Remembering Mets Opening Days (2018) A Victory for the Late Rusty Staub
Staub had spent nine years with the Mets in two different stints. He was a key offensive member of the 1973 NL pennant team, who led all hitters in batting in the 1973 World Series. In his later years he became one of the game's best pinch hitters setting many records in that role before retiring in 1985.
The Mets held a moment of silence for Rusty Staub & Ed Charles "the Glider" two Mets alumni that had both recently passed. Ed Charles was the senior member, third baseman of the 1969 World Champion Amazing Mets.
In 2017 the Mets finished fourth (70-92) in Terry Collins last year as manager.
On the field there was lots of enthusiasm & hope for the year ahead, as 44,189 came out to a cloudy damp Citi Field to see the Mets host Mike Matheny's St. Louis Cardinals. The Cards were coming off a third-place finish & another third place finish this season got Matheny fired during the season this year, replaced by Mike Shildt.
The pre-game introductions went well, as the new Mets were welcomed & the returning Mets were cheered. Wilmer Flores, Jacob deGrom, Yoenis Cespedes & David Wright got the biggest ovations of the afternoon.
Thursday March 29th, 2018: In the top of the 1st, Noah Syndergaard started out the season striking out Dexter Fowler. The next two Cardinals grounded back to Syndergaard for two quick outs.
In the home 1st, Brandon Nimmo was hit by a pitch to start the season.
Next, Amed Rosario collected a two-run single to left field making it a 6-3 Mets lad.
Brandon Nimmo then followed with a single to left for his second hit of the day. Yoenis Cespedes then collected his second hit & drove in his third run of the game giving the Mets a commanding 7-3 lead. Jay Bruce added an RBI base hit driving in Nimmo with the Mets 8th run of the day making it 8-3.
The Mets held the lead as Syndergaard pitched six innings, allowing four runs on six hits with ten strike outs. In 2018 Syndergaard was 13-4 with a .765 winning percent. He posted a 3.03 ERA & was tops in the league with two complete games & one shut out.
The Mets held a moment of silence for Rusty Staub & Ed Charles "the Glider" two Mets alumni that had both recently passed. Ed Charles was the senior member, third baseman of the 1969 World Champion Amazing Mets.
In the off season the Mets brought in Jay Bruce once again for right field & New Jersey native Todd Frazier for third base. They also brought in a new manager, Mickey Callaway the former Cleveland Indians pitching coach became the 21st manager in Mets history.
The pre-game introductions went well, as the new Mets were welcomed & the returning Mets were cheered. Wilmer Flores, Jacob deGrom, Yoenis Cespedes & David Wright got the biggest ovations of the afternoon.
In the home 1st, Brandon Nimmo was hit by a pitch to start the season.
Mets Trivia: Nimmo became the second Met in franchise history to lead off a season getting hit by a pitch. In 2010 Alex Cora was the first to do it.
Jay Bruce then walked & Asdrubal Cabrera reached on botched throw at first base by Jose Martinez. The ball went into left field & Nimmo crossed the plate with the Mets first run of 2018.
In the top of the 2nd, with one out, Jose Martinez singled. Next, Mets nemesis Yadier Molina hit his first HR in New York, since the fatal 2006 NLCS HR in Game #7 at Shea Stadium that put the Cards ahead for good in the game clinching the series.
In the bottom of the 2nd, Kevin Plawecki drew a one out walk. After Syndergaard struck out, Amed Rosario singled to center field. Brandon Nimmo then walked to load the bases. Yoenis Cespedes delivered a two out single in the hole at short giving the Mets a 3-2 lead.
In the top of the 2nd, with one out, Jose Martinez singled. Next, Mets nemesis Yadier Molina hit his first HR in New York, since the fatal 2006 NLCS HR in Game #7 at Shea Stadium that put the Cards ahead for good in the game clinching the series.In the bottom of the 2nd, Kevin Plawecki drew a one out walk. After Syndergaard struck out, Amed Rosario singled to center field. Brandon Nimmo then walked to load the bases. Yoenis Cespedes delivered a two out single in the hole at short giving the Mets a 3-2 lead.
In the top of the 4th, Matt Carpenter led off with a double, Jose Martinez brought him in with a single tying up the game at three.
In the bottom of the 5th, the Mets would score five runs, collect five hits, draw two walks. sending ten men to the plate. It began with one out as Todd Frazier walked. He scored on Adrian Gonzales' double to right field. Kevin Plawecki then drew a walk & Syndergaard sacrificed, advancing the runners up.
Brandon Nimmo then followed with a single to left for his second hit of the day. Yoenis Cespedes then collected his second hit & drove in his third run of the game giving the Mets a commanding 7-3 lead. Jay Bruce added an RBI base hit driving in Nimmo with the Mets 8th run of the day making it 8-3.
In the top of the 6th, Jose Martinez homered off Syndergaard making it 8-4. Jose Martinez collected three hits on the day with a HR & two RBIs. That season he hit a career high 17 HRs with 83 RBIs.
The Mets added a run in the bottom of the 8th, as Asdrubal Cabrera walked & advanced to third on two wild pitches by pitcher Sam Tuivailala. Kevin Plawecki drove him in with his second base hit of the game making 9-4.
The Mets added a run in the bottom of the 8th, as Asdrubal Cabrera walked & advanced to third on two wild pitches by pitcher Sam Tuivailala. Kevin Plawecki drove him in with his second base hit of the game making 9-4.
Robert Gsellman, Anthony Swarzak & Jeurys Familia each pitched a shutout inning.
On the day the Mets collected scored nine runs & collected 12 hits. Yoenis Cespedes collected three RBIs while having two hits. Brandon Nimmo reached base three times with two hits, a walk & drove in two runs. Kevin Plawecki & Adrian Gonzales had two hits & an RBI. Jay Bruce also had a hit & an RBI.
Mets Opening Days Trivia: The Mets continued their Opening Day success with another victory, going 36-21 on Opening Day's in their team history up that point. They had won their last four openers, six of their last seven.
The 2018 New York Mets started out a franchise best 11-1 thru the first dozen games. But they would have another dismal season going 77-85 finishing fourth.