There used to be an awesome blog called Mets Walkoffs that went into retirement a few years back.
September 10, 1969 was a very special day on this planet And I’m one of the few left to tell the tell and pass it along to you kids. I’m trying to find the image where the Mets put “Look who’s #1” up the scoreboard but I have to run out to soccer.
So…here’s a complete lift from an inactive blog. I think Mr. Walkoffs would approve wherever he finds himself these days.
THURSDAY, APRIL 16, 2009
Party Like Its 1969
September 10, 1969 is a famous date in Mets history, as it marks the point at which the Amazins moved into first place for good.
The Mets did something on Wednesday that they hadn’t done since September 10, 1969, but it had nothing to do with first place, and really nothing to do with anything other than that its the kind of thing we like to note in this blog.
The 2009 Mets scored 7 runs on Wednesday, but managed only 3 RBI. It was hardly an offensive explosion, as the combo of double plays, wild pitches, and errors contributed mightily to the cause.
Only once before have the Mets scored that many runs, with that low an RBI total. That happened to be on September 10, 1969.
I should mention that the Mets played a doubleheader on that date, and the more famous game of the two was the first, in which Ken Boswell’s extra-inning walk-off single put the Mets ahead of the Cubs in the standings (great highlight on the 1969 Mets highlight album).
Oft forgotten is the second game, which added a half-a-game cushion to the Mets margin. The Mets beat the Expos 7-1, managing that total with only 3 RBI.
Much like yesterday, the Mets sent an enigmatic, sometimes out of control hurler to the mound against a squad that many would consider offensively-challenged. Much like Oliver Perez mowed down the Padres, Nolan Ryan was fantastic, throwing a complete game three-hitter, with 11 strikeouts and four walks.
The inning of weirdness in this one was the third, in which the Mets managed six runs and six hits, but benefitted greatly from a run-scoring wild pitch and a pair of Montreal errors. They’d add their other tally in the 7th, again on a wild pitch. This helps explain why the Expos finished the season 44-99.
It’s also a good omen, certainly a better one than watching Jody Gerut homer as the first batter in Citi Field, that we can already begin making mention of 1969 this early in the season.
