly before his death, he was inducted into the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame.

Donn Clendenon was an integral part of the Mets 1969 miracle run. As stated, his presence solidified a good team and made them a great team. He was, at times, a clubhouse leader and at other times, an irritant to his opponents. His articulate, outspoken manner is a part of the lore of the unforgettable story of the ’69 Mets and his contributions will not be forgotten.

The post Amazin’ Memories: Mets Acquire Key Piece in Donn Clendenon appeared first on Metsmerized.

The New York Mets announced they have optioned reliever Chris Mazza to Triple-A Syracuse and recalled reliever Drew Gagnon, who will join the Mets in Atlanta.

Mazza, 29, has appeared in four games for the Mets this season, recording a 5.19 ERA, 3.56 FIP, and 1.731 WHIP across 8.2 innings.

Gagnon, 29, flirted with a perfect game last week and is rewarded with another chance at the big league level. He has appeared in 15 games for the Mets this season, recording a 7.65 ERA, 6.87 FIP, and 1.650 WHIP across 20.0 innings. He has been stricken by the long ball as in those 20 innings, he’s allowed six home runs.

He has made 12 starts for Triple-A Syracuse this season and has gone 6-4 with a 2.15 ERA and 1.042 WHIP across 71 innings.

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Squaring off on Sunday Night Baseball, Bartolo Colon and Justin Verlander were engaged in the best pitcher’s duel of the year so far.

Verlander allowed just one run on a solo shot from Robinson Chirinos in the third inning.

That would prove to be the only hit Verlander would allow through eight innings. He struck out 11 batters, but 44-year-old Colon was better.

Colon took a perfect game into the eighth inning before doling out a walk and then allowing a double to Josh Reddick.

He was removed from the game and replaced by Alex Claudio.

We here at MMO tip our caps to Colon, who at age 44 can still hold his own with the best of ’em.

The post Bartolo Colon Loses Perfect Game In Eighth Inning appeared first on Metsmerized.

Major League Baseball has announced umpires Bob Davidson, John Hirschbeck, Jim Joyce, and Tim Welke have retired.

Davidson, also known as Balkin’ Bob for his propensity to call balks, began as a National League umpire in 1982. Davidson has long been a controversial umpire, whether it was him being a part of a group that tried to lead an umpire strike, his being the rare umpire suspended by baseball for his repeated acts of escalating and instigating altercations, or his ejecting a fan for heckling Yadier Molina. 

John Hirschbeck began working as an American League umpire in 1984. He leaves behind a mixed legacy that has seen him as a respected umpire that worked five World Series, including being the crew chief of last year’s World Series.

Hirschbeck was also seen as a confrontational umpire that was prone to look for fights. The most notorious incident was when Roberto Alomar spit in his face. The incident was rumored to be escalated by Hirschbeck who some have alleged to have used a homophobic slur. Hirschbeck and Alomar eventually made amends with Alomar making a donation for adrenoleukodystrophy research. Hirschbeck’s late son died from the disease.

Jim Joyce began working as an American League umpire in 1987. His career was marked by two calls: one right and a wrong one..

In Game 3 of the 2013 World Series, he ruled Will Middlebrooks obstructed Allen Craig on the base paths while diving for an errant Jarrod Saltalamacchia throw. It would be the first time a World Series game would end on an obstruction call.

The biggest call was his career was improperly ruling Jason Donald beat out Miguel Cabrera‘s flip to Armando Galarraga. With two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning, the call cost Galarraga a perfect game. Joyce was distraught over the missed call. Before the next game, he and Galarraga shook hands at home plate.

Tom Welke began working as an American League umpire in 1984, has not worked a game since 2015, and he is retiring after needing a second knee surgery. Welke had a largely inauspicious career, albeit with a good reputation. His claim to fame was ejecting Bobby Cox in Game 6 of the 1996 World Series which is, to date, the last ejection in World Series play.

From a Mets point of view, Welke was the second base umpire during Game 2 of the 2000 World Series. As such, he was part of an umpiring crew that did not see it fit to eject Roger Clemens for throwing a bat at Mike Piazza. Welke’s younger brother, Bill, is currently a major league umpire.

Unfortunately for Mets fans, it appears Angel Hernandez will continue to serve as an umpire.

The post MLB News: Four Long-Time Umpires Retire appeared first on Metsmerized.

 Matt Harvey was overpowering versus the Colorado Rockies last night. He fired eight scoreless innings while striking out four batters to gain his 11th win of the season.

He dominated the Rockies’ lineup for the entire contest as his fastball and changeup command were on point. Harvey did not walk a single batter all evening.

Harvey’s stuff was so good that Terry Collins believed he had a chance at a perfect game.

“Before Paulsen hits the double,” Collins said, “[If] we make plays on three ground balls, he’s got a perfect game going.” (Anthony Rieber, Newsday)

Yesterday’s outing was a continuation of Harvey’s dominance during the second half. His ERA since the break stands at 1.24, and he has not allowed a run in his last 15 innings.

Harvey also has an outstanding 1.45 ERA since June 16th, which ranks second in the majors behind only Zack Greinke.

“Matt’s got it going right now,” manager Terry Collins said.

After a few disappointing starts in late May and early June, Harvey has returned to form and looks like the same outstanding pitcher he was before Tommy John surgery.

“Obviously, as a team, we’re rolling right now,” Harvey said. “If we keep going out there and [allowing] no runs, then we’re going to win a lot of ballgames and be where we want to be.”

Harvey’s record now stands at 11-7, and his ERA has improved to 2.61 in 148 innings pitched.

The post Matt Harvey Has Not Allowed A Run In 15 Innings appeared first on Metsmerized.

Las Vegas and Steven Matz (7-4, 2.11) take on Salt Lake City at 9:05 ET tonight.

Binghamton (36-32) 5, New Hampshire 2

Binghamton was put in an early deficit when Gabriel Ynoa gave up two runs in the bottom of the third that didn’t last long when Michael Conforto started a two-out two-run rally in the top of the 4th with his 8th double for the Mets. Ynoa and the bullpen would shut down the Fisher Cats offense the rest of the night giving up just two hits in 6 scoreless innings to close out the game. Ynoa went 6.2 innings allowing two runs on four hits and two walks without recording a strikeout to pick up his 2nd straight win. Ynoa was good enough to get his 4th win of the year while lowering his ERA to 4.99 and his WHIP to 1.38 on the year. Dario Alvarez came in with two runners on and the game tied in the 7th inning inducing a ground ball to get out of the jam. He followed that with a perfect 8th inning striking out all three batters he faced. Paul Sewald came in and got his 12th save of the year pitching a perfect 9th with two strikeouts. Sewald has now allowed just 20 hits and 6 walks in his 30.1 innings this year while striking out 30 over that span.

Backup catcher Albert Cordero was the hero on the night hitting a solo homerun in the top of the 7th to go up 3-2, it was his first of the season. Here is video of the game-winning homerun. Conforto with another good night going 2-5 with his 8th double (20th overall), he is now hitting .378/.477/.622 in AA in 20 games. Brock Peterson was 3-5 with two doubles, run scored, and three RBI including two with two outs.
Peterson now has seven doubles and 19 RBI in 14 games with Binghamton, hitting .370/.417/.611 over that time. Brandon Nimmo was 1-4 with a walk, he has hit 8-18 for Binghamton his return from injury. Gavin Cecchini went hitless for the 7th time in 10 games but did walk and score a run, has just four hits in his last 43 at bats. Box Score

Binghamton host Harrisburg tonight at 6:35 with Luis Cessa (6-4, 2.34) on the mound.

Jupiter 4, St. Lucie (34-34) 1

St. Lucie had the impossible task of facing the rehabbing Marlins ace Jose Fernandez who went 7 innings giving up only four hits (two of them by Dominic Smith) and one run while striking out nine. He was also hitting 96/97 on the gun and was throwing a good slider. Pitching the 8th inning for Jupiter was another Major Leaguer on rehab assignment Bryan Morris who pitched a scoreless inning.

Smith was the only Met to reach base multiple times on the night going 2-3 with a walk including the two hits off Fernandez. Jeff McNeil hit a triple down the left fielder line off Fernandez and came around to score the Mets only run on a wild pitch. Amed Rosario was 0-3 with three strikeouts against Jose but did single in the 9th to bring the tying run to the plate.

Kevin McGowan got his 5th loss of the season going only 4 innings giving up three runs (two earned) on seven hits and three walks while striking out three. Julian Hilario pitched two scoreless innings allowing three hitters to reach and struck out one lowering his ERA for St. Lucie to 1.42. Box Score

St. Lucie Mets playing in Jupiter tonight at 6:35 with no starter listed.

Savannah is still on the All-Star with the game being played tonight. Casey Meisner, Jonathan Johnson, and David Roseboom will represent the Sand Gnats at the game.

Brooklyn (3-1) 14, Tri-City 0

On a normal night the pitching performance from 2014 29th round pick from Matt Blackham (7 scoreless innings, three hits, walk, seven strikeouts in first pro start) would be the big story but the Cyclones offense stole the headline banging out 14 hits and 6 walks to produce 14 runs. Tucker Tharp, a 30th rounder from last year anochored the offense out of the lead off spot going 4-4 with a walk scoring all five times he was on base. Mets 14th pick this year Vincent Siena followed him in the order going 2-4 with a walk, two RBI, and his first pro double. The power hitting right fielder Michael Bernal was 2-2 with a walk, his 1st homerun of the year, and four RBI on the night. Brooklyn’s 20-year old catcher Jose Garcia was 2-3 with his first double and two RBI, he is 3-10 with a walk to start the year.

Blackham threw 92 pitches with 57 for strikes in his first pro start after giving up just three runs in 19 innings last year out of the Kingsport bullpen. Christian Montgomery pitched a perfect 8th striking out all three batters he faced. Mets 2015 7th round pick Corey Taylor pitch a scoreless 9th with a strikeout in his pro baseball debut. Box Score

The Cyclones play tonight at 7:00 ET vs. the Tri-City ValleyCats with 21-year old lefty Kevin Canelon on the mound.

The Kingsport Mets play their first game of the year tonight at 7 PM vs. Johnson City with Harol Gonzalez making his stateside debut. The roster includes Mets 3rd round pick from last year Milton Ramos, 2014 8th rounder 1B Dash Winningham, and 9 draft selections from this year.The 2015 draft picks include 9th pick OF Kevin Kaczmarski,  Catcher Patrick Mazeika (8th round), pitcher Chase Ingram (6th round), pitcher Thomas McIIraith (20th round),pitcher Joseph Shaw (12th round), Witt Hggard (10th round),Dillon Becker (16th round pick), pitcher Erik Manoah (13th round), and pitcher Seth Davis (29th round).

GCL Marlins 2, GCL Mets (0-1) 1

Jeff Walters was making his first appearance since June 5th of 2014 when he was acting as the closer for the Las Vegas 51’s when he started for the Mets pitching one perfect inning. Merandy Gonzalez followed with 5 perfect innings of relief with 6 strikeouts. The Mets carried their perfect game into the 8th inning before Luis Carreno gave up a single followed by a 2-run homerun.

The game was scoreless into the 6th inning before Brandon Brosher scored from 3rd when Victor Moscote was caught stealing second base. Outfielder and $725k bonus baby Ricardo Cespedes was 1-4 in his first game stateside. The Mets 23rd round pick this year Kenneth Bautista made his pro debut going 1-4 with a stolen base. Box Score

DSL Mets2 (14-6) 6, DSL Cubs 5 Box Score

DSL Rockies 7, DSL Mets1 (10-10) 2 Box Score

Catching prospect Juan Uriarte was 2-4 at the plate and threw out all four would be base stealers on the day, the 17-year old is now hitting .310/.355/.408 on the young season.

The post Mets Minor League Recap: Conforto Continues To Rake, Brooklyn Wins 14-0 appeared first on Metsmerized.

On June 20, 1964 Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Jim Bunning threw a perfect game against the New York Mets in the first game of a doubleheader at Shea Stadium. With his wife and children in the stands, here’s what happened …

By the eighth inning 32,904 Mets fans were cheering for the Philadelphia Phillies, for pitcher Jim Bunning. On Father’s Day 1964, the Phillies pitcher was just a handful of outs away from a perfect game.

Met fans rooting for the Phillies? This would never, under any circumstances, happen today.

But these were simpler days for Met fans. The Mets were already firmly planted in last place (20-45) in the National League, 21 games behind in the National League East. Winning a division title was nowhere in sight – nor did it matter. Mets fans celebrated wins, and losses, and the first year in their new Flushing home, Shea Stadium. Life was good. National League baseball was back in New York.

“Nobody realized it was a perfect game until the fourth or fifth inning,” former Phillies pitch Dennis Bennett told Bill Ryczek, author of The Amazin’ Mets. “You know that it’s taboo to talk about it, but Jim was talking about it.”

Bunning was reportedly very vocal about what was developing. According to catcher Gus Triandos, he’d never seen Bunning acting so animated. “He was jabbering like a magpie,” he said.

Only one other time over the first 10 years of his career did Bunning feel the same command and control of his slider. It was six years earlier (1958), as a member of the Detroit Tigers when he tossed his first career no-hitter against the Boston Red Sox.

Galen Cisco, who was playing for the Mets, said Bunning “just wasn’t missing. Everytime he tried to keep the ball away, it was away. When he got two strikes, he was throwing the ball off the plate, and we were swinging. We just weren’t very patient.”

Perfection was in jeopardy in the fifth inning when Jesse Gonder hit at line drive toward right field. Phillies second baseman Tony Taylor dove to his left, knocking down the ball and threw out Gonder at first base.

Former Met Hawk Taylor said Bunning had “won over the umpire, who was starting to widen the strike zone for him … not that he needed a lot of help, but I remember the strike zone was substantially enlarged.”

Joe Christopher added, “When you’re making good pitches and the umpire is in your corner, it’s two against one.”

Bunning had retired 24 consecutive batters when Charlie Smith stepped in to lead off the ninth inning. Smith made No. 25 easy, hitting a foul pop up to third base that was squeezed by Cookie Rojas.

Mets manager Casey Stengel pinch hit George Altman, who felt he had the advantage against Bunning, who threw side-armed. “Lefthanders got a good look at him,” Altman told Ryczek. “He’s the kind of pitcher you love to hit off. To me, it was a lot better than facing Koufax or someone like that … of course he wound up handling all of us.” Altman hit a long foul ball into the seats then promptly struck out.

Mets pitchers Tracy Stallard and Bill Wakefield, members of the fraternity, were emotionally split. Stallard wanted to see the Mets break up the perfect game, while Wakefield privately changed allegiances.

“You always want to be professional, you always want to root for your team, but it wasn’t a situation that was going to cost us the pennant, or even a position in the standings.”

Stengel sent another pinch hitter to the plate, Johnny Stephenson. The Mets rookie was 2-for-27 in his major league career. Bunning fidgeted nervously on the mound as Stephenson came to the plate.

His first two pitches to Stephenson were strikes, the first swinging, the second a called strike. Bunning missed with the next two pitches. Stephenson watched a 2-2 pitch drop into the strike zone. Bunning was perfect, throwing 86 pitches (69 strikes).

“He threw me all sliders, which were hard to pick up, the way he fell off the mound,” remembered Stephenson.

Surrounded by teammates, Bunning disappeared into the visitor’s dugout at Shea Stadium. After a few minutes of standing ovation fans launched into a chant of “We want Bunning! We want Bunning!”

When the Phillies pitcher stepped back on to the field for a post-game interview with Ralph Kiner, Mets fans exploded in cheers. Moments later, Bunning’s wife, Mary, and his eldest daughter—he has seven children—came out of the stands to kiss and hug Dad.

Ryczek wrote, “… through mid-1966, Bunning made seven starts in Shea Stadium. He had seven wins, seven complete games and four shutouts. Bu early 1967, he had allowed just three runs to the Mets in 72 innings.”

Bunning became the first pitcher in major league history to throw a no-hitter in both the American (July 20, 1958 vs. Boston) and National leagues.

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