Tag Archives: World Series

Aug 13

Today in Mets’ History: Leiter throws gem at Giants.

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The Mets acquired Al Leiter prior to the 1998 season from the Marlins in Florida’s fire sale after winning the World Series.

He was a big

LEITER: Big-game starter for Mets.

-game starter in seven years with the Mets, going 95-67 with a 3.42 ERA. In a one-game playoff at Cincinnati in 1999, throwing a two-hit shutout, 5-0, to send the Mets to the NLCS against Atlanta.

On this date in 2000, Leiter pitched one of his best games as he struck out 12 to beat the Giants, 2-0. Leiter was an All-Star that season and started Games 1 and 5 in the World Series against the Yankees.

Leiter broke in with the Yankees, and had two stints with them (1987-89 and 2005). He also pitched for Toronto (1989-95), the Marlins (1996-97), the Mets (1998-2004) and briefly returned to the Marlins in 2005 before going back to the Yankees.

Currently a member of the Yankees’ broadcasting team on YES, Leiter has also expressed interest in a political career.

LEITER CAREER

 

Aug 12

Today in Mets’ History: Mays’ finale at Candlestick.

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When the consider the event, it was shocking that only 13,000 were in attendance on this day in 1973 at San Francisco.

MAYS: Always popular at Shea.

The Giants beat the Mets, 4-1, in what was Willie Mays’ last appearance as a player in Candlestick Park. Mays went 0-for-4.

Five days later, against Cincinnati’s Don Gullet at Shea Stadium, Mays hit his 660th and final home run of his career.

This was Mays’ last season, and it was a disappointing way to go out, even if he played in the World Series. In 66 games, Mays hit .211 with six homers and 25 RBI.

The Mets traded for Mays in May of 1972 in a public relations coup for the franchise. At the time, the Giants were in financial distress and owner Horace Stoneham couldn’t guarantee a position after retirement.

MAYS CAREER

 

Jul 28

An appreciation of Carlos Beltran

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The inevitable happened and Carlos Beltran is now a member of the San Francisco Giants, where he has an opportunity to atone for taking strike three against Adam Wainwright in Game 7 of the 2006 NLCS.

One thing for certain is he wasn’t going to get it from the Mets, even had he stayed.

BELTRAN: Should be remembered positively.

After two injury riddled seasons and the Mets’ financial empire crumbling, we knew Beltran wouldn’t finish out the year. Saddled with a contract that didn’t allow compensatory draft picks, the Mets had to get something before he walked this winter.

General manager Sandy Alderson did as well as could be expected in getting one of the Giants’ top pitching prospects in Zachary Wheeler. He did so because San Francisco has a young and loaded rotation. F0r the Giants to repeat, they need a bat and Beltran was the best on the market.

In theory, the trade could help the Giants win this year and the rebuilding Mets in the future.

Unquestionably, Beltran’s agent, Scott Boras, played a persuasive role, as he made the impression to his client that with several salaries coming off the books next year, the Giants could have the resources to make an extension.

In dealing Beltran, the Mets gave up arguably the franchise’s most complete position player, even over Darryl Strawberry, David Wright and Jose Reyes. Beltran has all the tools and the Mets were lucky to have him. Unfortunately, too many Mets’ fans have a block on Beltran, and he hasn’t received the appreciation warranted a multiple All-Star.

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Jul 17

Today in Mets’ History: Big rally against Braves.

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The Atlanta Braves didn’t always have a stranglehold on the Mets. On this date in 1973, Rusty Staub and John Milner each hit two-run homers as the Mets scored seven runs in the ninth inning in a dramatic 8-7 comeback victory at Atlanta.

Tug McGraw started and went six innings for the Mets, with Buzz Capra getting the win.

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The Mets, who would play in the World Series that year, improved to 39-50 with the victory in sixth place in the NL East.

 

 

 

Jul 10

Today in Mets’ History: Matlack throws one-hitter.

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On this date in 1973, the Mets’ Jon Matlack threw a one-hit shutout at Shea Stadium over the Houston Astros, 1-0.

Tommy Helms doubled in the sixth for Houston’s only hit, and Duffy Dyer’s double drove in Rusty Staub for the game’s only run.

With the victory, the Mets improved to 36-46, sixth place in the National League East, 12 games off the pace.

It was a different time then, but the message is the same. Those Mets didn’t give up on the season and reached the World Series. The road is different today, but looking  back history tells us good things can still happen in this season.

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