Mack's Mets Memories: 10/23 - 10/30

The New York Mets history takes a celebratory turn this week. This week has historic home runs from Mike Piazza and the ground breaking on Shea Stadium, but they take a back seat to the events listed below.

October 25th, 1986: On this date, the New York Mets were down to their last strike with two out in the 10th Inning and trailing by two runs in Game 6 of the World Series. The jumbo-tron scrolled a message "congratulation world champion Boston Red Sox".

This was supposed to be the coronation of Boston and the celebration of their freedom from the curse of the Bambino. Mookie Wilson and the New York Mets didn't get the memo.

With three consecutive hits by Gary Carter, Kevin Mitchel and Ray Knight, they inched to within a run. A wild pitch and a ball that rolled through the legs of Bill Buckner led to the greatest comeback in World Series history. We all know where we were on that day.

In fact, ESPN NY wrote an interesting article on that very topic. My description of this game can't do it justice. Perhaps the descriptions of fellow-bloggers, friends of Mack's Mets staff and ESPN journalists can.

One final word on this subject. We, as fans, always review that comeback in our minds again and again. Now, here's a new and fun way of viewing that 10th Inning. Enjoy.

October 26th, 1998: On this date, the Mets were able to secure free agent-to-be, Mike Piazza. They inked him to a then record seven year, $91 million deal. He responded by carrying the team into the World Series a few years later in 2000.

October 27th, 1986: The Mets concluded their improbable comeback in Game 6 with a come from behind victory to win the World Series. They took the lead on MVP Ray Knight's go-ahead home run and won the game 8-5. The iconic image (pictured above) of Jesse Orosco leaping into the air and then falling to his knees soon followed.

 

October 29th, 2010: The New York Mets hired Sandy Alderson after an extensive and highly publicized search for their new GM. His first order of business was to hire Terry Collins as manager. He quickly moved to solidify the pitching staff and lighten the team burden of the multiple large contracts that were in place from the previous administration under his predecessor, Omar Minaya.

Mack's Mets Memories: 10/9 - 10/15

In this weekly edition of Mack's Mets Memories we take a look back on three championship runs and key events that changed the face of the Mets. First, we begin with one of the lesser known and remembered playoff runs.

October 10th: In 1973, the Mets were a surprise World Series contender when they faced off with the Cincinnati Reds. The Big Red Machine was looking to dominate the Mets, but the comeback kids from Queens had other ideas in mind.

On this date, Tom Seaver closed out the series with a 7-2 win. The Franchise gave up only one earned run through 8.1 Innings while striking out four en route to their second National League Championship in four years.

October 11th: The Washington Senators traded their manager, Gil Hodges, to the New York Mets in 1967. From 1968 to 1971, he guided the Mets to a .523 winning pct and a World Series championship in 1969. He was a beloved figure in the history of the organization.

Even after 50 years of history, Hodges ranks third in wins with 339 (behind Davey Johnson and Bobby Valentine). He is considered the greatest coach in Mets history and they acquired him for a player to be named later (Bill Denehy). The trade was completed on November 27th, 1967 but it started with the initial acquisition on this date.

October 11th: In addition to the Gil Hodges trade, the Mets also had a big hit to remember on this date. In 1986, Lenny Dykstra walked into the batter's box against the Houston Astros in the

bottom of the ninth inning.

With his team down 5-4 in an NLCS tied at one game each. The Mets took the lead in the series with one swing. Dykstra launched a two-run homer to right field for a walk-off win for the eventual champs.

October 15th: The Mets defeat the Houston Astros in 1986. This game lasted 16 innings for the longest post-season game in baseball history. The Mets clinched the NLCS and their ticket to the World Series on the strength of a 7-6 win that was capped off by a three run 16th inning.

In what many fans remember as the greatest playoff game ever, this marathon of wills lasted 4 hours and 42 minutes. This win lifted them to an inevitable meeting with the Boston Red Sox, but more on that next week.

Mack's Mets Memories: 10/2 - 10/8

The nearly 50 year history of the New York Mets have had a multitude of ups and downs. Like any good relationship, by looking at the past, we can appreciate the present. What we've been through and celebrate as fans makes us better people. This week in Mets history....

October 2nd: In 1985, Dwight Gooden becomes just the seventh pitcher (Walter Johnson, Grover Cleveland Alexander, Dazzy Vance, Lefty Grove, Hal Newhouser and Sandy Koufax) to win the pitching version of the triple crown en route to a Cy Young award (wins, ERA and strikeouts). The others are all in the Hall of Fame.

October 3rd: Though it is not a direct part of Mets history, the "shot heard round the world" was hit by Bobby Thompson on this date in 1951.

October 4th: Mets matriarch Joan Payson passed away in 1975 at the age of 72. She was inducted into the Mets Hall of Fame in 1981. She was the first Vice President in team history.

October 7th: In the longest LDS game in league history, Benny Agbayani hits a home run in the 13th inning of the 5 hours 22 minute marathon to defeat the San Francisco Giants and give the Mets a 2-1 series lead.

October 8th: In 1973, Buddy Harrelson got into an all out brawl with Pete Rose during Game Three of the NLCS. Rose slid hard into Harrelson to break up a double play to begi

n the altercation. The Mets won the game 9-2.

In 1986, Mike Scott shut out the Mets and Dwight Gooden 1-0 in Game One of the NLCS. In the loss, 14 Mets struck out.

In 2000, Bobby Jones shut out the Giants in the NLDS clinching game 4-0. He threw a complete game one hitter on his way to just the sixth one-hit shut out in playoff history at that point.