The Mets Police

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.

 

Earlier today the Mets called up Tusken Raider to play second base.

Famous Marlin Mike Piazza (see earlier) joined David Wright and The Other Captain at Ladder 3

And Tim Byrdak and Bobby Parnell talked to folks who know how to put out fires at Squad 288.

METS TO OFFER COMPLIMENTARY TICKETS
TO NEW YORK CITY FIRST RESPONDERS FOR
SEPTEMBER 11 REMEMBRANCE CEREMONY AT 7:30 P.M.
AND METS-CUBS GAME TO FOLLOW AT CITI FIELD

Mets to Donate Half the Proceeds from Special $10 Ticket Offer to Tuesday’s Children

FLUSHING, N.Y., September 9, 2011 – The New York Mets today announced they will offer complimentary tickets to New York City First Responders and their families for the September 11 Remembrance Ceremony at 7:30 p.m. and the Mets-Cubs game to follow at Citi Field.

Tickets can be picked up with proper photo identification starting today at the Citi Field Advance Ticket Window adjacent to the Jackie Robinson Rotunda and on the day of the game at all Ticket Windows. Tickets are available to past and present off duty members of the New York City Police Department, New York City Fire Department, Port Authority Police Department, Emergency Medical Service, Office of Emergency Management, New York City Sanitation Department, New York City Department of Correction, and New York State Court Officers on a first come, first serve basis, subject to availability.

The Mets will also extend a special ticket offer to all fans for this Sunday’s game that benefits Tuesday’s Children. The team will donate half the proceeds from the sale of $10 Promenade tickets to Tuesday’s Children, the non-profit family organization which has made a long-term commitment to every individual impacted by the events of September 11 and more recently those who have been impacted by terrorist incidents worldwide. Fans can purchase tickets online at Mets.com/911. There will be no ticket or order fees for this special offer.

September 11 Remembrance Ceremony

The September 11 Remembrance Ceremony will honor lives lost and pay tribute to the heroes, survivors and rescue and recovery workers on the 10th anniversary of the terrorist attacks.

New York City uniformed service men and women will participate in the pre-game ceremony and first responders and families from Tuesday’s Children will unfurl a giant 300-foot by 100-foot American flag.

Grammy Award winning singer Marc Anthony will perform the National Anthem and American Idol finalist Pia Toscano will sing God Bless America. Anthony performed an emotional rendition of the National Anthem on September 21, 2001, the first regular-season professional sporting event in New York after September 11.  Toscano, who was born and raised in Howard Beach, Queens was a winner of the 2008 Mets Anthem Search. She’s appearing at Citi Field the night after the American Idols Live! 2011 Tour concludes in Rochester, New York and will release her debut album later this year.

Last week, the Mets announced that John Franco will throw out the ceremonial first pitch to Mike Piazza during the ceremony. Franco and Piazza both played on the 2001 Mets and were instrumental in the club’s relief efforts after September 11.

Mets Alumni Association Presented by Citi

The Mets and members of the Mets Alumni Association Presented by Citi continued the outreach efforts started by the club 10 years ago by visiting local firehouses today.

Franco and Piazza along with David Wright and New York City Fire Commissioner Salvatore J. Cassano visited Ladder 13 in Manhattan. Ladder 13 lost 12 members on September 11.

Later in the day, Mets alumni Edgardo Alfonzo, Matt Franco, John Olerud, Steve Trachsel and Robin Ventura joined current Mets Tim Byrdak and Bobby Parnell at Squad 288 – Haz Mat 1 in Maspeth, Queens. Haz Mat 1 lost 19 members on September 11, the most of any firehouse that day.

Citi and Mets Alumni will team up with the non-profit MyGoodDeed tonight at Citi Field to help commemorate the 10th anniversary of September 11 by encouraging people to perform good deeds, support charitable causes, volunteer and engage in other acts of service.

Matt Franco, Olerud, Trachsel and Ventura will help 50 Citi volunteers in distributing “I Will” pledge cards to fans before the 7:10 p.m. Mets-Cubs game. The pledge cards encourage fans to visit 911day.org, and post what they will do to remember and pay tribute through good deeds and other forms of charitable service this September 11.

MyGoodDeed annually organizes the 9/11 Day of Service and Remembrance (“9/11 Day”), which seeks to provide a positive and forward-looking way for Americans and others to forever honor and remember the victims, survivors, and the many that rose in service in response to the tragedy, including first responders, recovery workers, volunteers, public safety officers and members of our military.

David Paine, president and co-founder of MyGoodDeed, started the 9/11 Day of Service and Remembrance in 2002 along with his friend Jay Winuk, vice-president and co-founder, who lost his younger brother Glenn Winuk, an attorney and volunteer firefighter, in the line of duty at the World Trade Center. David’s original idea was inspired by a story he had read soon after the attacks which reported that members of the 2001 Mets organization, including players, planned to donate a day’s wages to the relief efforts.